Union Bans on Fijian Shipments

Date: 29 May 2000

The Maritime Union protest bans on Fijian cargo kicked off today with waterside workers in Melbourne refusing to handle around 50 containers of general cargo bound for Suva onto the Colombus Queensland.

The containers are being isolated and and held alongside all other cargo arriving on the wharves marked for Fiji.

"We've identified the shipping lines that handle the majority of Fijian cargo," said National Secretary John Coombs. "They are Colombus and ANZDL lines, Neptune Shipping (Kapitan vessels) and Forum Tonga. So long as the elected government is held hostage, the bans stay."

The first ship to arrive in Australia carrying Fijian cargo is the Kapitan Tasman, due in Melbourne next Monday. The bi-monthly service is scheduled to carry 40 containers inbound and 40-60 containers outbound.

Meanwhile the MUA has written to the International President of the US west coast waterfront union, ILWU, Brian McWilliams, seeking support for the ACTU solidarity initiative.

" It would certainly send a message to the international community, for both the ILWU and the MUA to combine their resources on this important issue in Fiji," wrote Assistant National Secretary Mick O'Leary. "(We) are available to discuss what options may be opened to both organisation to achieve the maximum effect in support of democracy in Fiji."

This is not the first time the Maritime Union has instigated bans against Fijian cargo. In 1987 all Fijian cargo was blackbanned in protest against the Rambuka military coup which toppled the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Dr Bavadra.

Contact: Deputy National Secretary John Coombs, mobile: 0418 379 660
Assistant National Secretary Mick O'Leary, mobile: 0418 640 508

For further information

Contact:	Zoe Reynolds
Union:	Maritime Union of Australia
Phone:	0417 229873
WWW:	http://mua.tcp.net.au/

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