The Campaign Against Apartheid

Struggle, Solidarity and Unity: 150 Years of Maritime Unions in Australia

Trade unions were at the forefront of the campaign against apartheid in South Africa, with the Seamen’s Union of Australia and Waterside Workers’ Federation particularly active in the anti-apartheid movement. Both unions were active in introducing and maintaining embargoes of South African ships, despite attempts by the Menzies Government to punish trade unions that used sanctions. The unions stood strongly with the South African Council of Trade Unions and fully supported their urging for sanctions against apartheid.    

Under the leadership of E. V. Elliott and Jim Healy, the SUA and WWF opposed apartheid and condemned racial oppression from the late 1940s onward, with the SUA at the forefront of implementing the United Nations arms embargo.

Both unions were also involved in attempts to implement an oil embargo, however this was thwarted by USA and UK leaders. Shipping unions across the world formed the Maritime Unions against Apartheid (MUAA) with the SUA’s Pat Geraghty and Wally Pritchard key founding members who helped mastermind the international oil embargo (McDonald & Jennings 2016). The SUA and WWF joined with the Danish Seamen's Union, the National Union of Seamen (UK) and the Transport and General Workers Union (UK) to become the fulcrum of the organising of the embargo (Maritime Union of Australia 2013).

Maritime workers around Australia also supported South Africans impacted by apartheid through the donation of medicine, clothing and food, which they shipped to South Africa (Maritime Union of Australia 2013).

Nelson Mandela made note of the support of maritime workers when, meeting with former SUA national secretary Pat Geraghty in 1990 after his release from prison, he spoke of the impact of the campaign on them behind the walls of Robben island: “We knew what you were doing and it was very important to peoples’ minds” (Maritime Union of Australia 2013). 

 

 

References

Crumlin, P 2013, ITF President and MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin’s Statement on the Passing of Nelson Mandela, Maritime Union of Australia, <https://www.mua.org.au/news/itf-president-and-mua-national-secretary-paddy-crumlins-statement-passing-nelson-mandela> 

McDonald, A & Jennings, P 2016, Australian Unions and the Fight Against Apartheid, Museum of Australian Democracy, <https://www.moadoph.gov.au/blog/australian-unions-and-the-fight-against-apartheid/> 

 

Seamen's Union members march to end apartheid in South Africa, May Day, Sydney, New South Wales, 1960s (Z91-135)

Seamen's Union members march to end apartheid in South Africa, May Day, Sydney, New South Wales, 1960s (Z91-135)

Waterside Workers' Federation member march to end apartheid in South Africa, Sydney, New South Wales, undated (N409-9).

Waterside Workers' Federation member march to end apartheid in South Africa, Sydney, New South Wales, undated (N409-9).

Manila Bay sits idle after Waterside Workers' Federation members refuse to unload the ship carrying South African cargo in protest against apartheid, Port Jackson, New South Wales, 1989 (Z432-86). Photographer - Merv Fitzhenry.

Manila Bay sits idle after Waterside Workers' Federation members refuse to unload the ship carrying South African cargo in protest against apartheid, Port Jackson, New South Wales, 1989 (Z432-86). Photographer - Merv Fitzhenry.

Wharfies join with other protesters in a demonstration against apartheid, Coogee Beach, New South Wales, 27 March 1971 (Z248-81-9).

Wharfies join with other protesters in a demonstration against apartheid, Coogee Beach, New South Wales, 27 March 1971 (Z248-81-9).

Letter regarding boycott of South African cargo, 16 July 1971.

Letter regarding boycott of South African cargo, 16 July 1971.

Waterside Workers' Federation memorandum to all branches regarding the union's position on South Africa and apartheid, 26 May 1970.

Waterside Workers' Federation memorandum to all branches regarding the union's position on South Africa and apartheid, 26 May 1970.

Letter from Waterside Workers' Federation General Secretary Charlie Fitzgibbon to Prime Minister John Gorton regarding the Australian Government's failure to condemn the South African Government and Apartheid, 12 June 1970.

Letter from Waterside Workers' Federation General Secretary Charlie Fitzgibbon to Prime Minister John Gorton regarding the Australian Government's failure to condemn the South African Government and Apartheid, 12 June 1970.