Eliot Valens Elliott

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

Eliot Valens Elliott was born Victor Emmanuel Elliott in New Zealand in 1902. He joined the Federated Seamen’s Union of Australasia at the age of 17 and worked as a stoker. He quickly earned a reputation as a tough delegate focused on campaigning for better working conditions. He came to prominence during the 1935-1936 Seamen’s Strike as Assistant-Secretary of the Sydney Strike Committee. He was then elected Queensland Branch Secretary. 

Elliott claimed he became a union official in order “to earn a quid so I can eat” after being blacklisted by shipping companies, but he demonstrated a great aptitude for the job. Like WWF General Secretary, Jim Healy, he was a modern trade unionist and possessed a unique vision for a progressive national union. He was also a committed communist and member of the Communist Party of Australia. He strove to combine a radical vision of socialism with realistic bargaining tactics.

Elliott became General Secretary of the Seamen's Union of Australia in 1941 and in 1942 served as representative to the Maritime Industry Commission. He was active in the international labour movement, sponsoring union recruitment and organisation among Australian and visiting seamen and promoting collective action by Chinese, Greek and Indonesian seamen. Although he led the SUA in opposition to the Korean and Vietnam Wars, he generally relied on negotiation skills rather than strike action. He was a fierce opponent and defended SUA members in bitter battles with BHP and the Utah Development Co.

In 1949, Elliott joined the CPA’s central committee and was appointed vice-president of the maritime section of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), which had strong backing from the USSR. Although the ACTU withdrew from the WFTU that same year, the SUA didn’t disaffiliate until September 1952. Elliott maintained a long-term pro-Moscow view, which contributed to his removal from the central committee of the CPA in 1969, and his decision to join the new Socialist Party of Australia in 1971.

Elliott's long-time partner was prominent trade unionist and activist Kondelea Xenedohos (more commonly known as Della Elliott), whom he met while both were working for the Waterside Workers' Federation.

After 37 years as General Secretary, Elliott retired from the SUA in 1978. He died in Sydney on 26 November 1984, survived by Della and his son.

 

 

References

Richard Morris, 'Elliott, Eliot Valens (Vic) (1902–1984)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/elliott-eliot-valens-vic-12458/text22407, published first in hardcopy 2007, accessed online 3 October 2023.

Cahill, R n.d., Eliot Valens Elliott 1902-1984, Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, <https://www.labourhistory.org.au/hummer/no-8/eliot-valens-elliott> 

Morris, R 2007, Eliot Valens Elliott, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol. 17, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, <http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/elliott-eliot-valens-vic-12458> 

 

 

E.V. Elliott, Federal Secretary of the Seamen's Union of Australia, undated (N409-119-75).

E.V. Elliott, Federal Secretary of the Seamen's Union of Australia, undated (N409-119-75).

Federal Secretary E.V. Elliott (left) and Sydney Branch Secretary Barney Smith (centre) lead Seamen's Union members in the May Day march, Sydney, New South Wales, undated (N409-119-01).

Federal Secretary E.V. Elliott (left) and Sydney Branch Secretary Barney Smith (centre) lead Seamen's Union members in the May Day march, Sydney, New South Wales, undated (N409-119-01).

Federal Secretary E.V. Elliott (right) leads Seamen's Union members in May Day march, Sydney, New South Wales, undated (K2833).

Federal Secretary E.V. Elliott (right) leads Seamen's Union members in May Day march, Sydney, New South Wales, undated (K2833).

Seamen's Union Federal Secretary E.V. Elliott leading New South Wales Branch members in the Peace Conference March, Sydney, New South Wales, 1951 (N343-488).

Seamen's Union Federal Secretary E.V. Elliott leading New South Wales Branch members in the Peace Conference March, Sydney, New South Wales, 1951 (N343-488).

E.V. Elliott leading Seamen's Union members in a wreath-laying ceremony at The Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney, New South Wales, c. 1960s (K2818).

E.V. Elliott leading Seamen's Union members in a wreath-laying ceremony at The Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney, New South Wales, c. 1960s (K2818).

E.V. Elliott, undated (N409-119-38).

E.V. Elliott, undated (N409-119-38).