John Coombs

John Coombs was a giant of the trade union movement and is perhaps best remembered for his leadership during the 1998 Waterfront Dispute. 

Coombs joined the Waterside Workers' Federation as a wharfie in Sydney in 1968 and became the union’s delegate for Consolidated Cargo Care in 1972. When National Secretary Tas Bull retired in 1979, he took over the leadership of the Federation. His leadership was critical to the success of the infrastructure underpinning superannuation, universal health care and maritime reform achieved under the Hawke and Keating Governments. 

Coombs was integral to establishment of the Waterside Workers’ Credit Union and Stevedoring Superannuation Fund, both of which he chaired for many years. 

One of his greatest achievements was leading the WWF through the amalgamation process with the Seamen's Union of Australia in the early 1990s, to form the Maritime Union of Australia. He then played an essential role in the MUA’s survival during the infamous 1998 Waterfront Dispute.  

In addition to his leadership on a local level, Coombs was also a member of the Executive of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, where he advocated for the rights of workers and trade unions. 

He retired from the MUA in 2000 to care for his son Garry, who was living with Multiple Sclerosis, and he subsequently became an advocate for those living with this disease as well as all those living with disabilities. 

John Coombs died on 1 September 2021, having lost his fight with dementia. Following his death, at every port across Australia wharfies stood silent and on every merchant ship the Red Ensign flew at half mast, while union delegates read aloud a tribute to the ex-wharfie who led them to victory during 1998 and led them with courage, tenacity and unbending principle.  

References

Crumlin, P 2021, Vale John Coombs, Maritime Union of Australia,  <http://www.mua.org.au/news/vale-john-coombs> 

Crumlin, P and Combet, G 2021, ‘John Coombs: Fearless Union Leader who Battled on the Waterfront’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 November, <https://www.smh.com.au/national/john-coombs-fearless-union-leader-who-battled-on-the-waterfront-20211110-p597ut.html>