Workers oppose war

Around the world, workers say no to war

The global labour movement is calling for peace following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “We urge leaders on all sides to show restraint, diplomacy and urgently deescalate the conflict to minimise the loss of innocent lives,” said ITF President and Dockers’ Section Chair Paddy Crumlin.

“Workers around the world are defiant in opposition to Russia’s invasion including thousands of dock workers showing solidarity with the people of the Ukraine and contempt for Putin’s aggression.”

In New Zealand, MUNZ and RMTU have made a joint statement on the war. Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Wayne Butson says workers may deliver letters of protest to the Captain of any Russian flagged vessels in New Zealand ports.

He says it is important to note any protest was not antiRussian crews, but against aggression and war decisions at the leadership level.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says many Russian and Ukrainian crews worked in New Zealand waters as both nations had big maritime industries.

The Maritime Union had dealt with exploitation and mistreatment and assisted in the repatriation of crew members from both countries.

He says there is not a large number of Russian flagged vessels in New Zealand ports but there are some including fish factory trawlers in ports such as Lyttelton. Many ‘Flag of Convenience’ vessels had Russian and Ukrainian crew. There would probably be issues around crew members wanting to repatriate to their home country, he says. On 9 March, New Zealand Parliament unanimously passed historic sanctions legislation in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

A Russian ship docked in New Zealand had its voyage cancelled due to the Government’s sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

The Spirit of Enderby (Professor Khromov) arrived at South Port in Bluff in March and was scheduled for a passenger tour voyage to New Zealand’s subantarctic and Chatham islands.

However, operators Heritage Expeditions cancelled the tour, even though sanctions were yet to be formalized around maritime operations.

In the United Kingdom, ITF Dockers’ affiliate Unite the Union announced its dockers members would refuse to load and unload Russian-owned or controlled vessels in British ports, and the Government has now moved to ban Russian vessels from UK ports.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has written to the Australian Prime Minister issuing an urgent call for meaningful steps be taken to place pressure upon Russia’s economic, social, and strategic interests across the Asia Pacific region.

Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU) Chairman, Oleg Grygoriuk, said “We are thankful to brothers and sisters in the ITF Dockers’ family for their actions and support. This growing movement of solidarity brings us the confidence to keep fighting this outrageous invasion from Putin. We will prevail.”