The 1998 waterfront dispute was brought vividly to life this week in the ABC's Bastard Boys telemovie. Nine years ago a stevedoring company tried to sack its 1,400 employees and the ensuing battle between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia has gone down in history as one of Australia's most important industrial and political events.
To read an opinion piece by Josh Bornstein (a lawyer who played a key role in winning the dispute) click here.
What did you think of the ABC's portrayal of the dispute? Post your comments below.
8 comments:
Thanks very much for reprinting the terrific article by Josh Bernstein.
Its very clear, compelling and succinct!
I thought of two things in regard to the ABC's 'Bastard Boys' drama TV special.
One was that if Howard gets back in, the ABC will most certainly have it's budget cut to nearly nothing and shows like 'Lateline' will not exist.
Two, in regards to the show itself, I thought it was brilliant! I do think more detail/ information should have been given to Howard's role in this fiasco. Although it was 9 years ago, there is no reason why he shouldn't be impeached (if that is the correct term) over his involvement in trying to sack 1,400 AUSTRALIAN workers because he didn't like the power of the unions. Yes, in those days, the Unions were over the top, and yes, this action did bring the Unions back to Earth but it did show that by working together Australians can solve these problems. It was a win/ win for Corrigan and the Unions but by forcing Corrigan to submit to the Unions and take, along with Peter Reith, all the blame, Howard got away scot free.
Australia could have been rid of him 9 years ago.
Cheers,
David
Hi CPSU,
It was a brilliant production of one of the most important industrial events of our generation. I really enjoyed watching the story being re-told, my only criticism of the story would be that in the interests of being even handed, I thought Patrick's and the Howard Government were displayed in too positive a light. Clearly the MUA and the the ACTU were the victims and the heroes of this story, and I thought the mini-series should have reflected this. Still it was great drama of an absolutely landmark event, and although some concessions and reforms were agreed to, the MUA were the winners morally, but with great support from the rest of the union movement. It just underlines what can be achieved if people stick together for a just cause.
The story would make a great book, where maybe the account could be told more vividly, and with no punches pulled.
Regards,
Geoff
Bastard boys was a great movie.
Good timing and well done to the ABC for showing it now.
My young son who has just finished and apprenticeship in the metals industry is now a union member. He now understands the difference the union makes in his workplace. They are going through negotiations with his employer at the moment and he is keen to support the members.
He watched the show with me, and my advice to him is stand together in solidarity and fight to keep what conditions you have.
I think it helped him understand more the importance of being a union member, not just because his mother insisted he be one.
We need more young union members.
Hope it has an impact on the upcoming election.
While B/Boys was compelling drama, and showed the appalling tactics of the employer, it also showed that the employer appeared to have some quite legitimate gripes about slack work practices. Those who oppose unions [me not being one] would have been fortified by what they saw on TV. What does the CPSU and Mr Bernstein have to say about that?
Dear Comrades,
Bastard Boys tried too hard for "balance" at the expense of truth, I think.
Although Howard & co came out looking very bad (as they deserved to), the wharfies and their union were victims of gross slander. I was particularly offended by the exchange where a wharfie complained to John Coombes that he'd reported a faulty pool table a week before, but it hadn't been fixed.
The wharfie suggested a national stoppage and Coombes replied:
"Well, we've done it before for less".
This sort of anti-union slander is a complete travesty. Not all CPSU members would support on every occasion the positions taken by the MUA and its predecessors, but nobody can deny that national waterfront disputes revolved around major issues.
And yes, my whole family were there on the wharves, visiting many times to take supplies and spare furniture and doing sleepover shifts. I was at the Battle of East Swanson Dock, where we stood up all night facing off the coppers. We were about 5,000 or so at the start of the night. By the end of the night, the condition of the handful of toilets had to be seen to be believed and it probably contributed to the gradual diminution of the picketers.
When dawn came and the coppers finally outnumbered us, we were rescued by the arrival of 2,000 building workers, who had assembled on sites around South Melbourne and marched to the docks. An older unionist, obviously a Boy Scout in his youth, turned to me and called it "the relief of Mafeking". VTHC negotiated safe passage for the police and we were in control of the docks again. We'd won the way Sun Tzu recommends - without a blow being struck.
Watched it ! Loved it ! More exposure required regarding the PM and Government’s involvement but aware the Mini Series could have become a Soap.
Need someone to clarify who the real Bastard Boys were in this event.
. . . think I’ll join my Union !
Yes, my family (self and partner) were involved in the waterfront supporting the workers.
My partner thought the series was quite good but did not give a complete or true portrayal of all events and people.
Where was Jennie George? She was very much there, yet was nowhere to be seen in the serial.
I wonder how Ms George thinks of that?
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