The Maritime Union of Australia is at present involved in a dispute with Patrick Stevedoring Company who have rented wharf space to National Farmers Federation who wish to avoid the crippling costs and inefficiencies of the Stevedoring industry. New Zealand companies have successfully introduced waterfront reforms and productivity has increased. Patrick Stevedoring have been crippled under pressure of the Maritime Union and rumours are ride about sacking of employees of the company. It appears that the Federal Government are support the NFF. The Australian this week reported "News of the behind-the-scenes manoeuvrings came yesterday as John Howard hailed farmers attempts to set up a non-union Stevedoring operation as a 'great defining moment in history'. The Queensland State Premier Mr Rob Borbidge also has support the NFF and invited them to establish a non-union dock in Brisbane. "We hope to be able to expedite their involvement in more open competition in terms of the port of Brisbane and their may be other ways that the Government can assist Following the lead of Britain from where many of the original settlers came, workers in various occupations banded together to form unions. Ship writers, boat builders, tailors, bakers and carpenters were among the first craft unions form in Australia before 1848.By forming an association workers could obtain better wages and working conditions. However the employers wanted the highest profit margins so wished to keep wages low and spend little money on the working environment. The law of supply and demand in the labour market often determined which group was dominant.A third factor in the balance in Australia was the government. A successful strike by newspaper workers in 1829 for better wages and conditions resulted in the Masters and Servants Act being implemented which discriminated against the workers, who could be gaoled for minor revolts.Early in the colony, skilled labours were in shor...
