The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), together with its fellow Australian unions, the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), stands firmly in support of our brothers and sisters from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in America, who are currently engaged in a crucial struggle against Orsted, a major offshore wind developer.
Orsted’s refusal to recognise the International Longshoremen’s Association for the loading and discharging of cargo for offshore wind projects along the east coast of America is a deeply concerning and unacceptable stance, we have and always will see the loading and discharging of vessels as dockers and wharfies constitutional coverage. As a global union movement, we firmly believe in the principles of workers’ rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions for all, regardless of their geographical location.
Solidarity knows no borders, and the CFMMEU, together with our allied Australian unions, firmly stands united with ILA to ensure that all wharf workers involved in these offshore wind projects are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. The right to collectively bargain and negotiate fair union contracts is the cornerstone of a just and equitable workplace, and we will not allow Orsted to undermine these fundamental rights.
We call on Orsted to immediately recognise the International Longshoremen’s Association and engage in meaningful negotiations to establish good union contracts that prioritise the well-being of the workers who will contribute to these offshore wind projects. By recognising the ILA, Orsted can demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility and fair labor practices, setting a positive example for the renewable energy industry as a whole.
The CFMMEU, along with our fellow unions, reaffirms our unwavering support for the International Longshoremen’s Association and their cause. We are prepared to stand in solidarity and fight alongside our American counterparts every step of the way until justice prevails.
Furthermore, we urge Orsted to recognise that solidarity knows no borders, and we will hold them accountable if they continue to disregard the rights of workers and refuse to negotiate in good faith. The power of international solidarity cannot be underestimated, and we are prepared to mobilise our resources and influence to ensure justice and fairness for all workers involved in these projects.
As we continue to monitor the situation closely, we call upon all stakeholders, including governments, industry players, and civil society, to support the International Longshoremen’s Association and their right to fair union contracts without any further delay. Together, we can pave the way for a renewable energy industry that not only serves the environment but also upholds the rights and dignity of the workers who make it possible.
Christy Cain
National Secretary
CFMMEU
