On Wednesday 21 January Carnival Cruises will be sailing into Melbourne and the MUA are going to be there to give them the welcome they deserve.
Find out why and what you can do to help.
The MUA have been calling on Carnival Cruises to negotiate a fair agreement for workers on Australian vessels operating in Australian waters. Current employment conditions see the multinational company continue to rake in billion-dollar profits by exploiting legal loopholes to maximise profits. They employ foreign workers in these roles on precarious contracts, and with no agreement establishing conditions of employment for as little as $2.50 per hour. Many are working extremely long hours with little time off, often remaining on the vessel for months at a time.
Whilst holidaymakers enjoy the illusion of a good time for all, employees are enduring cramped living conditions and poor-quality food and water. High workloads and insecure work coupled with poor work and living conditions put these workers at high risk of both physical and psychological harm.
Carnival (finally) agreed to meet with the MUA but persist in claiming that their ships don't need union agreements because "their conditions are so good". The MUA invites all Victorians who have a different idea of "good pay and conditions" to join the demonstration at Station Street, Port Melbourne on Wednesday 21 January at 8:00 am and help campaign for this kind of exploitation to end.
RSVP to the MUA's CALL TO ACTION
Also, check out the MUA's Megaphone petition Carnival Cruises: End Exploitation on the Australian Coast
Hear more: Shane Reside MUA Organiser discusses Carnival Cruises on ABC radio | MUA
Carnival Cruises - environmental concerns | MUA
We asked Carnival Cruise passengers how much they thought the Carnival crew are paid | MUA