Waterfront: The Battle that Changed Australia

by Helen Trinca, Anne Davies

Explosive and controversial 'Waterfront' exposes for the first time the real story behind the bitter 1998 war on the wharves which divided Australians and changed the nature of the workplace forever. The battle is still raging, and this shocking expose reveals who was behind it and what it means for all Australians.

It all began with a 'deep throat' phonecall to John Coombs, the head of Australia's most militant unions, the Maritime Union of Australia. The mystery caller warned him of a clandestine plot to destroy the union's hold on the waterfront.

The controversial stand-off between the Patrick Stevedoring company and the MUA became a battle for the hearts and minds of the average Australian. Senior "Sydney Morning Herald" journalists Trinca and Davies covered the waterfront dispute from the very beginning and take us behind the headlines to tell the real story.

Genres: Australia

317 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000