On April 9, unionists in the International Longshoreman's Union in San Francisco, protest to consular officials in the Australian Consulate. They then blockade the consulate building. The issue of the mass sacking is taken to court. The Australian government takes the side of Patrick Stevedore. In further solidarity, the International Transport Workers Federation urge ship owners to divert their cargoes from Australian ports operated by Patrick Stevedores.
Pickets spring up all across the nation.
Picketers are run over by a minibus. Others are maced and injured. Union solidarity provides workers wages during a period when attempts to cripple Patrick Stevedore begin to pay off. On April 17, the Executive Board of Public Services International, calls upon customs officers worldwide to support the wharfies, that is the Maritime Union of Australia. The United States' International Longshore and Warehouse Union calls on all union members across America to boycott Australian meat and farm products.