Top:
Bottom:
This page top: Atlas Wind (New Zealand crewed)
This page bottom: Southern Tiare (Foreign national crewed)
Opposite page top: Rangitata (New Zealand crewed)
Opposite page middle: Maersk Nadi (New Zealand MUNZ crewed)
Opposite page bottom: Connemara (artists impression)
There is currently an abundance of New Zealand shipping on our coast which employs many New Zealand Seafarers. Whilst not all vessels are covered by MUNZ, it’s my belief most vessels have New Zealand crews working on them. The exception is the Southern Tiare on the Chatham Island run. This vessel has had foreign nationals working on her for several years. Therefore, we need to try and bring these crew members under the security of a union employment contract.
It is the aim of MUNZ to ensure that we do have coverage on the Atlas Wind, Rangitata and Southern Tiare to ensure those seafarers who work on these vessels are covered by our Union.
As we know not all shipping compa nies offer good terms and conditions for their workers.
Overall we can be very proud of the current position we find ourselves in with coastal shipping where a lot of progress has been made in the last year especially. The main issue we currently have is the shortage of New Zealand seafarers to be able to crew some of these vessels.
We need to promote the training of young people who would like to pursue a career at sea as a Deck Watch Rating/ Trainee AB.
We need to put pressure on the Government to incentivise shipping owners and crewing agents to cover costs for our unemployed seafarers to be able to attend a 3-day course to revalidate
their STCW ancillary certificates. It simply makes good sense.
These courses cost thousands of dollars to attend, and many unem ployed seafarers do not have disposable funds at hand to pay to revalidate their certificates.
The Government should pay for these courses for those unemployed seafar ers who are on a benefit. They need to be able to remain on the benefit while attending the refresher course, and the course fees paid for by WINZ.
It only takes a few days for a seafarer to revalidate their certificates. The biggest benefit is it not going to take a couple of years to train these seafarers up, as they are already trained.
KR-IIL have informed us they have contacted all new employees and apologised for this error.
Based on all the information we now know, the next step is for Fee to contact our lawyers to find out if there is any recourse for those who took their new positions based on the rate advertised.
2.
Recruitment: Seeking 29 AB’s in total. Samoa and Kiribati recruit ment going OK. Philippines on hold due to government requirements.
3. Summer recruitment:
Jim King Secretary/Treasurer Wellington BranchAn issue was raised at the Bi-Monthly Meeting by Fee Mansell with regards to the remuneration package (hourly rate) which enticed new applicants to apply and for a posi tion with KR-IIL.
The advertisement on the website and other media stated the hourly rate was $28.70 per hour. This was everyone’s belief until they received their letters of offer, which stated the annual salary was $57,828. This worked out to be $23.97, some $4.73 short per hour.
Our new members contacted Fee expressing their disappointment and how they were very upset over the incorrect hourly rate advertised. Some but not all new employees took KR-IIL’s job offer based on what they were told at interviews and what was advertised being $28.70.
KR-IIL expressed to us they would investigate this matter, then came back to Fee and said their recruit ing agency had made a blunder. The hourly rate should never have been advertised, but only the first-year annual salary.
Doing OK. 160 is the target. Using an external agency to undertake the process and looking to recruit to cover sickness and leave etc.
4.
5.
In layup, no break till February/ March 2023
Recently struck a submerged log, divers have looked at it. No signifi cant damage, vessel currently missing a stabilizer.
6. Kaiarahi
Currently out of service. Coming back in soon.
7.
Out of layup and in Picton. Berthing trials underway, looking at a 10 truck load, cabins have been upgraded.
8.
Pressure coming on the operations, Passengers coming from BB, fitting trucks in where we can.
9.
Pressure will come on early next year with terminal building impact ing operations
10.
A memo for ship management outlining the processes to manage sick
leave. Draft to be forwarded to Jim for feedback prior to distribution.
IIL view is that it is an oppor tunity to ensure we have the right mix of skills and experience within teams. MUNZ has concerns that we are addressing personalities and not operational issues. MUNZ holds firm on our position.
12. High use of sick leave – OBS.
Discussion occurred around the current high use of sick leave with OBS crew. A number of reasons for this has been identified. HR contin ues to focus on this as a project and are supporting management with strategies to address. Agreed that both IIL and the Union can individ ually and jointly take steps to mini mize leave occurring.
MUNZ raised concerns as to IIL advertising OBS roles with an incor rect hourly rate. Provided Madisons (Recruitment Agency) one pager with rate on it. The MUNZ Collective Agreement clearly outlines how the hourly rate should be calculated. The offer letters only have the annual salary in them. Three crew have raised concerns that the hourly rate advertised is higher than the rate in their offers – they apparently applied for the role based on this. Bianca to look into with recruitment team and report back ASAP. MUNZ raised that this needs to be given urgency.
14. Travel
Crew changes out of port: MOU drafted and signed by Jim. Peter to review and sign. MOU to be part of the next bargaining. Action with Kevin to discuss MOU / get signa ture from Peter. Completed.
15. Next meeting: Wednesday 1 February 2023, 1000
Seafarers continue to resign from Bluebridge to head for greener pastures, such as Maersk, Swire’s, and Kiwirail IIL.
We are aware of two alleged assaults involving StraitNZ employees. The company remains very quiet about this situation. In one case, it is our under standing a staff member has been stood down during an investigation.
What disturbs us is a double stan dard we have recently seen where there have been severe consequences for some members for relatively minor issues, whereas for others in more serious situ ations there is a lack of action.
To any members who have been assaulted – go to the Police and make a formal complaint. Do not rely on a complaint to the employer. Contact our Union for advice in this situation.
There were similar problems in the past and it needs to end. Let’s put a stop to bullying and harassment in the workplace.
MUNZ gave NIWA a revised offer
• Members will accept the 7% pay increase for Year One
• One year term from the expiry date of the current CEA
• Increase backdated from the expiry of the current collective agree ment 30 June 2022
• MUNZ to withdraw our claim for increase in superannuation
• Reconvene early June 2023 to negotiate the current CPI at that time
• Plus retain the conditions already negotiated and accepted by all parties
The Unions recommended the offer dated 11 November provided any midterm remuneration negotiations are concluded by the end of September 2023. If a GWI increase cannot be agreed, then the CA would expire 30 Sept 2023 and the Unions would Initiate bargaining again.
NIWA has agreed to MUNZ’s coun teroffer, and our members have ratified this. All parties will get back around the table in June 2023 to negotiate the new CPI figure at the time.
Next Stop Work Meeting is Wednesday 8 February, to be held at 10am at the MUNZ National Office Conference room, First Floor, Waterside House, 220 Willis Street.
Short of AB’s and will be looking for more soon as the Emerald , Vision and Leuuwin have been here for a while, and no doubt members will be needing to take leave, so currently, relievers are in short supply.
• NIWA Vessels (Settled)
• C3 Log Marshalling (Current)
• C3 Stevedoring (Current)
• CPL (Under offer)
• SGS
Please keep your emails, articles and pictures rolling in, they will be published in the next edition of the Wellington Maritime Worker, space permitting.
When: 11 February, 2023 Where: Avalon Park – Pavilion Time: 1100 – 1400
On behalf of Wellington Branch officials, Tony Mowbray (Branch President), Marian Lesslie (Branch Vice President), Fee Mansell, Jim King, and the entire Wellington Branch executive Makere Taurima, Sarah Chapman, Lynette Payne, William Brockway, Kenny Walsh, Les Taylor, Paul Baggott, Bradley Clifford and Jason Penny, we would like to wish all our members and their whanau a Merry Christmas and a happy, safe and prosperous New Year.
Top: Aratere Te Whanganui-a-tara
After several meetings around the table, we decided to take the company’s offer back to the members, the ratifica tion meeting was Monday 28 November and was unanimously rejected by all. Next meeting with the company is sched uled for Friday 2 December.
bargaining will start 29 November, there has been a few delays getting this up and running. With the ISO docu ment signed off and a brilliant win for this union with the George Lye case, we should be good to have some great discussions around 67D (the availability clause) and guaranteed days on and off so the whole workforce are able to have a more structured working life.
Bargaining is underway, and the two delegates and I met with the company on 16 November. We have taken their offer back to the members which they have rejected so we’ll go back around the table on Monday 5 December.
I will be initiating bargaining soon and head down to Nelson once SGS and I have come up with dates to meet.
This will be the last time Wellington will negotiate this agreement as it will remain with the Nelson Branch to deal with moving forward. I will hopefully have Hollianne Payne and Deane Hogg involved in this agreement.
Inductions have now finished for the year. It has been a pleasure going in to present our power point presentation to the new people coming in. We have a major issue at the moment around the correct hourly pay rates for a WOWO Collective Agreement.
Madison Recruitment in their “wisdom” advertised an hourly rate of $27.80 which is inconsistent to what they are actually getting therefore we have a whole lot of new CA’s incredibly upset and frustrated. We are working through this.
We have 25 new MUNZ members working for Interislander and three working for SGS Wellington, keep up the good work everybody.
The next Picnic Day will be Saturday 11 February 2023 from 11am–230pm at Avalon Pavilion.
Fiona Mansell Assistant Branch Secretary WellingtonTop: MUNZ life members Mick Williams and John Whiting were guests at a recent Wellington Branch event 4 November 2022
Middle: Takutai Chief crew (left to right) J. Harvey, I. Gardner, M.Morgan, P.Johnston, T.Mowbray, M. Kopacek, S.Kellaher, G. Vete. Absent – T. Bachop, E. Lopez
Bottom: Kaitaki arriving Wellington Ferry Terminal – Ready for discharge
Opposite page: IR Alf Boyle with a catch
Westport Fishing School is a respected and well-established maritime provider and is recognised as such.
The school has been operating for more than 30 years, training our young for entry into the New Zealand fishing industry as unqualified Deckhands lead ing to relevant seafaring qualifications.
Where this institution differs to the traditional Maritime Polytechnics is, that young people would enter a “live in” environment for basic training in seamanship skills which will aide them into the maritime workforce environment.
Ryan Harcus (AB) and Jacob Blaikie (AB) passed their Second Mates oral examinations recently. Both MUNZ members started their careers as Trainee AB’s when they joined KR-IIL some years ago.
Tony Mowbray #1154 Wellington Branch PresidentThe following letter was recently sent to Russell Mayn, Auckland Branch Secretary MUNZ, to develop the MUNZ strategy for seafarer training
With the recognised shortage of avail able New Zealand seafarers and after reading the article in the November Shipping Gazette, I thought of another possible avenue that could potentially be investigated including input from all parties from the Government to Shipping companies themselves.
This would involve the use of the Westport Fishing school as a source of being able to supply young New Zealanders to enter onto a National MUNZ roster for Trainee AB positions.
I have raised this important matter as it could be regarded as an extra to what is already a very limited Maritime training sector here in New Zealand.
On completion of the short course, they would have gained STCW ancil lary certs which is the basic entry level into the maritime industry.
This in turn would qualify them to have their names to be entered onto a National MUNZ roster ready to be picked up for TAB positions as compa nies require them.
Regardless of it being a fishing train ing facility, with Government input along with support from NZ shipping companies it could become a “general Sea school “.
An appealing aspect to companies would be the fact the “future TABs” themselves would be ahead of the game with the basics before even setting foot on a vessel.
This may not achieve any support, but I am merely throwing ideas about for input and suggestions for consideration and potential discussions to help achieve a solution in our industry’s best interest.
With Government / company financial assistance to implement a programme in a facility such as this would also have a positive social bear ing for regional areas such as Westport.
As Trainees and AB’s, they worked on the Cook Strait ferries in this capac ity for several years. After tireless work by the Wellington branch in pushing the company to have a “career path way” from either deck or catering entry level, both Ryan and Jacob have done themselves, the Wellington Branch and KR-IIL proud.
This is a win-win situation for all parties, benefits include,
1. The rank & file, now have a career pathway, (something to strive for),
2. The union, we now have a condition in the collective where the company makes a commitment to training our members, and the position goes to an internal applicant, as opposed to going externally, as KR-IIL have done for many years,
3. The company (nurturing their own employees and promotion from within their organisation)
4. What’s also important to note, we also have a new clause 32.1.3 written into the MUNZ collective agreement, KR-IIL will take at least one MUNZ member per year (subject to business requirements) to attend nautical train ing, or engineering.
So, to all MUNZ members who work on the KR-IIL Ferries, you will have the same opportunity as Jacob and Ryan to further your career pathway if this is your desire. Your destiny is in your hands.
Again, congratulations to our former MUNZ members on achieving your Second Mates Certificates. We wish you both well in your newly chosen careers.
Unions have welcomed a strong rebuke of Maersk-owned Svitzer Australia by the Fair Work Commission after the court blocked the company’s planned lockout of its entire Australian workforce in November.
The world’s biggest shipper is being urged to return to the negotiating table to agree a new pay deal for its tug workforce.
Svitzer Australia, whose tugs secure the safe departure and arrival of over
After checking out the Māori lifeboats it was down to training on gravity davit lifeboat installed at the Southern end of Queens Wharf by Ministry of Transport. Also to note tutor Captain Agnew was the captain of the Shaw Saville vessel Gothic that had a fire on board enroute to the UK with a full load. The fire destroyed the bridge and officers accommodation and the ship returned to Wellington.
75 percent of Australian trade, had announced the lockout earlier this week to rachet up pressure on the workers as part of drawn-out bargaining over a new pay deal.
The crew, who are members of three ITF-affiliated unions – Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) and the Australian Maritime Officers’ Union (AMOU) – have been negotiating with Svitzer for four years to secure a successor deal to an expired workplace agreement, meaning they have gone without any pay rise in that time.
“We welcome this decision from the industrial court in Australia. But it should not require a judicial slapdown to remind a Maersk subsidiary that they cannot engage in such destructive,
winner-takes-all workplace relations,” said Niek Stam, acting co-chair of the Fair Practices Committee Steering Group – the ITF’s highest meeting of maritime unions.
“When will Maersk rein in the lawyers and chest-beaters who are running their Svitzer Australia brand into the rocks? Tug crews are often called upon to be the emergency services of the sea – the first line of defence to rescue vessels in danger. But who will rescue the biggest shipper in the world from the idiocy of local tug managers tarnishing their brand?”
Stam said the Australian unions offered to halt industrial action until Christmas to allow negotiations to continue in good faith. The company’s response was the lockout.
Left to right: Figures in this photo include Captain Agnew, Terry Neilson, Darryl Barlow, Jimmy Mobbs, Pat Harcus. Pat Harcus Bosun, Maersk NanshiAs a quartermaster on ferries crossing Cook Strait, Mick Williams can remem ber times when waves would surge over the bow of a ferry as the ship crashed down on to the water.
But those days were rare, Williams said. “The chances are you’re going to have a good trip.”
He noted he was talking from the perspective of a seafarer, who had worked on ships around the world, so his perception could be different to that of someone who spent little time on the water.
People were aware conditions in Cook Strait could change quickly, he said, and that was partly why the stretch of water had an undeserved bad name.
“I don’t want to dramatise it. I love it, it’s a nice stretch of water,” Williams said.
“I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off crossing Cook Strait, but you choose your time,” he said. “It’s beautiful on a nice day.”
Big waves and fierce winds do cause the cancellation of some Cook Strait ferry crossings, and on Wednesday MetService was warning of a chance of heavy swells through until Thursday evening along the Porirua and Kāpiti coastline.
Occasionally crossings that go ahead cause a bit of a stir.
For example, passengers on the ferry Kaiarahi in winter 2017 reported they nearly ran out of vomit bags. People on board who regularly crossed the strait said it was the worst sailing they had experienced. Interislander later cancelled sailings because of deteriorat ing weather conditions that had whipped up 7m swells.
On Wednesday, Interislander execu tive general manager Walter Rushbrook said guidelines for deciding to cancel a sailing include a wave height of 5m for passenger sailings and 5.5m for freight sailings.
The master of a ferry had over-rid ing authority to cancel sailings at lower heights should they feel it was justified, Rushbrook said.
“These standards ensure both the comfort of our passengers and the safety of the freight we carry onboard our ferries.”
Williams said he could remember times when no one was able to stand still on the bridge. “In my case, you hang onto the wheel. I was also trying to steer the vessel through the weather,” he said.
He wasn’t sure of the height of the biggest swells he had encountered in the strait, but said they were “quite high”.
“The bow goes right up in the air, then it comes down and bangs on the water. It’s quite powerful.”
On a reassuring note, Williams said the ferries had enough personnel on board to deal with a worst case scenario, and the crew members were experienced seafarers.
He pointed out that about half the trip from Wellington to Picton was also inside the calmer waters of the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington Harbour.
Even on a calm day there would be a bit of a swell going through the entrance to Wellington Harbour, and the ship would start to move. “There will be some kind of swell, then the ship just drives itself through it,” Williams said.
Sailing through the entrance to the Sounds required concentration. “At the entrance you have all the tides meeting each other,” although it wasn’t some thing passengers would notice.
“I never get fed up with steering through the Marlborough Sounds. You always see something different,” he said. Williams said it was not unknown for
a passenger to get sick even on a calm crossing, but that was rare. Even in more normal conditions it was unusual for anyone to get sick.
On its website, Interislander said typically, strong winds from the north were nothing to worry about. The water would remain calm, but outdoor decks might be closed.
“However, a strong wind from the south, known as a southerly, can cause significant swells,” the company said.
“Our Interislander Cook Strait ferries have stabilisers, which help keep our ships steady in moderate swells. But there will be days when we sail in choppy water that is a little uncomfortable for some.
“There are times when we delay or cancel sailings when it’s too unsafe to go.”
Passengers could delay travel to a day with better weather. Depending on the type of fare, they could do that free of charge, or might have some charges to pay.
A Niwa study said Cook Strait was noted for a high frequency of strong winds.
“Northerly winds occur more frequently, but are generally not associ ated with high waves in the strait,” the study said.
High waves did affect the strait when winds were from the south, because of the relatively open exposure to that direction.
A Niwa report on Wellington’s climate said that in an average year, Baring Head – on the North Island south coast near the entrance to Wellington Harbour – had 255 days with wind gusts above 63kph, and 72 with gusts above 96kph.
Cook Strait acted as a “giant wind tunnel”, the Niwa report said. That was because it was the only gap between the mountainous North and South Islands, and located in the westerly wind belt known as the Roaring Forties.
“The swells on Cook Strait can increase rapidly with a southerly storm, sometimes reaching heights of 15m or more.
“Because of the wind funnelling and strong tidal flows, Cook Strait is regarded as one of the most dangerous and unpre dictable stretches of water in the world.”
–By Michael Daly, orginally published Stuff.co.nz 24 November 2022
The Maritime Union of New Zealand notes with sadness the passing of Maggie Morgan peacefully at home in Masterton on 7 November 2022.
Maggie was known to many mari time workers as the wife of the late Dave Morgan, former President of the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union and Maritime Union of New Zealand.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Maggie Morgan was held in high regard by maritime workers.
Mr Harrison noted she and Dave had met in 1970 while on an anti-Vietnam War protest march in Auckland, and she had been very active organising dental nurses to fight for better pay and condi tions in those times.
He passed on the condolences of the Maritime Union to family and friends.
Former Wellington Branch President of the Maritime Union, Mick Williams, expressed his condolences to family and said “like Dave, Maggie fought for a fairer society free from poverty, racism, war, and injustice. Maggie was a great family woman, and a kind and intelli gent person who will be missed by all.”
Her passing was also noted by President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Paddy Crumlin who passed on the deepest sympathy to Maggie’s family and friends on behalf of the ITF and Maritime Union of Australia, on the passing of a “woman and comrade of family, prog ress, peace and union.”
It is with deep regret that MUNZ recently received the sad news of the passing of retired seafarer Ricky Tidmarsh.
Our condolences to family and friends in NZ and Liverpool.
I sailed with Ricky on the Aotea running to Japan, he was a great ship mate and very principled man.
Ricky made a big contribution to the former Seaman’s union and Seafarers union and to the NZ trade union moment in the Nelson district.
Ricky was a Socialist who fought for fairer society free from Poverty, racism and war.
We have lost a great friend, shipmate and trade unionist. Gone but will be never forgotten.
Rest in peace Ricky. See you one day at Fiddlers Green!
Submitted by Mick WilliamsBob Moretti, Wally Pritchard, Terry Stewart, Steve Horvath, Joe Harkness, Alex McDonald, Ian McConchie, Kevin Tobin, Doug Meyrick, Don Burns
