Maritime Worker October 2023

The Maritime Worker Te Whanganui-a-Tara

KOKAKO NEW BUNKER BARGE FOR WELLINGTON

Once Master’s get the Pilot exemptions it is planned the vessel will be self-reliant on itself tying up and letting go.

At present a specialised gangway is getting fabricated so the vessel can be alongside at Burnham wharf and gangway deployed (weather permitting) and an AB would go ashore to take the lines. As Wellington wind all lines will be bitts at this stage.

The Destine arrived in Wellington from Singapore at 0930 on Saturday 2 September.

BY PAT HARCUS AB (6591) WELLINGTON BRANCH DELEGATE

On 31 August the first crew of the new Wellington bunker ship Kokako (formerly Destine) met at the Atura Hotel in Thorndon for a seminar and induction prior to joining the vessel.

Company officials gave an overall explanation of the operation that Silver Fern Shipping, ASP Shipping and BP wanted to achieve.

Firstly, they explained the operation was here for a five year contract with 2 year x 2 year extension.

First up the vessel will load 3500 cubes of diesel as the vessel is constrained by its draft to berth at Burnham Wharf as its home berth. The vessel is 6500 tonnes and 92 meters in length.

At present they have one contract with Strait Shipping and are looking to build additional clients on top of this,

especially with the oncoming cruise season about to kick off.

Kokako will initially only carry diesel till March when they will then receive Low Sulphur Biofuel which is 24% cooking oil.

After lunch, officials from Seaview Terminal, Centreport, and other outside support came and explained their part of the venture. Centreport will be providing pilots, tugs and linesman until the Masters acquire their Wellington Harbour exemptions.

At this point in time, the vessel will only work in the Wellington Harbour limits, and as time goes on this could also include both Nelson and Lyttelton ports.

The crew numbers are Master, Mate, Second Mate, Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, 3 AB’s one being the cook but who assists in tie ups, let goes and bunkering duties.

Note MLC inspector queried the AB cook status and came back next day and informed us that 9 crew or over on vessel would require a cook.

Crew went on board for a look around at 1400, then went back to the hotel, and we returned the following day for more familiarising as the Indonesian delivery crew were still on board.

We went to Briscoes to purchase new linen for first crew and all sorts of new galley utensils. New mattresses had been ordered also.

Continued on following page

NEWSLETTER OF THE WELLINGTON BRANCH OF THE MARITIME UNION OF NEW ZEALAND

On Monday, Quay Marine came on board as Surveyors, they found wastage on pipe rack brackets and all steam valves had to be overhauled.

Scaffolds came on board for the name change which took three days. In days gone by ABs would have rigged stages and carried out the task. Quay Marine then carried out the name change from Destine to Kokako.

On Friday 8 August, New Zealand crew were denied entry to the vessel and had to wait on the wharf.

After two hours the authorities permitted us to board the vessel but only to the messroom, as there were problems with the hand over paperwork. We left the vessel after signing indemnity papers.

I went up the road to purchase food items to get us started until a ship’s provedore was organized. The weekly food allowance for the total ships compliment is $1500 per week without cleaning gear and bottled water.

The vessel out on deck is in a clean state as she had just come out of dry dock and had had a cosmetic coating.

The accommodation wasn’t in the best state, so the company organised professional cleaners to come on board. The cleaners were asked to do the decks but said they don’t do that, so it was over to us to get the vessel up to a liveable standard, much the same as when we joined the Maersk vessels recently.

Silver Fern have been around long enough to know the New Zealand standards required when taking over a vessel, and for them not to have the vessel inspected before leaving Singapore by any one of the three unions involved is shameful.

The Master who went to Singapore said he mentioned a few things to be done especially broken and missing bathroom tiles to be repaired but nothing was done.

There’s fifteen bunks on the crew deck, being doubles sharing bathrooms, and two singles. We will have our own cabin without sharing a bathroom so no claim on accommodation allowance. Apart from that, the galley wasn’t in bad shape, but we had to throw a lot of equipment out.

Overall, we believe the Kokako will get better, plus a positive is six MUNZ jobs have been created, and another New Zealand coastal vessel manned by New Zealanders.

MUNZ members will stay on course and do our best to make Kokako a success for now and for future members. Hopefully down the track this company will employ trainees.

KIWIRAIL – INTERISLANDLINE New Builds

TONY MOWBRAY PRESIDENT WELLINGTON BRANCH

With time quickly ticking towards Interislander’s new builds arrival, MUNZ is part of the process with representation from each department that our CEA covers.

Our Executive is thankful members stepped up to take on the role as this is very time consuming if left to the officials alone.

Hopefully our delegations input from the ‘coal face’ is taken seriously with common sense being acted on to ensure the project is as successful.

Previous history hasn’t always been as successful as it could have been when entering into these various types of forums in the past, especially in regard to manning levels with many concerns going unheard.

Hopefully with something as important as this the delegates experience will be listened to so it can be beneficial to all.

Importantly, the need for practical crewing numbers should be a priority, as over time vessel size has increased significantly yet crew numbers are kept to a minimum and these ‘new’ ships are definitely no exception.

If unchecked, commercial pressures can dictate the situation which leads to crew bearing the brunt. If numbers are continually run at minimum levels, unsafe practices will creep in and continue to cause back and shoulder injuries as they have in the past.

Having been involved in previous forums over many years, the hardest topic was always crew numbers.

Although being successful with some increases previously, the size of these vessels, along with projected Pax and freight capacity, we need a practical figure that can best be sourced from those on the job.

So thanks again to the delegates, it is never an easy task and your work is greatly appreciated by the Branch.

Artist’s impression of one of the new ferries

KiwiRail

2023 wage rounds – Remit Committee meeting

The MUNZ Remit Committee met at the Wellington Branch office to go over the remits submitted by members onboard the Interislander Ferries.

There was a total of 41 remits, reduced by the remit committee to 21.

Our first round of talks is set down for 3–4 October. This is the first time MUNZ and KR-IIL have pencilled in two full days of wage rounds, it’s previously been just one day at a time over many months. Updates will be given in the December edition.

Valentine employment ad hoax

I have been contacted by members with concerns over a Facebook post advertising for New Zealand or Australian Seafarers to redeliver the former Kiwirail ferry Valentine to China.

After conversations with KR-IIL it was agreed the advert is a hoax.

MUNZ Auckland Branch Secretary Russell Mayn rang me and advised he was contacted by a Greek manning agent wanting MUNZ to man up the vessel for redelivery.

Nothing ever came of it, thanks to our members for bringing this to our attention.

Interislander and MUNZ OBS Meetings

Several OBS delegates and representatives across all ships and swings have been regularly meeting with IIL senior management since April 2023.

The forum is an opportunity for crew to raise issues with management, and management to provide updates on developments impacting employees.

All parties have found the engagement informative and constructive.

There is a focus on ensuring actions agreed are followed through.

If you have concerns, please raise them with your delegates/representatives.

In addition to gathering any issues from you in advance of the meeting, delegates will be reporting back to you on meeting outcomes.

We remain committed to this forum for the foreseeable future.

Kaiarahi

The Kaiarahi has now completed her drydock and is back on her normal run.

Members who took the vessel to Singapore said the dry-docking went well and mostly without problems.

I believe one of the generators blew up, leaving the vessel without any hot water.

Delegates advised this issue was remedied by KR in a short space of time. This did not cause any delays for the vessel’s re-delivery voyage back to Wellington.

Strait NZ –Bluebridge

2023 wage rounds have not got off to a great start, with the Terminals in Wellington and Picton rejecting SNZ’s offer. Talks are still in progress.

Both the Bluebridge ferries also rejected the companies first offer, with which we went back to the table with a counter proposal. SNZ agreed to this.

We went to ratification on 27 September and 4–11 October.

We will update the outcome of the ratification in the December edition.

Offshore

Atlas

The 2023 MUNZ – OEG Wage rounds were held in New Plymouth on 20–21 September.

Both parties came away without achieving their main objectives. The remuneration increases were the sticking point for both parties.

It annoys me how in past years all companies stick with the CPI (Consumer Price Index) for wage increases and give every excuse as to why they are justified to apply the CPI, i.e., 1.5%, 1.75%, 2.15% and so on.

Now the CPI is up at the 6.5% mark, companies are staying away from this figure and put their own spin as to why they offer pathetically low percentage rates.

The members from the Offshore tendered a healthy number of remits, with most being justified.

Paid Training for employees to renew their STCW’s remained the number one claim. Some employers in the offshore had a different interpretation of what was agreed to at the 2021 wage rounds.

Another justified claim was the commencement delay (Clause 4.5) standby payment. These have been major claims at subsequent wage rounds over the past years.

Update on the negotiations in the December edition of the Maritime Worker.

NIWA

The second phase of the 2022 wage round negotiations were held with the three unions MUNZ, NZMSG and AMEA on Friday 23 June.

It was a disappointing meeting. NIWA came back to the table with an unsatisfactory full and final offer.

The offer was rejected by members. We are currently back around the negotiating table.

Continued on following page

JIM KING SECRETARY/TREASURER WELLINGTON BRANCH

The 2022 negotiations have been a painful and drawn-out process with NIWA. NIWA were under no illusions that MUNZ was coming back to discuss the CPI this year in June, hence this is why our members settle on 2022 on a 7% increase, and we were to re-negotiate the 2023 CPI in June.

After waiting one year, to get back into bargaining, NIWA have comeback with their final offer of 3%, even though the CPI in June was at about 6.5%.

We took NIWA’s counteroffer back to the members who unanimously rejected their offer, therefore NIWA have been advised that we need to get back around the table with some original and some new claims.

Here we go again.

2023 Oldtimers Function

This will once again will be held at Trax Bar and Café at Wellington Railway Station, from 1600 hours until around 2000 hours on Saturday 2 December.

Food and beverages are covered by the Wellington Branch. Beverages are limited to house beers and wines. Soft drinks will also be provided. RTD’s, Spirits etc to be paid for by individuals. Please direct all enquires to:

Wellington Branch Secretary Jim King 0204 836262 or John Whiting 021 606 379.

MUNZ Christmas Function

This will be held Trax Bar & Café, at Wellington Railway Station from 1600 hours until 2100 hours on Saturday 9 December.

Food and beverages are covered by the Wellington Branch. Beverages are limited to house beers and wines. Soft drinks will also be provided. RTD’s, Spirits etc to be paid for by individuals.

Please direct all enquires to Wellington Branch Secretary Jim King 0204 836262 or Fee Mansell 021573244

General

Maritime Worker newsletter

Please keep your emails, articles and pictures rolling in. They will be published in the next edition of the Wellington Maritime Worker, space permitting. The next edition of the Maritime Worker is due out in December 2023.

Wellington Database

Numbers are low for AB’s and IR’s. IR’s/AB’s, approx. 20 Stewards, and about 5 cooks.

MUA – Requesting New Zealand IRs

to work in Aussie.

The MUA West Australia Branch Secretary Will Tracey has made a formal request to the Wellington branch to see if MUNZ has any IRs who need work.

I recently sent through four names, this was for the delivery of the GO Sirius AHT which is now working out of New Plymouth.

Whilst this is welcome news, there are still MUNZ members accepting work in Australia from employment agencies. This is unacceptable. MUNZ and the MUA have an exceptional relationship.

It does not help the bond when we have members flying off to Aussie and doing back door deals with employers, especially when there are unemployed Australian seafarers in desperate need of work.

How would we feel about it if this same scenario was reversed?

I have contacted the MUA and advised them those MUNZ members taking up any employment offers without notifying MUNZ are doing this of their own volition.

MUNZ members who bypass the process know too well what they are doing and that’s that.

Considering the above, I am currently compiling a list of names for available IR’s, AB’s, Cooks and Stewards. These names will be sent over to the WA Branch.

Meetings

The next Stop Work Meeting is set down for new date and day – 10am Monday 11 December to be held at the MUNZ National Office Conference room, first floor, Waterside House, 220 Willis Street.

Upcoming Negotiations

• Dutch Dredging – December 2023

Current negotiations

• NIWA – second phase of 2022. Members rejected offer. Have reinitiated bargaining.

• Oil and Offshore Gas – First round of talks held 20–21 September. Rejected.

• StraitNZ – Wellington and Picton Terminals. Rejected. Current.

• Blue Bridge Ferries – Current.

• KiwiRail InterIslander – Initiated Bargaining. Claims exchanged. First round of talks 3–4 October.

NIWA new build vessel Kaharoa under construction

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Shipboard conditions

It is amazing to think that in the 21st century in a developed country, we would see notices like the one pictured below posted on noticeboards.

We all understand unforeseen problems arise. These usually get worked through with a satisfactory result for all,.

However, when existing issues, especially around sanitation, are present in jobs starting on our coast, it highlights the need to have mandatory inspections carried out in regard to basic MLC minimums prior to them starting.

What other work place in NZ would cop this? We didn’t.

To anyone not working/living on the vessels put a bucket in the corner of the office or the smoko room and see how long its tolerated.

Alas seafarers are out of sight out of mind.

Coastal Shipping Campaign

On Thursday 24 August a Parliamentary meeting with Damian O’Conner MP was held to continue lobbying in regard our Coastal Shipping campaign. The meeting was organized by our National Secretary.

I was unable to attend as away at sea so organized Wellington Rank and File seafarer Jack Thomason to attend on behalf of the Branch.

He reported it was a well delivered message and worthwhile discussion that appeared to be positive.

It is vital that we make the most of any opportunity to keep our Campaign alive.

Many will say that nothing much comes from any of the meetings or lobbying over the years. I will remind that continuing dialogue in any form keeps our message alive.

Every MUNZ member needs to play their part for their industry’s future.

Our electronic petition had a disappointing set back at the start but it was corrected and successfully restored although it is still taking a long time to reach our target figure.

This can only be done with full membership involvement and given total membership numbers should have been achieved quickly.

As an example, Wellington has over 500 employed in the two ferry companies alone along with a couple of hundred employed in the Ports which would be an automatic 700+ signatures.

These 700 only needed to get three more signatures each for our Branch alone to have met the required target instantly.

If every member in every Branch did the same a respectable total would already have been submitted. Instead we are struggling to achieve 1000 at the time of writing.

This and any other form of action needs the membership’s 100% commitment for a positive result that our industry can only benefit from.

Every member needs to think of the legacy we are leaving for those coming in behind us, just as those before us did by leaving us the conditions we are lucky enough to enjoy today.

As a Branch we need to see larger attendance at future rallies and by simply attending your SWMs.

Finally, a thank you goes to Jack for standing up and representing the Branch and our Union.

TONY MOWBRAY #1154 WELLINGTON BRANCH PRESIDENT

Unacceptable standards on some vessels coming onto coast

CentrePort 2023 Negotiations

BRADLEY CLIFFORD WELLINGTON BRANCH EXECUTIVE MEMBER

The Centreport CEA (Collective Employment Agreement) was ratified on the 21 September.

The CEA was back dated to 1 July for a 3-year term with a general increase of 6.5%, 5% and 4% for the third year.

Some were worried about gambling with a third year, but the increase is above the forecasted CPI.

We also tidied up a few things like reversing some the cutbacks on guaranteed hours of pay because of COVID.

Six P32 are going back to P40 and four P24 going to P32, and P24 are now joining the P40 and P32 in rostered weekend off.

We also got overtime pay for controllers, night rate payments for security and an additional pay increase for container repairers in the empty depot.

There is always something we miss out on that does not quite sit right with me and we will not get chance to revisit it for another three years.

Farewell to Valentine

STRENGTHEN OUR SHORES

Aotearoa New Zealand is an island nation dependent on trade to survive. Due to 1990s deregulation, multinational shipping firms dominate our coastal trade, causing job losses, climate harm, and dependence on shipping firms with no loyalty to New Zealand.

We urge government action to safeguard our shores, as other nations do, by investing in and strengthening our coastal shipping industry.

THE MARITIME UNION IS CALLING FOR:

Changes to the Maritime Transport Act to prioritize New Zealand flagged and crewed ships on the New Zealand coast.

Government support for a New Zealand owned coastal shipping operator to provide priority service for New Zealand ports.

Training and high quality employment opportunities for New Zealanders in our own maritime industry.

https://www.together.org.nz/strengthened_shores

KiwiRail Safety Culture –

Toitū Te Mauri

• Developing safety leadership skills by rolling out training to 160 senior leaders.

• Reducing critical safety risks by improving our capability to identify and make safe the high-consequence risk exposures that are currently present in our workspace.

• Transforming safety support structures, including redefining Zero Harm responsibilities, creating performance dashboards, and improving recognition of good safety practice and how we share SHE information.

Our main focus within Workstream 1 is shifting people’s mindsets when it comes to health and safety.

As a Union it is our job to protect our members and ensure they are able to go to work and come home safely at the end of their shift.

First everyone is backing this.

Our Chief Executive, our Board, our unions, our Executive team. It has unanimous support, and everyone is 100% committed to this long-term vision.

Second, it’s a proven formula. We’re working with international experts with a strong track record in helping companies like ours to improve their safety culture.

Third, Toitū Te Mauri involves all of us. This is not something that Peter Reidy is doing, or that an external consultant is doing. Each of us will play a part, at every level of our company.

And fourth, we’re lifting the safety capability of our leaders so that safety is genuinely our primary focus. This is a new approach, and we’re confident that it will deliver lasting change.

Kia Ora Comrades

I have recently joined Work Stream 1 for the Safety Culture transformation programme here at KiwiRail. Toitū Te Mauri is the name that has been gifted by Te Kupenga Mahi for our safety culture transformation programme.

The programme team involves more than 40 people from across the company, divided into four focus areas:

• Shifting safety mindsets and enabling a stronger voice for safety at KiwiRail.

MUNZ, RMTU, MSG and AMEA have partnered up with KiwiRail to help endorse this and get this message across to our membership within KiwiRail.

This shift in mindset does not only start with our front-line workers.

It has to come from the top as well to set an example and listen to the frontline workers concerns and take those concerns seriously when it comes to health and safety.

A commonly asked question is what makes this programme different to others that have rolled out in the past?

We are currently running phase one with the Mirror Walks. During these sessions it is explained why we are here, these sessions are an in depth visual into the safety culture within KiwiRail.

All our MUNZ members within KiwiRail please attend one of these sessions and encourage others to attend also. Please keep an eye out for a Mirror walk near you.

I look forward to giving an update into the programme again soon.

MUNZ backs calls for corporate manslaughter law

The Maritime Union is backing the call from Pike River family members Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse for the introduction of criminal corporate manslaughter laws.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the Maritime Union has supported corporate manslaughter laws in principle for a number of years.

Mr Harrison says it is unacceptable workers are dying and being injured on the job due to failure to provide safe working conditions.

“The terrible tragedy of Pike River is an indictment on how the interests of senior managers, directors and shareholders were put before the lives of workers.”

He says investigations of any corporate manslaughter cases must rest with the New Zealand Police and prosecution with Crown Prosecutors.

Mr Harrison says there have been eighteen deaths in New Zealand ports over the last ten years, as well as a substantial number of sometimes serious injuries.

He says progress has been made in health and safety in the Ports sector, including the development of an industry backed Approved Code of Practice for port operations, with the involvement of the Union.

“It is now necessary to ensure that strong laws are in place to provide an incentive for employers to ensure safe workplaces, and to send a strong message to those employers who choose to put workers in danger.”

The call for new laws comes as charges against three individuals by Worksafe resulting from the Whakaari/White Island disaster were dismissed in the Auckland District Court earlier this month.

HOLLIANNE PAYNE NELSON BRANCH SECRETARY

Above: Allan Harkess (MM) under the Kaiarahi at drydock, Singapore

Kaiarahi drydock, Singapore

Obituaries

Defective rails on the Tukutai Chief

Aaron (Red) C3 Masterton Jake Culhane (AB)

Holly Payne and Craig Harrison campaigning in Nelson recently with MPs Andrew Little and Rachel Boyack

IMPORTANT MES SAGE for all maritime workers

Kia

Ora friends and comrades

New Zealand holds its general election on Saturday 14 October 2023.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand is backing the return of a Labour-led Government.

The Labour-led Government has delivered:

✔ FAIR PAY AGREEMENTS

✔ IMPROVED HEALTH AND SAFETY IN PORTS

✔ $30 MILLION FUNDING FOR NZ COASTAL SHIPPING

If we get a National/ACT Government this progress will all be at risk.

Under National/ACT, worker's rights will go backwards. Fair Pay Agreements will be gone and there will be a reintroduction of the 90 Day Fire At Will Laws that make it easier to fire new workers for unfair reasons.

You can help by voting and getting your friends and whānau to vote if eligible. The website to enrol or check your enrolment is www.vote.nz

In unity

Craig Harrison Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary

www.munz.org.nz

Authorized by Craig Harrison, Maritime Union of New Zealand, 220 Willis Street, Wellington

Tug Taioma with oil bunker barge Hinupahi , which was built on the Wellington Patent Slip, Evans Bay, in 1947

Crew of tug Taioma 1 December 1977.

Left to right: Cyril Heath (NZSU), Stan Robertson (NZSU), Jim King (NZSU), Phil Thomson (Harbour Board), Lyell Owen (Harbour Board). Jim King Senior, Stan Robertson and Cyril Heath were the last members to work on the oil barge Hinupahi out of Wellington in 1978. The crew on the barge were known as the “Whare Gang”.

Left: Go Sirius Crew (left to right)

R. Ducette

D. Weatherall (MUA)

J. Beauchamp

V. Belcher

A. Alexander

Christmas Function

For all branch members Plus one. Food and beverages covered by the Branch. Beverages are limited to house Beers and Wines, and soft drinks. RTD’s, Spirits etc to be paid for by individuals.

1600 – 2100 hours

Saturday 9 December

Trax Bar & Café, Wellington Railway Station

Further information: please contact Jim King 0204836262 or Fee Mansell, 021573244