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.

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

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.