The Issue 41 • Autumn 2013
Maritimes
www.munz.org.nz
Magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand
ISSN 1176-3418
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Ports of Auckland update Further mediation to follow ERA recommendations On 31 January 2013, the Employment Relations Authority facilitator made a number of recommendations for settlement of the collective agreement at Ports of Auckland Limited. Maritime Union of New Zealand National President Garry Parsloe says the Union considers the recommendations as a whole to be a useful basis to enter into what it hopes will be a successful round of negotiations with POAL, as is recommended by the Authority, to reach a settlement that is fair to all the parties. He says the Maritime Union will be seeking to enter into negotiations as soon as possible. “The Union is seeking the agreement of POAL to an all up meeting of members to enable members to consider the recommendations and any progress made in bargaining on them in the interim.” Details of the recommendations are confidential. An all up meeting of MUNZ members at POAL was held on 20 February 2013 to discuss the recommendations. At the time of writing, MUNZ is awaiting new dates for mediation with POAL Limited.
Ports of Auckland fined $40,000 for illegal actions against workforce The Employment Relations Authority has fined the Ports of Auckland $40,000 for illegally employing strike breaking contractors during industrial action at the Port in 2012. The ERA finding, released in December 2012, found Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL) broke the law when they employed an overseas engineer at the cost of $10,000 a week to undertake the work of MUNZ members. In addition, local contractors were illegally used to carry out engineering work at the Port. At the time when the multiple breaches of the Employment Relations Act took place in February and March 2012, MUNZ members were on strike and locked out in their battle to stop management contracting out their jobs.
In her decision, Employment Relations Authority Member Anna Fitzgibbon said “It is my view that POAL was aware of s97 [editorial note: Section 97 of the Employment Relations Act regarding the Performance of duties of striking or locked out workers] but in order to keep the port operating during the strike, made calculated decisions to breach the provision.” In deciding the breach of the Act was deliberate and serious, she imposed penalties totalling $40,000 against POAL. MUNZ National President Garry Parsloe says the ERA decision places POAL management in an untenable position. “Instead of focussing on settling a fair collective agreement, the Port embarked on an unprincipled plan to sack their entire stevedoring workforce and replace them with contracted labour.” He says that now, in addition to all the costs of the dispute, Auckland ratepayers are continuing to pay for POAL management’s deliberately unlawful actions. “Ultimately the costs of POAL’s actions impact on the return to the people of Auckland.”
www.saveourport.com
For secure jobs and public ownership
In this issue
A century since the ‘Great Strike’ By Victor Billot
Making health and safety a priority
The tragic death of long standing waterside worker and MUNZ member Mark Samoa in January 2013 at Centreport Wellington was a sad start to the year. The Maritime Union has extended its sympathy and support to Mark’s family, friends and workmates. This is a hard reminder of the dangers faced by maritime workers and many other workers on a daily basis while simply going about their jobs and trying to provide for their families. On a more general level, New Zealand has a high rate of workplace deaths and injuries. We have seen ongoing problems in the maritime industry, the terrible Pike River disaster, and a shocking record in the forestry industry. Many incidents are the result of poor practices in the workplace, profit above safety, and casualization. All workers must place the priority of their workmates’ safety first and if in doubt call on the Union for back up. All workers have the right to return home safe and well to their loved ones. In line with the Conference resolution last year, the Maritimes will be running dedicated coverage in each future issue on health and safety issues.
Ports of Auckland dispute update page 2
Conference Remits page 12
Health and safety page 16
Interport 2013 page 18
The Maritimes Magazine
Contact the Maritime Union
Published quarterly by the Maritime Union of New Zealand. Authorized by Joe Fleetwood, 220 Willis Street, Wellington. ISSN 1176-3418
National Office Telephone: 04 3850 792 Fax: 04 3848 766 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington 6141 Office administrator: Ramesh Pathmanathan Email: ramesh@munz.org.nz
1913 – a century since the “Great Strike”
This year is the centenary of New Zealand’s “Great Strike” or “General Strike” of 1913. Although this event is largely now forgotten, overshadowed by the imperial war of 1914–1918 which followed, this event is considered to be New Zealand’s largest industrial dispute, that involved more workers than the 1951 waterfront lockout. The causes and issues of the 1913 strike were complex but maritime workers played a central role, as in so many other industrial battles of our history. Although the strike failed to achieve its immediate goals, it served to build the political and industrial organization of the working class, underpinning later successes. We’ll be featuring more on this event later this year in the Maritimes.
Refugees not to blame for NZ’s problems
Otherwise reasonable people often have overwhelmingly negative attitudes towards refugees – a group of “Unpeople” not deserving of any solidarity. It’s perhaps a result of the thirty years of right wing politics and the relentless racism of the mass media that prejudice is rampant. One understandable attitude seems to be that we should be looking after “our own” first. But it’s a mistake to blame refugees (and other immigrants) for the failings of our economic and social systems. While the workers scrap over the crumbs, the big money keeps rolling in for the major league shareholders. At the end of the day, New Zealand takes in a very small number of dispossessed people. The real reason New Zealanders are without work, stuck on waiting lists, or living in third rate, overpriced houses is because of the decisions taken by right wing Governments – all of whom were elected by fellow New Zealanders the last time I checked. Rather than blame small groups of people who have things hard as it is, we all need to take responsibility for turning our society around and getting things back on track. That means looking after our own – and it also means international solidarity for people who have suffered terribly.
www.munz.org.nz
Editor: Victor Billot Mobile: 021 482219 Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz Mail: PO Box 8135, Dunedin 9041, New Zealand Editorial Board: Joe Fleetwood, Garry Parsloe, Ray Fife and Carl Findlay Deadline for Winter 2013 edition: 1 June 2013 Cover photos by Dave Philllips from 2012 Save Our Port events in Auckland Website: www.munz.org.nz Photos: www.flickr.com/maritimeunion Video: www.youtube.com/maritimeunionnz Facebook: www.facebook.com/maritimeunion Twitter: www.twitter.com/maritimeunion The Maritime Union of New Zealand is affiliated to the International Transport Workers’ Federation www.itfglobal.org
General Secretary: Joe Fleetwood Direct dial: 04 8017614 Mobile: 021 364649 Email: joe.fleetwood@munz.org.nz National President: Garry Parsloe Direct dial: 09 3034652 Mobile: 021 326261 Email: garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz National Vice President: Carl Findlay Direct dial: 09 3034652 Mobile: 021 760887 Email: carl.findlay@munz.org.nz Assistant General Secretary: Ray Fife Direct dial: 03 2128189 Mobile: 0274 475317 Email: ray.fife@munz.org.nz ITF Inspector: Grahame MacLaren Direct dial: 04 8017613 Mobile: 021 2921782 Email: mclaren_grahame@itf.org.uk Communications Officer: Victor Billot Mobile: 021 482219 Address: PO Box 8135, Dunedin Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz
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National Secretary Joe Fleetwood addresses the West Australia State Conference of the Maritime Union of Australia, Perth, February 2013
Health and safety in the spotlight National Secretary’s Report by Joe Fleetwood
Maritime Union suffers losses
The Maritime Union suffered two notable losses in January, with the death of Wellington member Mark Samoa in a workplace accident, and the death of former Auckland Branch Local 13 President Denis Carlisle. The tragic death of Mark, a highly respected worker at Centreport who leaves behind a family, was a sad occurrence and a reminder of the dangers of our industry. The Maritime Union has offered his family and workmates our full support during this hard time. Former Local 13 President Denis Carlisle died on 5 February after suffering a heart attack. Denis played a central role on the Auckland waterfront over many years as a strong advocate for the worker all the way through to the formation of the Maritime Union and Local 13 until his retirement in 2009. His forthright opinions and articulate insights always received a good hearing at the many national meetings he attended, and he was in recent years honoured with life membership of our Union for his contribution. This issue of the Maritimes features an obituary of both the above comrades who will not be forgotten.
National Conference
Our National Conference last year was a positive event and set the direction for the next four years of the Union. A number of important decisions were made including changes to the rules (see below) and remits from branches on union policy. A list of these conference remits is included in this edition of the Maritimes together with some extra details on some of them. The national officials of the Union are working to a plan to put these remits into practice and will be reporting back on progress to the National Council of the Union at our May 2013 meeting. Members will also be kept updated through the Maritimes magazine. 4 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
Rules review progress
The National Conference discussed the rules review being carried out by the national officials and approved a number of changes to update our rules. I will be visiting branches throughout the country for stopwork meetings over the next few months and briefing members on some of these changes before the rules are confirmed at our May 2013 national council meeting.
Ports of Auckland
Achieving secure jobs and a good collective agreement at the Ports of Auckland continues to be the key focus of our Union. Our officials are working hard to achieve a settlement that delivers secure jobs for members at Local 13. This is not an easy process as we are engaged in ongoing mediation and legal cases, and we understand the stress of this on our members. However the ongoing unity of members remains the key resource we have to achieve a good outcome. In addition we have the full support of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and the International Transport Workers’ Federation in our quest to achieve a collective agreement that provides job security and decent conditions for members.
Living wage campaign
The Living Wage campaign has been getting some attention since its launch in January. It’s all about fixing a big problem we have in New Zealand – many workers are not being paid enough to ensure a basic standard of living. The Maritime Union resolved to support the campaign at our National Conference last year. The goal is to put pressure on key employers including those who contract to the public sector to push up wages. Many workers are living on poverty wages. The Living Wage campaign doesn’t replace improving the minimum wage or negotiations that can improve wages and conditions. Over the last generation, the share of the wealth produced by society has been grabbed more and more to go to shareholders’ profits – and the inflated salaries of a minority of overpaid managers. The wages being paid to working people,who produce all of the wealth through their labour in the first place, are shrinking. The Living Wage campaign should play a useful role in reversing this trend. www.munz.org.nz
Health and Safety
In line with conference resolutions, the Maritime Union has some new health and safety initiatives. We’ve just created a new form on our website for members to report any health and safety incidents that happen in their ports. It’s confidential and easy. Anyone can use it at any time. There’s a link from the front page of the MUNZ website www.munz.org.nz We need to get a better picture of what is happening at ports nationally so the Union can act to stop bad practices. Each issue of the Maritimes will now feature dedicated health and safety coverage in order to raise awareness of this issue. Every worker has the right to return home safe and well at the end of their shift. It is all of our responsibility to look out for our fellow worker, and not turn a blind eye when we see something wrong. Talk to your union delegate or official if you have any doubts. You have the right to refuse to undertake unsafe or hazardous work.
Maritime Union of Australia West Australia State Conference
I attended this conference in late February along with a good MUNZ delegation. The MUA West Australia State Branch is the fastest growing branch of the MUA and a large number of rank and file members attended this event. The West Australian maritime industry has grown due to the large number of oil and gas projects, some of enormous size, that have been rolling out in recent years. The MUA and MUNZ work closely together in the oil and gas sector to ensure employment opportunities for seafarers, and the WA conference was a great opportunity to continue to build the close links we have. In addition, a “solidarity agreement” was signed between three branches – the West Australian State Branch of the MUA, Local 23 of the ILWU, and the Wellington Branch of MUNZ. We will feature a full report on this conference in the next issue of the Maritimes.
ILWU International President Robert McEllrath (left) with MUNZ National President Garry Parsloe and MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood at the MUA West Australia State Conference
MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood addresses a rally at the MUA West Australia State Conference
Branch and local contacts Whangarei Mobile: 021 855121 Fax: 09 459 4972 Address: PO Box 397, Whangarei Email: ben.hathaway@munz.org.nz Auckland Local 13 Phone: 09 3034 652 Fax: 09 3096 851 Mobile: 021 326 261 (President Garry Parsloe) 021 760 886 (Secretary Russell Mayn) 021 670002 (Walking Delegate D. Phillips) Address: PO Box 1840, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140 Email: garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz russell.mayn@munz.org.nz dave.phillips@munz.org.nz Mount Maunganui Phone: 07 5755 668 Fax: 07 5759 043 Mobile: 0274 782308 Address: PO Box 5121, Mt. Maunganui Email: selwyn.russell@munz.org.nz
Gisborne Local 38 Mobile: 025 6499697 Address: 5 Murphy Road, Gisborne Email: dein.ferris@munz.org.nz New Plymouth Mobile: 027 468 0050 Address: PO Box 6084, New Plymouth Email: npmunz@yahoo.com Napier Phone/Fax: 06 8358 622 Mobile: 027 6175441 Address: PO Box 70, Napier Email: bill.connelly@munz.org.nz Wellington Phone: Fax: Mobile: Address: Email:
04 3859 288 (Secretary Mike Clark) 04 8017 619 (Asst. Secretary John Whiting) 04 3848 766 0274 538222 (Secretary Mike Clark) 021 606379 (Asst. Secretary John Whiting) PO Box 27004, Wellington mike.clark@munz.org.nz john.whiting@munz.org.nz
Nelson Fax: Mobile: Address: Email:
03 5472104 027 6222691 PO Box 5016, Nelson ken.knox@munz.org.nz
Lyttelton Local 43 Phone: 03 3288 306 Fax: 03 3288 798 Address: PO Box 29, Lyttelton Email: lwwu@xtra.co.nz Timaru Phone/Fax: 03 6843 364 Mobile: 021 2991091 Address: PO Box 813, Timaru Email: tony.townshend@munz.org.nz Port Chalmers Dunedin Local 10 Phone: 03 4728 052 Fax: 03 4727 492 Mobile: 0274 377601 Address: PO Box 44, Port Chalmers Email: phil.adams@munz.org.nz Bluff Phone/Fax: 03 2128 189 Mobile: 027 4475317 Address: PO Box 5, Bluff Email: ray.fife@munz.org.nz
www.munz.org.nz
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MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood and National President Garry Parsloe visited the PALEA protest camp in Manila, Phillippines, while attending the ITF Dockers’ Section meeting held in Manila, Philippines in January 2013. PALEA (Philippine Airline Employees’ Association) is an ITF affiliated union representing airline workers who have been fighting against contracting out at their workplaces. The following message was received from PALEA to the MUA and MUNZ delegation who visited them: “Good morning comrade. This is Bong Palad Sec-Gen of PALEA. Your presence give joy to everyone. All of you who visited our camp gave us the strongest hope. Everyone’s re-vigorated. We threw hatred out of our heart against all ‘scabs’. You ‘filled’ its empty space. You all make everybody proud of ourselves. The fight continue until JUSTICE is served. We will NOT fail you. Thank you so much. Till we meet again... Hopefully, down under. In solidarity.”
ITF Asia Pacific Dockers’ Section meeting 16–19 January 2013, Manila, Philippines By Garry Parsloe, National President On the 16–19 January 2013 National Secretary Joe Fleetwood and I attended the ITF Dockers Section meeting in Manila, Philippines. ITF International President Paddy Crumlin in his opening address spoke on the cancer of casualization, and how casualization eats into workers’ wages and conditions. Casualization destroys good jobs, pits worker against worker and destroys families. Casualization leaves all the workers affected with no job security and that then places all that stress on the whole family. MUA Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman’s presentation encompassed issues contained within the agenda. He also touched on the Ports of Auckland dispute and on the real need to resolve the dispute in the workers’ best interests. After morning smoko there was an in-depth report on disputes in Container Terminals in the Asia Pacific region. In 2011/2012 there were staggered FOC weeks of action, access, inspections, leafleting, stickers and other campaign activities in GNT (Global Network Terminals). On the afternoon of Day One we had the Women Port Workers’ report before the Country reports. 6 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
In the Country reports both Joe Fleetwood and I gave in-depth reports on the Ports of Auckland dispute and it was great to hear the Chairman say that the dispute in Auckland was a war on workers and that the ITF would not tolerate this type of attack on workers in Auckland or any other port. The last item on Day One was a presentation under the heading “Automation in the Ports Industry”. This issue is real and is very hard to resist so we must have a strategy that protects jobs. Day two opened with some Health and Safety presentations. Frank Leys did a presentation on Container safety. MUA Education and Safety Officer Matt Goodwin did a presentation under the heading “Organising for Safety”. After morning smoko we had a presentation on the ITF Financial review. In the afternoon Dean Summers gave an ITF Inspectors report. He spoke on the work load and the strategy for going forward. We then addressed all the recommendations that were before the meeting. The last item of business was the Elections. Day Three and Four were set aside to address Global Network Terminals (GNTs.) It opened with a presentation on GNT growth and strategies in the region. Then we went into workshops with each Country and Area giving a report on the way the Terminals are managed in their region. There were in-depth reports from all over the Pacific/Asia region and full discussions on ways to remedy some of the problems in some of these Terminals Once again the ITF has provided a productive platform for going forward. www.munz.org.nz
Living Wage musicians at the launch of the campaign
Maritime Union backs Living Wage campaign
Salvation Army sees worsening social conditions
The Maritime Union is backing the Living Wage campaign. Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand was launched in May 2012 and now includes 130 community organisations, faith-based groups and unions. As part of the campaign, a report released in February identifies $18.40 an hour as the New Zealand living wage. Service and Food Workers’ Union National Secretary, John Ryall says Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand would now call on central and local government and institutions funded through public money to implement the living wage. “We are also calling on all large corporates to pay a living wage to all their workers, including contract workers and we will work with and support small businesses and NGOs who are committed to making New Zealand a living wage country,” he said. “The report confirms what workers have increasingly been saying. They can’t live on the minimum wage and this provides evidence that workers need at least $18.40 just to get by in New Zealand.” The report defines the living wage as: “the income necessary to provide not only the basic necessities, but to enable workers to participate in society.” The campaign for a living wage is a joint community and union campaign and the report has received strong support from across the community. Living wage movements are found throughout the world. In London the living wage is 37% higher than the minimum wage and is even supported by Conservative politicians such as Mayor Boris Johnson and UK Prime Minister David Cameron. All employers and contracted workers of the Greater London Council are paid the living wage, which is calculated every year. A living wage is not the minimum wage. http://www.livingwagenz.org.nz/
The Salvation Army has spoken out about worsening social problems in New Zealand, saying the Government is not doing enough to reduce child poverty, create jobs or improve housing affordability. In its annual state of the nation report released earlier this year, it described a “making-do, getting-by sentiment in some vital areas of social policy and human need”. Salvation Army spokesman Major Campbell Roberts said the findings showed New Zealand had not learnt from history. With almost 300,000 people jobless and 150,000 others moving to Australia since 2007, alarm bells should be ringing, he said. Child poverty, youth unemployment, and housing had suffered and “more tax dollars” were needed to fund solutions. The report found child poverty rates were static over the last year and violent offences towards children increased by 84 per cent in the five years to July 2012. It also showed a widening gap between achievement rates of students in low-decile schools and those in richer areas. Inequality was also growing between workers. Those in wellpaid work were getting pay increases, those in low-paying jobs were not. The housing market was increasingly about the “haves” and “have nots” and the Government response was described as “token at best.”
www.munz.org.nz
Report Card
Teenage pregnancy A Early childhood education B Infant mortality B Housing related debt C+ Drug related crime C+ Wages and incomes C+ Children at risk C+ Benefits and pensions C
Living costs & food poverty C Alcohol C Gambling C Housing affordability CChildren and violence D Educational achievement D Child poverty D Unemployment D Housing availability D
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News in brief Minimum wage increase “does nothing” The decision by the National Government to raise the minimum wage by just 25 cents from $13.50 an hour to $13.75 does nothing to address the increasingly obvious needs of low paid workers, says the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. The minimum wage is inadequate to keep low income families out of poverty, as the research on the Living Wage has shown, says CTU Secretary Peter Conway. A significant rise is overdue, he says. It would help reverse rising income inequalities as well as help those on or near the minimum wage. “The evidence from New Zealand and internationally is that it would not increase unemployment,” Mr Conway said.
Power prices: “These guys have the market power and they’re using it” A new book from Victoria University researcher Geoff Bertram claims that New Zealand’s power prices are now more than twice what they were 30 years ago, in real terms. In contrast, in the United States, Britain, Japan, France and South Korea, inflation-adjusted power prices are below what they were in the mid-1980s. Bertram said New Zealand customers were being ripped off because, unlike most countries, there was no regulator keeping tabs on power prices. “These guys have the market power and they are using it.” Consumer prices have soared, but industrial power prices have remained stable and commercial prices have dropped. Bertram said it was because residential customers didn’t have the power of big business. “It’s open season to screw anyone who can’t fight back.” Nothing that was being done was illegal, because companies were free to operate in a way that maximised profits, he said.
163,000 now Unemployed Unions say it is a major failure of our economy that 163,000 people in New Zealand are unemployed. Statistics released in February 2013 show that 163,000 are officially unemployed, with a further 111,000 looking for extra hours of work. The jobless number, which includes those discouraged from seeking work, is now 284,500 people. Maori unemployment is 14.8 percent, Pacific unemployment is now up at 16 percent, and youth unemployment (15-19 years) has gone up to an unacceptable 30.9 percent. The female unemployment rate continued to rise, up 0.2 percentage points to 7.6 percent. This is the fourth consecutive increase in the female unemployment rate. CTU Secretary Peter Conway says that unemployment, particularly for long periods, was very damaging for those who are out of work and those effects spill over to their families and communities. The Maritime Union says that substantial numbers of potential jobs could be created in a revitalised coastal shipping sector with New Zealand crews, and in the fishing industry once it had been cleaned up. Training for New Zealand workers had to be a priority, as did support for public enterprises and local industry through Government procurement policies. 8 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
Transport unions’ generosity makes a difference The recent generosity of MUNZ and the RMTU is ensuring children arrive safely to school and return home each day from school, says the director of the Parami Learning Centre, Min Lwin, in Mae Sot on the Thai/Burma border. One of his concerns is to protect the children from unscrupulous people – many of them criminals – and from possible road accidents. A recent donation of 150,000 Thai baht (about $6,000) from the two New Zealand unions through UnionAID has allowed the Centre to increase its vehicle fleet to three, thus now providing 442 of its 551 pupils safe and certain travel to and from school. The MUNZ RMTU vehicle (pictured with this article) takes around 36 students per trip between three and six kilometres. Min admits these are large loads and, compared to Thai school buses, ours are crowded. Even with the added vehicle, Min says they still need to increase the fleet as more and more Burmese flee across the border illegally, seeking work. He is hopeful that a Japanese union will provide sufficient funds to add a two ton truck to its fleet which will be capable of carrying over 50 students per trip. Yet still more students seek refuge at the school. Min says the school opened in 1999 as a nursery/day care for children of migrant workers as they are not welcome to hang around their parents at their work place. Additionally, child labour is an existing problem with an average 8 per cent of sewing factories comprising child workers, says Min. Criminals also use children to carry their illegal items. He is delighted with the very real help being provided by the two New Zealand transport unions. For more information see www.unionaid.org.nz
www.munz.org.nz
Maritime workers back Brisbane dockers Maritime workers around the world are showing their solidarity for workers in the Port of Brisbane, Australia who are facing huge job losses, contracting out, casualisation and a cut in working conditions as a result of automation plans from employer DP World (DPW). The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is currently in negotiations with global network terminal operator (GNT) DPW over what it has branded ‘slash and burn’ automation plans. The MUA says it is particularly surprised as it was able to reach a workable agreement with GNT Hutchison, which is entering the industry as a third operator in a neighbouring terminal in Brisbane, around operation under the new automated mode In the letter ITF dockers’ section secretary Sharon James says to workers: “The experience of trade unions in a number of countries has shown that constructive engagement by employers in the introduction of new technologies can bring benefits, and an equitable outcome. The MUA has also managed to negotiate a sound and viable agreement with Hutchison on operations under their new automated mode. In the circumstances, one has to question the motives behind the approach taken by DP World.” She continues: “Please convey to our comrades in Brisbane that ITF dockers’ unions stand united with them in their struggle. We will face the challenges and embrace the opportunities together and we are determined that automation will not be used as a means to break or reduce the power of unions. If the time comes, we will mobilise the support of this great union family to their cause.” Go to the solidarity page to send a letter of solidarity to Brisbane workers now and to get more details on the dispute. http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/Brisbane-wharfies.cfm
US dockers locked out in Washington State
Dock workers from the ITF-affiliated International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have been locked out of their jobs at the Port of Vancouver in Washington, USA by their employer, Japanese conglomerate Mitsui. Members of ILWU Local 4 have been working to reach a fair agreement with their multinational grain terminal employers for several months after the Grain Handlers’ collective bargaining agreement with the union expired in September last year. But in the early hours of 27 February around 200 workers at Vancouver were locked out. Mitsui’s United Grain Corp has accused a single union worker of damaging equipment, an allegation which the union believes is being used to justify the aggressive lockout of its entire Local 4 represented work force. In response to the lockout the ILWU says “Mitsui-United Grain has fabricated a story as an excuse to do what they’ve wanted to do all along, which is to lock workers out instead of reach a fair agreement with them.” ITF president and chair of the dockers’ section Paddy Crumlin says “This is pure aggression from the employer when what’s actually needed is transparency and good faith negotiation. Concerns about the conduct of employees or health and safety should be brought to the negotiating table not used to punish workers on the ground.” He continued: “These men and women are looking to negotiate contracts which don’t undermine American working standards and let them achieve decent standards of living for their families and because of that they’re treated like criminals.” www.ilwu.org
A historic occasion was reached on Friday 1 March at the MUA West Australian State Conference with the signing of a statement of solidarity between the Wellington Branch of MUNZ and the West Australian Branch of the MUA. Throughout 2012 MUNZ Wellington Branch and MUA West Australian Branch officials met to discuss the formation of a solidarity agreement between the two branches. Subsequent to our initial meetings in Wellington in March and again at the MUNZ National Conference in November 2012, and endorsed by the branches, it was resolved “that the maritime workers at the West Australia Branch of the Maritime Union of Australia and the Wellington Branch of the Maritime Union of New Zealand shall be united as sister ports in militant solidarity.” A plaque and a copy of the documents now hangs proudly in the MUNZ national office boardroom in Wellington for members to peruse. The above picture records the presentation of the plaque to MUNZ Wellington Branch, at the MUA Western Australia State Conference. Left to right: MUNZ National Vice President Carl Findlay, MUA West Australian State Secretary Chris Cain, ex–MUNZ Wellington Branch and current MUA member Mick Williams, MUNZ Wellington Secretary Mike Clark, MUNZ New Plymouth branch executive member Bob Thorpe, MUA West Australian State Deputy Secretary Adrian Evans, MUNZ Wellington Branch President Alan Windsor, MUA West Australian Assistant State Secretary Will Tracey, MUNZ Auckland Executive Vince McCafferty, MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood, MUNZ National President Garry Parsloe. www.munz.org.nz
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Oyang 70 sinking a stain on New Zealand’s conscience The Maritime Union of New Zealand says the findings of a Coroner’s inquest into the sinking of the Oyang 70, released on 8 March 2013, make appalling reading. Findings identified systemic failure of ship management and safety practices, and routine violation of maritime rules and seafaring practice, were responsible for leading to the sinking of the foreign charter fishing vessel in 2010. Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Joe Fleetwood says the inquest confirmed the Union’s view of industry practices. “It is a stain on New Zealand’s conscience that these ships of shame were allowed to be operated in New Zealand waters.” He says the deregulation of the fishing industry and failure to ensure standards and processes were in place have had a terrible outcome. “The deaths of the workers involved are a result of the rotten practices permitted to take hold in the fishing industry.”
The sinking occurred in dire circumstances when the master attempted to take on board an oversized net of catch, causing the vessel to take on water. Crew members were left to fend for themselves with no evacuation system in place, and a worse outcome was only avoided due to the fast rescue action of the New Zealand vessel Amaltal Atlantis which was in the area. The Coroner also criticized aspects of New Zealand’s ship safety management process. Mr Fleetwood says that the Maritime Union has been calling for an overhaul of the industry for 10 years. He says the inquest findings show that the deregulation of the fishing industry has been a failure and tough new regulations were needed. The Oyang 70 sank in New Zealand territorial waters 400 nautical miles east of South Island on 18 August 2010. Six persons drowned including three Indonesian crew whose bodies were recovered.
NZ’s broken fishing industry must be fixed
Bilge conviction for repeat offender
A four-year phase-out of foreign-flagged fishing vessels in New Zealand waters introduced in May 2012 may not be enough to fix “a broken industry”, says the Maritime Union of New Zealand. The Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Bill, which passed its first reading on 15 February, means that employment and vessel safety can be considered when registration applications of foreign-owned fishing vessels are assessed and that registration of non-compliant vessels can be suspended or cancelled. MUNZ argues that the bill does not go far enough and needs clear provisions for effective enforcement. It also insists that it should include commitments to create jobs for New Zealand workers. MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood says: “The industry was deregulated to inflate the profits of New Zealand fishing corporates and recent regulation changes have not yet fixed the deep-rooted damage. We will continue to fight for better wages and conditions for all and to press for the right of New Zealand workers to work in their own fishing industry.” Liz Blackshaw, leader of the ITF/IUF (International Union of Food, Farm and Hotel Workers) fisheries programme, added: “The move to phase out foreign flagged vessels is positive but needs to go further and be rigorously enforced to bring about real change for seafarers in New Zealand’s fishing industry. We will continue to support MUNZ to ensure that seafarers can work safely and with decent conditions.” The ITF’s New Zealand office has helped MUNZ provide support for foreign crews by investigating abuses, getting back payment of wages and ensuring safe repatriation to their home country. More news at http://www.itfglobal.org/fish/index.cfm
A hidden bilge pipe on the Oyang 75 has cost its charterers a $10,500 fine following a late guilty plea. Southern Storm Fishing under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 of failure to notify two harmful discharges to sea. Under the Act, they were treated as owner. The South Korean flagged Oyang 75 is a repeat offender. In 2012 the vessel was fined more than $420,000 for trawling activities including dumping lesser value catch overboard. A New Zealand court order for the forfeiture of the Oyang 75 is under appeal. Maritime New Zealand inspectors discovered a concealed pipe system in August 2012. The pipe discharged unfiltered bilge effluent, containing oil, directly into the sea and was operated by a hidden switch. Under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) vessels must use an oily water separator to remove harmful substances from any waste water discharged into the sea. Last year the Indonesian crew of the Oyang 75 walked off last year alleging under-payment of wages and physical abuse. Oyang 75 was brought into New Zealand to replace Oyang 70 which sank in 2010 with the loss of six men, off Otago. Oyang spokesman Glenn Inwood invited media aboard, and described the Oyang 75 as a model of modern fishing. The Maritime Union stated in media interviews at the time that it had major concerns about the practices of this company. Oyang 75 was last known to be in the Seychelles, according to a Fairfax news report.
10 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
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Ports exploit insurance loophole Ports are not paying their fair share of insurance levies, and are effectively being subsidised by everyone else, according to the Fire Service. The schemes were found to be legal in a test case at the High Court involving the insurance arrangements of a number of ports, including the Auckland Council-owned Ports of Auckland. The ports took out insurance provided by insurer Vero, but organised by insurance brokers, which enabled the ports to each cut the levies they paid the Fire Service, according to a Sunday Star Times investigation. The Fire Service is appealing against the decision. Fire Service National Commander Paul Baxter says the service did not believe Parliament had intended for large corporates to be able to arrange their insurances to minimise the levies they pay and make others pay more. The schemes “would have millions of dollars of impact on the levy which would ultimately have to be paid by somebody else.” “It is not right for companies to be trying to get out of contributing their fair share.” Ports have traditionally been quite heavy users of fire services, Baxter said, describing their use of the arrangement as “disappointing”. A Sunday Star-Times report says the schemes allow large property-owning businesses to structure their insurance to dramatically slash their fire levy in a way homeowners cannot.
New apps for seafarers The ITF is launching a series of free apps for seafarers. The Look up a Ship app will enable seafarers and charterers to look at basic information about the vessel they are sailing on, intend to sail on or are considering chartering. It will show the ship name, International Maritime Organization (IMO) number, where it is flagged, and whether or not it has an ITF agreement, and the status of any agreement. It will also show the latest crew list summary and ITF Inspection details. This new app comes just months before the enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) – the “seafarers’ bill of rights” –in August, and will help seafarers and charterers support and build on the MLC’s fair employment provisions. A second app, Look up an Inspector, helps seafarers find a trade union and their nearest ITF inspector. It will tell seafarers where they can obtain assistance from an ITF inspector or union, and details of their telephone, fax and email contacts, as well as the ITF-sponsored 24-hour Seafarer Help helpline. The ITF Seafarers’ Trust is also offering an app on Shore Leave to put seafarers in touch with the nearest seafarers’ centre or mission. The apps can also be accessed via www.itfseafarer-apps.org
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ITF Report
By Grahame Maclaren New Zealand ITF Inspector
STX Harmony
I received a text message from the Chief Cook asking for help with repatriation. He explained that he was well over his contract time and had been told he would be sent home from China and then Australia, but when that did not happen he decided to contact me for help. The next morning when the ship arrived in Wellington I went on board and talked to the Cook getting all relevant details, joining dates etc. I then approached the Captain who told me that they could not guarantee he would be repatriated from NZ. I told him that as far as the ITF and MUNZ were concerned he must be repatriated from the vessel’s next port of Tauranga as the vessel would not be leaving here with him still on board. I told him to contact his company to inform them of our position. I then went back to tell the Cook what had transpired and asked that he call me from Tauranga if repatriation was not arranged for him. I received notice from the agents that a flight had been arranged for the next morning and that the Cook was now on his way home.
Nord Sydney
I received a call from the Tauranga Seafarers’ Centre informing that a crew member was well over his contract period and was seeking repatriation. I also received an email from the crew member (who turned out to be the Chief Officer) asking again that we assist with his repatriation. He informed that he had first requested a relief 2 months previously but the company claimed that as there was a worldwide shortage of senior deck and Engineering officers, they were having trouble finding him a relief. I contacted Tauranga Branch Secretary and ITF Contact Selwyn Russell, who along with Branch President and ITF Contact Peter Harvey, kindly agreed to visit the vessel to assist with the repatriation. The company relented and decided to repatriate the Chief Officer even though there was no relief available. Copies of his flight details were collected and he was given my business card and instructed to call if any further problems arose. He flew back to the Philippines the next morning. The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 11
Setting a course for the future 2012 Conference Remits The National Conference of the Maritime Union of New Zealand sets the direction and future of the Union for the following four years. All remits passed at National Conference are now Union policy. The remits below are listed under category, and note which branch the remit came from. At the bottom of the remit, extra information about the remit is included, including the resolution put to the Conference on the remit, its mover and seconder (a Conference delegate), and whether the remit was carried or lost.
International Remit 1. (Wellington) That conference reaffirms our commitment to our International affiliations (Global Union Federation ITF, M&M mining and maritime, etc.) We acknowledge the importance of International as we need to fight as one to fend off the attacks of the Multi National Corporate Greed. Linked with Remit 2 & 3 That Remits 1, 2 and 3 be adopted. Moved: Harry Holland/ Seconded: Alan Windsor Carried unanimously Remit 2. (Bluff) That the Maritime Union of New Zealand continues to work internationally to build alliances and relationship with other stevedoring and seafaring unions with a view to global solidarity. Linked with Remit 1 & 3 That Remits 1, 2 and 3 be adopted. Moved: Harry Holland/ 2nd: Alan Windsor Carried unanimously Remit 3. (Auckland) One of the largest industrial disputes during the previous year has been the Ports of Auckland dispute. Many Iessons have been learned during this dispute and many of our previous strategies have been proved to be correct. The support from the New Zealand union movement during the dispute was outstanding but what was clear during the dispute was that to survive such an attack global assistance was a key component. The support from international unions and the ITF was not only given freely but enabled Local 13 to survive during the strikes and lockouts both financially and by keeping moral up on the picket lines. Given the importance of the International this conference should formally pass a vote of thanks to all local and international unions who supported and are continuing to support the Maritime Union of New Zealand during the Ports of Auckland dispute.
12 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
This also notes that this conference should reaffirm its ongoing commitment to the ITF and the international Union Movement. Linked with Remit 1 & 2 That Remits 1, 2 and 3 be adopted. Moved: Harry Holland/ Seconded: Alan Windsor Carried unanimously
Communications Remit 4. (Bluff) Any member who ridicules or attacks other members of the union through social media around union issues must attend stop work meetings to explain their actions to the membership. That Remit 4 be adopted. Moved: Justin Dimond/ Seconded: Kevin Forde Carried unanimously
Industrial Remit 5. (Auckland) That this conference affirms its support for the “Living Wage Campaign�. This notes that the best opportunity to support this campaign is through the CTU local union movement. This will require an undertaking from MUNZ that it has representatives attend meetings in all areas throughout New Zealand. That Remit 5 be adopted. Moved: Russell Mayn/ Seconded: James Kirkham Carried unanimously Remit 6. (Auckland) Interport Transfer. Given that a number of members in various Branches and Locals are now undertaking interport transfer on a regular basis and understanding the role that interport transfer plays in maintaining the guarantee for Stevedores in the conventional stevedoring operation. A minimum standard agreement for out of port transfer that includes allowances, accommodation and transport be formulated and agreed to ensure that members are confident that the terms that they are transferring under are not undermining existing Agreements. This notes that any agreement must take into consideration existing port Collective Agreements and how they will interact with Collective Agreements from out of port transfers. This also notes that this remit is proposed to support and promote interport transfer. That Remit 6 be adopted. Moved: Ken Ziegler / Seconded: Craig Marsh Carried unanimously
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Remit 7. (Tauranga Mt Maunganui) That we return to system of a probationary period for new members /seafarers that join our vessels. That Remit 7 be adopted. Moved: Peter Harvey/ 2nd: Selwyn Russell Carried unanimously Remit 8. (Bluff) A delegate’s role is to be incorporated into Collective Agreements allowing for greater protection for those delegates who represent the membership. That Remit 8 be adopted. Moved: Justin Dimond / 2nd: Harry Holland Carried unanimously Remit 9. (Bluff) That MUNZ re-affirms that it is opposed to the concept of contracting out of work within the Maritime Industry and campaign on that basis. That Remit 9 be adopted. Moved: Justin Dimond / 2nd: Harry Holland Carried unanimously Remit 10. (Bluff) That a National Stevedoring Conference be held in 2013 involving all Branches of the union with invitations to affiliates, with a view that it be held on a regular basis. National Office to assist in coordinating/funding this as a prioritised event. Linked with Remit 10 & 13 That Remits 10 and 13 be adopted on the understanding that the COM will monitor the funding, timing and criticalness and consideration to a Bulk & General conference by the end of 2013. Moved: Justin Dimond / 2nd: Harry Holland Carried – 4 against Remit 11. (Bluff) Where opportunities for growth are identified for seafarers, the Maritime Union of New Zealand to campaign involving political, organising, industrial, legal and media strategies to ensure that we use every means possible to increase the number of quality seafaring jobs. That Remit 11 be adopted. Moved: Justin Dimond / 2nd: Harry Holland Carried – 1 against Remit 12. (Bluff) That the union opposes the working of back to back shifts (16 hr day) and work towards eliminating back to back shifts through clauses in Collective Agreements. That Remit 12 be adopted. Moved: Justin Dimond / 2nd: Harry Holland Carried – 1 against
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Health and Safety Remit 13. (Napier) That the Napier Branch proposes that an annual “Port Forum” be held to address working practices from all ports, with particular regard to health and safety and following the guidelines as laid down in the “Code of Practice for Health and Safety in Port Operations”. Rationale behind the motion: It appears that vessels arriving in the Port of Napier from other ports around the country are found wanting in their safety requirements as covered by the “Code of Practice for Health and Safety in Port Operations”. The most common being “Boxed Rigged” gangways and other safety deficiencies such as safety lines not being rigged in the tween decks etc. When the question is asked of the Officer in charge of safety, while working cargo, quite often we are told that it worked in such and such a port without any problem whatsoever. The Napier Branch are of the opinion that all ports should abide by the “Code of Practice for Health and Safety in Port Operations”, otherwise we can see one of our brother workmates being seriously injured or killed and this is something that has been all too common since “Port Reform” was introduced in 1989. Linked with Remit 10 & 13 That Remits 10 and 13 be adopted on the understanding that the COM will monitor the funding, timing and criticalness and consideration to a Bulk & General conference by the end of 2013. Moved: Justin Dimond / 2nd: Harry Holland Carried – 4 against Remit 14. (Bluff) That the union campaign to educate the membership on the importance of incident and accident reporting. Develop a program to make it easier to report such incidents and accidents. That Remit 14 be adopted. Moved: Justin Dimond / 2nd: Harry Holland Carried
Union Structure and Governance Remit 15. (Auckland) Local/Branch Representation. That this conference considers the relationship between voting practices undertaken at a local level and their relationship to the National Rules governing the union. Currently a number of Locals/Branches practice different forms of proportional representation on Local /Branch Executive committees. Whilst the fundamental principle of democracy must be maintained there is also a compelling argument that following the increase in containerization and the reduction in the number of members involved in conventional stevedoring in ports where terminals operate. And the combination of both Seafarers and Waterside workers following the amalgamation of Locals/Branches, that given the density of membership in the terminal operations executive committees could become dominated by representatives from this area. In order to maintain a voice from all sectors within a Local/Branch, that allowance be made for each sector to have a representative on local executive committees. This notes that the intention of this remit is not to promote a company type representation but to support the premise that executive committees make provisions at a local level to ensure a balance on Local/Branch Executives is maintained. That Remit 15 be adopted. Moved: Daniel Staley/ Seconded: Craig Marsh Carried The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 13
Remit 17. (Wellington) That the Maritime Union of New Zealand members at each Port be organised under one Branch or Local at that Port. That is parallel branches not be permitted and all finances to be administered through the branch. That Remit 17 be adopted. Moved: John Whiting/ 2nd: Stuart Crawford Carried Remit 18. (Wellington) That there be a conclusion to the integration of wharfies/seafarers rules, regulations, and procedures also a date to finalise this. That Remit 18 be adopted. Moved: Mike Clark/ 2nd: Kevin Forde Carried Remit 19. (Wellington) That we have a Woman rep on the National Executive, it would be good to have a woman’s voice representing the women of the Union, a dedicated position over and above the existing positions. Note: The General Secretary advised this matter had been discussed by the committee of management and supported by way of resolution, Joe read the four part resolution: 1 – That the committee of management believes that all branches will make provision for a Youth and a Woman rep on their Local Branch Executives. 2 – Whether or not anyone stands for either position, those positions should be on the ballot paper along with all Branch Officers and Executive positions. 3 – After elections the names of the Youth and Woman positions will be sent to National Office where an election will be held for the Youth and Woman reps to National Council by MUNZ National Councillors eg four National Officers and all National Council Delegates. 4 – The position on the National Council will be an observer with speaking rights only and the term will be an annual term. Consideration may need to be given to increasing the number of positions on National Council to accommodate this. Linked with Remit 20 That Remits 19 and 20 be adopted in line with the resolution submitted by the General Secretary. Moved: Bill Connolly/ Seconded: George Clark Carried Remit 20. (Wellington) That each Branch elects a youth executive member as an extra position. Linked with Remit 19 That Remits 19 and 20 be adopted in line with the resolution submitted by the General Secretary (see above remit 19). Moved: Bill Connolly/ Seconded: George Clark Carried
Remit 21. (Wellington) That all Organisers employed by the Union have a written Job description. That Remit 21 be adopted. Moved: Jimmy King/ 2nd: Alan Windsor Carried Remit 22. (Wellington) Remit 22 returned to Branch by Remit Committee as it referred to a branch matter. Remit 23. (Wellington) That the Maritime Union of New Zealand moves to a National Central funded Union Structure. That this Conference endorses Remit 23, and leaves the matter on the table for National Council to make a decision on this remit. Remit stays Live. Moved: Alan Windsor / 2nd: Mike Clark Carried Remit 24. (Bluff) That the members be encouraged to attend meetings and participate in the debate of the union as a matter of policy. All too often there is criticism of the processes which in fact are developed by the membership at those meetings. Those criticisms come from many members who don’t take the time to attend and participate in the decision making. That Remit 24 be adopted. Moved: Harry Holland / 2nd: Justin Dimond Carried
Superannuation Remit 25. (Wellington) That an in depth assessment of the Seafarers’ Retirement Fund be undertaken by accredited financial advisors of successful retirement funds. That Remit 25 stays live and will be reported back to National Council by SRF Trustees after the December meeting of the Trustees. Moved: Alan Windsor / 2nd: Jimmy King Carried Remit 26. (Wellington) That in regards to the Seafarers Retirement Fund, funds are put into a low risk investment, ie: Bank term deposit, because of the current financial climate. Moved: That Remit 26 stays live and will be reported back to National Council by SRF Trustees after the December meeting of the Trustees. Moved: Alan Windsor / Seconded: George Clark Resolved: hat Remit 26 is rejected. Moved: Garry Parsloe / 2nd: Peter Harvey Carried
14 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
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Political Remit 27. (Auckland) That given the changes and continual attacks on industrial legislation supported by the National Party that remove basic protections for workers, this conference endorses continued affiliation to the New Zealand Labour Party. The latest proposed changes to the legislation governing Collective Bargaining will have a significant impact on not only our industry but on all unionised workers throughout New Zealand. Using the Ports of Auckland dispute as an example, if the legislation to conclude Collective Bargaining is removed, this will enable employers to use the threat of contracting out during bargaining to force changes in Collective Agreements or, as in the case in Auckland, to totally remove unionised workers from the workplace. The New Zealand Labour Party in return must be prepared to commit to changing and strengthening industrial legislation so that workers can be convinced that returning a Labour Party to the Treasury Benches is worthy of their support. Linked with Remit 28 & 29 That Remit 27 is adopted. Moved: Russell Mayn / 2nd: Billy Connolly Carried Remit 28. (Bluff) That MUNZ is committed to remain affiliated to the NZ Labour Party and to participate in its policy, organizational, election campaign and political processes. That the union will also maintain appropriate communications with other political parties aimed at advancing the union’s political, industrial and social policy agenda. Linked with Remit 27 & 29 That Remit 28 is adopted. Moved: Harry Holland/ Seconder: Justin Dimond Carried Remit 29. Remit duplicate of Remit 5 Remit 30. (Tauranga Mount Maunganui) That the Mount Maunganui Tauranga branch endorse a campaign to reintroduce the manning of vessels that ply the Transtasman trade back to New Zealand and Australian seafarers. Remit 30 is endorsed. Moved: Peter Harvey/ 2nd: Selwyn Russell Carried
Rank and file report Conference 2012 By Tony Mowbray MUNZ 1154 Wellington Branch Firstly I would like to thank MUNZ for the opportunity to attend the conference in the role as observer. For myself, I came away with a positive feeling as all the branches had productive input and a common goal, the betterment of workers’ rights, fairness at work and to take back what has been stripped from workers over consecutive years. With all the proposed anti-worker employment changes, all union members from all industries have to educate the younger members and follow up on the slogan of “organising our future”. This is not easy, but, as we well know, nothing has ever been easy for the trade union movement The internationals were well represented at our Conference with delegates from the U.S.A , Canada, Japan, the U.K, and of course Australia. We heard passionate addresses from all, which echoed common global issues in regard to workers and reinforced the need for unity. Recently we have had to contend with the closures of yet more industry in New Zealand, the butchering of our once world class education and health systems, the Ports of Napier dispute, closures of mines and rail workshops, and the ongoing Ports of Auckland dispute. In our maritime disputes, our international support is overwhelming, just as MUNZ has returned this support, which was acknowledged by all. We can be proud of the fact that we are held in such high regard. It is now time for every member of every union to step up and do a bit for the good of workers in this country, by becoming active in whatever way they can. For too long now it seems we have sat back and relied on a few to get the job done. We owe it to our children, grand-children and the worker next door, but mostly we are indebted to the efforts of all trade unionists before us who never gave up. It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure any move against any worker is not accepted, be it by corporate greed or like what we here in NZ are enduring, an anti-worker Government. It was ironic that during the conference, the latest unemployment figures were released, the highest since 1998 when we also had the same party up to the same tricks. Upon closing I will again express the importance for all of us to become active within the Union.
Remit 31. (Wellington) That conference rejects all Free Trade and Trans Pacific Partnership Agreements, particularly when it could cause possible job losses in all New Zealand industries. Any type of Trade Agreement with any country should first and foremost have the interest of the New Zealand working class as the main priority through the inclusion of a Social clause that must provide for the Social concern and responsibility of the working women and men of New Zealand. That Remit 31 is endorsed. Moved: Joe Fleetwood/ 2nd: Mike Clark Carried
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The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 15
• •
MUA Safety Conference By Ben George President, Local 10 Port Chalmers Dunedin Branch National Assistant Secretary Ray Fife and I attended a safety conference held by the MUA at the Queensland Council of Unions in Brisbane 3–5 December 2012. This conference was the first of its kind to be held by the MUA and had strong attendance by delegates and Health and Safety reps from around Australia.
Day One
The opening of the conference by Bob Anderson, a trade union activist and staunch Aboriginal rights activist for many years, set the tone for the whole conference, speaking on the plights of the trade union movement and rights of the Aboriginal people. MUA Queensland Branch Secretary Mick Carr outlined the plan for the conference and gave a rundown of the agenda for the coming days. MUA Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith addressed the conference and spoke at length about campaigning for better health and safety, the importance of Health and Safety, Rep and Union Delegate roles and the significance of improved Health and Safety to members and their families. Key messages from Warren’s speech were: • Communication: • Sharing knowledge and tactics • Tracking and reporting issues • Safety and industrial matters are one in the same: • Quality of life • Everyone goes home alive • Owning our own safety • Organize and struggle collectively around safety • Campaigning for Codes of Practice These key messages are important not only to us as an organization but as individuals also. A lot can be done to improve Health and Safety and quality of life by organizing around these issues. Various panel discussions followed with National Assistant Secretary Ray Fife contributing to the discussion for organizing around safety in the maritime industry, highlighting issues such as: • Lack of regulations around maximum hours of work in a day/week and minimum turnaround times. • Casual and contract labour undermining Health and Safety, often out of fear of losing contracts or work by rocking the boat. • Fatigue issues within our industry. • Condition of foreign owned vessels calling on our coast. 16 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
Living conditions and treatment of foreign crew on fishing vessels. Alarming number of serious harm accidents and deaths not only in the Maritime industry but in New Zealand industries in general e.g. Forestry and Mining.
MUA Safety Officer Matt Goodwin and WA branch Safety Officer Linda Morich addressed the conference and reminded Heath and Safety Reps just how important the role is and what tools and systems are in place to aid progress in dealing with Health and Safety matters. There are some very powerful tools available to Health and Safety reps but training is essential to enable reps to use the tools effectively to ensure the best result possible. This should be a reminder to us all to have a look at the Health and Safety structures in place within our own branches/ports, and make sure we have active and trained Health and Safety reps in all work places contributing to committees. We need to make sure members know who these people are and how to contact reps should the need arise. Health and Safety issues should be dealt with collectively so that individuals cannot be targeted or singled out.
Day two
Day two saw everyone break off into workshop groups for each sections of the industry after a review of the previous day’s discussions. The three workshop groups were: 1. Seafarers & Offshore. 2. Stevedoring. 3. Port Workers including towage lines, lines, ferries etc. Both Ray and I participated in the Stevedoring workshop group with some common themes and issues around Heath and Safety concerns faced here in New Zealand and in Australia. • Fatigue. • Lack Hatchman on some vessels. • Ship and crane inspection. • Communication of vessel and crane defects between ports. • Lashing standards. • Codes of Practice for Stevedoring. Workshop groups had excellent participation from all in attendance with some strong action points to move forward with. WA Branch Safety Officer Linda Morich spoke about health issues and in particular mental health. This is not an easy subject for some to talk about but mental illness can affect anyone at any time. The message from Linda was simply to look out for one another, don’t be afraid to talk to your mates or ask them if they are OK. If you suspect someone is not coping, whether it be at work or from outside influences, don’t ignore it. Seek assistance or help from your delegates and representatives. There are some good support networks available out there; no one should suffer in silence. A very strong message and one we should all take heed of bearing in mind the stresses we know shift work puts on ourselves and our friends and families.
Day three
Day three was an opportunity to wrap up the two previous days’ discussions and recommendations and to put in place an action plan to achieve objectives and outcomes proposed by the various working groups. Thanks must be extended to the MUA and in particular to the Queensland Branch for hosting a successful, well organized and interesting conference. The conference and objectives from the conference will put their organization in good steed should the outcomes be achieved and we wish them well in their struggles. Most of all, let us remember all our brothers and sisters both here and in Australia who have lost their lives needlessly at work. One death at work is one too many.
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New health and safety pages in the Maritimes From this edition, the Maritimes magazine will be running a regular dedicated section to focus on health and safety issues. The maritime industry has had a large number of deaths and injuries, as well as near misses, over recent years. Other industries such as forestry and mining have also been identified as dangerous for workers. This is unacceptable. Unions have identified New Zealand workers as being in greater risk of harm in the workplace than workers in similar nations like Australia and the UK. Many of the health and safety problems in the maritime industry are linked to deregulation, casualization and the “profit first” attitude. In order to ensure all maritime workers return home safe and well at the end of every shift, it is all of our responsibility to play our part and work together in the Union to demand and ensure safe workplaces. We welcome any thoughts and contributions from branches and members on health and safety topics.
Health and safety issues can now be reported online As part of this increased focus on health and safety issues on the job, the MUNZ website has a special form where members can fill in reports on health and safety incidents. All members are encouraged to use this new system. Information is sent direct to MUNZ national office where it is logged on our health and safety database and action can be taken if required. Your personal information is kept confidential. The URL for the page is: http://www.munz.org.nz/contact-the-maritime-union/health-and-safetyincident-report-form/
There is also a link from the front page of the website www.munz.org.nz
Hazard on MV Anhui: Local 13 Walking Delegate Dave Phillipps took this photo of a railing (or lack of railing) hazard on Hatch 2 of the MV Anhui at Ports of Auckland. The agent and master agreed to fix the problem but other ports are advised to keep an eye out for this vessel.
Wellington health and safety update By John Whiting Assistant Secretary Wellington Branch The recent fatal accident at the Port of Wellington that resulted in the death of MUNZ member Mark Samoa has refocused us on the very high hazard nature of waterfront work. Obviously, as several investigations are underway, comment on the details and causes of this accident remains under wraps pending the Coroners’ Court finding. However, we believe that the best way we can remember Mark is to upgrade our vigilance for safety on the job, both personally, and in looking after each other. This requires concentration on safe process so it becomes second nature, and always being prepared to challenge unsafe practices. In Wellington, we are increasing our number of trained safety delegates and their participation in regular safety committees with reporting from and to the workforce. These delegates must be the leaders in demanding a safer workplace and setting a higher standard of safe operating on the job. To lose a valued workmate is not only a tragedy, it must always be unacceptable.
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The Council of Trade Unions has launched a YouTube clip and campaign aimed at trying to get the Government to agree to an inquiry into the forestry industry, and to implementing health and safety and employment standards that stop the deaths and injuries of forestry workers. CTU president Helen Kelly said “forestry is the most dangerous industry in New Zealand. In 2013 there have already been two deaths since 2008, 23 workers have died and almost 900 have been seriously injured. Each death is a family, community, workplace losing someone who was loved. Each injury is someone’s life being changed forever by something that happened at work.” “We need to bring attention to this, the government and the industry to step up and stop this from happening.” The CTU has launched a YouTube clip of Caroline and Roger Callow talking about the tragic death of their son, Ken Callow, at work, and are using the One Big Voice website to raise funds for a billboard campaign to draw attention to the dangers in the sector. For more information see www.whatkilledkencallow.org.nz The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 17
Interport 2013 Fishing
Indoor Sports
Day One
Restricted to two sports, Pool and Darts. These were played on a round robin basis with so many computations and upset results that we can only give the results of the overall winners. Thanks to the Bluff R.S.A. and Chrissey Ryan for hosting the event. Pool: Winners were Harry Holland, Bluff and Kevin Ansell, Timaru Darts: Winners were Fred Salalea and Steve Conroy Jnr, Auckland
Heaviest Cod: Gwen Salalea, Auckland Fred Salalea, Auckland Aussie Dave, Adelaide Heaviest Jock Stewart: Paul Wilson, Pt Chalmers Tony Townsend, Timaru Jeff Hindle, Pt Chalmers Best Trumpeter: Allister Fergusson, Timaru Clive Giles, Pt Chalmers Richie Bartlett, Timaru
1.50 kg 1.49 kg 1.40 kg .95 kg .94 kg .80kg 1.49 kg 1.06 kg 1.02 kg
Day Two
Spinney Dog Fish: Paul Simonson, Timaru 1.99kg Blue Cod: Terry Ryan, Auckland 1.40 kg Steve Conroy, Auckland 1.26 kg Trumpeter: Clive Giles Pt Chalmers 1.06 kg Kevin Ansell, Timaru Largest fish for tournament: Skate: Steve Conroy Jnr, Auck. 5.64 kg Octopus: Richie Bartlett, Timaru 4.86 kg Spinney Dog: Ray Munce, Auckland 2.74 kg Winner of Pacifica Cup: Gwen Salalea, Auckland Winner of Port News Cup: Paul Wilson, Pt Chalmers Winner of biggest tail: Phil Simonson, Pt Chalmers Winner of Wallace Trophy - Auckland Team members: Gwen Salalea, Fred Salalea, Steve Conroy Snr, Steve Conroy Jnr, Terry Ryan, Harry Mayn, Clive Hinton and Ray Munce
Maritime Interport Sports Tournament Raffle Results 1st Ticket number 1493 Auckland 2nd Ticket number 1288 Tauranga 3rd Ticket number 1828 Auckland
18 | The Maritimes | Summer 2011/2012
Golf Results: KereKere Canoe 36 Hole Teams Event: Winners: Port Chalmers - Cyril McWilliams, Graham Waugh, Rodney Douglas, Frazer Adams, Graeme Donaldson, Dave Lewis Runners Up: New Plymouth - Neville Rowlands, Danny Manu, Bob Surrey, Graham Hindley, Bill Graham, Rob Whitmore. Interport Cup 54 Hole Nett: Winner: J. Dimond, Bluff Runner Up: Chapman Plate: Merv Hill, Mt Maunganui Rare Cup 54 Hole Gross Winner: Neville Rowlands, New Plymouth, 243 Runner Up: Graeme Donaldson, Port Chalmers 246 Flett Black Memorial 54 Hole Par: Winner: Danny Manu, New Plymouth, +7 Runner Up: Frazer Adams, Port Chalmers +3 George Waller 54 Hole Stableford: Winner: Graeme Hindley, New Plymouth 109 Runner Up: Ray Fife, Bluff 108 Crocket & Lewis 18 Hole Stableford: Winner: Troy St. John, Lyttelton 42 Runner Up: Des Sutherland, Bluff 41 Norm Fisher Best Gross Any Day: Cyril McWilliams, Pt Chalmers Bill Brown Memorial - Best Net Outside Main Trophies: Winner: Arthur Peke, Auckland 215 Runner Up: Graeme Waugh, Port Chalmers 216 Tareha Cup 4 Ball Best Ball: Winners: Frazer Adams, Rod Douglas, Port Chalmers Runners Up: D. Williams, J. Niwa, Bluff Tom Heenan Cup Sportsperson: J. Dimond, Bluff Most Honest Golfer: Mike Myers, Onehunga 376 Artie Pitcher Cup Best Visitor: H. Wilson Ray Dobson Visitors 54 Hole Nett: Paul Pou Visitors Stableford - Any Day: D. Johnston All in all, a great Interport in a very friendly little town at Lands End for New Zealand. Thanks Bluff for the many memories. At the Council of Sport meeting Auckland was chosen as the host for the 2014 tournament. Make plans now - the time disappears so quickly.
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Pool sharks
Bulls eye: Tony Townshend of Timaru takes aim
Around and about at Interport 2013
Foveaux fishing: out and about in the Takaroa
Reel men
Southern Spirit: Dave Dick of Port Chalmers and Harry Holland of Bluff
Mellow melody: relaxing with a few tunes after another hard day
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The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 19
Paul Howes thanked the international brother and sister unions for participating in the conference. He said that those representatives from unions from New Zealand, Fiji, North America, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Russia and China, will hopefully share with us the knowledge and experience that will help so that we can continue to be stronger together. General Secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers Irvin Jim in South Africa spoke on how the mining companies in South Africa are getting fatter and fatter on the backs of the working class. Irvin Jim reported that the National Metalworkers’ union have over 2 million members. Irvin said that all minerals extracted should be used for manufacturing jobs in South Africa – new jobs, not sent off shore to the rich countries which are plundering the natural resources of South Africa. Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard attended the Conference Dinner where she said that she was a Labor PM who wants to be known as the leader of a government which stands up for the working people and secure good jobs MUNZ National Assistant Secretary Ray Fife with Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard at the AWU Conference
AWU Conference Queensland, Australia 18–21 February 2013
By Ray Fife National Assistant Secretary The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) Conference was attended by over 500 delegates, rank and file members and invited guests of whom MUNZ was a part. The union has close to 140,000 members covering a wide range of industries such as steel, aluminium, aviation, construction, racing, glass, paper and oil and gas. MUNZ and the AWU have forged new links through the Trans Tasman Oil and Gas Alliance in recent years together with the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and Engineers Printing Manufacturing Union of New Zealand (EPMU).
Day One: Growing jobs, international solidarity
Conference on day one acknowledged the extraordinary contribution that National President, Bill Ludwig who has been a union member of the AWU since 1950, has made to the AWU, the Australian union movement and the Labor Party, awarding him Life Membership. AWU National Secretary Paul Howes gave a rousing speech saying that a large part of the Conference will be devoted to endorsing a series of policy positions designed to protect and grow jobs in Australia’s manufacturing and agriculture sectors. He said that the Australian economy can’t become a one-trick pony, reliant on one sector, at the mercy of commodity prices. Paul Howes went on to say that delegates need to discuss a campaign to secure Australia’s energy future and to ensure Australians get the full benefit from the country’s gas and oil resources. He said that we need to reduce the red-tape and barriers that block the development of the gas reserves, and look at measures to secure long-term domestic supplies. He outlined the major challenges that the union members will face over the coming years saying that we need to get back into the business of promoting winners. He told the Conference that Asia is not scared of industry planning but Australia has taken a hands-off approach. 20 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
Day Two: Employment and workplace relations
Day two of the Conference was chock full of important debates and discussions around growth and manufacturing. There was a lot of debate around the dumping of overseas goods in Australia. It is a real threat to Australian jobs and industry. There were a number of guest speakers and of particular interest were Deputy Prime Minister, Wayne Swan and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten. Bill Shorten spoke of how he was National Secretary of the AWU before he entered parliament and that he is still a member of the AWU and proudly carries his union card. Of some interest was the partnership that the AWU has formed with beyondblue. beyondblue is a national, independent, not- for- profit organisation working to address mental health issues in the workplace. Paul Howes said that the AWU with working beyondblue will, among other things, ensure that the union can incorporate mental health components into delegates’ training courses. MUA National Secretary and ITF President Paddy Crumlin spoke on the strong links between the AWU and MUA, the threat of globalisation and that the need for unions to work together is vital for the union movement going forward he said. He spoke on the role of the ITF and thanked the AWU for their support for the MUA during the Patricks dispute.
Day Three: Political action
Day three of the Conference delegates discussed the union’s Federal election campaign. Everyone agreed that it is going to be a long hard road to 14 September. But the AWU and its members will fight all the way to protect their jobs and their rights. The Coalition has shown they only care about credit ratings and corporate profit. The AWU delegates pledged to stop Tony Abbott in his tracks by putting job security and workers’ rights at the forefront of the 2013 Federal election campaign. There was debate around productivity where the AWU wants to engage workers directly in the management of their workplaces, it is essential to improving productivity. The AWU wants a real discussion about productivity looking beyond wages and considering key issues such as quality of management, infrastructure, supply chains, training, innovation and research.
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The preoccupation with wages is cloaking the failure of Australian business to keep pace with more innovative overseas competitors. The AWU Conference was honoured on day three to hear from a working class hero, Han Dongfang, who was thrown into a Chinese Gulag for his efforts trying to organise a democratic workers’ union in the Chinese capital, Beijing. In a wide ranging address Han Dongfang pointed out that Beijing has begun to accept collective bargaining in big workplaces – a first, important, step to building new democratic unions and a free democratic civil society. The founder of the highly respected China Labour Bulletin said that if Chinese workers can improve their pay and working conditions, that can only be good for AWU members and their families. From Fiji, the Secretary of the National Union of Maufacturing and Commercial Workers, John Mudaliar, spoke on how the trade union movement is struggling in Fiji because of the dictatorship rule. John reported that unions were delisted by the ruling dictatorship. The union was denied permits to hold meetings, a delegate can’t meet with more than two people at once and union officials are not allowed to be affiliated to any political party or hold office. He said that his union would continue to fight for workers rights.
Day Four: Oil and gas industry
On day four we heard a report from the Western Australian delegate who spoke on how there is great concern on the issue of off shore floating barges being built to accommodate the projected liquid gas. These barges will be 500 metres by 100 metres and will be built to withstand hurricane storms. The concern is that the AWU will lose thousands of construction jobs and by pass the need to build refineries ashore. It was reported that the AWU is trying to bring about change and made 52 submissions to government but only 8 were mentioned. With the amount oil coming on stream there is no plan by government to build oil refineries in Australia. It will be directly shipped to Singapore, where it will be refined, then sent back to Australia. Paul Howes closed the conference by saying that the last three days have clearly established that the AWU will fight for building good jobs, will make a stand to have bulk products further processed in Australia and is 110% behind the Labor government and ensuring that the Tony Abbott led Coalition doesn’t win the September election.
Interport 2013 By Bluff Branch President Harry Holland Well, thank God that is all over, as it was a task and a half to get through! But well worthwhile doing, and to see all happy faces and the laughs that went on was just great. To all the winners, well done, and to the others that took part that’s sport, if you don’t succeed at first try again (next year in Auckland.) To all the competitors, you were all great ambassadors for your ports and it was a real pleasure having you all in Bluff. To all our sponsors, thank you very much as without you we could not hold this tournament because it’s a huge task. The two local boat owners did themselves proud the way they looked after their passengers and kept them on the go (shame about the weather.) Thank you. Queens Park Golf Club did an outstanding job with the course and club rooms. Talking to the golfers, it was a great effort by you again, thank you very much. Behind the scenes it was a great team on the organizing committee who had to put it all together. This was a hard working team that I am so proud of, thank you. With the hiccup trying to get the oysters, down to getting boats and making sure we had everything taken care of, it was a big job again. Thank you to the men involved with all that. Also to the ladies who took part in the tournament, well done. Ladies, great effort – watch out guys they can fish well, as Gwen showed us. Also to the two that came from Australia (Diane and Aussie Dave), good to see you two here. The Golden Age Tavern made a great effort. Well done. The seafood barbie was just the highlight of the tournament and will be spoken about for a long time. Also your help at the bar, thanks we won’t forget you. Eagle Hotel, thank you for the beds and meals. Well done to the RSA, it was a really good effort, and good just to know that when the weather packed a sad we had your club to fall back on for Darts and Pool. Thanks for the wonderful meal on Thursday night, just superb. To all our other sponsors, thank you as well, we need you very much and it would not have been possible without that help. Dave Dick from Port Chalmers – thank you mate for the much needed help. To Auckland, we wish you all best for the next year’s Tournament and hope that everyone supports this wonderful event. Hope to see you all there, have a great year guys.
A delegation of trade unionists from China visited Local 13 in November 2012 www.munz.org.nz
The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 21
Auckland Seafarers Old Timers’ Christmas Party By National President Garry Parsloe We held the Old Timers’ Xmas Party at the Maritime Club in Anzac Ave, Auckland on Friday 14 December 2012. I welcomed all the Old Timers along to their party on behalf of the Auckland Branch Executive. Local Branch Officials representing the Auckland Branch Executive were Garry Parsloe (President), Russell Mayn (Secretary), Dave Phillips (Walking Delegate), and Craig Marsh, Mario O’Merovic, and Vince McClafferty from the Executive. I made mention of Carol Beaumont who was working for MUNZ as a Media Adviser and doing a great job. Also Michael Halloran who has always been a great friend of the Maritime Unions. I welcomed the following past Executive members, Tommy Shields (ex Waterfront Executive), John O’Neill (ex National Vice President of the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union), Alex McDonald (ex President Auckland Branch Seamen’s Union and long standing member of the Seafarers National Executive), Gerard Hill (ex Auckland Branch Assistant Secretary of the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union), and Pat Lumber (ex National Executive member of both the Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union and the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union.) There was an apology from Joe Fleetwood, General Secretary. However it was great to have Mike Clark the Wellington Secretary in attendance. It was great to have Officials from other unions in attendance, especially Pat Brown from the Chemical Workers and Ray Bianchi (AWUNZ). Among the members from other Ports were Colin Wilson from New Plymouth, and Andrew Ayers and Jimmy Rosser from Tauranga. We had four members of Parliament at the party, David Shearer the Leader of the Labour Party, Darien Fenton Labour spokesperson on Labour and Immigration, Jacinda Ardern Labour Auckland Central, and Denise Roche from the Green Party. The speeches opened with a presentation to John O’Neill who had just retired after more than 50 years in the Maritime Unions.
MUNZ National President Garry Parsloe with Local 13 campaign organizer Carol Beaumont. Carol has recently returned to Parliament as a Labour list MP following the resignation of Charles Chauvel, as she was next on the list. 22 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
In those 50 years John had been Lyttelton Secretary of the New Zealand Seamen’s Union, Auckland Assistant Secretary of the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union, National Vice President of the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union, a National Councillor of both the Seamen’s Union and Seafarers’ Union and until retirement the Branch Vice President of Local 13 MUNZ. I was able to present John on behalf of the Branch a Local 13 Jacket and a trip for him and his wife to a holiday on the Gold Coast in Australia. John was thanked for his massive contributions to not only the Seamen’s Union, the Seafarers’ Union and MUNZ but also to the broader Trade Union Movement. The first invited speaker was Ray Bianchi, the Secretary of the Amalgamated Workers’ Union of New Zealand. Ray spoke on unity and solidarity within the Trade Union Movement. Ray’s colourful speech concluded on a range of events both Political and Union. Because of the audience I spent a few minutes talking about the difference between the 1951 Waterfront Lockout and our current dispute with the Ports of Auckland. The next speaker was Wellington Secretary Mike Clark, who spoke on the need for not only Branches to support each other but how each union must get in behind and support other unions that are in dispute. Next speaker was David Shearer, leader of the Labour Party. David spoke on the need to repeal National’s draconian Industrial Relations legislation so as workers and unions can bargain for secure and decent conditions of employment. David was followed by Darien Fenton, spokesperson for Labour and Immigration. Darien addressed the struggle that workers face today under a National Government and that we will all have to work hard to remove them in the next elections. Jacinda Ardern, Labour MP for Auckland Central, then addressed the party with a very moving and humorous presentation. Last speaker was Denis Roche from the Green Party. Denise spoke on the Greens’ Policies and also on the need to remove the National Government at the next elections. The food was excellent, thanks to Paul Gradiska, Jimmy McNeill, and Mike Burke. As always, it was an excellent day out for all the Old Timers and on behalf of the Auckland Branch Executive I want to thank all those individuals and Ships Crews for their donations which made the Old Timers’ Party the success that it was. See you all next time which will be on Friday, 13 December 2013.
MUNZ National President Garry Parsloe with leader of the Labour Party David Shearer at the 2012 Old Timers’ function.
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Past and present members joined together at the Wellington Branch Old Timers’ Function, December 2012
Wellington By Mike Clark
Asset Sales
It has been written in many newspapers and broadcasts on Television and Radio the Government this week started the process to sell Mighty River Power. After this it is anybody’s guess as to which other State-owned assets go under the hammer. Our Branch of MUNZ believe along with many other New Zealanders that this is against the will of the people and the only way to stop it is a national referendum which has been in full swing and I would urge all members who are on the electoral roll if you haven’t already done so to sign up. The asset sales is all about the transfer of public wealth to the private conglomerates that dominate the world markets. Treasury themselves advised the Government that to facilitate foreign buyers it would create “pricing tension” which would force the price up for New Zealand investors. Nobody in my opinion has the right to sell assets that belong to the people of New Zealand.
Changes to Employment Relations Act
Hot on the heels of asset sales comes the proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000. The changes are touted by the Government as a “technical change” but they are in fact a cynical attack designed to drive down wages and conditions for honest hardworking New Zealanders. We are currently in the process of sending out information to ships and mess rooms to be discussed by the members.
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TPPA – Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement
Not much has been said about the TPPA recently and that is probably because talks have been held in secrecy. In a process conducted in its entirety behind closed doors, it seems New Zealand is ready to sign up to a deal that will allow foreign investors to sue our Government (or any future Government) if they ever tried to pass laws to protect our health and safety as workers or damage the environment which would cause foreign investors to lose money. Just one of the concerns, and there is a multitude of them, is that in regard to food, consumers will be refused the right to know what is in their food that means that current labelling laws will be revoked. Another major concern is the medicines will be more expensive as big pharmaceutical companies gain dominance over Pharmac. Parallel importing will be banned meaning low income workers in this country will have to pay more for everyday consumable items, and the list goes on. Does this sound like something New Zealand should be part of? Please watch your local papers or contact a union official to see if there are demonstrations in your area.
Industrial and agreements
On the local industrial front we have a number of Collective Agreements in progress including Centreport, SGS, and Kiwirail Interislander. The latter is going to be an interesting negotiation as we have a number of hurdles to overcome to fit in with the companies “turnaround plan”. Currently there are not many seafarers out of work due to the Offshore industry picking up over the summer months.
We still have a major problem with Singapore Registered vessels requiring them to be manned by either I/Rs or G/Ps. This limits the opportunities for those members who hold only an A/B ticket. We are currently in talks with Maritime New Zealand to overcome these problems. If you are onboard a vessel and have the opportunity as an A/B to work in the Engine Room please document your time on the vessels official letterhead and get it signed off by the Chief Engineer. This can then be presented to Maritime New Zealand and will help our cause to progress towards the I/R ticket. To all our members who are on the casual list it is important that you keep your CV’s and certificates updated to the Wellington office and if you are picked up by one of the Offshore companies notify your local Branch Secretary and the Wellington office. In line with National policy there will be no clearances issued to members to seek work in the maritime industry in Australia until further notice and that will be when a request from the MUA comes through for guest labour to help out with shortages in their industry.
Sister branch
Members of the Wellington Branch were pleased to sign a “sister branch” document with the West Australia State Branch of the MUA during their state conference held in February. As the fastest growing branch in Australia, and with our strong connections due to the offshore oil and gas industry, this relationship continues to be a very good development for our Branch and the Union as a whole.
The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 23
Napier By Bill Connelly
Around and about:
The tourist season is well into swing with cruise liners berthing in Napier just about every other day. We had 69 last year and that is set to increase this year to 74. With the Art Deco weekend having just taken place the town is a bit quiet at the moment, but it soon livens up when you get a decent sized cruise ship alongside. The Port of Napier Limited has just had a change of name, or a re-branding to Napier Port Limited. The CEO of Napier Port, Garth Cowie, has appeared in several publications of late and stated that Napier Port is now the North Island’s second largest export port by volume (tonnage) and is also New Zealand’s fourth largest container terminal. Container handling at the port has increased by 8.5%, with 204,055 TEU containers handled in the past year. Add to that another record revenue year with an increase of 11% and a net profit after tax of $11,080 million, a decrease in debt of 7.6% and dividends paid of $5.854 million. In a local business magazine Mr Cowie stated “That will come as a surprise to many people, including locals. We’re probably an unrecognised jewel. Our growth has been based on a superior service model provided by all port staff, not only the Port Company but also stevedores, marshalling companies, MPI and Customs all working together, and we intend to become even stronger and more widely recognised”. An interesting article also appeared in the same magazine by the Napier pilots who asked the question “As ship size continues to grow, there is the potential for some very large ships to be constrained by the Napier port’s inner harbour turning circle. The question was asked “why not turn ships around and back them in”? The answer was SmartShip Australia, a full scale marine simulator in Brisbane, much like the flight simulators used in the aviation industry.
24 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
Once ships start approaching 300 metres in length, turning in Napier Port’s basin becomes problematic. The conundrum sparked the idea to turn the vessel in the channel outside the harbour and bring them in stern first. It also provides a ‘Le Mans start’ for departure said Captain Jeremy Brew, a former pilot with the Hawke’s Bay port and now in the employ of SmartShip Australia. One such cruise ship that recently visited and came alongside in reverse was the “Queen Elizabeth”.
C3 (Formerly Toll Logistics New Zealand Limited) A Collective Agreement is in place until June 2013.
Hawke’s Bay Stevedoring Services Limited
Their “Local Port Schedule” (Schedule “F”), which is attached to the Multi Employer Collective Agreement (MECA) is in place until 30 April 2013. The Company has recognised that its workforce is getting older and taken on three new “Trainee Waterside Workers” on a guaranteed 24 hours per week. It is envisaged that when these trainees are fully conversant with all aspects of waterfront work that they will be employed in skilled positions. We also have a number of permanent members who are nearing retirement age and when they retire they will be replaced by a fully trained trainee. The three trainees were chosen from the existing casual workforce and they are Darryn Draper, Albert Rewi and Harley Smith.
Kelcold Limited
A Collective Agreement is in place until August 2013. We also welcome two new members of Kelcold to the MUNZ ranks and they are Peter Moere and Henry Norman.
In Conclusion
With the good weather experienced in the Hawke’s Bay region and no rain as such, we are only days away from being declared a designated “Drought Region”, the same as our Northland counterparts. Hopefully we can avoid that with a decent downpour in the not too distant future.
Whangarei By Ben Hathaway Greetings from the Far North, with this wonderful summer weather we are having. There are record numbers of logs entering and leaving the Port, although everyone wishes we had a rail link as navigating through dozens of log trucks makes life difficult. MUNZ members have been doing it pretty hard financially, as no new contracts have come on board, in fact some members are travelling to Auckland to work as casuals to supplement their income. The Kiwifruit contract has been signed and we are anticipating quite a few ships this season. Go the Blues!
Nelson By Bill Lewis MUNZ 922 The Nelson Branch of MUNZ conveys their condolences to the family of stevedore Mark Samoa, who was tragically killed in an industrial accident on the Wellington waterfront in January 2013. At our 2012 National Conference in Wellington an emphasis was put on safety in the workplace. However it does not appear to have been taken seriously on the work site. Any inquiry will point out the failings of the employer’s safety requirements and the improvements that need to be introduced. We have lost count of the number of investigations into workplace fatalities and they are still occurring at an alarming rate. A step change has to come about on the worksite and a policy of stop and step back to assess the risk involved before continuing with the task. All workers have the right to go to work, be in a good safety culture environment and return home to their families injury free and in good spirits. Health and safety is the most important issue for workers and each one of us is responsible to do their bit towards ensuring a safe workplace and the employers to be receptive to changes reducing the risk to a minimum. Our industry is a high risk one where vigilance is required at all times and any instances of near misses, gear or equipment failure, or deficiencies must be reported and recorded on a national data base to be rectified and for analysis.
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Tauranga Mount Maunganui By Selwyn Russell It is with great sadness we report the passing away of Lea Canty, a member at Wilsons Parking Group at Route K Toll Plaza. We here and the fraternity of the Maritime Union of New Zealand wish to pass on our condolences and sincere best wishes to all her whanau, friends and work associates at this sad time. With the Christmas holidays over I would like to say it’s been quiet, but however it has been quite busy. We have had a member who has been extremely disadvantaged by ACC in his hunt for fairness and due coverage for a workplace injury. A light duties provision was withdrawn after 6 weeks leaving him with no income one week before Christmas, plus a standdown period that basically left him completely broke over the period. We have been in touch with the surgeon who has completely supported his claim and will do so for the review, plus the company which is keeping his job open, even though they stopped the light duties. So what we have now is no income, debts piling up, a stressful family environment, for someone who went to work and accidentally hurt himself, reported it, went to doctors and it was called a sprain. He then returned to the workplace with no time off work, only to have it freeze up over a period of time. So with the shoulder deteriorating and many painkillers later, he revisited the doctor and was given the light duties originally okayed. So now we are in review mode and can only try to put things right by assisting him. I have put this update in this magazine to emphasise the need to subscribe an extra $2 for the additional coverage that the Union has in place for such occasions to support people on sick benefits. Others must realise that this is happening in our workplaces now with more regularity. It is essential that when you go to the doctors the injury is clearly clarified, and that you have a rehabilitation plan to be able to return to the workplace. The paper trail needs to be right so as not to be assessed as degenerative, or assisted by a precondition, or medication that may have detrimental side effects that may impact on a decision of re-employment. It is happening as ACC coverage is harder to get, resulting in a low sickness benefit to survive off.
Site update Ballance
Finally got some go ahead with our Acidulations ERA case review, a new date is being set.
Comvita
We have just initiated bargaining, claims in and awaiting response.
C3
Been very busy here in port. Some of the new employees are getting trained up on skilled positions. Also awaiting a meeting as to how a 1% gross bonus payout does not equate to 1%. I am sorry but it does not seem that mathematically hard?
NZM
Work has picked up again.
NZL
We have had our first meeting where we presented claims, and it is great to notice they immediately went ahead and started training some members and updating licenses. It should be remembered that we now have full union density here as the last two employees have joined our union with four new ones as well.
Te Manu Toroa
Initiated bargaining and getting remits in from members.
Wilsons Parking
Initiated bargaining and the remits in and we will be presenting them soon.
Lakeland Queen
Initiated but a cool response, so we are going back there soon.
Rena debris creates new problems The salvage of the wrecked cargo ship Rena has been complicated by about 1000 tonnes of debris strewn across the sea floor. New underwater video footage shows stacked and broken containers, mangled piles of steel and countless pieces of litter spread 10,000 square metres around the Rena wreck site, according to the NZ Herald. Clearing the debris field is the fourth major phase of the clean-up since the Rena struck the reef on October 5, 2011. It is expected to take months. “We are doing it as quickly as we can, but we are always reticent around time frames,” salvage manager John Curley told the NZ Herald. “We didn’t realise how challenging your weather was going to be.” Sea conditions were highly unpredictable within the reef environment, bringing large swells through the site.
By the numbers
477 days since the Rena’s grounding off Tauranga 1007 containers recovered of the 1368 on board at the time of the grounding 10,000 square metres of sea floor where debris is being removed 22 containers carrying known substances lost at sea $27.6m settlement covering government costs $27m compensation fund set up in London for claims $235m last estimate of the owners’ expenses
UCL
Very quiet here.
Rena, 2012 www.munz.org.nz
The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 25
Port Chalmers Dunedin By Ben George Hi from the Deep South. The weather down here in Otago has been outstanding, many have been saying the best summer for as long as they can remember. Long may this good spell continue. There appears to be no adverse effects on dairy productivity and export through put across our wharfs or through our dairy warehouses as a result of all the dry weather which we know other regions are struggling with and we all hope they can get some relief soon.
Container Terminal
The container terminal has been very busy with members working extended hours, six and sometimes seven days, and a lot of third shifts and as a result are showing signs of tiring. All will be looking forward to a well deserved break come the off season. Recently, on request of Maersk, the terminal handled the complete discharge and swap of cargo to another vessel due to changes in routing and the need for a vessel to go to dry dock. This tested the terminal to its capacity and the members should be congratulated for the effort and efficiency with which the exchange was completed without major incident and on schedule.
Local Elections
We have in the branch the opening of local elections early in March. The branch has recently voted on a two year term for elected positions, this will see the term for elected positions within our branch brought into line with other branches around the country. It is a good reminder for anyone wishing to stand for executive and official positions of the commitment required and expected. If those interested in standing for executive are not committed to attend meetings and to be available when required then perhaps they should reconsider standing.
Affiliation fees
The increase in affiliation fees is a topic which has been strongly debated within our branch in recent times and at our last bi–monthly meeting.
Retired Members and Christmas Shout
Our annual retired members and Christmas shout was held in the WIC building on Friday 19 December. We had an excellent response this year with one of the largest turn outs of retired members for quite some years. Special mention must go to Cyril McWilliams who recently retired after completing 40 years of service. Cyril has been a well respected member of the branch and we wish him well for his retirement.
Sports Tournament
As with the Terminal team, Warehousing has been busy also often working extended hours just to meet the daily packing orders. Our members in the Warehousing teams are experienced, well oiled units and are achieving excellent results in all areas.
Local 10 Port Chalmers Dunedin Branch was again well represented at the Interport Sports Tournament held in Bluff this year. Congratulations to our golfers, who have brought home the hotly contested Waka for an unprecedented third year in a row. We have heard much praise for the Bluff sports tournament from all who attended despite some not so favorable weather conditions. Congratulations to Bluff Branch for organizing an excellent event.
PCCS
Sick Benefit
Warehousing
Port Chalmers Cargo Services members have been working under a newly signed collective agreement now since before Christmas and all seems to be going well. It is very pleasing that during the last round of negotiations, we were able to secure for five of the permanent part time workers a guaranteed full time 40 hour a week position. Congratulations to the new appointees, as we know how important it is to secure full time jobs in the current climate.
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Ian McDonald, one of our members, a cargo handler in the container terminal became suddenly ill. This came as a great shock to us all. Ian is currently in Christchurch hospital after receiving life saving surgery and is facing a long and difficult recovery. We will be following his progress closely and wish him and his family all the best.
Lyttelton by Les Wells I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our brothers and sisters a very happy New Year. Lyttelton is very busy at the moment with some positive things happening around the port.
C3
C3 has taken on more men, which brings them up to 16. I believe one of the positives is that some of the men made redundant at Pacifica have been hired by C3. Pacifica made their staff redundant when they lost the Spirit of Resolution and were unable to get the same type of ship to take its place. Instead they have ended up with the Spirit of Independence, which has no ship’s crane. Therefore she has to be worked in the container terminal by the portainer cranes. When the Spirit of Independence arrived in port, we gave her a very thorough inspection as the layout of the ship was a concern and was found to have a number of trip and fall hazards. I also took the chance to look at the crew’s quarters and had it pointed out to me, by the crew, that the company was in the process of improving the accommodation areas.
LSS
LSS has been busy for the last couple of weeks but I understand that they have nothing until the end of February.
LPC
LPC is very busy. The company is always looking for PRPs, but the company is finding it very hard to get people to fill these positions as there is plenty of work in the Christchurch rebuild.
Remembrance of the late Christine Clarke
On 31 December 2012 we held a remembrance ceremony to unveil a stainless steel plaque for the late Christine Clarke, who lost her life on our picket 12 years ago. The plaque has been erected next to where the accident happened. There was a good turnout, with Christine’s family in attendance together with new and old members. The local Catholic Priest, Jim Consedine, gave a blessing. Christine will always be remembered for giving the ultimate sacrifice for the working conditions of Lyttelton port workers. It was very nice to have Christine’s mother and brother there to unveil the plaque. They were thrilled to think that Christine had not been forgotten. As I told them, she is part of the history of the Lyttelton waterfront and will never be forgotten. They also wished to send their thanks to everyone who attended the unveiling and for the support that they have received since the loss of Christine. www.munz.org.nz
The ‘Waimate’ and the Fijian Seamen’s and Dockworkers’ strike of 1971 By Larry Stills MUNZ 1572 I joined the Union Steamship company island trader the “Waimate” on 6 April 1971 as an AB from the corner in Auckland. She was crewed by an Auckland crowd of seamen and stewards. We were bound for a beautiful trip around the islands. Firstly, Fiji (Lautoka and Suva), then Samoa (Apia and Pago Pago) and Tonga (Nukualofa). Fully laden, we sailed in early April and after 5–6 days arrived in Lautoka. The Fiji Dockworkers’ and Seamens’ Union reps came on board and told us they were on strike. It was a pay dispute, the dockers were paid $5 a week and wanted an increase to $7 a week. The Fiji Times quotes a statement from the Fijian Prime Minister at the time, Ratu Sir Kamasese Mara, that “such a pay rise would bankrupt the Fiji economy.” To put that amount of money in some perspective our normal sub allowed by the company was $40 Fiji, $20(Tala) Samoa and $10 Tonga and we disposed of that quite easily over 3–4 nights in Fiji, two in Samoa and one in Tonga, and all we had to show for it was a sore head. The Fijian Dockers had to support a family for a whole week for $5. After the dockers spoke with us, the Captain Griffith Tedd called the delegates Peter Green and Mick Brown (Kiwi Mick Brown) to the bridge. He informed them the orders from the company were that we set sail for Samoa, where the Samoans would discharge the Fiji cargo, then their own, then reload the Fijian cargo and we would return to Fiji. Hopefully, the strike would be over. We had a meeting and we replied “No!” that cargo belongs to the Fijian dockers. No one will touch that Fijian cargo whilst they were taking strike action. We will stay in Lautoka to support our Fijian brothers in their fair and earnest trade union struggle for a better standard of living. So we refused to sail but continued to work on general ships maintenance. The delegates had phoned our Union President at the time, Pincher Martin, and our actions were sanctioned. I only wish that I could remember the names of all our members on board. I sincerely apologise for not mentioning everyone. My log entry was destroyed several years ago which had all the names from when we all got logged for refusing to sail. Dougy Carter was the bosun, Mags Fitzgerald the storekeeper, Bernie Pope the messman, Peter Green and Mick Brown AB’s and Wayne Hunter the Bucko.
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Resolutely the Fijian dockers stuck with their strike for 26 days. In the last few days Pincher arrived in Lautoka with Taniela Vietata, the Dockworkers’ President. Pincher arrived in Fiji with money to assist the dockers in their struggle. He had it taped to his body as the bank systems were difficult at the time. He had done the rounds of all the ships crews in Wellington harbour collecting what money he could and in 1971 that would have been numerous ships – Ferries, tankers, tugs, cement ships, colliers, coasters and union company ships. Anywhere that a fellow unionist would put their hands in their pocket to support their fellow workers in need. We were well taken care of by the Fijian dockers. We had run out of money and the company wouldn’t sub us anymore. So we drank Kava with the dockers and went diving way out on the coral reefs when they would go out fishing to get themselves a feed. We traded a tin of paint for the hire of a couple of canoes to get to this island for a BBQ. Someone caught a little black and white sea snake and we put it in a little bag with our stuff. During the night it escaped and we found out later it was a deadly poisonous. Luckily it didn’t decide to bite one of us! There were many, many things that happened during this dispute and I can’t mention them all but one thing occurred later on in the dispute that is worth mentioning. The company ordered us to take the ship to anchor. We refused, and the harbour master entered the fray. He demanded and threatened that his men would assist the officers to take the Waimate out to anchor. The dockers were extremely upset as they were losing their visual support, the “Waimate” tied up to the wharf. The harbour workers came aboard and we harassed them verbally but not physically and the captain assured us he would not sail away. Thus, we were anchored about 3 miles out within the reef and the company provided a blue boat so we could still go ashore. We had no money but we went ashore to spend time with the dockers. Actually sending us out to anchor turned into a major boost for the dockers because all of this was to bring another foreign vessel into port. She came in the yard, the derrick swung out, and a box was swung out by the ships crew who proceeded to lower it to the wharf. A hundred odd dockers came screaming and yelling around the wharf shed. Well, that box went up faster than it came down, it swung inboard and she sailed. This was almost as in one movement, it happened that fast. In mentioning how good the dockers were to us, one night some of us missed the last boat back to the ship. This young docker Sione rowed us all the way back out to the ship, quite a mission in a little dingy, and no life jackets either when I think about it. We came back alongside soon after all of this and stayed until this dispute was over and the dockers discharged their cargo. They made some gains but not earning their rightful increase which was a shame as they fought a courageous fight. At the end of this dispute we sailed to Suva, and Pincher and our delegates attended a ceremony with Taniela Vietata. Pincher was presented with a Whale’s tooth – this is a highly esteemed award for outstanding deeds gifted by a paramount chief to our union. This gift or Taonga now lies in a glass case in Maritime Union national office in Wellington, but without any reference to the Fijian seaman and dockworkers’ union and their struggle, together with Pincher and the union members on the “Waimate” and the financial contributions from union members. Hopefully this can be addressed in the near future. The Mana from the “Waimate” was so great that when we arrived back in Auckland. They tied us up at the Viaduct and paid us all off (she was never to return to Fiji ). I returned on the next ship to replace her, the “Waimea”. To clarify this Mana in Lautoka, we would be walking along the road and Fijians would call out to us “Waimate, Waimate”. The ship and the union that assisted their struggle were remembered even though she never returned.
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Vale Mark Samoa Mark Samoa, who died in a workplace accident at CentrePort, Wellington on Sunday 20 January 2013, was a second generation port worker. His father, Poe Samoa, was a Wellington watersider from 1966 through to 1987. Mark was a member of the Wellington Branch of MUNZ for the past nine years. He was a man whose qualities of loyalty, strength, stamina, and character earned him the respect and regard of his fellow workers. Mark had undertaken the training for and become a competent operator of forklifts and straddles. He was equally at home with the hands on work and his physical ability served him well in the lashing gang. Mark was a man who enjoyed debate, could speak his mind, and often expressed his views on working conditions. He was a strong supporter of the collective Union approach to workplace terms and conditions. The tragic circumstances of Mark’s passing have had a massive impact on all of us who have worked with him. Many past and present members and officials gathered to pay our last respects and offer our support to Mark’s family at his wellattended funeral service at Porirua. Many messages of condolence and solidarity were received from MUNZ Branches and also from our International Union affiliates in Australia, USA, Canada, UK, and from the ITF. These sentiments have been passed on to Mark’s family. Mark is survived by his partner Sarah, his children Gemma, Maleko, and Cale, his mother Lurline, his brothers and sisters, and his extended family. Our sympathy and solidarity goes out to them all. Contributed by Wellington Branch Assistant Secretary John Whiting
The “Wingatui” Veteran member Brian Smith of Rangiora sent in this cutting of the Wingatui, a collier that served on the New Zealand coast for thirty years, which might be familiar to other veterans. Brian writes: “It was a sad day when Hillside (railway workshops) closed recently. My father worked there for many years as foreman boilermaker and I remember as a kid him going to Queenstown to do the tubes on the Earnslaw which was an exciting trip. Keep up the good work on the magazine.”
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In 2010 Denis was made a life member of the Maritime Union of New Zealand in recognition of his service to the union. He was extremely proud of this and he remained active in the union through the veterans’ association. He left behind him more than when started, a legacy that all members will never forget. Rest in Peace Comrade – “No Surrender”.
Message from Paddy Crumlin
Vale Denis Carlisle By Russell Mayn Secretary Auckland Branch Local 13 The sudden passing away of Denis Carlisle on Tuesday 5 February 2013 came as a surprise to everyone that knew Denis in Auckland. It had only been two weeks since Denis had been at the Picnic Day bowls catching up with old friends and having a couple of beers. Denis was one of the great Union Leaders on the Auckland Waterfront. He served as President of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union from 1988 and later as President of Local 13, Auckland Branch of the Maritime Union of New Zealand following the amalgamation of the Seafarers and the Watersiders. Denis retired as President in 2009 after a long and distinguished career. He started work for the Auckland Harbour Board and quickly rose within the Harbour Workers’ Union to the position of President. He was instrumental in the amalgamation of the Harbour Workers and the Waterside Workers in the Port of Auckland. This was a defining moment on the Auckland Waterfront and paved the way for one union to represent all workers within the Red Fence. Denis presided during the Employment Contract Act (ECA), which as we know was a challenging time for unions throughout New Zealand. Individual Employment Contracts were the flavour of the month with employers who seized the opportunities given to them under the ECA. Denis believed that the way forward had to be collectivism and the goal was to re-establish collective agreements on the Auckland Waterfront. This was no easy task given the political and legislative climate. What took place was a number of hard fought negotiations backed up with industrial action and by the end of 2002 Collective Employment Agreements were in place. These agreements provided real benefits for workers in the port, fulltime work and the guarantees that went with them. Career pathways were established, along with redundancy agreements that protected workers from disadvantage. Unquestionably Denis was one of the great orators, his quick wit and knowledge combined with the Irish accent meant that you could hear a pin drop during his reports at stopwork meetings. Denis was greatly respected nationally and internationally in the union movement. He understood that isolation was not an option, for the union to grow a national strategy had to go hand in hand with international alliances. The proliferation of multinational corporations and globalisation meant the union had to be international and for Auckland to survive Local 13 had to be a part of the international labour movement. The union always took priority in Denis’s life, he lived and breathed the struggle. His capacity to plan a campaign and debate relevant issues at the table was uncanny. This, combined with a great sense of timing delivered tangible benefits to the membership in Auckland and throughout New Zealand. On a personal note, I will miss his infectious sense of humour and his inquiring mind but most of all his wise counsel.
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Dear Comrades Please relay to everyone there today my deepest condolences and those of the MUA and ITF on Denis’s passing He was a ceaseless activist and advocate for working men and women and really came into his own firstly, as President of the WWF. He was integral to the merging of unions on the Auckland and New Zealand waterfront, and always ensured those mergers were in the best interest of the members he represented. He was a senior official for the Harbour workers, WWF and of course MUNZ and earned great respect in the discharge of his senior responsibilities to the working men and women he represented. Denis had great humour and loved the social company of his fellow unionists with the same passion he prosecuted their industrial and political interests. I was fortunate in recent years to work with Denis on the potential merger of MUNZ and the RMT, something we never quite realised, notwithstanding everyone’s best intentions. His tough negotiating exterior was matched with a deep humour and love of people and loved a bit of craic as the Irish say, after a long day of work. He was an honest, hardworking, tough and experienced unionist, and a great comrade and friend and will be missed by all. He came a long journey from Belfast to Auckland, and from the many unions he so ably represented along that way. He lies at peace finally, and to Adrienne his wife and your three children Luke, Anna, and Ciarran who shared his journey and his many friends and comrades there today, please be assured that many here in Australia and around the world extend their deepest sympathies and sincerest best wishes. Vale Denis, Erin go Bragh. Now at rest.
In unity and sincerely Paddy Crumlin, MUA Secretary, ITF President
Denis Carlisle (right) is presented with his life membership certificate in 2010 by Garry Parsloe The Maritimes | Autumn 2013 | 29
Opinion: ‘Members will have to fight for their jobs’ By Hector Thorpe MUNZ Local 13 When MUNZ leaders Joe Fleetwood and Garry Parsloe were recently quoted as saying “members will have to fight for their jobs” they were continuing the struggle of past maritime leaders including Morgan, Martin, Walsh, Young, Belcher and Millar dating back to the inception of our trade union in 1879. Our history of struggle for a “fair go” is a prime example that a balanced approach towards business continues to be unattainable, simply because everything the union stands for, security in employment, wages and conditions, directly affects the overriding obligation of business to maximising profits and investment. Most industrial disputes can be traced back to this clash of ideology. Often, business is running smoothly, profits are relative to sector competitors both locally and internationally, and then for various reasons a corporate decision is made to further increase profits to levels even independent observers believe unrealistic. All corporate social responsibility becomes secondary to achieving these gains, often at the expense of people or environment. Corporate greed is often timed to take advantage of the Government, a weak economic forecast, an opportunity to gain public support, or a perceived weak trade union movement which they feel may not have the financial resources or organisational skills to stage a credible fight back to save their jobs. No apologies Business makes no apologies for this style of ruthless strategy. They fight on many fronts using their power, privilege, financial resources and political influence. They undermine environmental groups, they’re focused on destroying trade unions and contracting out their jobs, or relocating their business overseas once they have utilised all the advantages New Zealand has to offer. Even avoiding tax becomes an inhouse art form that the rogue companies out there use to attain more profits. Their propaganda campaigns portray unionists as the bad guys and relics of a bygone era that should just accept losing their jobs and conditions for the betterment of competitive business, boardroom bonuses or to satisfy their shareholders. As a consequence, many workers have suffered. It’s a miracle of good management and grass roots determination from past and current trade unionists that they haven’t been knocked over. They’ve been beaten down on occasion but they’ll get back up, as they’re determined to work, stand committed to fight for their jobs and their conditions, and to support other workers that are also under attack. The humble stop work meeting Such is the challenge ahead for unionists, it’s surprising that the real strength of any serious fight back simply begins or ends with “you” – the individual. Without the grass roots commitment of attending your local branch stop-work meetings, and becoming aware of the issues directly facing you and other workers, the fight is lost. That’s what the working class slogan ‘Solidarity Forever’ is all about. It’s about organising, it’s about mutual aid and it’s about caring and working for each other. Business is of course dedicated to eliminating this principle, that’s why they oppose trade unions and stop-work meetings. Past maritime leaders recognised the importance of this, that’s why our tradition of monthly stopwork meetings remains a cornerstone asset to this day. In Auckland, President Garry Parsloe holds monthly delegates meetings, regular ship visits and he is always at the corner bus stop early mornings rain, hail or shine with updates on Oil Tanker crew joining days even if it’s just for the four members joining that way. Regular delegates’ updates are also held by Local 13 officials on the wharf if required, which have been supported by campaign adviser Carol Beaumont who has mounted the massive public relations exercise. Walking delegate Dave Phillips has always got your back and also supplies members with email and txt alerts, and as with other branches our officials are available by cell phone 24/7. 30 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2013
More information is gained via our full colour national Maritimes magazine which recently proudly celebrated ten years of publication. Editor Victor Billot the MUNZ communications officer is also responsible for our media releases and our official Website www.munz.org.nz which contains the links to the latest updates on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, as well as downloadable Maritimes magazines and local and international union campaigns. Also celebrating ten years of publication is Local 13’s publication Port News edited by former Assistant General Secretary of MUNZ, Terry Ryan. Terry has an in depth knowledge of waterfront industrial relations and is still very much part of the union’s grass roots history of struggle. If supported by the membership, this type of information and stop-work meeting unity consolidates our position and discourages employer attacks. Stop-work meeting attendance also ensures that national and international unions know we are united at grass roots level and deserving of their invaluable support. Serious unions will establish this solid information service whenever possible. However, all individual unions need to be further strengthened and this is achieved with the formation of a National Trade Union Centre, the NZ Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU). The NZCTU has 300,000 affiliated union members and is led by President Helen Kelly. MUNZ plays an active role within the NZCTU and we have received invaluable support from the CTU and fellow union affiliates throughout the country which has been received with immense gratitude. However, corporate greed and governments that fail to protect workers’ rights are not only a phenomena of NZ, they are global. Combating this situation requires establishing an effective Global Trade Union movement to bring social balance to business and industry. Global unions The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) represents 175 million workers via Trade Union Centres, led by former Australian Council of Trade Union President, Sharan Burrow. Leadership at this level has gained access to the United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Organisation for Economic Co Operation and Development (OECD) enabling a political platform to campaign for social balance in business and industry. The ITUC and their Trade Union Advisory Committee make up two of the ten Global Union Federations (GUF’s) which are organised via industry sector. The GUF we are most familiar with is the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) which MUNZ is affiliated to. The President of the ITF is Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary, Paddy Crumlin. Paddy along with many of the powerful world transport union leaders under the ITF umbrella, have and will continue to front and pledge support and solidarity to unions that fight for a fair deal on behalf of the six and half million members the ITF represents. This type of “solidarity forever” sends a firm message to business – that unions want successful, productive and profitable businesses but your loyal workers are to be employed on a fair collective agreement that contains social balance. IndustriALL Members may have recently received some email information from IndustriAll. IndustriAll is the result of a 2012 merger of three GUF’s, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM), the International Meat Workers’ Federation (IMF) and the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF). MUNZ and the EPMU are part of the Mining and Maritime Initiative alongside Australian, North American and South African maritime, transport, mine, steel and energy unions. Recently the ITF, IndustriAll and the Mining and Maritime Initiative Unions successfully supported miners in the Boron dispute in California with mining giant Rio Tinto and the Mexican miners in their dispute with mining company, Grupo Mexico. MUNZ is also involved internationally with the Trans-Tasman Transport Union Federation and the Trans-Tasman Oil and Gas Alliance.
Reference www.munz.org.nz, www.union.org.nz, www.mua.org.au, www. itfglobal.org , www.global-unions.org , Noam Chomsky, William Henry (Bill) Thorpe. www.munz.org.nz
NOT AT WORK MATE The Maritime Union supports a drug and alcohol free workplace. If you are out of it on the job, you are a danger to yourself – and your workmates. The Maritime Union can offer support, advice and help if you or a mate have a drug or alcohol problem. For further information, contact your Union Branch.
www.munz.org.nz Authorized by Joe Fleetwood, National Secretary, 220 Willis Street, Wellington. www.munz.org.nz
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