The Maritimes Summer 2014/2015

The Maritimes Issue 48 • Summer 2014/2015

www.munz.org.nz

Magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand

ISSN 1176-3418

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 1

Once again, nearly a million people did not vote.

In the MMP environment, Labour will need supporting parties to form a Government. The Greens did not do as well as expected and Internet–Mana disappeared.

There needs to be better coordination between parties of the progressive left otherwise we will end up having to rely on support from centrist or opportunist parties to make up the numbers.

It was disappointing to see another Labour leader resign. David Cunliffe made a creditable effort but was fighting an uphill battle against a hostile media. We wish him well and thank him for his efforts on behalf of working New Zealanders.

New Labour leader

National Secretary’s Report

By Joe Fleetwood General election The result of the 2014 general election is of serious concern to working people.

The most serious aspects are the low vote for the main opposition Labour Party, and the situation that a conservative National Party is in a strong position to push aggressive changes around asset sales, employment law and social spending to the detriment of the majority.

National has learned from the past and is soft pedalling changes to employment law that threaten the entire basis of effective collective bargaining.

The Government agenda is to reduce the remaining rights of organized labour and deliver an insecure, powerless and docile workforce to employers.

The reality is that the position of workers – the majority of the population – is worsening. Apart from highly paid professionals and managers, wages are static for most, and the overall trend is for the share of productive wealth to go towards owners rather than workers.

The cost of smartphones and cheap clothes goes down, but the rising cost of housing and food is now creating major pressure on working families. Expect this trend to accelerate under anti-worker laws and free trade deals.

The issues of state surveillance and dirty politics dominated the election campaign. While these needed to be addressed, it unfortunately took attention off the bread and butter issues of economic security for the average voter.

Many New Zealanders showed themselves uncomfortable when confronted with the ugly reality of the right wing political agenda in New Zealand, and the people pushing it behind the scenes, but rather than reacting against this, voters chose bland assurances and the “feel good” factor.

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The Maritime Union supported Andrew Little in his successful bid for the Labour Party leadership.

Our union has previously worked with Andrew in his role as National Secretary of the EPMU, whose members work alongside MUNZ members in the offshore oil and gas industry.

All candidates for the position were high calibre and should be congratulated for putting themselves forward for what will be a tough challenge.

We note that the attacks from the corporate media have begun already that the “unions are running the Labour Party.” We have an input into the Labour Party – and rightly so, as the labour movement founded the Labour Party.

We certainly know who is running the National Party.

Unfortunately, they have sold their message of “sink or swim” very well, and many working class New Zealanders now seem to identify with multimillionaires devoid of social consciences. They call it aspirational but a better word is delusional.

The attention has been on getting the right person to sell the product, but we also need to ensure a clearer and more coherent message about what the Labour Party is about.

Two issues that require some thought.

Capital gains on investment properties is a no brainer.

Otherwise working people pay tax on their work and are priced out of affordable housing, whereas speculators just need to sit fat and profit on a rising market.

None of this is contributing to any productive economic activity, it is just a money go around and the main beneficiaries are Australian owned banks.

Even mainstream capitalist economists are now saying a capital gains tax is necessary (like in most other countries). Labour has to firm up and sell the policy correctly, explaining that is about taking the pressure off low to medium income families trying to get established. How hard can it be?

As for raising the retirement age, this will merely serve to force older workers in physically demanding occupations to grind on, while saving employers the trouble of having to train and take on younger workers – tens of thousands of whom are currently stuck on the dole. This policy needs to be reviewed.

Labour needs to differentiate itself from National and start inspiring people. If it even got half of the non voters on side, then it would be in a position to win in 2017. www.munz.org.nz

National Council The November 2014 national council meeting of the Maritime Union was a productive two days. Many of the big issues facing the Union were up for discussion.

We welcomed Mick Doleman, Deputy National Secretary of the MUA, who is a good friend of MUNZ, and Reg McAlister, National Secretary of the Papua New Guinea Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union.

It was Reg’s first time in Wellington and he was feeling the cold. A woolly jacket from the Wellington branch solved the problem, but whether he will get much use of it back in Port Moresby is another question.

Reg is a highly respected trade unionist in PNG and his union is one of the biggest and most organized in PNG. There is substantial potential for oil and gas development in the offshore and it is important that local workers from PNG are trained up and given the right to work in their own national industries, as well as a potential area of employment for Australian and New Zealand seafarers in the future.

By working with our regional partners through the Maritime International Federation we can ensure jobs for our members at good wages and conditions throughout the entire region.

It is pleasing to see several major agreements have been concluded around the country including two three year collective employment agreements for Port of Otago and Centreport. Congratulations to the branches for locking in some security for the uncertain times ahead.

In this issue National Secretary’s Report page 2 News page 4 MUNZ National Council Report page 6 TPPA report page 9 Election report page 10 ITF Report page 12 Health and safety update page 13 MUA National Council Report page 16 Obituary – Brad Fletcher page 19 Port Roundups page 20 Branch contacts page 29 Book review page 30

MARITIME UNION BADGE NICKEL PLATED WITH 3 ENAMEL INFILLS AND RE

Health and safety The death of our Lyttelton Branch President Brad Fletcher in a workplace accident at the Port of Lyttelton in August was a bad blow for our union.

The Maritimes Magazine Our condolences have been made to his family and 26mm Published quarterly by the Maritime Union of New Zealand. community. His send off in Christchurch showed Authorized by Joe Fleetwood, 220 Willis Street, Wellington. the high esteem he was held in by all who had the ISSN 1176-3418 pleasure to know him.

Editorial Board: One major concern for the Union is the non reporting Joe Fleetwood, Garry Parsloe, Ray Fife, Carl Findlay of health and safety incidents around the country.

Some non-union stevedores are having serious Editor: Victor Billot accidents and deaths on the job. These are not being Mobile: 021 482219 Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz publicly notified or reported, and only coming to Mail: PO Box 27004, Wellington 6141, New Zealand public attention well after the fact.

If members hear or suspect of any incidents in their Deadline for Autumn 2015 edition: 1 March 2015 ports, please inform your branch and national officials immediately.

Maritime Union online We also need to ensure that when an accident JOB: 34984 v2.0 Website www.munz.org.nz happens on one of our jobs, members should follow Facebook www.facebook.com/maritime.union the correct procedures in responding to an accident.

Twitter www.twitter.com/maritimeunion Calling the emergency services should not be left PLATE DEPTH: 2mm FITTING: 1 PIN (9mm) AND CLUTCH ELECTROPLATING: NICKEL Flickr www.flickr.com/maritimeunion to guesswork. If the accident is anything more than RESIN YouTube www.youtube.com/maritimeunionnz minor, this step PLEASE shouldENSURE be done ALL immediately.

DETAILS ARE CORRECT BEFORE GIVING APPROVAL TO PROCEED TO PRODUCTION Injuries may not be immediately apparent – for The Maritime Union of New Zealand is affiliated to the example internal injuries – and shock or other International Transport Workers’ Federation complications can be life threatening. www.itfglobal.org All incidents should be logged with branch officials, and national office, either through a phone call, or by using the online form on our website – Front cover photo MUNZ members working the lines at Port Chalmers. www.munz.org.nz (this can be done on smartphones Photo by Stephen Jaquiery, reproduced with permission of the as well as computers.)

Otago Daily Times.

Have a safe Christmas and New Year. www.munz.org.nz

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A MUNZ member at Centreport was moderately injured after a straddle collision at the port on 26 September 2014.

For more on this incident and other health and safety news, see page 15.

Photo by Kent Blechynden, reproduced courtesy of Fairfax NZ/Dominion Post.

CTU opposes sham consultation process on Terrorist Bill The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has written to Prime Minister John Key with serious concerns about both the content and the rushed process around the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill.

“Rushing this legislation through is not appropriate or proper,” says CTU President Helen Kelly.

“We will not participate in a sham consultation process or take for ourselves the “luxury” of the chance to be heard at the select committee on the basis of some dubious selection criteria made by those to whom the Bill grants power while other legitimately interested citizens and groups are denied that opportunity.”

Ms Kelly says there has been no evidence presented at all from the Prime Minister that such urgency is needed.

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Given the severe and unique nature of the powers being sought, quite the opposite is appropriate and a reasonable period of time should be made available for the public to have a say on this legislation, she says.

“The Bill provides authority for the SIS to trespass onto private property in order to conduct covert surveillance (such as installing video cameras and listening devices).

These powers will compromise citizens’ right to avoid unreasonable search and seizure and to privacy.

The Bill also extends the ability of the SIS to conduct warrantless surveillance for 48 hours in situations where it would be impracticable to get a warrant and it is believed that information may be lost. Warrantless surveillance as fundamentally irreconcilable with expectations of acceptable government behaviour in a free and open society. The only public accountability for the use of this power is that the SIS must note the number of times this power is used in their annual report,” Kelly says.

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Progress on Ports of Auckland agreement Good progress has been made towards the settlement of a Collective Employment Agreement with Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL).

Maritime Union National President Garry Parsloe says a stop work meeting held on Wednesday 12 November of MUNZ members at the Ports of Auckland endorsed a proposal from the branch executive for a way forward, after a positive meeting with port management earlier in the week.

Mr Parsloe says a number of outstanding issues have been resolved.

Bargaining will continue to achieve a new Collective Agreement for the stevedores and engineering staff at the Port.

Mr Parsloe says as a sign of good faith the Union had decided to withdraw proceedings alleging undermining of the collective bargaining with Ports of Auckland Limited, which were to be heard at the Employment Court from 17 November 2014.

Employment law changes an attack on workers The Government has passed the Employment Relations Amendment Act, slashing the rights of all Kiwi workers.

The law imposes new, restrictive limits on collective bargaining and union representation.

Mandatory tea and meal breaks also are eliminated.

“These new laws are intended to attack basic work rights. Workers will now find it much harder to get a fair deal through collective bargaining simply because employers will be able to legitimately refuse to agree to a collective agreement,” says CTU President Helen Kelly.

She added that the law attacks workers when they are most vulnerable - when they are negotiating for a new job, when their employment is at risk.

“Many workers will even lose their rights to tea and meal breaks,” she said.

Among other changes, the law will allow employers to end negotiation when they like. Employers will be able to say they have had enough of bargaining at any point and there will be nothing workers can do.

Employers will now be able to opt-out of multiemployer agreements and industry-wide negotiations, and the 30-day rule, under which new employees would be covered by the collective agreement for the first month of their employment, is removed.

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Incoming CTU Secretary Sam Huggard addresses the MUNZ National Council meeting, November 2014

New CTU Secretary elected The contested election for the position of CTU Secretary has been won by Sam Huggard.

Sam officially takes office on Monday 1 December 2014.

Sam has worked in the union movement and brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to workers and their unions. This vacancy was created by the notice of resignation of Peter Conway given by him in early 2014 to take effect this December 2014.

Sam currently works in campaigns for FIRST Union, and before that worked at the CTU. He has previously led groups in the not-for-profit sector and was an NZUSA Co President in 2000 and 2001.

Sam was welcomed to the National Council meeting of the Maritime Union on 4 November, and gave a short presentation on his priorities for the union movement going forward.

Maritime Union National Secretary Joe Fleetwood says the union is looking forward to working with Sam, who had already worked with the union previously during disputes.

Mr Fleetwood says the Maritime Union also thanks Peter Conway for his considerable contribution to the labour movement during his time at the CTU.

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MUNZ National Council 3–4 November 2014

By Joe Fleetwood National Secretary The Maritime Union of New Zealand National Council met on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 November 2014 at the national office of the Union, Waterside House, Wellington.

The Meeting was opened by the Chair, President Garry Parsloe, and a roll call was held with council delegates and observers from all branches, the four national officials, the women’s representative, communications officer and ITF inspector.

International guests Mick Doleman, Deputy National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, and Reg McAlister, General Secretary of the Papua New Guinea Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (PNGMTWU) were welcomed.

This was followed by apologies.

A list of obituaries of members and retired members was noted and a minute’s silence was observed.

Observers’ speaking rights, previous minutes and correspondence were noted and accepted by the Council.

The meeting moved immediately into a MUNZ Strategic plan update presented by me as National Secretary.This provided an overview of our national strategy, focussing on our goals as a Union, and the main action areas for the Union – Health and Safety, Growth, Organizing, International, Bargaining, Legal/ Regulatory, Financial and Political.

Many of these areas were then looked at in more detail within sector reports or general reports over the following two days.

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This led into a discussion of the Maritime International Federation (formerly known as Regional Maritime Federation.) The MIF is now taking form with draft rules and structures being circulated within the three founding unions, MUNZ, MUA and PNGMTWU. Further meetings and discussions have been held in the Asia Pacific region.

Mick Doleman provided an overview of progress and Reg McAlister addressed the meeting, the first time a National Council had hosted a PNG union leader.

Reg is held in high esteem in PNG for his long time leadership of the PNGMTWU which is one of the countries largest and best organized unions which is also an ITF affiliate.

The development of natural resources including oil and gas and fisheries is a major issue for maritime workers in PNG and they are keen to build their capacity through the MIF which in turn can provide security and capacity for us all.

After morning tea we heard from newly elected CTU Secretary Sam Huggard who starts his role in December. Sam gave an overview of his background and views on the future direction of the labour movement and was given a good reception from our National Council.

Following this there was a special sector report dealing with the growth of Inland Ports around New Zealand.

Prior to lunch there was a Finance Committee report.

The Finance Committee will now meet annually in person in Wellington rather than twice a year.

After lunch we moved into Sector reports.

National Vice President Carl Findlay gave the report on Terminals. He noted the main developments in the sector being new strategic alliances between ports and www.munz.org.nz

logistics operators, including Auckland and Napier, Tauranga and Timaru.

Other key issues were the rapid development of inland ports, the Ports of Auckland dispute, and the threat of privatization with the possibility of global network terminal operators entering the New Zealand port industry.

Following this report, Assistant National Secretary Ray Fife gave a report on the Bulk and general stevedoring sector. The key issues in the sector were the ongoing presence of yellow associations, health and safety, and co-ordinating bargaining nationally.

Ray provided a breakdown of the bulk and general employers in the ports, the numbers of employees and their work status and guaranteed hours, agreements around the ports, interport transfers, who was doing lines, and where sulphur was a health and safety issue.

He noted the use of labour hire companies and the development of bulk concrete facilities by Holcim in Auckland and Timaru.

Following afternoon tea, I gave an Offshore Oil and Gas sector report. This noted the employers in the sector and the status of the MECA we have with all these employers.

I spoke about some sector issues and the continuing growth of the sector. New block offers by the Government in the offshore were continuing to attract offshore operators.

The development of offshore mining was in flux with one major proposal for ironsand mining off Taranaki being declined due to environmental concerns, and another proposal for phosphate dredging in the Chatham Rise still going through the permit process. www.munz.org.nz

MUNZ is continuing to work for a fast response vessel, marine crews on FPSOs and consideration of a national sovereign fund from offshore industry income as has been successful in Norway.

The final Sector Report for the day was coastal shipping.

President Garry Parsloe spoke on the employers and numbers working in the sector. He gave an update on agreements in the sector including training, qualifications and certification, superannuation and projected new vessels.

The following day started with a comprehensive report from lawyer Peter Cranney of Oakley Moran.

Peter has represented MUNZ on many occasions and gave us some good insight into how changes to the Employment Relations Act by the National Government will undermine collective bargaining.

He stressed the importance of concluding all outstanding collective agreements the Union may have.

We then had reports from the branches.

After morning tea, I presented an update on the Union Rules Review and the new rules were confirmed by the National Council. A letter has been sent to all financial members advising them of this.

Prior to lunch there was also a discussion on the central collection of union fees, and National Returning Officer John Whiting gave his report on union elections.

Following lunch there were reports on Union Scholarships.

Then the National President Garry Parsloe called the Council to order and announced he would be retiring in March 2015.

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It would be fair to say his announcement was somewhat of a surprise to us all, many of the National Council stood to thank and say many kind words as a mark of respect for Garry. I was the last speaker. Garry has been a member of the Union for fifty plus years, thirty odd years in an official capacity and has shown leadership qualities all through his union life.

Communications officer Victor Billot presented a political report including a breakdown of the election results and implications for New Zealand workers.

The National Council debated the four Labour Party candidates, then voted on a recommendation on which leadership candidate MUNZ would support as an affiliate to the Labour Party.

I presented a health and safety report and noted the number of serious incidents occurring in New Zealand ports. Not all incidents are getting reported to national office in a timely way and this must improve.

Likewise in training there has been a lack of pickup by branches, and I put it to the National Council that branches need to book in training for delegates and members as we have a system and course available.

Following afternoon tea we had a Communications and campaigns report from Victor Billot, and an ITF report from New Zealand ITF inspector Grahame McLaren.

The National Council passed a motion that the ITF inspector should attend the entire National Council as an observer, given the importance of this role.

The final report was from Veterans’ Secretary Terry Ryan.

Contact the Maritime Union 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 National 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 McLaren Direct dial: 04 8017613 Mobile: 021 2921782 Email: mclaren_grahame@itf.org.uk Communications Officer: Victor Billot Mobile: 021 482219 Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz

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Maritime International Federation grows worker unity Indonesia’s Seafarer Union, Kesatuan Pelaut Indonesia (KPI), has agreed to enter into a federation with transport unions from Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand after a formative meeting in Kupang, Indonesia, in October 2014.

The Maritime International Federation (MIF) aims to bring together unions with similar intentions in order to secure jobs for local maritime workers to ensure wealth created in the region is benefiting local communities.

The meeting also endorsed an official launch date of the MIF at the beginning of the next financial year.

In addition to KPI, the MIF consists of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and Papua New Guinea Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (PNGTWU) and has the potential to include the East Timorese union, SMETL and other unions in the Asia Pacific region.

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) President and MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said private companies, supported by certain neoliberal governments, were consistently trying to undermine organised labour and to defend against these attacks, unions had to work together.

“One of the major growth areas for jobs is the Asia Pacific and the international trade union movement hasn’t been able to keep up with this growth,” Mr Crumlin said.

“We need a new model and a federation of likeminded unions is one of the ways we can change the old, tired model to build capacity and drive membership.”

KPI President Hanafi Rustandi said the MIF was an exciting concept and would give the union more bargaining leverage and ability to organise members.

Mr Rustandi talked about how a MIF would help the union extend into the burgeoning hydrocarbon industry, at places like Kupang.

MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood said unions need to secure decent paying jobs to create a future and a career path for all.

“A federation with our neighbours works in the interest of New Zealand’s working class, as well as the working class in the other countries,” Mr Fleetwood said “Some of the companies we come across have the wealth to influence Governments, some companies, like Chevron, are financially bigger than New Zealand.

“As a result we need to grow our strength using our sheer numbers.”

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Auckland marches against the TPPA on 8 November 2014

Pressure increases on TPPA secret deals

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An estimated ten thousand people rallied in 17 locations around New Zealand on Saturday 8 November, calling for an end to the secretive trade and investment agreement.

The rallies were part of an international day of action to coincide with the next gathering of Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) ministers and leaders around the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Simultaneous actions took place in Australia, Malaysia, Japan and the United States.

The largest mobilisation against the TPPA to date in New Zealand has sent a clear message to the government that opposition is well-organized, well informed and growing.

Its Our Future spokesperson Edward Miller says the good turnout in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch was welcome, and the large turnout in regional areas like Raglan, Palmerston North, Levin, Nelson and Dunedin was a signal that a growing number of New Zealanders did not want the deal signed.

“This agreement puts the interests of big corporations ahead of ordinary people, and across the country people are speaking out in greater numbers,” he says.

“Putting New Zealand’s name to such a deal would come at serious costs to internet freedom, affordable medicines, the right to regulate industries like mining, forestry or finance more tightly, and much more.”

“The power to sign these international deals sits with Cabinet, so the government is under no obligation to submit a completed TPPA to parliamentary debate,” says Mr Miller.

“Not only are we going to be stuck with a deal that intrudes on our democracy, it is being negotiated under fundamentally undemocratic circumstances.”

The Maritime Union is supporting the It’s Our Future campaign along with the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) and other New Zealand unions.

Maritime Union National Secretary Joe Fleetwood says maritime and transport workers internationally, including the MUA and ILWU on the West Coast of North America, have been working against free trade agreements including the TPPA. “The dangers of these agreements is that under the guise of trade, they are locking in major changes to workers’ rights and conditions, and undermine the sovereignty of communities and nations to control their own destiny.”

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the world’s peak union organisation with a membership of 168 million workers, believes these negotiations are bad for workers and their rights.

This is a significant step for the ITUC which until now had been critical of the negotiations but had not called for them to end. ITUC affiliated union centres in TPPA countries are also writing to their government leaders calling for the negotiations to end.

“We are demanding that the TPPA heads of government listen to our concerns. The ITUC and national union centres, including the NZCTU, are calling for negotiations to stop until a new negotiating mandate and a transparent process are established,” says NZCTU President Helen Kelly.

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A defeat for the left – but National still exposed Maritimes’ editor Victor Billot considers the results of the 2014 general election.

Andrew Little elected Labour leader Andrew Little has been elected as leader of the Labour Party following a four way contest.

Labour Party President Moira Coatsworth says Andrew’s leadership will have the full support of the whole Labour Party, as the election process had been transparent and highly democratic.

Andrew Little was elected by a majority in the third round of a preferential four-way Electoral College contest.

Andrew Little is Labour’s 15th leader in the party’s 98 year history. He was elected to Parliament in 2011.

Born in New Plymouth and educated at New Plymouth Boys’ High School, he studied at Victoria University. He served as president of Victoria’s student association and was twice elected NZUSA president.

His first job was as a solicitor for the Engineers Union (later EPMU). Appointed national secretary of the EPMU in 2000 he led negotiations with a number of major companies.

He was elected president of the Labour party in 2009.

He says his work as a lawyer and union secretary demonstrated the need for government to be focused on both wealth creation and fair wealth distribution.

He believes that a fair and just society should provide opportunities for people to excel and to be fairly rewarded for their efforts.

He has held the ACC, Tourism, Justice and Labour portfolios, lobbying for a reversal of legal aids cuts, the introduction of corporate manslaughter laws and the creation of a criminal cases review commission to review alleged miscarriages of justice. He also helped develop new policy to improve the rights of sexual assault victims.

Maritime Union National Secretary Joe Fleetwood congratulated Andrew on his new role leading the Labour Party. He says that the Maritime Union supports the new leadership and looks forward as an affiliate of the Labour Party to build towards a proworker Government in 2017.

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The 2014 general election marked a major defeat for New Zealand’s centre to left parties.

The National Party has 60 of the seats in an 121 seat Parliament, and almost guaranteed support from several other MPs from minor parties gives the ability to push through employment law changes in favour of employers and asset sales.

Overall turnout was low at just over 77%, marginally up from 2011 at 74.21%.

However the 2011 result was the lowest ever turnout, so we are still tracking at a very low level.

Once again nearly one million New Zealanders did not vote.

This high level of disinterest, indifference and alienation from the political system is now becoming the norm rather than an aberration.

Most seriously, it has taken hold most strongly in marginalised or less powerful sectors of society, reinforcing the negative effects of neoliberal, right wing economic policies.

Another major defeat for the left has led to some soul searching.

Labour leader David Cunliffe has resigned and after a four way leadership contest, former Union secretary Andrew Little has the new leadership role.

Labour Party President Moira Coatsworth has also announced she is stepping down.

The party is going through a review of what went wrong in the 2014 election.

National received 48 per cent of the vote.

This was their best result since 1951, in the aftermath of the waterfront lockout.

The Labour Party’s share of the vote at was lowest since 1922, at 25.13 per cent, dropping from 2011 and losing two seats to 32 in total.

Roughly speaking, only one person voted for Labour for every two people who voted National.

This result was not necessarily as bad as it looks at first reading.

The left – progressive vote was split between several parties.

The Green Party remained the third largest party represented in Parliament with approximately 10% of the vote and 14 MPs. This result was not as good as expected by many, but the Greens maintained their support and number of MPs from 2011.

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira lost his Te Tai Tokerau seat to a Labour candidate Kelvin Davis, which saw Harawira exit Parliament.

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The high profile Internet Mana campaign saw an unlikely combination of a Kim Dot Com funded, Laila Harre led Internet Party and Hone Harawira, who combined ethnic politics with some traditional left wing concerns for the marginalised of society.

The combination did not succeed in the polls and with the exit of Hone Harawira from Parliament, the future of both Mana and Internet parties is unclear.

The results for National were impressive but contain some problems for them.

The entire right leaning vote moved solidly to National.

It is unlikely they will sustain this level of support.

In MMP elections, both major parties depend on the support of smaller parties to form coalitions or support blocs within Parliament.

National is now dependent on three very marginal support parties.

The Maori Party is down to 1 MP, the ACT Party returned one electorate MP after a deal in Epsom meant National put them on life support, and Peter Dunne is back as a one MP band for United Future.

None of these parties has widespread support and all are looking weak.

One party that National did not work with is the right wing Conservative Party, which achieved over 4% of the vote.

A few more thousand votes and they would have received possibly six MPs. But with no electorate MP, they did not get over the line.

The wild card was a resurgent New Zealand First with a surprising 8.66% of the vote and 11 seats.

New Zealand First is largely dependent on the personal following of Winston Peters and it’s hard to say whether it will survive his inevitable retirement.

Probably not.

Politically, they are an odd mix, adopting at times a “one nation” rhetoric which would in other contexts place them in a similar mould to populist and conservative right wing parties around the world.

However their economic nationalism places them at odds with the free market pushing National Party, and New Zealand First has opposed the TPPA and zero hours contracts for workers.

But as National has the numbers to govern with more compliant support parties, New Zealand First is stuck out in the cold.

One interesting factor in the election was that in many electorates where people voted for local Labour MPs, the majority voted National as party vote.

There are only a few electorates where Labour received a higher party vote than National.

This will no doubt be a talking point in the review of the Party’s campaign.

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Labour reclaimed all but one of Maori electorates, and polled well in some core electorates, such as South Auckland.

Much of the rest of Auckland, and Christchurch to the surprise of many, swung to National.

In the third term of a National Government (or any Government) there would be an expected decline in their support, but instead they have received a greater level of support.

Since the election, new developments have already pointed to weaknesses in National’s victory.

While John Key managed to successfully block the “Dirty Politics” revelations through blunt denials and accusations prior to the election, this strategy is no longer working.

As more evidence of his connections and his office’s dealings with the reviled WhaleOil blogger Cameron Slater are revealed, his credibility and honesty are being more ruthlessly examined by a previously docile media.

The new Labour leader Andrew Little has impressed many with his initial weeks in the job.

He has pledged to examine what it means to be working class in an age where the traditional employment model is disintegrating.

Whether this means moving Labour policy to the right to compete with National, or finding ways to increase the economic security of contractors and precarious workers, is yet to be seen.

The 2014 campaign was unusual in that it was dominated by the “dirty politics” saga, and some confusion as to the claims and counterclaims advanced by Nicky Hager’s research, tangled up with Kim Dot Com and his profile.

Now the election campaign hysteria has died away, and the Dot Com phenomenon has faded into the background, a more in depth inspection of the integrity of the Government may take place.

The “dirty politics” saga has some way to travel down the long and winding road.

If this is combined with economic factors such as the squeeze on wage earners and problems in the over valued property market, then National may find itself in trouble.

The National Government’s success has been largely due to the popularity of John Key, and his ability to appeal to middle of the road New Zealanders with his bland, informal and “non-political” style. If this image melts away under the glare of sustained pressure, then things may shift quickly.

Their great asset may become a liability yet.

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 11

Vega Auriga

The Filipino crew aboard the Vega Auriga has been repatriated and paid back wages after the ITF intervened with the owners. The Liberian flagged, German owned container vessel spent weeks in Mount Maunganui over September and October 2014 while crew awaited payment of wages.

Maritime New Zealand had inspected the vessel when it arrived in New Zealand and ordered repairs before it was allowed to leave port. 14 deficiencies were found, 11 of which were required to be rectified before the ship left New Zealand.

The Maritime Union also requested the ship be detained in port until deemed seaworthy and crew issues were fixed.

ITF New Zealand inspector Grahame McLaren visited the vessel and confirmed crew had food and access to facilities such as hot showers at the Seafarers Centre.

However, some wage payments had been missed.

Grahame visited the ship again with MUNZ Tauranga Branch President Peter Harvey on 5 November 2014.

They found that the a new Romanian crew was already on board having arrived in Tauranga the day before.

The original crew stated that the company had informed them that all arrears had been credited to their bank accounts.

Grahame and Peter requested copies of the relevant documentation and asked some of the crew to access their bank accounts to make sure the money was there, and confirmed that they had finally been paid.

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The crew received back wages for September, October and the portion due for November up until their arrival back in Manila on 6 November.

The vessel had changed management to German company Johs Thode and will undergo a name change to “Hansa Reliance”.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company, which chartered the ship, ended its hireage when it was unloaded in Tauranga as it was no longer able to fulfil its contract, which included taking cargo to and from Australia.

Grahame says a representative of the new management company was on board and informed him that the intention was to sail for the Far East once repairs had been completed.

“The Filipino crew was very happy to finally be paid in full and were very grateful for all the help, they were that evening bussed to Auckland and flew home at 0100 the next morning,” says Grahame.

The crew, made up of a captain, engineers, navigational officers, electricians and able seamen and cadets, was owed more than $100,000 for the two months.

Grahame says one unusual feature was that officials from the flag state of Liberia turned up for an inspection, something he had not seen before.

The Vega Auriga was a serial offender when it came to safety and seafarer welfare, and had been detained at Australian ports three times since July 2013 by Australian maritime authorities. www.munz.org.nz

It had been described as “unseaworthy and substandard” by Australian Maritime Safety Authority manager Allan Schwartz, and had been banned from the Australian coast.

Mr Fleetwood says the Australian Maritime Safety Authority had the power to act more strongly as Australia was a signatory of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), an international agreement to protect the rights of seafarers.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says the New Zealand Government has the Maritime Labour Convention under consideration, but the process needed to be accelerated.

“This incident shows the urgency of getting New Zealand up to speed as a signatory of the MLC.” Maritime Branch President for Tauranga, Peter Harvey said the problems experienced by the crew of Vega Auriga were common in the shipping world.

Speaking to the Bay of Plenty Times, Peter Harvey said “These sort of complaints come up every few months, complaints over wages. I’ve done dozens of them.

Once they are away on a ship in a foreign country and have a problem, where do they go to get it resolved?

That’s the whole problem these seamen face, they are very vulnerable.”

Equal pay case for aged workers drags on The Court of Appeal issued an “historic decision” on 27 October 2014 that opens the door for a substantial equal pay claim for aged care workers.

But the case is now being appealed to the Supreme Court by the Aged Care Association, representing employers.

The October decision supported the case of caregiver Kristine Bartlett and her union, the Service and Food Workers Union, that in female-predominant industries, the claimant may have to go outside the industry to decide what the female workers should be paid.

The court dismissed the appeal of Terranova Homes to an Employment Court ruling related to the scope of the Equal Pay Act 1972.

The Employment Court held that the Act is not limited to requiring equal pay for the same or similar work and that “it may be relevant to consider evidence of wages paid by other employers and in other sectors.”

“Thousands of aged care caregivers and all fairminded New Zealanders will be deeply disappointed at the decision by the Aged Care Association to launch yet another appeal in the Kristine Bartlett equal pay case,” said the National Secretary of the Service and Food Workers Union, John Ryall.

www.munz.org.nz

ITF helps secure international container safety code Sustained campaigning by the ITF’s road, rail, dockers’ and seafarers’ sections has helped secure an international code of practice that sets out new safety guidelines on the packing of containers.

The ITF has launched a cross-sectional campaign on container cargo safety, running from 2014 to 2018.

Its main aim is for safety and responsibility along the transport chain. We are concerned with: • the misdeclaration of contents, including dangerous goods and container weights • improper packing • the fumigation of containers The ILO (International Labour Organization) governing body has endorsed the code of practice on the safe packing of cargo transport units on 4 November.

This means the code has the approval of all three agencies which developed it – the ILO, the International Maritime Organization and UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe).

ITF and ILWU Canada and FNV Bondgenoten representatives participating fully in the meetings.

The working group came out of the 2011 ILO forum on safety in the supply chain in relation to containers, which was also the result of successful ITF lobbying.

The code sets out practical guidelines on packing and securing (including for fumigation and dangerous goods), safe handling, receipt and unpacking; and addresses training and the chain of responsibility.

ITF inland transport secretary Mac Urata says “This code of practice – the first achieved at the three UN agencies to include the road transport sector – is the result of joint efforts by the ITF sections and its affiliates. It is hugely important, as it can be turned into national legislation to make packing, weighing, loading and transporting containers safer for workers and reduce accidents.”

The ITF will work with its affiliates to promote the code of practice and press governments to follow Canada’s example by adopting its provisions into national legislation.

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 13

Aftermath of a crane collapse on the Anacapa Light, Lyttelton, Tuesday 16 September 2014. There were no injuries.

Changed your address?

If you have moved, or changed any of your contact details including new phone numbers or email address, please alert your Branch Secretary and email a copy through to membership@munz.org.nz

14 | The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015

www.munz.org.nz

Health and safety news Straddle collision Longtime MUNZ member Terry Matthews suffered minor injuries after a collision between the straddle he was driving and rail wagons.

The incident occurred around 1730 hours on 26 September at Centreport.

The straddle crane tipped over on to a rail freight container sitting on a railway carriage base, breaking the fall to some extent.

The accident is under investigation by Worksafe.

Crane collapse A crane on the scrap metal carrier Anacapa Light collapsed while working at the Port of Lyttelton around 0330 hours on Tuesday 16 September.

There were no injuries but the crane was extensively damaged. A MUNZ member from Lyttelton Stevedoring Services was working it at the time of the incident. Further investigations are taking place.

Container injury A C3 employee at the Port of Timaru spent several days in intensive care after being hit by a container.

The 50-year old man was working at 0130 hours on 30 October aboard the Seoul Trader. He suffered serious injuries and spent five days in hospital.

Chest injury after worker struck by lines A port contractor suffered chest injuries on 16 October 2014 when he was hit by lines as the log ship Eredine was being docked at the Gisborne port.

The fire service and St John Ambulance were called to the Eastland Port overseas wharf at 1110 hours.

The man was working on the rear deck of the ship when the accident occurred and was taken to hospital suffering a moderate chest injury.

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Trapped in log wires A C3 Port Chalmers employee avoided serious injury while on interport transfer at the Port of Lyttelton working the log ship Sea Riches.

At around 0200 hours on Sunday 21 September 2014 a workers hand was trapped in log wires when the crane started to lift the heave. Because the hatchman was at his station, he radioed the crane operator to stop.

The injured worker was able to walk away but passed out and was taken to hospital with bruising and grazing injuries and returned to work several days later. If no hatchman had been on the job, the consequences of the accident could have been far more serious.

Work stopped for crane repairs Work was stopped for crane repairs on the log vessel Pan Gloris at the Port of Bluff on 30 September 2014.

MUNZ Bluff Branch President Harry Holland reports that when starting shift at 1900 hours he noted a number of defects with the crane blocks prior to a log digger being put aboard.

A Maritime New Zealand inspector was called and served a notice on the vessel saying that the cranes were not to be used until the blocks had been repaired and passed by a certified surveyor.

The work was done overnight and work resumed.

Worksafe orders for trucking firms Two companies involved in the transfer of logs at Lyttelton Port halted operations after officials raised concerns about the quality of their vehicles.

WorkSafe New Zealand met representatives from Laurie Forestry, Forest Management and C3 yesterday on 18 September 2014 after its staff identified issues with the standard of some of the trucks and trailers owned by the three companies.

The companies had agreed to stop using the vehicles for loading or unloading logs at Lyttelton Port until the meeting had been held.

Following the meeting, WorkSafe issued a prohibition notice to Laurie Forestry forbidding the use of two trailer units. An improvement notice was issued to C3, requiring it to improve lighting on multiple trailers, and another improvement notice was issued to Forest Management, relating to the maintenance records for its trucks.

The WorkSafe spokesman said the notices would not be withdrawn until the agency was satisfied improvements had been made and it would be following up to ensure that happened.

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 15

Maritime Union of Australia National Council 13–17 October 2014

By Garry Parsloe National President On 13 October 2014 the National Secretary Joe Fleetwood and I attended the MUA National Council in Sydney, Australia.

The agenda heading was “Fighting the Abbott Government”. The meeting was opened by the MUA Presiding Officer, Mick Carr, before Paddy Crumlin addressed the implications for the MUA that are contained within the agenda.

After the opening addresses we had an address from the Shadow Minister for infrastructure and transport, Anthony Albanese M.P. Anthony’s address was under the heading “The Opposition’s Policy agenda” – shipping, maritime and ports. Anthony spoke on some of the good work that the previous Labor government did and on some of the massive problems that unions will have with the Abbott government.

After morning smoko on the first day there was a panel discussion headed “Organising across the supply chain – ports and transport infrastructure – opportunities for the Australian Transport Unions Federation (ATUF)”.

First speaker was Robert Coombes of the Australian Maritime Officers’ Union, who spoke on the need for unity between the unions. The second speaker was National Secretary of the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) Bob Nanva, who stated that we must front up to all transport employers with a united force from across the supply chain.

After lunch we had a panel discussion headed “The Political and Industrial Outlook – ACTU trade union strategy for building opposition to Abbott Government – ACTU Congress – Trade Union Royal Commission ABCC.” First speaker was Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Ged Kearney who spoke on the need to defend workers’ rights from the attacks from the Abbott government.

Second speaker was NSW Secretary of the Australian Services Union Sally McManus who spoke about the attacks on working families and how we must start to prepare for the next elections.

Next speaker was Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) President Andrew Dettmer, who spoke on the decline of the motor vehicle industry and how the present government has created that platform to deliver the damage.

CFMEU National President Tony Maher also spoke about all the damage that this government has done to the motor vehicle industry.

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The last speaker in this session was MUA Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman who spoke about how the unions should speak with a single voice.

Mick presented a financial report which created a good discussion around the table on union dues and the finance required to administer the union.

Day one concluded.

Day two opened with a Maritime, Mining and Power Credit Union report. MUA Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith gave a report under the heading “Organising Strategy Team Report” – safety campaigning, automation and bargaining, tanker and LNG campaigning. The MUA is down to now only manning five tankers with two of those tankers leaving the coast soon.

MUA West Australia Branch Secretary Chris Cain gave the W.A. Branch report. Chris spoke on all the legal issues that the Branch has had to face in recent times and on some of the good agreements that the branch has been able to negotiate.

After lunch we had the Sydney Branch report from Paul McAleer, the Branch Secretary. He spoke on automation, the Sydney ferries, towage and housing and other Sydney branch issues.

We next had a presentation headed “Maritime International Federation Update”.

Mick Doleman spoke to the power point presentation and expanded on the setting up and on all the work that was required to bring the Maritime International Federation together. In this session Joe Fleetwood spoke on how MUNZ supported the formation of the Federation and how we can do great things with the number of workers/members that the Federation will cover.

We then heard from Shadow Minister for employment and workplace relations Brendan O’Connor MP. Brendan spoke on the pending changes that are being proposed to some of the current industrial relations legislation.

Day two concluded.

In day three we had the panel discussion headed “The Union’s International Strategy – ITF Four Year Plan – ITF 2014 Sofia Congress Outcomes – ITF Dockers Section – ICTSI”.

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin opened up this session by giving an overview of decisions and commitment that were agreed at the Sofia Congress earlier this year.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) National Secretary Tony Sheldon, spoke on a range of transport issues, ILO Conventions, the supply chains, employment issues and organising in the workplace.

ITF campaigns co-ordinator Shannon O’Keefe reported on the importance of having a strong ITF in Asia and growing the union movement in Asia.

In the afternoon we had the MUA South Australian Branch report from Jamie Newlyn, the South Australian Branch Secretary. Jamie spoke on casual employment, computer communication, campaigning, union dues and union officials’ wages.

At this point of the National Council Mick Doleman announced that he would not seek to be re-elected in the next term in office.

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The last session on Day three was headed “Working with the Senate Cross Benches”. Paddy Crumlin introduced the speakers after giving an overview of how best to work with Senate Cross Benches.

Ged Kearney paid tribute to Mick Doleman’s contribution to the Trade Union Movement.

CFMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor spoke on ways to support the Labor Party in the general elections. Mick Doleman summed up.

Day three concluded.

The fourth day Thursday 16 October, opened with the MUA Newcastle Branch report which was delivered by the Branch Secretary Glen Williams. Glen spoke on the branch membership, redundancies, recruitment and rosters. There was a women’s report from National Women’s Officer Mich-Elle Myers.

Then a MUA 2015 elections report from the National Returning Officer and National Legal Officer.

There was a panel discussion under the heading “Resource Sector Unions Campaigning” – The MUA/ AWU Hydrocarbons Alliance – Offshore Bargaining – Offshore safety – Offshore Visas”.

Mick Doleman introduced this session and stated that if we can get all unions onto the same page, then workers and their unions would be on track to mark inroads into having their voices heard.

National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) Scott McDine spoke on the need for alliances and how important it is for unions to work together.

Paul Bastian of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union was the next speaker. He spoke on some of the difficulties in organising within the resource section.

After lunch we had the MUA Victorian Branch report from Branch Secretary Kevin Bracken and Branch Assistant Secretary Dave Schleibs. There has been a loss of membership in the branch.

www.munz.org.nz

We then had the Queensland Branch Report from Branch Secretary Mick Carr, and Assistant Branch Secretary Trevor Munday. Mick spoke on Privatization, Growth, Resources and Membership.

Then the Tasmania Branch Report from the Branch Secretary, Jason Campbell. Jason spoke on redundancies, union dues, wage increases and extending leave and time off.

The day ended with another panel discussion headed “The Union/ALP Interface – ALP Renewal”.

Sally McManus spoke on voting issues, CFMEU Assistant National Secretary Dave Noonan spoke on social justice and ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver, ACTU, spoke on support for the Labor Party.

Day four concluded.

Last day, Friday 17 October opened with a Port Kembla Branch report.

Next presentation was from Kristian Bolwell, the MUA National Legal Officer under the heading “MUA Legal Report – Legal Fighting Fund – MUA Litigation Policy”.

There was a panel discussion under the heading ‘Workforce Development, Skills and Training MUA Crewing and Qualifications Update”.

Simon Earle, the CEO of maritime training organization METL, gave a detailed report on all the work that is being done around industry training. MUA Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray spoke on STCW issues.

There was a Maritime Super Report from Grant Harslett.

We then had a 2013/2014 Financial Report delivered

by Paddy Crumlin, auditor David Robinson, and National Finance Officer Lorie Alberto.

This brought another positive and productive MUA National Council to a close.

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 17

No compromise on the right to strike

by Ruwan Subasinghe “It is good to finally shake your hand; the last time I saw you, I was in prison”.

These were the poignant words Myoung-hwan Kim, President of the Korean Railway Workers’ Union (KRWU), greeted me with when we met at the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) 43rd Congress in Sofia earlier this year.

Indeed, the last time we spoke, we had to do it through a prison intercom system as Kim, along with other leaders of the KRWU, was being detained for organising a strike in opposition to rail privatisation.

Despite complying with all ‘essential services’ requirements under Korean law, the authorities declared the action illegal even before it began.

Kim and his colleagues are now facing so-called ‘obstruction of business’ charges which carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a fine not exceeding 15 million won (US$ 14,000).

Furthermore, the state rail operator is pursuing a damages suit against the union and its leaders for 16.2 billion won (US$16 million) together with separate proceedings for alleged “damage to brand value” amounting to 1 billion won (US$990,000).

These legal actions are just the tip of the iceberg.

Hundreds of strikers have been dismissed or relocated and the union’s assets have been seized by the authorities.

All this simply because the KRWU sought to defend its members from an ill-conceived privatisation drive that would have heavily diluted terms and conditions of employment.

What this example illustrates is that despite being a fundamental human right enshrined in international law, the right to strike is certainly not guaranteed for all workers.

In fact, transport workers are one of the groups increasingly being excluded from the right to strike by way of outright bans or public service, essential services or minimum services requirements that severely limit that right.

The ITF has been called on time and time again to provide solidarity support and legal assistance to affiliates who have had their right to strike curtailed.

Following a fatal train accident in 2009, the State Railway Workers’ Union of Thailand (SRUT) launched an occupational health and safety initiative and called on its members to abstain from driving trains with faulty equipment.

Without even attempting to address the grave issues at hand, the authorities cracked down on the initiative by conveniently labelling it a ‘strike’, a right denied to all public sector workers in Thailand.

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Thirteen SRUT leaders were subsequently dismissed and had damages suits filed against them for 15 million baht (US$ 462,000).

It is quite clear from these examples that the critical economic role of transport is being used as a pretext to defend the free movement of passengers and goods beyond the rights of people involved in the transportation itself.

This trend is especially concerning as transport workers, including those employed in aviation, trucking and commercial seafaring, have some of the most dangerous jobs in the world.

This is why the protection of the right to strike under Convention 87 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its enforcement through the ILO’s supervisory mechanisms is particularly important for transport workers.

For over 60 years the ILO’s Committee of Experts and Committee on Freedom Association have recognised a limited right to strike under Article 3 of Convention 87.

Not only have these supervisory bodies acknowledged the right, they have developed clear principles which have subsequently been relied on by national and regional courts.

For example, it has been unequivocally held that the right to strike may only be restricted or prohibited in the public service for those exercising authority in the name of the state or in essential services in the strict sense of the term (that is, services the interruption of which would endanger the life, personal safety or health of the whole or part of the population).

It has also been held that transport generally does not constitute an essential service and that minimum operational services can only be applied to nonessential services in very limited circumstances.

Notwithstanding, the Employers’ Group at the ILO has since 2012 been doing its best to undermine the authority of the ILO’s supervisory mechanisms.

Not only has it questioned the mandate and capacity of the Committee of Experts, it has challenged the very existence of a right to strike under Convention 87.

The Workers’ Group has called on the ILO’s Governing Body to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the question of the existence of a right to strike.

There is little doubt that the ICJ will recognise the right’s protection under Convention 87.

However, a majority of the Governing Body is required to move the resolution in favour of a referral to the ICJ. It is therefore imperative that we call on all governments to vote accordingly at the next session of the Governing Body in November 2014.

Workers all around the world depend on it.

There can be no compromise on the right to strike.

There can be no compromise on human rights.

To join the ITF Campaign to Defend the Right to Strike, please visit http://www.itfglobal.org/en/campaigns-solidarity/ campaigns/defend-the-right-to-strike/.

This article first appeared on the Equal Times website www.equaltimes.org

www.munz.org.nz

Bradley Miles Fletcher (Brad)

(22 May 1974 – 28 August 2014) The death of Brad Fletcher in a workplace accident at the Port of Lyttelton on 28 August 2014 sent shock waves around the maritime industry and the Lyttelton community.

Brad was a popular and highly respected figure in the close knit port.

He was a dedicated family man who was heavily involved in his community, and an upcoming union leader who was making an impact in his role as President of the Lyttelton Branch of the Maritime Union.

He was a big presence, both physically and personality wise, and he accumulated several nicknames including “Big Bad Brad” and “Frank” (Spencer) which of course referred to his easy going and genial nature, and a widely appreciated sense of humour.

He worked for a number of years as a mechanic in the straddle bay, employed by the Lyttelton Port Company, and had previously worked as a cargo handler for Lyttelton Stevedoring Services and as a PRP for the Port Company.

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Brad had come onto the Maritime Union branch executive several years ago and had been elected in 2013 as the President of the Lyttelton Branch.

In one of New Zealand’s biggest ports, with a large workforce spread over a number of employers, his leadership had been noticed and appreciated.

Lyttelton Branch Secretary Les Wells says Brad had stepped up to the role and was heavily involved in representing members.

“Brad’s work at the branch was invaluable and as with his other commitments he devoted time and energy to his role.”

Brad was seen by many as a future leader of the Maritime Union at the national level.

He had impressed all those who met him at the National Council meetings of the Union which he attended in Wellington.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Joe Fleetwood paid tribute to Brad as a “highly respected figure in Lyttelton and within the Maritime Union.”

International President of the ITF and Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Paddy Crumlin passed on his condolences to Brad’s family on behalf of the international union movement.

“We have lost many comrades on the wharves and it has to stop.”

Brad was a keen participant in Union activities and was up to speed with the latest digital technology, whipping out a new and ever more impressive smartphone at national council meetings.

He was a keen supporter of the Union Facebook page and even took it upon himself to bring his branch secretary up to speed with computers, previously regarded as possibly a lost cause.

Brad was also a station officer at the Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade.

In this capacity he regularly attended incidents around Lyttelton, including serious accidents at the port.

Lyttelton chief fire officer Mark Buckley told media Brad was soon to be awarded a 23-year service silver bar.

He had recently competed in the annual stair climbing charity event for firefighters at Sky Tower in Auckland.

His funeral was attended by well over a thousand people. The service began in Lyttelton where Brad made his final journey in a firetruck alongside his comrades.

The loss of Brad is felt deeply by all his friends in the Maritime Union. We remember him as someone who represented the best union values, and as an all around great human being.

Brad is survived by his wife, Anita, and three sons, Kadin, Zavian and Cody.

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 19

Port Chalmers Dunedin

By Ben George Terminal and Warehouse Another off season is ending and all are in preparation for another hectic export season.

No one is quite sure what effect the Tauranga Kotahi deal will have on cargo levels across our wharf but only time will tell and all are watching closely.

We can report that we have a newly signed collective agreement in the Port which will see us retain our terms and conditions with a reasonable pay increase for the next three years. A three year deal was always going to be negotiating into the unknown somewhat but in light of the recent election result probably not a bad thing.

C3 and Port Chalmers Cargo Services Competition between the two stevedore companies in the branch has many of our members on edge as to whom or what is going to give next. As was reiterated to all whom we represent, the branch will endeavor to see to the best interests of our members and not here to speak for or in favour of one company or another.

At present both companies have enough work to support all of their employees and long may this continue.

Branch sponsorship The branch gets behind many of our members and members family for sponsorship and fundraising.

A recent success story is of one particular young lady Zoe McBride. Zoe was selected to represent NZ Rowing in the junior world Champs lightweight double sculls. Zoe and her doubles partner were successful in bringing home the gold medal in class.

Congratulations to Zoe and we look forward to seeing you at the next Olympics?

Retirement.

The branch was pleased to have two nominations for life membership of the Union endorsed at National Council. Congratulations Alan Middleditch and Clive Giles.

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Phil Adams and Bruce Malcolm recently called on retired Port Chalmers wharfie Phil Smith (aged 91) who resides at Montecillo War Veterans Home in Dunedin. Mr Smith still takes a keen interest in the waterfront and has many interesting memories of his time in the industry.

Whangarei

by Ben Hathaway The Port is very busy with only about a 10% reduction in log volumes and not the big drop that was expected.

Marsden Point has acquired the Marsden Cove Marina (230 Berths) for nearly $7 million to add to its portfolio.

Northland Stevedoring Services are struggling here with the lack of contracts, but we have been lucky that we are travelling to Auckland to work with Wallace Investments and also getting some out of port work with other Branches.

We are looking forward to the Butter contracts coming on line in the near future.

We have also had our first Southern Cross drug and alcohol random testing.

This caused a lot of confusion amongst the members, as the port policy is Saliva and we were required to do Urine Testing.

Our thanks to the National Secretary for his intervention in this matter.

www.munz.org.nz

Rower Zoë McBride (third from right) and her rowing partner Sophie McKenzie (third from left) at the U23 world rowing championships in Varese, Italy, July 2014 (photo by Igor Meijer)

International success for rower Prize winning New Zealand rowing rep Zoë McBride updates on her busy 2014 and future plans.

This year I was selected in the Under 23 womens lightweight double to compete at the U23 World Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy in late July.

I had to relocate up to Cambridge so that I could start the three month training block over the winter in the lead up to racing.

We had a really good winter and seemed to gel very easily which made it a lot of fun and we could focus on the small improvements and changes that would bring us more speed.

We had a very successful campaign in Italy, winning the Gold. It was definitely the highlight of my career so far, and it was so amazing to achieve this wearing the black rowsuit and silver fern.

I have now permanently moved to Cambridge and this summer I was selected for the Rowing New Zealand Summer squad.

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It’s awesome to have this opportunity as it gives me the chance to row and push myself against the best rowers in New Zealand, and the world.

We race here over the summer and prepare for the main events this season which are the National Champs in February and NZ Trials in March.

We are also getting ready to do the 160km Lake Taupo Cycle challenge on 29 November! It’s been really challenging and has given us the chance to do some cross training on the bikes which keeps the mind fresh from rowing.

I would like to thank Local 10 Port Chalmers Dunedin branch of MUNZ, Port Otago Ltd, and Port Otago employees for their continued support over the years as I try to track my way to the very top.

I appreciate it all so much, and it has definitely helped me in my journey which began internationally three years ago when I represented NZ as a 16 year old, and won a Bronze medal in the Quad at the Junior World Champs in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year for 2015.

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 21

Mount Maunganui Tauranga

By Selwyn Russell The branch has been busy with our involvement with the election and all that entailed.

C3 All sorts going on here in the last six months. The company has gone from hiring many around the country only to be told that they are now in saving mode with possible pending redundancies.

The feeling is we may going back into negotiations in the not too distant future. At the moment nearly all contracted members are on their minimums and the casuals are struggling to survive with just 2-3 days a week and getting lower. Some have left as the hours are not enough to be able to make a living.

With pending negotiations members are wondering if they are going to be asked to bite the bullet again or will the company be pleading poverty again?

Ballance Agrinutrients A positive outcome for one of our members who was treated unfairly. MUNZ won the case for him with $14,000 approx. payout and costs. He did not wish to retain his job. However he is adamantly a “MUNZ member for life”. Although it would have been good for MUNZ if he went back as an example, the fact it was in the local paper which everyone has read has been very pleasing with the feedback we received.

One of the other members took multiple bets with the non-union workers at $20 a pop that MUNZ would win, which was music to my ears. Thanks to Peter Harvey, Russell Mayn, and Simon Mitchell.

Wilsons Parking The agreement has been signed off with us achieving a redundancy package that was not in the collective originally. With pending automation the members are extremely happy for some recognition.

Te Manu Toroa Hauora Awaiting document update for signoff, four members went across into the NZNO from us. However the ones that stayed have achieved everything the NZNO got.

With our agreement being a yearly one, and theirs being three years, this gives us an annual opportunity to submit remits or address the CPI.

NZCSL This is the container wash and fix company. This has grown with the Auckland branch and Napier branch coming under a national collective with negotiations currently underway.

NZM This is an all casual outfit with work being sporadic on a monthly basis.

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ITF New Zealand ITF inspector Grahame McLaren has been keeping us on our toes here with the Vega Auriga.

We have made numerous visits since its arrival from Australia and the preceding negative publicity it received. We have been chasing all sorts of complaints from all over the world with this company.

Latest update will be in the accompanying ITF report in this issue of the Maritimes.

Rena The members here have been redeployed to the one vessel now that it has got into the specifics of the salvage, with Joe Fleetwood and Mike Clark constantly assessing the MOU now that the original has changed and is evolving.

Keep it safe Of note, I have been in many disciplinaries in the past six months in which we have been extremely lucky for some to retain their employment.

I have been pushing the message that now is the time to play smart and keep their heads down, as now is not the time to be taking risks. Do your job safely and get to go home.

In finishing the branch membership has fallen by ten with the downturn but this port seems to go in cycles. There are only so many contracts and with so many contractors it’s hard for some of our companies to compete, hence the rollovers, but the bottom line is that we have to stay in employment. With our seafarers, many are out of work now and are hoping for something to start soon before things start to hurt.

Seafarers qualifications Branch President Peter Harvey brings the following info to the attention of seafarers who wish to update their certificates, as this could be seen as a precedent going forward making the task somewhat easier and cheaper.

After a long and tortuous process with Maritime New Zealand, I have been issued with the new Integrated Rating (IR) Certificate which incorporates the new AB seafarer deck and AB engine room certificates.

The new certificate was derived mainly from my old IR certificate with its deck and engine room components now accepted by Maritime New Zealand as evidence of competency for the new ticket along with sea time.

I was assisted in obtaining the new certificate through a coordinated approach to Maritime New Zealand involving MUNZ and Silver Fern shipping management.

If members are able to get their current employer to communicate with Maritime New Zealand in some form on their behalf for the issue of the tickets, then that should be of assistance to them.

There are now two further members of my crew who are very close to being issued with the new IR certificates and I hope that we have “set the ball rolling” for other members to obtain the tickets.

www.munz.org.nz

C3 recognises that training is an essential part of becoming a top class stevedore. With this in mind, they have begun a programme of module training which has been put together and run by some of Mount Stevedoring key stevedoring personnel.

Stevedore training is an ongoing exercise, with new staff requiring initial training, mixed with on the job buddy training. Additional to this is the need to ensure all staff complete refresher training on a regular basis.

The concept is to include all aspects of training, including theory, and practical, with the theory portion to be accessible on the C3 learning website. Included in the sessions are models of the work area, videos, slide shows and questionnaires. The aim is to make it as interactive as possible to ensure all personnel become involved.

Well done to all involved in getting this training up and running – Angela Drew, Harry Tawa, Thomas Kiwi, Mark Jacob and Cath Haerewa.

Timaru

Gisborne

By Tony Townshend

By James Harvey

We have been very busy with fertilizer ships and have moved over 100 000 tonnes in the last period.

Out of port transfers have been to Port Chalmers and Lyttelton.

C3 have been rather busy with increase trade with Maersk and MSC. We have also had a huge number of livestock ships which involves a lot of time loading nuts and fodder.

We were pleased that our nomination of Bill Ryan and Kevin Forde for life membership in recognition of their 50 years service in the industry was endorsed unanimously at National Council.

We started with a hiss and a roar back in May with trips away to Whangarei, Dunedin, Wellington, Bluff and Napier.

The last few months have been very quiet probably due to the downturn in the log trade.

It’s been noticeable in Gisborne, with the slowdown in the forestry industry resulting in fewer trucks on the road and log boat calls have probably fallen by a quarter to a half.

The Port Company is being taken to court by log exporters accusing them of charging excessive port fees. This is not the first time I’ve heard them accused of that.

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 23

Napier

By Bill Connelly Around and about The port is reasonably quiet at the moment, but with containers, phosphate, logs and the occasional livestock vessel, the port is still managing to tick over.

The tourist season is once again upon us and we have only thirty-nine vessels listed to arrive in Napier, as against the seventy-nine cruise ships we had last year.

I understand from a reliable source that Napier was once the second most popular destination in New Zealand, behind Milford Sound, but we have now apparently slipped to eighth, not a good look for Napier and the businesses that rely on the revenue that comes in from the visitors to Hawke’s Bay. Touting of visitors has been one of the reasons for the fall off in tourist arrivals and it is a sad state of affairs, when cruise ships and tourists are staying away from the Bay, because they are being constantly being bombarded by tour operators trying to earn a quick buck.

C3: Formerly Toll Logistics New Zealand Limited Their Collective Agreement expires on 15 March 2015.

Hawke’s Bay Stevedoring Services Limited Negotiations for the renewal of the “Local Port Schedule” (Schedule “F”), which is attached to the Multi Employer Collective Agreement (MECA), which expired on 30 April 2014 have now been completed.

The members have accepted a New Collective Agreement for the next two years, which will expire on 30 April 2016.

They also got an increase of 3% for the two year term, which although a modest increase, it is nevertheless an increase, something that is all too rare these days.

Kelcold Limited Their Collective Agreement expired on 1 August 2013.

We are currently in negotiations for a New Collective Agreement, but negotiations have stalled due to an interpretation of “ Relevant Daily Rate of Pay “, as per the Holidays Act 2003.

We are currently going through the legal process of trying to get this matter settled through the Employment Authority and if necessary the Employment Court.

After mediation on the 30 September 2014 the legal process over the question of the interpretation Relevant Daily Rate of Pay was adjourned “sine die” (for an indefinite period – Editor), to get negotiations back under way for a new collective agreement.

The Union tabled their claims at a meeting held on 14 October 2014 and we are currently awaiting a reply from the Company for further negotiations.

Update: We have held two further rounds of negotiations and although a little further ahead one has yet to see he light at the end of the tunnel?

24 | The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015

NZL Container Services Ltd On 21 April 2014 a Collective Agreement was signed for the Fergusson and Tauranga Container Parks for a period of two years.

Having kept in contact with Selwyn Russell in Tauranga prior to the signing, I was aware that an agreement was about to be signed and requested his assistance in getting coverage for the personnel employed in Hawke’s Bay for the same company. On 30 July, Selwyn came down from Tauranga and together with our Branch Vice-President Alf Boyle, we visited the staff at both the Austin Street and Battery Road work sites.

As a result of this visit we now have thirteen new members and we are currently in negotiations to secure a collective agreement for those members employed with the Hawke’s Bay area.

The Napier Branch welcomes these new members and look forward to meeting them at our Christmas function to be held later in the year.

Update: I recently travelled to Tauranga and along with the Branch President Peter Harvey and local Secretary Selwyn Russell, we held a meeting with the management of NZL and I am happy to report that we are currently awaiting a meeting with the members to ratify an agreement for Hawke’s Bay, effective from 1 December 2014.

I would like to thank both the Auckland and Tauranga Branches for their assistance in securing this agreement for the members of the Napier Branch.

Employment Relations Act Amendment Bill What does this mean for workers? These are tough times and yet the government wants to make them even tougher.

This Bill aims to drive down wages and conditions for New Zealand workers. This “cheap labour” option is the wrong way to go. Wages are already too low.

Many people are already heading overseas. We need a law that will lift wages, not reduce them. How can you help? Join the CTU on Facebook – Fairness at work and talk to you workmates about these changes.

Check out the CTU website: www.union.org.nz/whycutourpay

Election 2014 I can now report that Napier once again has a Labour Member of Parliament in Stuart Nash. The Branch supported Stuart financially to the tune of $1000 for the Napier Electorate and also gave the same amount supporting the CTU in their efforts to promote the Labour Party as an alternative government; sadly they and we were unsuccessful in our endeavours.

Even more reason to get onboard with the CTU at www.union.org.nz/whycutour pay

www.munz.org.nz

Bluff

By Harry Holland Logs We are moving our fair share of logs and have been talking to the company about the request of the principals to work continuous time on the log vessels.

We have trialled this in Port Chalmers and with a bit of fine tuning it may work for the men.

Fertilizer We are well into our Fertiliser season with good tonnage coming in and more to come.

Tiwai After much work and input from Worksafe we have an improved system of discharging Pitch and loading Aluminium at same time.

This was a real problem area for us with a number of health issues arising, but we have had two shipments since the improvements and no problems.

The new standards are very high and we now have regular health and safety meetings with the smelter.

Containers South Port has purchased a new L550 shore crane, which will give them two big cranes to help with the turnaround of the MSC vessels which seem to be doing OK in the port long may it last. They have also come to us and ask for a Variation to Agreement as Open Country Dairy are coming on line with their new products. They are asking for a seasonal contract agreement for the workers concerned and we are working with this as it means more employed.

Training This has been busy in our port as there seems to be a bigger push on the training front in the industry.

One of the biggest areas looked at was the dangers of sulphur that was being unloaded in our port.

We had told the company many times of the dangers but they never understood them until they asked for the Fire Service to come in and talk through it along with the Chemists from Ballance Fertiliser.

This has resulted in some changes and we are happy to share our information with other branches.

Branch Elections We had seven members stand for the executive positions, they all will be moved into the elected positions very soon at the AGM. The President and the Secretary were reelected unopposed.

Barbara Shaw stood for Vice President and got the job unopposed. We welcome her to the position and look forward to working with her. She is a fourth generation Union member and we know Barbara has a lot to offer the Union. She has already attended a National Council meeting with Ray Fife and me, and has met the representatives from other ports.

www.munz.org.nz

A New Seafarer

By Byron Cumming I joined the Maritime Union of New Zealand in October 2003 through a position as a Silver Fern Shipping trainee.

I had previously been informed that to improve my chance of shipping out, it was best to secure high school qualifications. I was also proactive by applying to Australian Maritime College in Tasmania and qualified with pre sea training and STCW 95 certifications.

These days the new trainees and seafarers face numerous changes to the certifications process particularly changes to and from Integrated Rating certificate, Able Bodied Seaman certificate, Deck Watch Rating certificate, Engine Room Watch Rating certificate and impending NZ STCW 10 certification which will be introduced in 2014.

I feel that maritime course training does not seem to be coordinated for the trainees.

Over the years I have been in the New Zealand merchant navy, I have seen things like a trainee seafarers come out of their time for a ticket and a course has not been set up yet.

This has happened to me and many other seafarers in the modern era.

I feel that MUNZ, Maritime New Zealand, shipping companies and maritime schools should meet each year and work out how many trainees they want to train and line up course dates too when they have done the time. I also think pre sea training course should be put in place.

These days technology is taking over and machines and computers are the way of the modern work place, so trainees should be trained for the modern vessel.

This will make a modern AB more valuable.

We don’t know what may happen tomorrow and for us to keep producing ABs with the right skills, we have to have New Zealand shipping companies that want to train young trainees with skills for the modern maritime era.

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 25

Wellington

By Mike Clark Election Thoughts Following a bad election result, we have a new Labour leader with a good union background, Andrew Little.

Regarding the campaign, the Labour Party has appointed a Panel of Inquiry led by New Zealand born former British Labour politician Bryan Gould with former speaker Margaret Wilson, Auckland lawyer and businessman Brian Corban, and broadcaster Stacey Morrison with the terms of reference laid out by Party President Moira Coatsworth.

This will include an investigation into Labour’s 2014 campaign, a review of Labour’s political positioning, and recommendations for modernising and rebuilding the party.

Kiwirail The Arahura has returned to service after completing a successful dry-dock in Auckland during August — September so we are now back in service with three Interisland ferries to cater for the summer period.

With more work and costing to be done on the Arahura to extend her working life, apparently management is looking at replacement vessels, one being the “European Endeavour”.

This is another vessel with a chequered history, built in Spain in 2000 for merchant ferries, she was chartered out for a few years before being purchased in June 2007 by P & O Ferries.

Like the “Stella Allegra” she has also been involved in a couple of mishaps, one being when she lost electrical power on 29 August 2008 resulting in her colliding with the linkspan in Calais causing significant damage to both the vessel and the linkspan.

With a number of vacancies occurring because of retirements, we have secured a number of union members in these positions in the deck department in both live-on and wo-wo positions.

The company is also recruiting summer positions for wo-wo cabin attendants, all positions have to be applied for on line which can be done at careers. kiwirail.co.nz.

On Friday 17 October Kiwirail announced a major restructuring programme in the executive leadership team, and as a consequence Thomas Davis has made the decision to step down from the General Manager Interislander role but will stay on until 28 November to finish some projects.

In the interim Ross Allen will take over as Acting CEO from 20 October while the restructuring continues.

The Wellington branch of MUNZ will continue to work with the new regime to secure our members long term employment and terms and conditions, but, it is with some scepticism that the writer sees the concept of building “one Kiwirail” as apart from carrying trains, Shipping is totally removed from the rail and transport mode with a completely different set of skills and cultures.

26 | The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015

The main point being the ships are completely selfcontained and are isolated from shore-based services when crossing the strait.

Contracts The Branch is currently negotiating agreements with the Wellington Branch of SGS, Centrepoint, NIWA and Higgins Tow Services.

We will report back at stopwork meetings when they are finalised. We are also close to a deal for trainees to take up roles in the Offshore Oil and Gas industry.

Offshore There has been a downturn in the Offshore Oil and Gas over the winter months and the future for summer is not looking much brighter at the moment but that could change very quickly.

A number of our members have been contacted by West Australian companies to work over there but it is a direct attempt by these companies to undermine the MUA in their ongoing battle to secure a Collective and also jobs for their unemployed members.

If you are contacted by one of these operators please notify either National Office or the Wellington Branch.

Auckland Local 13

By Russell Mayn Container Terminal (POAL) As noted earlier in the magazine there have been some positive developments in negotiations for a collective agreement. We hope to have some more news in the near future.

General Wharves We are close to finalising the Collective Agreement covering C3. This has been a protracted negotiation as the company has wanted to review the entire expired agreement.

The final agreement, whilst quite different from the expired Collective, will still be a Collective that contains the terms and conditions to protect our members going forward.

The Wallace Collective Agreement will be up for renegotiation in the near future and given that this company employs around sixty permanent fulltime stevedores it is a very important agreement for us.

Pacifica As with the C3 Collective Agreement this is also a protracted negotiation given that China navigation wants to review the entire Collective Agreement.

To date, significant progress has been made with the word smithing and we hope that in the near future we will be in a position to take an offer for settlement to ratification.

www.munz.org.nz

Silver Fern Shipping Currently the offer for settlement is at ratification so this Collective should be finalised within the next two weeks.

Holcim The Collective Agreement is currently in the ratification process so like a number of the other negotiations we hope to have this settled in the very near future.

Fullers There have been a number of day to day issues with Fullers Marine. There seems to be a move by the company to entice workers to leave the Collective Agreement and take up individual agreements.

The number of disciplinary meetings in this company has increased dramatically, this also signals a change in how the HR management views the workforce.

We will be commencing the negotiation for the Maintenance Collective Agreement later in October.

360 Discovery The negotiations for the Collective Agreement have ground to a halt and we will be meeting with the Fullers CEO to see if we can unlock the stalemate.

Sanford’s The Collective Agreement negotiations are nearly finalised. This has been a very successful negotiation for the Electricians with considerable hourly rate increases and a very large backpay settlement that will go back seven years.

Local 13 The elections for the Executive Committee and the Vice President positions will commence when nominations close on 5 December 2014.

It has been a busy time in the port with a number of Collective Agreement negotiations on the go and the political work before the General Election.

Lyttelton

By Les Wells It has been a very hectic time in the port over the last few months, with 3 deaths occurring since late last year, the latest in August being that of Brad Fletcher our local branch President.

This has had a very numbing effect on many people who knew him.

When Brad took on the president’s role, he injected his passion and enthusiasm for the job into everyone he met. This was very obvious when you saw the numbers at his funeral. We believe there was in excess of 1300 hundred people in attendance.

Brad had also completed 23 years in the local Fire Brigade.

He will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.

Crane incident As some will be aware we had a crane jib come down while loading scrap on the Annacapa Light. To my knowledge no one was injured.

C3 This company is getting busier all the time with the same problem everyone has: that they all turn up at the same time and want to have first call on labour.

Tunnel control I have received a copy of their new agreement to read.

Once that is done then it will be signed off.

SGS We have completed their agreement.

LPC We have entered into negotiations with them.

It is the first time in I believe 23 years that we have not had the RMTU with us and I have to say it feels quite strange but it is of their choice.

They have insisted that we have City Depot in the coverage. This is a case they lost in court and our members voted to not accept the city depot remit.

We welcome contributions to the Maritimes magazine.

Articles, letters, photos and other suggestions are all considered.

Contact the Editor mobile 021482219 email victor.billot@munz.org.nz post PO Box 27004, Wellington 6141

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 27

Celebrating Success: Recently Owen Hey, General Manager of Shell Todd Oil Services (STOS) Wells, and Stewart Logan, the Wells HSE Manager, went to Port Taranaki to present Akina Awards to the stevedores of ETL Group Ltd. This was in recognition of their contribution to the logistical effort at the Port in support of the STPS Wells activities.

“Their ongoing efforts that have resulted in a safe and efficient operation. It has not been a simple task given that personnel are mobilised at all times of the day and night, including weekends, and at short notice. Their collective efforts have been essential to the success of the operations” says Stewart Logan.

The stevedores in the enclosed photograph collectively have over 250 years of Union membership.

New Plymouth

By Terry Whitehead Hi and seasons greetings from the Naki.

Work has finally been on the steady side with the usual influx of seasonal bulk cargoes now coming in.

Palm kernel is our biggest commodity to discharge and also Urea, DAP, and Potash – the fert boats have all been calling. Logs have also been coming back but not the amount as last year.

It makes training our own members up on the log diggers a bit harder but the ones who have come forward have picked it up quickly and only time in the seat will get them up to speed.

We are fortunate to have a master operator amongst us (Isaac McIndoe) who is more than happy to train and share his knowledge and skills with us.

Isaac also put his hand up to take on a delegate’s role within our branch and accompanied me to our National Council meeting in Wellington.

28 | The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015

We have been fortunate that when there has been idle time the chance to work out of port has been available.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the host ports, Lyttleton, Bluff, Timaru and Port Chalmers for all their hospitality and friendship that have been extended to our members working there.

It makes being away from home a lot easier to handle and cope with as it has been an enlightening experience for some, especially our newer members who have thrived in being given this privilege. They have done our branch proud.

Also, I do try to txt or phone ahead when members are coming but sometimes I don’t know they are travelling until they are on the way back! I apologize for any inconvenience and try to avoid it happening when and where possible.

There is some Project cargo on the horizon and that combined with the odd Scrap boat have been a great help to our branch’s bottom line. We no longer have any container trade so the extra scrap work has been beneficial. It is all coming from the decommissioned New Plymouth Power Station next door.

www.munz.org.nz

The demolition contract was awarded to Nikau Contractors who have had some major machinery on site including a 220 tonne excavator with huge jaws that is making mince meat of all and anything, steel or concrete.

Apparently a time lapse video of the procedure is being made and I hope in future to get some pics which I will forward to our magazine for all our viewing pleasure.

I’d like to give praise where it’s due to our brother members at ETL Group who work the STOS tender boats at Port Taranaki.

Recently they received an award for their excellence in safety and they were personally presented with the award from one of Shell’s top brass.

This was the first time it has been awarded out of company. Very well done, and having personally worked with their team I know firsthand they are true professionals in their field.

At New Plymouth Stevedoring Services, our comanager, Simon Knowles was also recognized for his contribution to all our health and safety systems in place and the work involved doing the safety DVD series on cargo handling procedures.

He was awarded Top Safety Performer by Brendon Woodnut who oversees all safety practices for Southern Cross Stevedores company. It is well deserved for all his hard work.

All the best to everyone for the festive season and let’s all keep safe and take care of each other when and wherever we are. Have a good one.

Branch and local contacts Whangarei Secretary: Ben Hathaway Home: (09) 4343152 President: John Farrow Mobile: 021 855121 Address: PO Box 397, Whangarei 0140 Email: ben.hathaway@munz.org.nz

Auckland Local 13 Phone: (09) 3034 652 Fax: (09) 3096 851 President: Garry Parsloe Mobile: 021 326 261 Email: garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz Secretary: Russell Mayn Mobile: 021 760 886 Email: russell.mayn@munz.org.nz Vice President: Carl Findlay Mobile: 021 760 887 Email: carl.findlay@munz.org.nz Vice President: Patrick Honan Mobile: 021 293 9156 Address: PO Box 1840, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140

Mount Maunganui Phone: (07) 5755 668 Fax: (07) 5759 043 President: Peter Harvey Mobile: 027 5501 566 Secretary: Selwyn Russell Mobile: 0274 782308 Email: selwyn.russell@munz.org.nz Address: PO Box 5121, Mt. Maunganui 3150 Gisborne Local 38 Secretary: James Harvey Mobile: 027 508 4470 Address: 21 Titoki Place, Elgin, Gisborne 4010 Email: james.harvey@munz.org.nz New Plymouth Secretary: Terry Whitehead Phone/Fax: (06) 751 5514 Email: npmunz@yahoo.com

Mobile: 027 468 0050 Address: PO Box 6084, New Plymouth

Napier Secretary: Bill Connelly Mobile: 027 6175441 Phone/Fax: (06) 8358 622 Address: PO Box 70, Napier Email: bill.connelly@munz.org.nz Wellington Secretary: Mike Clark Mobile: 0274 538222 Email: mike.clark@munz.org.nz Phone: (04) 3859 288 Fax: (04) 3848 766 Asst. Secretary: John Whiting Mobile: 021 606379 Email: john.whiting@munz.org.nz Phone: (04) 8017 619 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington 6141 President: Alan Windsor Mobile: 021 148 3771 Vice President: Jimmy King Mobile: 027 363 0194 Nelson Secretary: Ken Knox Mobile: Phone/Fax: (03) 547 2102 Address: Email: ken.knox@munz.org.nz

027 6222691 PO Box 5016, Nelson

Lyttelton Local 43 Secretary: Les Wells Mobile: 027 432 9620 Phone/Fax: (03) 3288 306 Address: PO Box 29, Lyttelton Email: les.wells@munz.org.nz

Timaru Secretary: Tony Townshend Mobile: 027 4324134 Address: PO Box 813, Timaru Email: tony.townshend@munz.org.nz

Port Chalmers Dunedin Local 10 Phone: (03)4728 052 Fax: (03) 4727 492 Secretary: Phil Adams Mobile: 0274 377601 Email: phil.adams@munz.org.nz President: Ben George Mobile: 021 472 021 Email: ben.george@munz.org.nz Address: PO Box 44, Port Chalmers Bluff Phone/Fax: (03) 2128 189 Address: PO Box 5, Bluff President: Harry Holland Mobile: 027 228 4315 Email: harry.munz@xtra.co.nz Secretary: Ray Fife Mobile: 027 447 5317 Email: ray.fife@munz.org.nz www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 29

Book Review: The Catch

By Michael Field

30 | The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015

Since its first few editions, the Maritimes magazine has covered many incidents in the New Zealand fishing industry involving overseas crew on foreign charter vessels (FCVs) in and around New Zealand waters. It’s been a literally recurring theme.

These incidents have ranged from disasters like the InSung 1 and Oyang 70, which resulted in severe loss of life, through to injuries, abuses, ship jumping and serious infringements of the rights of the crew members.

The Maritime Union and the ITF inspectorate have frequently been involved in assisting crew members with issues including pay, repatriation and mistreatment over this time.

In addition to the human cost for the exploited FCV workers that has occurred in New Zealand waters, there have been numerous documented cases of illegal fishing, under reporting, catch dumping, pollution and abandonment of vessels.

The author of “The Catch”, Michael Field, is an experienced journalist with a long time interest in the fishing industry. He is by far the most prolific in reporting industry issues and was targeted by elements in the fishing industry, being followed and having personal effects stolen from his vehicle while engaged in research.

“The Catch” examines the development of IUU (illegal, unreported or unregulated) fishing in the international context.

It’s a vast global industry that operates in many cases outside the effective control of nation states, and in some cases with their complicity.

The world’s fish stocks are being ravaged by a mass industrialised plunder, carried out by flag of convenience vessels.

The pristine Pacific, our own vast maritime home, is one of the most savagely exploited regions. Despite its unimaginable size, the scale and methods of fishing used mean that many areas are now on the edge of ecological collapse.

Field shows how this model was allowed to enter into the New Zealand economic system through the FCVs. The book looks into the tangled web of beneficial ownership.

New Zealand corporates who held quota under the New Zealand fishing management system effectively rented out their quota to FCV operators.

Ships were managed and owned by disparate and shady operators, and crews obtained through manning agencies in developing nations, most notably Indonesia.

These agencies were often responsible for ripping off the crew members and engaging in stand over tactics to crew members who attempted to stand up for themselves. This was documented by Field and US journalist Ben Skinner who wrote an expose in the US business press.

www.munz.org.nz

FCVs operated in and around New Zealand waters.

They used New Zealand ports and fished New Zealand quota. The companies and shareholders which benefited were based here. They took the benefits but not the responsibility.

Field points out that not all fishing companies used FCVs. Some managed to profitably operate modern, New Zealand flagged and crewed vessels, which put the lie to the claim that it would be “uneconomic” to do so.

One of the ironies is how many iwi exploited their quota, received as part of Treaty settlements, by using FCV vessels, rather than developing models to provide employment to their own communities.

The same economic model is replicated in different contexts. Consider the problems on the New Zealand waterfront. These have a common root in the same model of outsourcing and contracting out, of casualization of labour, of “precarious work” to use a more recent term for it – driven by the same cold imperative of profit maximization.

The CEOs are happy to take the bonuses and the accolades from a craven pro-business media about “their ports” financial success, but then run a mile from responsibility for the deaths and maimings that happen to those whose labour generates the profits in “their port.”

The problems, inherent in the model, are always someone else’s fault.

Which is exactly why the model of outsourcing and contracting out is pushed so hard. It diffuses and removes responsibility and the “duty of care” of an employer to an employee under a traditional employment relationship (at least in the developed world) while maintaining the flow of profit.

Fishing is not a glamorous industry. It doesn’t have the trendy buzz of the the post-industrial “weightless economy” based on financial services and the digital sector. It lacks the visibility of the dairy sector.

In some ways, it is an industry that is still operating in the nineteenth century mode of plunder outside managed fisheries. “Modern day fishing in the oceans is like Buffalo Bill blasting away at bison in the American West: the supply seems endless but is in fact diminishing towards the point of extinction for many key species,” as Field describes it.

It is also New Zealand’s fifth largest export earner.

New Zealand has the sixth largest exclusive economic zone in the world, covering 4.1 million square kilometres – fourteen times the land area of New Zealand itself. In a world where demand for cheap protein is expanding, this resource is both precious and coveted.

While the plunder is somewhat controlled within the economic zone, enforcement is difficult and was hamstrung by the FCV model.

This did not just mean overfishing, but directly led to the deaths of crew on the InSung 1 and the Oyang 75 where basic maritime safety was openly flouted.

It is easy to blame the lower level villains, but further up the chain of big money and shareholders, there has been no accountability.

It required a series of disasters before action was taken.

One could optimistically attribute this belated action to growing moral awareness within the Government, but it seems more likely a growing backlash from overseas customers with consumer sensitive brands to protect provided the impetus.

Media coverage and embarrassing reports from the US State Department into “forced labour” in the New Zealand industry added to the untenable situation.

The pressure led to the Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Act that was finally passed on 31 July 2014.

This will require the compulsory reflagging of FCVs under the New Zealand flag by 2016, bringing crews under the protections of New Zealand employment and health and safety laws.

Notably, there is no requirement that New Zealand crews be used, and the effectiveness of the enforcement of the new laws is yet to be seen.

While the FCV issue lacks the immediate impact of the Pike River disaster, the trail of death and destruction in the fishing industry is just as sinister.

The fact it happened over a period of time makes it worse in a sense – it took the cumulative toll of years (and lives) to lead to change.

At the “Catcher to Counter” campaign meeting convened by the ITF and IUF global union federations in Auckland in 2012, researcher Glenn Simmons of the University of Auckland described the high tech, value added processing that takes place in the Icelandic fishery.

Lucrative uses are found and commercialised for the most unlikely components of a fish. Compare to New Zealand, where the opposite approach – wasteful, backward, unproductive and short sighted – has been the model of choice.

“The Catch” is an excellent and timely book, comprehensive and meticulous.

It features numerous colour photographs, including one of FCV crew taken by MUNZ Bluff Branch President Harry Holland.

It’s a major work on the New Zealand maritime industry and is thoroughly recommended.

It is also worth noting that the publisher of this book is the independent New Zealand publisher Awa Press, which also published Rebecca Macfie’s award winning Tragedy at Pike River Mine in 2013.

They should be congratulated for their role in bringing both these accounts to the New Zealand public.

Review by Victor Billot

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015 | 31

Health and safety is everyone’s responsibility.

If any health and safety incidents occur in your workplace, alert your branch officials and fill in the online incident form at www.munz.org.nz 32 | The Maritimes | Summer 2014/2015

www.munz.org.nz