Issue 6 • June 2004
Magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand
ISSN 1176-3418
Kia kaha!
Maritime workers standing tall and standing united Port roundups Learning from our history Sitting on a time bomb? Australian maritime conference building links for maritime workers 1931: Union History Interport sports photo special
Building an active Union is the key for our future by Trevor Hanson General Secretary As this edition of the Maritimes goes to print, the Maritime Union is well into our campaign for secure jobs in the maritime industry. Meetings have already been held in a number of ports, and other ports are preparing for their meetings. Union Vice President Joe Fleetwood and myself have visited North Island ports already, and Joe Fleetwood and Assistant General Secretary Terry Ryan are on their way to meet with South Island branches. We kicked off the campaign with a meeting in Gisborne on Thursday 6 May, and in the following weeks visited Auckland, Mount Maunganui, Whangarei, New Plymouth and Napier. Further South Island meetings are underway. Our campaign has straightforward goals. We need to ensure a future for the New Zealand maritime industry with permanent, secure jobs for workers – both through law changes at a Government level, but also through active unionism.
Key campaign goals The main areas of change we are seeking revolve around several key areas. These are the need for a viable New Zealand shipping industry, more protection for maritime workers as “insecure” workers, and a greater level of regulation over the industry to ensure job security and industry stability. This is a positive vision for an organized and planned maritime industry that takes into account the vital role the industry serves us as a trading nation, and which seeks good conditions for those working in the industry. The alternative, negative vision of the future is one where the maritime industry continues down its current path of self-defeating and excessive competition.
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This approach is leading to threats to our environment and biosecurity, lack of port security, and the destruction of any kind of safety and security for our workforce. Our campaign is important in another sense. The Maritime Union came together out of two great New Zealand trade unions, both of which had a strong history of active, member-driven unionism. In recent years, maritime workers have been through hard times in an industry dominated by short-term profits at the expense of long-term stability. The roots of the current situation can be traced back to the late 1980s and the early 1990s, when port reform, deregulation and the now discredited “free market” ideology swept through New Zealand. With job losses, casualization and a rollercoaster ride of contracting out, receiverships and scab unions creeping in, there has been a tendency for us to adopt a conservative, inward looking attitude.
Our advantages We need to turn this attitude around and consider what advantages we do have. The Maritime Union is small, but has a strong reputation. We receive a lot of attention from the media. We have a strong base of support in port communities around New Zealand from which to build. Despite the attacks, the maritime industry has a very high level of unionization compared to many other industries in New Zealand, especially in the private sector. We also have a solid financial base that has been left to us by those who came before. The “rainy day” has come, and we need to use our funds to promote the Union and the maritime industry.
Despite the hard yards in recent years, the Union has made some good progress in certain areas as of late. We have had some positive results, including getting casuals sick leave and bereavement leave under changes to the Holidays Act. In our first mediation test case, we have negotiated time and a half for casuals plus a lieu day for working statutory holidays. We have stopped attempts to introduce self-loading by foreign crews on the waterfront, and believe that we have had some influence in the recent backdown by immigration officials, who were rubber stamping the importation of Third World workers to work New Zealand fishing vessels and possibly even on shore. In the South Island, many of our branches are resisting attacks by casualizing employers, and we had one recent victory where Mainland Stevedores found itself turned around from a job because of the level of local antipathy towards their practices. We have also held meetings with industry figures who have realized that we have not melted away, and as a Union are developing new strategies to assert our rightful place as the voice of the workers of the New Zealand maritime industry.
Growing unity at home and abroad There is one other positive development and that is the growing unity of maritime unions. On the international front, the recent Maritime Union of Australia conference was an eye-opener for the New Zealand delegates. The calls for greater unity and international co-operation between maritime unions worldwide – and especially around the Pacific – is a good sign. There is a simple lesson for workers – united we stand, divided we fall.
Focussing on the issues that count by Phil Adams National President Politics have been in the news lately and the Maritime Union notes with some concern a number of issues that affect us as workers. In the broader political picture, the Maritime Union has clear goals. We are committed to seeing the return of a Labour-led Government. We have also made it clear that we would like to see them working with parties such as the Greens, Progressive and Alliance, who support our aims. We don’t want to see the Government cutting deals with some of the unprincipled opportunists our political system seems to give rise to. Several issues have arisen lately that seem to be distracting ordinary New Zealanders away from the bread and butter issues that face us all. The foreshore and seabed issue is one that seems to have touched off strong responses among New Zealanders. The bottom line is that if the workers let ourselves be divided we will pay the price. The return of a National Government would reverse the modest gains of the last few years.
National has always been against the worker If any working class New Zealander thinks that Don Brash is interested in equality or a fair go for working people, then they need their head examined. That said, the Maritime Union should not be a poodle for any Government. We need to support those who support us, and maintain our independence. One lesson our Union has learnt is that legislative solutions by themselves are no substitute for a strong, active and informed Union membership.
South Island Organizer It was decided at the National Executive to convene a meeting of the South Island Branch Secretaries. The meeting would look at developing our structure in the south in order to deal with issues such as the Mainland situation and the South Island Organizer. A logical solution would be to have both the Port Chalmers and Lyttelton branches manned to cover ports such as Bluff, Timaru, Nelson, Picton and the strong possibility of West Coast ports becoming busy and the chance of our membership expanding. This issue is one I believe needs a resolution, as doing nothing is letting our membership down. The meeting in Timaru is planned with the South Island Secretaries and the General Secretary in attendance. The situation of Les Wells as part time organizer in Lyttelton is proving successful and can be copied in other ports for the good of the members.
International unity We are building stronger connections with maritime unions around the Pacific Rim, and continue to actively work as a member of the International Transport Workers’ Federation. Internationally, the way of the future for unions will be to build links with other social movements and groups, and create new alliances to ensure secure jobs for workers and a secure future for our economy and environment. Members will have to make some major decisions in coming months but collectively we can take our Union into the future with confidence. Remember you are the Union. Get involved, and make a contribution.
‘The Maritimes’ Edition 6, June 2004 Contents Trevor Hanson Report ............... 2 Phil Adams Report ................... 3 News ................................... 4 Self-Loading on ships ................ 6 ITF Report ............................. 8 Union History ......................... 9 MUA Conference ........... .... ..... 10 Maritime Campaign .................. 12 Interport Report ..................... 14 Port Roundup ......................... 15 Vice President’s Report ............. 22 Letters ................................. 23 Union Contacts ....................... 23 The Back Page ........................ 24 ‘The Maritimes’ is the official national magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand, published quarterly. ISSN 1176-3418 National Office: PO Box 27004 Wellington New Zealand Telephone 04 3850 792 Fax 04 3848 766 Email: trevor.hanson@muno.org.nz Web: www.munz.org.nz Edited and designed by Victor Billot Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz Editorial Board: Trevor Hanson, Phil Adams and Joe Fleetwood Thanks to the photographers including Harry Holland, Shane Parker, Garry Parsloe, Phil Adams, Mike Williams, Kathy Whelan, Ray Fife, Russell Mayn, Phil Spanswick, Trevor Hanson, Andy Ball, Les Wells, and others. Thanks to the Maritime Union of Australia, ITF and ‘Transport International’ for material. Cover photo: Maritime Union members aboard the Lynx, Wellington, May 2004 (photo by Andy Ball)
Send an email letter to your MP supporting the Maritime Union campaign for secure jobs at: http://www.munz.org.nz/campaign_2004_mpemail.php 3
Overseas crews exploited on FOC ‘sweatship’
Workers from the combined Lyttelton waterfront unions at their stopwork meeting on 2 May at the Lyttelton Rugby Club (photo by Les Wells)
Lyttelton negotiations continue Negotiations are currently on hold between Unions and management at the Port of Lyttelton as the Maritimes goes to print. Lyttelton branch organizer Les Wells says the two sides will return to the table to continue discussions on 27 May. He says the Unions are making a stand against “creeping casualization” and want to ensure workers have some security of income and hours of work. The Maritime Union of New Zealand, the Rail and Maritime
Transport Union of New Zealand (RMTU) and the Foremans Union took industrial action in early May in support of their claims. The striking workers carried out lines and launch work on gas tankers in order to ensure critical supplies to hospitals. The Unions say the key issues include protecting permanent job opportunities for local workers, and the backdating of pay increases.
Changes to maritime ministers
Outgoing Minister of Labour Margaret Wilson addresses the National Executive of the Maritime Union in Wellington, April 2004. The Maritime Union thanked her for her efforts on behalf of New Zealand workers.
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A Government reshuffle has seen the Ministers responsible for the maritime industry and employment law changed around. Former Minister of Labour Margaret Wilson has moved across to Minister of Commerce, and has been replaced by Paul Swain as Minister of Labour, who is former Minister of Transport. Pete Hodgson is the new Minister of Transport.
Crew from a flag of convenience ship berthed in Nelson received a large payout after the Maritime Union investigated their concerns in March. Owners of the vessel “Shohoh” agreed to pay crew US$26 000 in backpay after the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) was called in. The Panamanian-flagged “Shohoh” is a Korean owned ship that was loading fruit bound for the USA. The crew comprised eight Korean officers, three Russian officers, and six Myanmar (Burmese) ratings. ITF New Zealand co-ordinator Kathy Whelan says the Myanmar ratings were receiving approximately US$350 to US$400 per month pay, which is under half the International Labour Organization minimum of US$880. The “Shohoh” was being chartered by a consortium of fruit exporters from Beacon Shipping, the owners’ New Zealand representatives. Maritime Union Assistant General Secretary Terry Ryan says the case highlights why New Zealand shipping is being destroyed by so-called “competition.” “This case is just the tip of the iceberg, and highlights how floating sweatshops in New Zealand ports and coastal waters are ripping off workers and putting New Zealand seafarers on the scrapheap.” Mr Ryan says the Maritime Union is campaigning hard for a return to the system of cabotage, where domestic coastal shipping is worked by New Zealand ships and New Zealand crews. Myanmar is a poor country, located in South Asia. Home to around fifty million people, it has been governed for decades by a military junta. Amnesty International reported in 2003 how unlawful executions, forced labour and the torture of political prisoners continued to be reported in Myanmar.
Sitting on a time bomb? The Maritime Union says that a lethal cocktail of deregulation, security lapses, and cutprice ‘flag of convenience’ shipping is pointing towards a maritime disaster in a New Zealand port. Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says a string of incidents earlier this year aboard flag of convenience vessels shows how dysfunctional the maritime industry has become. “Flag of convenience vessels are entrusted with a dangerous cargo like fertilizer which in the wrong hands becomes a potential weapon of mass destruction, as Australian maritime unions have noted.” The ‘Tasman Independence’ was turned away from the Ports of Auckland in March 2004 when a last minute manifest check revealed the ship was carrying 220 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, and diverted to Tauranga.
Potentially lethal The fertilizer is highly explosive, and has been reponsible for death and destruction through both accident and deliberate use as a cheap bomb making material. Port of Tauranga Chief Executive Jon Mayson told media that the berths where unloading took place were at least 1km away from residential areas. “We are asking Mr Mayson whether he has any idea what would happen if 220 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded on a ship in his port, and what plans there are for such a scenario,” says Mr Hanson. In a further incident, a waterfront worker was seriously injured aboard the ‘Tasman Independence’ in Wellington on Monday 22 March in an industrial accident.
Mr Hanson says several Maritime Union members narrowly escaped death or serious injury when machinery from an onboard crane on the ‘Tasman Independence’ fell onto wharves at Southport in Bluff on 14 January 2004 in a widely reported incident. He says the events form a pattern of “systemic failure” on board visiting Flag of Convenience vessels. “We are seeing series of incidents including crane collapses, injuries to maritime workers, and abuse and exploitation of crews, sometimes all aboard the one vessel within a short time frame.”
Leading towards catastrophe? The Maritime Union says this lack of regulation of flag of convenience shipping and the casualization of waterfront labour is leading towards catastrophe. Mr Hanson says the New Zealand shipping industry is being destroyed by having to compete with cutprice flag of convenience vessels. “There seems to be a culture of buck passing and box ticking in the maritime industry, where potentially catastrophic threats in our ports and coastal waters are swept under the carpet of indifference in the search for profits.” Recent incidents in Australia indicate the problem is an international one. The Maritime Union of Australia recently stated that the mixture of cheap ships, unregulated multinational crews, unidentifiable ship-owners and gaping holes in maritime security is a massive threat. “The authorities have little idea of who owns these ships, or the status of their crews who are drawn from some of the world’s most impoverished nations, and who basically have free access into
‘The Maritimes’ is the official magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand. All correspondence to: ‘The Maritimes’, PO Box 27004, Wellington, New Zealand. Email victor.billot@munz.org.nz
New Zealand ports onboard ships carrying potentially deadly cargoes,” says Mr Hanson. Following adverse publicity about the incidents, the Maritime Union was approached by Tasman Orient to discuss the concerns of the Union. It is hoped that further dialogue may see an improvement in the situation – watch this space.
Fascinating facts about ammonium nitrate New Zealand ports and international shippers seem to have a relaxed attitude about Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer. Yet the facts speak for themselves: • 1947: 2300 tonnes aboard a ship in Texas port catch fire and explode, levelling the town and killing nearly 500 people • 19 April 1995: ammonium nitrate fertilizer used in Oklahoma city bombing by a right wing extremist ex-soldier, 168 people killed. • 12 October 2002: ammonium nitrate fertilizer used in Bali nightclub bombing by Islamic fundamentalists, 192 people killed. • November 2003: ammonium nitrate used in a suicide bomb attack outside a British HSBC bank in Istanbul, Turkey • 15 March 2004: ammonium nitrate used to make a bomb in a van planted outside US Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan. It was defused before exploding. • 30 March 2004: eight men arrested and half a tonne of ammonium nitrate seized by police in London as part of an antiterrorism operation. Head of anti-terrorism branch Peter Clarke says part of the investigation will focus on the “purchase, storage and intended use of that material.” • Ammonium nitrate a favourite bomb ingredient of the IRA in past London and Northern Ireland bombings
Deadline for all Port reports, submissions, photos and letters: 26 July 2004 for next edition
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Self-loading halted by Local 13
Crew members carrying out self-loading on the Japanese vessel (photo by Russell Mayn)
by Russell Mayn Maritime Union Local 13 took action in Auckland when wharfies discovered the foreign crew of a Japanese owned fishing vessel loading a 40 foot container of fish bait onto the vessel. Delegates Dave Mora and Dave Clarke discovered what was going on and quickly informed the branch officials. The Union immediately claimed coverage of the job, and work stopped whilst the two parties negotiated the issue with the help of ITF inspector Kathy Whelan. The owner’s agents Sea Resources claimed the ‘cargo’ being loaded onto the vessel was in fact ship’s stores, and as such it was the crew’s work coverage.
The ITF and Maritime Union say that ship’s stores are items that crews eat, drink or use for their own personal need. Auckland Branch Local 13 rejected the agent’s claim that a 40 foot container full of fish bait was in fact ship’s stores of this kind. The agent asserted that they had declared fish bait as ship’s stores over a long period of time, and the Ministry of Fisheries had accepted that declaration. In response, the ITF said it would question the Ministry of Fisheries on its interpretation of ship’s stores and also get an opinion from the Immigration Department of the legality of foreign workers (without work permits) working on NZ wharves: an issue that has also been in the news elsewhere.
Contact the Maritime Union National Office Telephone: 04 3850 792 Fax: 04 3848 766 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington Office administrator: Valentina Goray Email: val.goray@muno.org.nz General Secretary: Trevor Hanson Direct dial: 04 801 7614 Mobile: 0274 453 532 Email: trevor.hanson@muno.org.nz National President: Phil Adams Direct dial: 03 4728 052 Mobile: 0274 377 601 Email: phil.adams@munz.org.nz
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National Vice President: Joe Fleetwood Mobile: 021 364 649 Email: seajoe666nz@hotmail.com Assistant General Secretary: Terry Ryan Mobile: 021 186 6643 Email: terry@munz.org.nz ITF Inspectorate: Kathy Whelan Direct dial: 04 801 7613 Mobile: 021 666 405 Email: kathy.whelan@muno.org.nz Communications Officer: Victor Billot Mobile: 021 171 0911 Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz
In the meantime the agent has indicated he will use Union labour in this instance, without prejudice, whilst the matter is sorted out – particularly the definition of what constitutes ship’s stores. ITF inspector Kathy Whelan says the fishing industry is a big, ever growing industry. “It is also a rogue industry that provides little if any protection for its workers, and national jurisdictions have little if any legislative constraints.” She says the ITF has a long running campaign to obtain some form of agreement in this industry to provide minimum health, safety and employment conditions for workers. “Not only are fishing workers the most exploited workers in the maritime industry, but the dodgy work practices are creeping ashore and foreign fishermen are being used to do wharfies’ work for little, if any, pay.” Ms Whelan says union members need to be vigilant and monitor all foreign owned and manned fishing vessels in our ports to ensure they are worked by Union members. Auckland Branch Local 13 Secretary Russell Mayn says it was a real boost to see the Maritime Union and the ITF working together to resolve the problem. He says Maritime Union officials told the Ship’s Master that the vessel would be inspected at every port by the ITF, and that when they arrived back in Japan they would be welcomed by the All Japan Dock Workers’ Union. Mr Mayn says if this type of activity continues, it could theoretically end up with fuel oil for fishing trawlers classified as ship’s stores, allowing overseas seamen to drive tankers on New Zealand roads and discharge it onto vessels. He says workers at local stevedoring company Leonard and Dingley have worked with this type of cargo for fishing vessels on average 14 times a year in the past.
Mainland Watch
History in the making: historian David Grant (left) signs up for his new job, writing a history of the Seafarers’ Union. Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson does the honours for the Union, while former Seafarers’ President Dave Morgan looks on.
Port Code a positive step
Strong Unions need women
The long-awaited Port Code was launched in early June. The Code of Practice for Health and Safety in port operations has been issued by Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA). The code outlines a range of work practices in ports that meet the requirements of health and safety laws. Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Union has long been pushing for the Code and is pleased that it has been completed. He says that all Maritime Union members should become familiar with the Code as it will be a major tool in ensuring that a safe working environment is in place in New Zealand ports. A copy of the Port Code has been included in this mailout of the Maritimes. The Port Code is also available at the following website:
Women transport workers from New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Australia attended an ITF/ FNV Pacific Workshop for Women on 24 – 26 March 2004 in Wellington. The workshop recognized the progress affiliates have made over the last year in setting up womens’ structures and boosting representation in Unions. Women workers called on ITF affiliates to continue providing forums to discuss women’s issues and to provide women members with training opportunities. The representatives also wanted to see plans put in place to educate young people about the role of unions, improve work/life balance, end harassment and bullying at work, and create ‘family friendly’ workplaces. Pay equity, parental leave and women’s representation were other key concerns. Women workers wanted to build the ITF’s “Strong Unions Need Women” campaign, by working to encourage more women into the transport industry, and unionizing those currently working in this sector.
http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz
Mainland Stevedores have encountered a new setback to their plans to set up shop in the South Island. An attempt in March was made by Mainland to introduce their heavyhanded tactics to the Dunedin waterfront when fishing company Amatal gave them a contract to unload fish from the trawler ‘Janas’ at a Sealord coldstore. However, the ‘Mainland Rat’ was sent scurrying from the south after local reaction sent a very loud and clear message. The Port Chalmers and Dunedin branch of the Maritime Union swung in behind our local casuals who work on the waterfront and announced a major picket. The local community got in behind the picket and the local news media picked up on the story. After all the big talk from Mainland, what was the result? A no-show – the Janas bypassed Dunedin and headed north. Game, set and match to the Maritime Union and the local community. Mainland boss Greg Dickson and Amatal boss Ken Atkinson threw a hissy fit in the local paper, attacking the Union and Port Otago. This strange attempt to lose friends and not influence people didn’t gain much kudos for the pair. Maritime Union President Phil Adams pointed out that Port Otago had delivered more than $24 million in dividends to the Otago Regional Council in the past six years. Mainland manager Jim McDougall claimed in a PR article in the Otago Daily Times in January that Mainland would be the biggest stevedore in the South Island in five years. However the Maritimes understands the Mr McDougall is now working overseas – in Iraq. He will no doubt find the locals there more receptive than those in the South Island.
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ITF News
and Views
by Kathy Whelan ITF Coordinator for New Zealand It has been a very active time for the ITF in New Zealand over the last few months. Here are some of the problems we have found on inspected ships since the beginning of 2004.
American Warrior (USA flagged fishing vessel) 18 crew members of the ‘American Warrior’ in Dunedin approached Maritime Union President Phil Adams complaining of victimization by the American skipper. The crew were three months into a 12 month contract, and sought repatriation which the company would agree to only if the crew paid their own air fares. After investigations, we discovered probably one of the worse contracts we have ever seen in the fishing industry. The contract provided for a guaranteed payment of US$250 per month, an unspecified percentage of the catch which was paid at the Skipper’s discretion, and it had no health or safety provisions. We put the contract before the authorities to highlight this rogue industry which extends to extreme levels of exploitation, and managed to obtain for the crew a payment and have them repatriated at the Company’s expense.
Fruit and livestock carriers With the commencement of the fruit season smaller ports such as Napier, Gisborne and Nelson saw an influx of flag of convenience (FOC) vessels picking up produce for the export markets. We targeted those vessels with no ITF agreements and achieved 8 agreements on the predominantly Filipino manned refrigerated flag of convenience vessels. Similarly a Panamanian flagged, Filipino crewed livestock carrier the ‘Gerard Patrick Purcell ‘ got some attention and we also achieved an ITF agreement on this vessel.
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International campaign Some joint work between the Australian, New Zealand and Japanese ITF Inspectorates has achieved agreements on many flag of convenience vessels. We received a comment by a Japanese owner who said that they had monitored the solidarity between the three inspectorates, and decided to sign agreements on two of their vessels. This speaks volumes for the effectiveness the international FOC campaign is having in the Asia Pacific region. In this quarter also the Maritime Union of New Zealand, the MUA and the ILWU, together with their respective ITF Inspectorates have been proactive against the international campaign of employers to take work off dockers. We have discovered secret addendums to bona fide ITF Agreements whereby the crew are forced to sign agreements to dockers’ work. Reported elsewhere in this edition of the Maritimes is a case on the waterfront in Auckland whereby fishing crews were loading a 40 foot container of frozen bait under the guise that it is ships’ stores. The fight to protect dockers’ traditional areas of work is going to be a hard and relentless one. At each turn we find yet another attack on dockers’ work and we need to be extremely vigilant in ensuring we know who is doing what on our ships and the waterfront.
Shohoh (Panama flag, Korean/ Russian Officers, Myanmar crew) This was one of the most satisfying cases I have dealt with in a long time. A quick check prior to the vessel’s arrival in Nelson ascertained that it did not have an ITF agreement on it, so we sprung into action with warning notices being sent to the ship’s owners. Bill Lewis and Taffy Hicks from the Maritime Union Nelson Branch visited the ship and in an excellent inspection discovered that the Myanmar (Burmese) ratings were receiving only US$350 per month (International Labour Organization minimums are US$880 per month).
The ship was on charter to a consortium of New Zealand fruit exporters, taking their product to the US markets. The issue was cleared up very quickly – we can guess why – and the crew were paid a back pay of US$26,349 between them. The crew members were very frightened as in their home country Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), it is illegal to have any trade union affiliations and the repercussions can include imprisonment. Billy Lewis oversaw the payout to the crew and said their fear and nervousness evaporated, and some smiles were seen as they were given in US dollars more money than they have probably ever seen in one lump sum. An ITF agreement was also applied to the ship and we are tracking the vessel to make sure the agreement is honoured.
Bill Connelly – Napier Branch I am very proud to coordinate a small group of totally committed seafarers and wharfies who are committed to the campaign and give to it their all on a voluntary basis. I seldom if ever name names as each inspector is as good as the other and their unselfish commitment is something that cannot be put into words. I would like to however mention Bill Connelly, Maritime Union Secretary in the Port of Napier. Napier is a very busy port in the fruit and squash season. Bill runs a tight operation in Napier and monitors every movement, and since he has been around the port and ITF issues for such a long time these things are second nature to him. It was his vigilance that lead to us achieving six ITF agreements on Flag of Convenience vessels going into his port. ITF international website: www.itf.org.uk
Union History: Seamen fighting back in the Great Depression As part of our continuing series of articles about the history of maritime unionism in New Zealand, we reprint this excerpt from the then official journal of the Seaman’s Union “The Seamen’s Journal” from July 6th, 1931. After reading this article, we see that the times may have changed, but the problems and issues faced by maritime workers are very similar. In the intervening decades, have we moved forwards – or backwards? Thanks to Mike Shakespeare of Wellington Seafarers’ Branch for sending the original text in.
“Between Seamen” The two outstanding events in the industrial world in this country during the past month were the return of the Public Works tunnellers to work at practically the Government’s own terms and the strike of the marine cooks and stewards. The tunnellers were defeated because of the apathy and indifference of the rest of the working class. Had one-tenth of the interest displayed in racing results, or football, booze etc been translated into hard cash for the strikers and their dependants, they would not have been starved back to work, and the Government would have to be paying thousands weekly on overhead charges on the jobs that were held up. A few more weeks of struggle and Forbes (the then right wing Prime Minister of New Zealand – Editor) would have been forced to tax his rich friends to balance his budget instead of taking all out of the hides of the workers. This state of affairs can, and must, be remedied. Since the splendid fight of Waihi and the General Strike of 1913, there has been no widespread propaganda for industrial Unionism, militant working-class tactics, and the essential need for solidarity. Let us have no illusions on this point. The seamen up to the present have not been attacked, but if section after section of our fellow workers go down to defeat, then it is only in the nature of things that the shipowners will be after our wages too. Every Union should join in a militant agitation for the amalgamation of the Unions, and spread far and wide a knowledge of militant tactics.
The day of the strike of folded arms was past twenty years ago. Many men among tunnellers, watersiders, miners and seamen know this. We have to re-awake the old fighting policy that existed among the Unions in 1910 and 1913. The strike of the marine cooks and stewards was a sign of the times. When called upon to sign fresh articles which gave them the bosses’ Arbitration Court’s 10 per cent cut, they refused. This spontaneous revolt, though short-lived, is a sign of the times. For years the cooks and stewards have not been noted for militancy, but times are changing. Under the pressure of reduction they had to kick, even if it was more in the nature of a protest than the beginning of a serious fight. There was this to it, they knew full well that the members of the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand would not work with scab cooks and stewards. In view of the officers and engineers getting the 10 per cent cut simultaneously with the cooks and stewards, the rank and file of these two organisations must have been in sympathy with the fight of the cooks and stewards even if they did not openly express it. The real lesson to be learned from this strike is clear. The strikers relied upon the solidarity of the seamen and firemen to help them by refusing to man the ships with scab cooks and stewards had they been obtained. This faith in the seamen and firemen was well founded, but to obtain its full value, we put it to the cooks and stewards, they should be in one Union with us. Let us make a fair start by the seamen, firemen, cooks and stewards amalgamating, then press forward unitedly for a working understanding with the officers and engineers and the rest of the crew. It should be reasonable to expect their co-operation on the question of wages and working conditions. By complete unity of action alone can we succeed in halting the downward movement of wages and conditions.
Every section of the working class is being hit. Unless we are prepared to passively sink down to a coolie level we must fight back. Appeals to the Arbitration Court for the exemption are a waste of time and of Union funds. The Court, naturally enough, will not give exemptions to an order that was issued by itself. The worst evil lies in the fact that with these appeals the workers are again kept divided. It will take months before the different appeals are heard; in the meantime the Court’s Order remains in force. This method merely means that the Unionists of New Zealand will accept piecemeal, that reduction of wages they objected to as a body. We workers have a right to a decent standard of living, and to more, but rights without might are useless. Let us organise our might and by militant tactics demonstrate to the employing class, property owners, and their Government that we can hit back, and if we are forced to fight, we will fight in such a way that though we may conceivably be defeated, we will make the employing class victory so expensive to them that they will not be in a hurry to again raise the open issue of the class struggle. As for us, we know the only way out of the morass of unemployment and wage reductions lies in a policy of class against class, the abolition of the class system of slavery, the establishment of a workers’ socialist republic.
Do you have some Union History you’d like to share? If so send it to us! The Maritimes, c/o the Maritime Union of New Zealand, PO Box 27004, Wellington, New Zealand. 9
Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Paddy Crumlin addresses the MUA Conference (photo by Mike Williams)
Australian and international delegates at the Maritime Union of Australia Conference, March 2004 (photo courtesy of Australian Maritime Workers Journal)
Building international solidarity at the MUA Conference
A view of the Port Botany container terminal from the control room (photo by Phil Adams)
New Zealand delegates at the Maritime Union of Australia Conference watch the proceedings
Wellington Seafarers Branch President Mike Shakespeare along with Australian maritime unionists at the Conference
Dave Morgan receives a local version of ‘the Hat’ from Paddy Crumlin at the Conference, at which he was also awarded a life membership of the Maritime Union of Australia
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Australian Maritime Conference Report by Mike Shakespeare, Wellington Seafarers Branch President We were welcomed to the country by Aboriginal leader Kevin Tory after which an opening video was shown of past struggles from the beginning of the union through the two world wars up until the last big dispute. This is commonly known as the Patrick’s Dispute where multinational companies and the John Howard Government tried to smash the MUA, but were unable to because of their outstanding leadership and unbending unity. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin gave a short speech pointing out that we cannot win the industrial battles without a solid political agenda as well, before introducing the leader of the Australian Labor Party Mark Latham. Mark Latham started by saying how much of a privilege it was to be here as he believed that the unions were very community inspired as well as industrial and there was a great need to get in behind the union movement. He also believed that there was a need for better policies in the areas of Medicare, education, unemployment and of a need for a race to the top not to the bottom (what has been happening under conservative governments for some time.) Mark gave a commitment to the MUA that a Labor Government would support the retention of Cabotage and a review of the Single and Continuous Voyage Permits amongst other issues facing the Maritime industry. Let’s hope for a change to a Labor Government in Australia next elections as it may well be beneficial to our industry as well. Mark Latham’s speech was well received by all the delegates and Paddy finished off this segment with a little song he had written for Mark about how he is the man for us as he keeps his word. Paddy Crumlin then outlined a four year plan for the MUA consisting of five strategies: 1. National approach: Supportive. 2. Branch Responsibilities: a fully participative and empowered membership. 3. Membership Responsibility: militant and progressive. 4. Strong Financial Management: an effective, respected and influential Union. 5. Growth: financially strong and structurally sound.
There was also the need to unite nationally and internationally with other unions to learn from and aid one another. The National Secretary’s report was received by acclamation. From the remits that the Rank and File members put forward the executive split them up into 7 different committees which were 1. Job Security. 2. Rules. 3. Financial. 4. Work Conditions. 5. Organising. 6. Growth. 7. Campaigns. International guests were asked as to which committees they wished to sit on and were then put into their choice. It was a privilege to be involved in these committees as they were well run and a good chance to meet and work closer with the delegates. All the committees were well attended. The end result was a lot of good debate was had in the plenary sessions over the week. There were also many speakers both international and Australian over the course of the conference. These included Greg Combet, Richard Watts and Paul Goulter (ACTU), David Cockroft and Steve Cotton (ITF), John Maitland (CFMEU), John Allan (TWA), Bill Shorten (AWU), Fred Ross (AMOU), Terry Snee (AIMPE), Bob McEllrath (ILWU), Trevor Hanson (MUNZ), Tony Maher (CFMEU), Mick Doleman, Jim Tannock, Rick Newlyn, Dean Summers, and Eddie Seymour (MUA). The main themes that came from all the speakers were Unity and Organising – not only nationally but internationally as well. Other reports were heard from Sue Virago and Karen Leavy of the MUA Women’s Conference Sydney, Bill Bodenham (Veterans Association, regarding an International Federation of Retired Maritime Workers), Glen Davis and Sharon Parr (Seafarers Retirement Fund), the Maritime Workers Credit Union, Peter Jennings of the APHEDA Seafarers charity organisation, and the SERF (Seafarers Retirement Fund.) International guests came from all parts of the globe including America, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, South Africa, Sweden, Vanuatu, East Timor, Denmark, Finland, and Papua New Guinea.
This Conference carried on the theme of Global Solidarity that came from the MUA Conference held in Newcastle, Australia, in September 2002. The conference finished on a high note with an invitation from Bob McEllrath of the ILWU to a three day conference in April 2005 to continue with the Global Solidarity strategy which is beneficial to all workers, not only in the Pacific but all around the world. I would like to give a huge thanks to the men and women of the MUA who looked after all of the delegates in every way from driving people around, to the comradeship in our socialising which is an integral part of any gathering of like minded people. On the Wednesday night we attended a formal dinner for all the delegates, where a special presentation was made to David Morgan for his untiring work on behalf of all the ratings both in New Zealand and internationally. The high regard that the Australians hold Dave in was shown by the bestowing of a life membership of the MUA which they do not give out lightly. It is a very deserving honour as he has given over 30 years of toil to the union movement, spending vast amounts of time away from his family which we all know is not an easy thing to do. Thank you very much Dave. Last but not least I would like to thank the Wellington Branch of the Maritime Union for the opportunity to attend this conference, as these events help bring about a better understanding of the issues that affect us all globally and cement our international ties and solidarity. Unity is strength, Touch one Touch all.
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The Maritime Campaign 2004 The Maritime Union has been taking its campaign for secure jobs in the maritime industry to ports all around New Zealand. As the Maritimes goes to press, meetings have been held in the majority of North Island ports including Gisborne, Auckland, Whangarei, New Plymouth, Mount Maunganui and Napier. Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson and National Vice President Joe Fleetwood have travelled to each of those ports to speak to members about the campaign. In addition, thousands of ‘Maritime Alert’ newsletters have been distributed to members and letterboxed in port communities with tearoff postcards to be sent freepost to local MPs. The Maritime Union website features a special email letter that you can send to your MP as well at the web address below.
The Government recently held a meeting with maritime and transport employers as well as the Maritime Union. The Government stated they would not be introducing a cabotage system, however there was a widespread agreement at the meeting of the need for a coastal shipping service. There was also an acknowledgement of the need for a better career path for younger people entering the maritime industry. Mr Hanson says the maritime campaign is focussed on gaining a change of direction for the industry, towards a regulated, high-skilled and permanent workforce. “The developments we have seen recently show that while we face an uphill battle there are indications that our concerns are being heard.”
Campaign aims at secure jobs
The launch of the Port Code was a positive step that would mean standards were maintained in New Zealand ports. Mr Hanson says the issues are not just about jobs and conditions – they affect all New Zealand. “While individual ports and companies continue down a path of selfdefeating competition, then New Zealand as a whole is put in danger through biosecurity and environmental hazards, dependence on foreign shippers, and safety and port security threats.” Mr Hanson cited the problem of “Flag of Convenience” (FOC) shipping that was frequently exposed in the media through incidents such as disintegrating equipment and exploitation of crews.
The goal of the campaign is to ensure a future for the Maritime Industry with secure permanent jobs for workers. This can be brought about by law changes to regulate the waterfront industry and the introduction of a cabotage system for New Zealand shipping that gives priority to New Zealand crewed ships on domestic routes. The Maritime Union is also committed to building an active membership who get involved in the Union. General Secretary Trevor Hanson says a number of recent events show that the maritime industry is in a state of constant change.
Port Code a positive step
“The Maritime Union says that New Zealand needs its own merchant fleet to ensure our reliability and reputation as a trading nation, rather than relying on the shady underworld of FOC shipping.”
Casualization a major problem Casualization of waterfront labour was the other main focus of the campaign. “Casualization of workers and contracting out by companies looking for a quick buck is wrecking any kind of workforce stability and the working lives of people in the industry.” “The Government Transport Strategy made the correct analysis in saying we need an affordable, safe, integrated and sustainable transport industry by 2010.” “Unless immediate action is taken to ensure a regulated, skilled and permanent workforce in our maritime industries then that vision will remain a dream rather than a reality,” says Mr Hanson. The national executive of the Union approved the campaign plan in April. The campaign is being funded by the Union’s financial reserves, rather than a levy on members as was originally proposed.
Send an email letter to your MP supporting the Maritime Union campaign for secure jobs at: http://www.munz.org.nz/campaign_2004_mpemail.php For more information, freephone 0508 MARITIME (0508 627 484) 12
Gisborne
Auckland
Taking it to the streets Throughout May and June 2004, the Maritime Union held meetings at North Island ports as part of the Maritime Industry campaign. The message we are sending: we need secure, permanent jobs and a future for the maritime industry. Photos thanks to Bill Connelly, Joe Fleetwood and others.
Napier New Plymouth
Whangarei
Mount Maunganui and Tauranga 13
Interport Report By Terry Ryan One of New Zealand’s finest sporting trophies, the KereKere Canoe returned to Gisborne in February for the first time since the tournament was last held there thirty years ago, when it was presented by the KereKere family in 1973 as a memorial trophy. The trophy is a magnificent carved waka, and is the premier prize contested annually by those competing in the Interport sports competition. The 2004 Interport event in Gisborne was held from 8–12 February, and marked the 50th occasion this annual tournament has been held. The event attracted 160 competitors, plus wives and supporters to the area, for a week of competition in golf, fishing, and indoor sports (snooker, darts, pool and indoor bowls.) The annual tournament started from humble beginnings in 1953, when the President of the New Plymouth watersiders’ cricket club wrote to his Auckland counterpart Henry Elliot. In March 1954 a cricket game took place in New Plymouth, and the Interport sports tournament was born. From this small beginning, the event mushroomed over the next few years and saw outdoor bowls, tennis, skindiving, snooker, golf and darts all joining the list. This in turn saw the Interport Council of Sport being formed in the early 1960s. Arty Pitcher, who formed the darts section in 1957, was a member of that first council. He is now the father of the Interport, still competing annually in golf, with a record 47 years as a competitor.
Arty, who was a winner 30 years ago in Gisborne, was largely responsible for the 50th tournament’s organizational strategy, working tirelessly and visiting Gisborne several times to ensure all arrangements were on track. So once again the KereKere canoe was keenly contested by the large contingent at the Poverty Bay Golf Course where it was on display for the week. Locals turned out to pay it a visit for it is unlikely to return home for many years. The canoe this year was won by the New Plymouth and Bluff teams who could not be separated, and who jointly shared the trophy.
Winner of the Pacifica Trophy for biggest schnapper, Wayne Welch (right) with another of his catches (photo by Terry Ryan)
Port News
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Ray Fife of Bluff with the Geo Waller Memorial Shield (photo by Terry Ryan)
Ex-Auckland Secretary Doug Phillipps, still a keen fisherman (photo by Trevor Hanson)
Overall winner Sam Pene of Auckland is congratulated on his trophy (photo by Trevor Hanson)
Port Roundup: Lyttelton Local 43 By Graeme Chandler
Trevor Hanson, Russell Fairbrother MP for Napier, Pauline Tangiora and Joe Fleetwood at the Napier campaign meeting, May 2004
Greetings from Lyttelton. Lyttelton is in the process of going through talks with Lyttelton Port Company. These have not been very productive with us reaching stalemate over P.R.P.’s. The company will not accept a cap on them, something we believe we agreed in principle during talks. It becomes a major problem when you can’t get a company to recognize numbers in an agreement. Pacifica, as most of you will be aware by now, has made men redundant. We were very lucky to be able to get volunteers to take the redundancies. We got more than were required, the company agreed to let the extra men go. It has not stopped there; they still attack working conditions and manning roster so as always it just keeps on going. At Lyttelton Stevedores they are heading into talks in the near future. As always there will be the pressure put on to the men to do more for less. We have been in talks with Toll for some time now and do not seem to be getting any closer to finalizing the agreement. We have appointed Les Wells for another six months and he is doing a fine job.
Port Roundup: Whangarei By Steve Murray Greetings from the Winterless North – here’s hoping we find you all well. Work has picked up with the increased volumes of veneer going through the port, in fact veneer seems to be replacing triboard as our bread and butter cargo. The fertiliser berth at Port Whangarei has stopped being dredged and is now closed leaving only two berths at Port Whangarei being used. On the brighter side Northland Stevedoring Services, the main employer of Maritime Union members in Whangarei, had its first ship at Marsden Point. We had a few teething troubles as it was our first ship. One problem involved getting the men out to Marsden Point as it’s an extra 30 minute drive from town. We solved this problem by car pooling, but this meant getting up half an hour earlier to get out there in time and of course with daylight savings it meant that we arrived home after dark. Security is a lot tighter at the new Marsden facility with cameras on light stands, but still no identity cards yet. The wharf buffers at Marsden Point keep the ships a long way off the shiny new wharf, but will make it hard for any union purchase geared ships to reach the wharf. Until then, I guess we will still be doing meat, squash, kiwifruit and the like at Port Whangarei for a wee while yet.
Port News Life of a working president: Graeme Chandler behind the wheel in Lyttelton
Phil Adams checks out the Port Botany bonus board during the MUA Conference in Sydney
Dein Ferris (right) on an ITF inspection in Gisborne (photo by Trevor Hanson)
Loading fruit and vegetables, Gisborne, February 2004 (photo by Trevor Hanson)
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Australian maritime conference report By Brian Ford (Auckland Seafarers Branch)
The Southern Motu: end of the line
Port Roundup: Auckland Seafarers
Old Timers Committee: Garry Parsloe, Adam Edwards, Patrick Honan.
Southern Motu and Southern Tiare The Southern Motu, which was the Black Bart and before that the Narmaru 1, is on its last trip to the Chathams. It now seems the vessel will go to scrap. The Southern Motu will be replaced on the Chatham Islands run by the Southern Tiare built in Denmark in 1988. The Southern Tiare has sailed from Rouen on its way to Australia then New Zealand. The Southern Tiare will berth in Whangarei for some repairs then will enter the Chathams Trade in early June. The vessel will be New Zealand flagged.
Over three hundred rank and file, national and international delegates attended the quadrennial conference of the Maritime Union of Australia at Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, Sydney from 15-19 March 2004. Delegates were welcomed to the country by aboriginal Kevin Tory. Leader of Australian Labor Party Mark Latham officially opened the conference and promised cabotage under a Labor Government. He recognised the need for a strong viable shipping industry using Australian seafarers under Australian flag and conditions, to encourage long term investment to rebuild the Australian Maritime industry, to re-establish Australian defence, security systems and also salvage services. He also mentioned investigating the 1998 waterfront dispute and bringing Reith back from his perk job in Paris. ACTU speaker Greg Combet spoke about getting rid of the Howard Government and commented that under fifty percent of union members voted Labour, which needed to be targeted. He said just under thirty percent of the Australian workforce are casuals getting no sick or annual leave, and some working for the same employer for weeks up to a year. Other national guests addressed the conference about the attacks from the bosses and Government. ILWU vice president Bob McEllrath addressed the delegates on how the USA have to get rid of the Bush administration and the anti worker legislation they have introduced since 11 September, 2001. Civil liberties are under attack with security laws used to attack unions. Bob McEllrath thanked transport workers around the globe for their support in assisting the ILWU win their dispute with shipowners. Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson spoke on the close ties that Australian and New Zealand maritime workers had, and the decline of the shipping industry and problems on the waterfront in New Zealand. Other international guests noted that we are all fighting the same battles – the way to victory is for workers of the world to unite and show solidarity. The dedication of delegates from developing countries was inspiring as they just have limited finances to attend
Port News by Garry Parsloe
Election of officers
The Auckland Seafarers Branch Elections have been concluded with the in-coming executive taking office on 1 March 2004. Those elected to office are: President: Peter Harvey. Vice President: Kevin Rooney. Secretary: Garry Parsloe. Delegates: Brian Ford, Adam Edwards, Patrick Honan, Lester Selby (Fullers Marine), David Jones (Fullers Marine), Heidi Mills (Fullers customer services), Carl Dewild (Fullers maintenance). Finance Committee: Garry Parsloe, Kevin Rooney, Brian Ford. Disputes Committee: Garry Parsloe, Peter Harvey, Kevin Rooney. Health and Safety Committee: Garry Parsloe, Peter Harvey, Heidi Mills.
The Southern Tiare, about to start on the Chathams run
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and many problems at home. MUA Secretary Paddy Crumlin spoke on how transport is a global industry so there is a need for all transport workers to organise to ensure militant unions survive into the new century as we are working for the same international companies who control transport. He noted how we should look at union training for new members, then claim costs back off the bosses. He spoke on close ties with New Zealand, and how some union leaders let us down over Rogernomics, as well as how the MUA would always be there to support us. Other issues discussed were international solidarity to help developing countries, and the threat of casualization. Other MUA officials spoke on union finances, and organizing charter vessels and the guest industry, the dangerous work practices in the pearl and diving industry, and job security. The women of the MUA had a conference over the weekend with a march on Sunday. Women have played a great role in the union movement and on the picket line here. The MUA are to be congratulated on the excellent job they have done in organising this conference and looking after the guests. Resolutions were passed on a number of topics including working conditions, campaigns, job security, finances, organisation, Union rules, education, communication, and branch structure. The conference was held on land that is symbolic, even sacred to the history of maritime workers. Paddy Crumlin spoke of lack of the maritime workers mentioned in the history books, and how where we were sitting was soaked in the blood, sweat, tears and history of the maritime workers who fought and died for conditions we have today. Tom and Pears would have been proud of the solidarity and unity shown at this conference – they have moved “The Hungry Mile” but international solidarity and unity can give us victory. In the words of the song “How dare we lose, what they have won.”
Port Roundup: Mt. Maunganui By Phil Spanswick Greetings from Mt Maunganui. The log export downturn is still affecting the Port, with redundancies in the Marshalling Companies, and it seems the upturn is a long way coming. A number of our Collective Agreements are up for negotiation this year, and the downturn may have an effect on the negotiations. On 23 April there was an ACC/OSH co-ordinated meeting with the Port of Tauranga and the port users to discuss Health and Safety on the wharf. On 28 April there was an industry meeting of trained Health and Safety Representatives at the Mt Maunganui Cosmopolitan Club. This was a pilot meeting run by the ACC/CTU and will be attended by the Union’s trained Health and Safety Representatives. Our ITF group have inspected a number of ships, specifically looking for cases where seafarers do wharfies’ work, and the Branch hosted an ITF delegation in late 2003 which was a good boost for our local ITF group. The branch’s casuals are more than happy with the new Holidays Act 2004 which gives them sickness and bereavement leave entitlements which they did not receive in the past.
Mt Maunganui member Richard Goldthorpe of Tolls hard at work (photo by Phil Spanswick)
Port News Mt Maunganui member Tony Smart of Tolls about to get back to work after smoko (photo by Phil Spanswick)
Mt Maunganui member Jay Cuthers at the Owens checkpoint (photo by Phil Spanswick)
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Port Roundup: Auckland Local 13 By Denis Carlisle Events in the Port of Auckland have been providing the union with a constant stream of challenges. We are involved with employment negotiations with Toll and the Port Company, and while these are taking up a major portion of the Local’s time other day to day problems still need to be addressed.
The new Holidays Act is now upon us and has brought with it a fair amount of headaches. It seems that it depends on who you ask as to what answer you get, with everything depending on what is defined as a normal day of work. I guess you just have to look on the positive side and that is we at least have something more of benefit to argue about. It’s good to see that finally casuals will receive a minimum of time and a half for working on a Statutory Holiday. All the Health and Safety Representatives have now been elected in the Port – congratulations to all those who were successful.
Government Forum Recently the officials and delegates attended the CTU Government Forum held at Alexander Park Raceway in Auckland, and this provided a chance for us to pose questions to ministers on a range of subjects. The hot topic for Local 13 were the Employment Relations Act amendments, questions about Cabotage, contracting out, casual labour, yellow unions, and freeloading, these being the subject of questions put to the Minister of Labour. The theme behind most of the answers was that Government would provide some of the tools for unions to progress their campaigns but the Government would not legislate for a 100% fix. This means that we as unionists are going to have to carry on lobbying Government and Members of Parliament for the changes that we need to the Employment Relations Act. If it had been the races that night the rank outsider would have been the reintroduction of Cabotage.
Port Roundup: New Plymouth
Port Roundup: Napier By Bill Connelly
Around and about The port is still pretty busy at the moment, with fruit, squash and various other export commodities being loaded in copious quantities.
Ohope Beach Accommodation in New Zealand Members should be aware that the holiday accommodation at Ohope Beach is now at a premium, because we now only have the one unit available for rental. Vacancies are still available, commencing each Sunday, on a weekly basis. Bookings can be made through the Napier Branch, by contacting the Secretary either at the Union Office, his home or on his mobile number.
Port News Self-loading stopped On two recent occasions, overseas seamen have been successfully stopped undertaking stevedoring work that has been traditionally done by New Zealand stevedores – an issue that highlights how vigilant all members must be. Both of these cases were successes for the union as Auckland MUNZ members were placed back on the job. A new office administrator Miss Merita Reidy is now with us at Local 13. Merita has replaced Miss Shona Gladding who recently resigned after seven years service to travel overseas. We wish Shona good luck for her overseas travel and Merita good luck with her new job.
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By Shane Parker
The port has been very busy lately with more and more container ships calling. Some of them are from Asia bringing in break bulk and steel and heavy lifts, and the drill pipe for the increased oil exploration which is going on around here to try and replace the Maui gas field which is fast running out. This has also meant increased work for the local Seafarers. There has been talk lately of a ferry link between Nelson and New Plymouth – all very vague and would require a sizeable investment by the Port Company to make it possible. There is also the possibility of importing Liquid Natural Gas if there are no Gas strikes in the near future. This is a very volatile product and would require huge capital investment. The New Plymouth branch contact number is mobile number 027 2755 458.
Gold Coast Accommodation in Australia
Please note that the confirmation period for bookings is now 6 MONTHS, which put quite simply means that members nationally can now book six months in advance. The next vacancy is: 4 December 2004 to 18 December 2004 Once this vacancy is filled, then there is nothing available until 2005.
Members who have left the industry Next month another of our long serving members will retire from the industry, after some 34 years on the Napier waterfront. Brian Ray Gunn: Joined the Napier Branch 23 February 1970, Left 2 May 2004. The Officers, Executive and members of the Napier Branch wish Ray well in his future endeavours and a long and happy retirement.
Code of Practice for Health and Safety in Port Operations It appears that common sense has prevailed and the implementation of this important piece of legislation has come to fruition.
Port Roundup: Port Chalmers Local 10 By Phil Adams Greetings from the South. The year has brought a busy time for both companies in the Port.
Port Chalmers Cargo Services Port Chalmers Cargo Services have been busy with fish, logs and fertiliser and the odd bit of out of Port work. With the amount of work these lads are doing, it is time to look at some permanent staff in the form of a successful cadet system in the Container Terminal.
Port Otago
In fact the ILWU in America have recently signed a six year contract to try to tie in the major clauses of their contract. As negotiations begin the members will be kept fully informed.
Stopwork Meetings and Branch Elections It is heartening to see the numbers of members that turn up for our meetings every second month is on the increase. An attendance of sixty at our last meeting bodes well for the future. It is great to the see the young members attend and take part in the debate, as well as the Port Chalmers Cargo Workers and our members from the Warehousing side. We recently held well-contested branch elections with the results: President: David Dick Vice-President: Clive Giles Secretary/Treasurer: Phil Adams Executive: Adam Law, Iain Quarrell, Michael Lysaght, Wayne Welch, Noel Currie with Peter Dungey co-opted from the sheds. Trustees: Keith Currie, Murray Gillon
So after much arguing and getting nowhere with the New Zealand based agent we contacted the Police for fear of this crew member’s life. The police warned the captain of the ship that it would be checked by police at each port it visited, in order to check on the crew. We have since been told that the crew member who complained has returned home with nothing. The question we as New Zealanders must ask is how can a New Zealand company be involved in this shocking treatment of human beings? The New Zealand joint venture company should be highlighted and asked to explain itself and this is not a one-off case. Absolutely disgraceful.
Interport 2005 Preparations are well underway for the tournament in our Port next year. A raffle is being organised on a national level to raise funds to have tourny in a small port. Winky Waugh is now the Chairman of the National Sports Committee – congratulations. Winky asks that anyone interested in helping with next year’s event to get in touch with him.
Port News The terminal is very busy with constant 3rd shifts being the norm. The strain this is putting on our members shows more staff are needed to eliminate the stress, and the officials are talking to Port Otago management regarding this issue. Three new straddles have been ordered, and with the 2 new empty container lifters should see the operation working a lot more smoothly than it currently is. The terminal is presently having problems employing casuals as work gets busier and casuals find permanent employment elsewhere. What is required is more permanent skilled staff to allow people more time off and a roster, particularly of 3rd shifts and weekends so everyone gets a turn.
Contract The officials are currently negotiating with the Port Company. 2004 is the final year of our three year contract, and a review would take place on the start of a new term for our contract. Remits from members have been taken and the negotiating team is currently working its way through them to get into a position to present them to the company. Although accepting a three year contract last time was not agreeable to all, the negotiating team believe it was the right decision as it tied in a lot of good clauses that other Ports have already lost.
Holiday Home
The holiday home is proving very popular and is full most weeks. The last year has seen its popularity increase. With winter upon us the underfloor heating will be turned on and we remind members that the temperature is set –some people kept adjusting it, nearly resulting in a disastrous fire.
ITF At our last meeting we sought people interested in doing ITF work in the port and it was good to see interest from our members. Most of the recent work has been around overseas fishing boats. One example was a joint venture vessel with New Zealand interests that broke down and was repaired in Port Chalmers. An Indonesian crew member complained to us about being beaten up and wished to be repatriated. He was like all the crew hired for two years with three months off in this time. If crew broke the contract they received no money, and what money they did receive was sent home via an agent who took his share out and left little for the crew’s family. This particular vessel had recently lost a crew member overboard.
National Executive Report
On the 5-7 April 2004, we held our first Maritime Union National Executive Meeting. The meeting took 3 days and debate was wide and varied. It was good to see all ports participate in the debates that took place, with Dave Morgan sitting in and lending advice where needed. The meeting indicates a positive future for our organisation. Before the meeting, the Executive stood for a moment’s silence as a mark of respect to the passing of Auckland Vice-President Jim Nolan. Jim was well known to members from outside his home port of Auckland, and all who knew him could not fault his commitment to his members whether in Auckland or around the country.
South Island News Two members of the Bluff branch have recently been in Dunedin hospital. The local branch visited and sent flowers to Davey Low and more recently Harry Holland. Treating them as our own is unique in the Union movement and long may it continue. We wish both men well.
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[Port Chalmers Port Roundup continued]
organisations given the talent of our retired members.
Retirements
MUA Conference
In May the branch held a retirement function for four long standing members of our branch and the seafaring side of the Union. Rex Hill, Len Hannah, Bill Brown and Ike Amas were sent into retirement and other ventures at a function at the WIC in May.
Recently I was lucky enough to attend the MUA conference in Sydney. Although this will be reported on in other areas of this magazine, I would just like to say how brilliantly the conference was run. Good speakers, and very good debate, all made for an excellent conference. Although I believe they are actually worse off than us (particularly with Casualisation and the collecting of Union Fees), you could not help but be swept up with the Australians’ positive view for the future. We can certainly learn a lot from this, as even though things may look bleak, keeping a positive attitude as the Aussies did can only be good for the Union.
Campaign At the last National Executive, it was decided to launch a campaign to highlight the problems in our industry such as contracting out, casualisation, the need for cabotage and greater Health and Safety regulations. This is a nationwide campaign aimed at involving all our members. Please get in behind it – we need to let MPs and the public know that we have put up with enough and it is now time for action. We must bring our industry back from the brink as doing nothing will see us fade into the obscurity. All members are requested to get involved, talk to their branch officials and find out more about the campaign.
It’s something we should emulate.
Mainland Recently Mainland won a contract to work a fishing boat in our Port. This meant our Branch Executive members, along with our Maritime Union communications officer Victor Billot, went into “action mode.” Newspaper articles, pressure on local companies, and general education of members but the community saw the vessel bypass the port, and thus Mainland’s return was thwarted. Many thanks to all our members and the local RMTU members who stood ready to fight for our permanent jobs in our Port. I believe Mainland will be back but given the great response to them this time, I am sure they will be resisted again.
Port News Super Fund
Members will indeed be smiling this year after our disastrous last year. This year’s return of around 14% goes a long way to satisfying us and proving that our fund can turn around and perform. What does disturb our officials in our Port is some young members have not joined the Super. This is their choice but allowing the company to keep the 7% they would pay each week into your super is giving money away. With the Death Benefit and the compulsory saving for your retirement the Super should mean all members join the scheme. Don’t delay!
Port Chalmers members at smoko
Veterans’ Association At the last meeting of the National Executive, it was decided to form a Veterans’ Association along the same lines as the highly successful Australian Maritime Veterans Association. An inaugural meeting will be held soon in Wellington with hopefully all Ports sending a representative. In our port we have some very capable retired members who could play a part in the formation of the Veterans Association. The knowledge and help to the current members will strengthen both
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Wellington members aboard the Lynx (photo by Andy Ball)
Port Roundup: Timaru
Port Roundup: Bluff
by Kevin Forde Timaru has been busy lately with fish and fertilizer. Members have been crosshired to the Port Company to work on Maersk and Tasman Orient vessels. There has not been much out of port work and Port Chalmers members have been working here as well. Sadly we have had two deaths of long standing members. Graeme Blanchard had 30 years of service and Billy Doyle had been coming up to 43 years of service. Another longstanding member has retired. Garry Kilgour was Secretary of the Union branch for many years and also ran the Medicare scheme for over 20 years. A new agreement has been signed with Turnbulls Stevedoring. The Timaru Branch will hold its AGM in June. Our members who travelled to Interport 2004 in Gisborne report that they enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
by Ray Fife With the demise of the MSC New Plymouth and P&O Taranaki, cargo volumes through the port have been greatly reduced. This in conjunction with our seasonal quiet period after the New Year has seen our members having plenty of time off, but as it goes with shipping patterns when we are working we can work up to 80 hours in a week.
MUA Conference I was fortunate to be able to attend the Maritime Union of Australia quadrennial conference in Sydney from 1419 March. Approximately three hundred delegates and invited international guests attended what was a very well organized event, the organizers made use of what modern technology has to offer to present a conference that kept the attention of all who attended. The issues the Australians and other speakers spoke on are the same issues that we are facing here, job security, casualisation, health and safety, and working conditions. Globalization and privatization, having the trade system run by big corporations and regulation of the labour market were other topics debated. Campaigns (both political and industrial) should be continuous to be effective. Success, regardless how little, is good for morale – and morale is very important in these politically sensitive times.
Maritime Union of New Zealand Vice President Joe Fleetwood presents Maritime Union National Secretary Paddy Crumlin with a gift from across the Tasman at the MUA Conference in Sydney, April 2004
All these issues, particularly since we are dealing with the same employers and shippers throughout the Pacific, need to be addressed under a wider forum. The need for closer links with other Maritime Unions within the Pacific is paramount. The conference determined that more communication and meetings will take place to ensure that we are not left behind and are able to formulate strategies to combat whatever is thrown at us.
Interport Sports 2004 Eight competitors from our branch participated in the Interport Sports tournament held in Gisbome. The results obtained are the best that has ever been achieved since our port started competing. The KereKere Canoe, representing supremacy in the 6 man teams event, was jointly won by Bluff and New Plymouth. The team consisted of Alan Lindsay, Paul Pou, Tom Morgan. Peter Waddel, Ray Fife and Terry Osborne. Alan Lindsay won the “Rare Cup 54 hole gross” and was the winner for the “Tareha Cup for 4 Ball pairs”. Ray Fife won the “George Walker 54 hole Stableford.” Peter Fincher enjoyed success in the Indoor Sports, being part of a winning team in the darts pairs, winning the doubles in the Snooker and gaining third place in the doubles of the 8 Ball.
Retirement We recently had another send off for one of our members who decided to call it a day after 30 years in the industry. Vic Harding was a well liked hard working member and we wish him all the best in his retirement.
Ross and Keith Tangney of Bluff Branch on the ‘Relay for Life’ held in Invercargill on 6–7 March 2004. Sponsored by the Bluff Branch, they raised approximately $1200 (photo by Harry Holland)
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Vice President’s Report by Joe Fleetwood Kia Ora Comrades. A delegation of ten from the Maritime Union of New Zealand were invited to attend the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) National Conference in March 2004. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin called upon Aboriginal leader Kevin Tory to welcome all to Australia. A short video on past and present struggles was shown, and Paddy then invited Leader of the Australian Labor Party (and hopefully next Prime Minister) Mark Latham to open the Conference. Mr Latham spoke positively on many of the ALP’s shipping resolutions, including: • the need for a strong, viable shipping industry • employing Australian workers under the Australian flag • to renew the ALP commitment to retain cabotage • a full review of the single and continual Voyage Permit System, which the Howard Government has exploited • ensuring Australian seafarers working in the international trade are not disadvantaged • consideration of a tonnage tax regime • to seriously look into all vessels involved in salvage and towage services • the abolishment of Australian Workers’ Agreements (AWAs – individual contracts) • reintroduce collective bargaining and strong guidelines for good faith bargaining The ALP also recognizes the ITF Flag of Convenience ‘Ships of Shame’ campaign, and supports national and international seafarers’ human, industrial and social rights, committing to a better life for the majority, not the minority. Let’s hope Mr Latham is a man of his word, as there is no doubt in my mind our MUA comrades will strive to keep the ALP honest and accountable. ACTU Secretary Greg Combet stressed ‘the time is now’ for the Union movement to stand up and fight as a collective. We must: • defeat the disgraceful attacks of the Howard Government on workers • educate and show commitment to the young
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• address all social commitments at home and at work • pressure employers on the need for maternity leave MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin’s report began with a short video in honour of a true defender of the working class, Tas Bull. You may be gone, comrade, but never forgotten, and remembered for a lifetime dedicated to fighting the class struggle. Paddy and other national officials unveiled the MUA’s four year plan to carry the Union into the future, making all members accountable for the progress and stability of the Union. This is a nationally-based approach, consisting of branch responsibilities, membership commitment, strong financial management, union growth, job security, campaigning, casualization, deregulation, and supporting workerdriven communities, along with a need to recognize the enemy and recognize the importance of global solidarity. It was refreshing to listen to the many highly respected international speakers from the world Union movement, including the ITF’s David Cockroft message of solidarity, Steve Cotton (ITF “No place to hide” campaign), CFMEU leader John Maitland, Tony Maher (very inspirational) and ‘Big Bob’ McEllrath from the ILWU – his name speaks volumes There were many other international presentations from international comrades from Vanuatu, Vietnam, Holland, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, America, East Timor and New Zealand, who all stressed the need for international solidarity. Your struggle is our struggle. News of the death of a comrade from East Timor saddened the conference. He died on the job, while working for a company that exploits their workers by paying them $1 an hour. On the strength of international solidarity, nearly $3000 was collected and forwarded with our condolences to the worker’s family. The MUA renewed their commitment to help fight for the rights of indigenous people, and there was a strong push from speakers Karen Leavy and Sue Virago to recognize the need for more women in predominantly male dominated work areas. Remits were put to the conference on these matters and endorsed by all.
Retired Union stalwart Bill Bodenham reported back to Conference regarding the veterans of our Unions, and the establishment of the Retired National Veterans Union. I commend all past and present veterans for leading the way forward. Thank you, comrades. A meeting between MUNZ and MUA officials to discuss strategies and tactics on dealing with Toll Holdings was very beneficial, as well as a discussion between Australian and international officials on the upcoming workshop/conference which may be held in San Francisco, April 2005. CFMEU delegate John Maitland accepted the task of putting together a draft copy of the proposed conference, to be distributed to all unions involved. The honour of lifetime membership of the MUA was bestowed upon former Maritime Union president Dave Morgan for his tireless dedication to the working class struggle. The presentation of a Taiaha (Maori fighting stick) was made to MUA National secretary Paddy Crumlin on behalf of MUNZ. I would like to thank our brothers and sisters of the MUA for inviting us to participate in this historical gathering of maritime workers from around the world. It was a true example of international solidarity and the internationalism that we must defend vigorously. In unity, Joe Fleetwood National Vice President Kia kaha, tatau tatau (Be strong,we are all one)
Control room, Port Botany
Letters
Regional Contacts
Maritime Campaign
Maritime campaign 2
I would like to give all my support to this campaign and I am fully aware how these issues are having a negative effect on all New Zealanders. I feel that if only the public were truly aware of what is taking place in their own small country, there would be a lot more support. You and I both know there is still the same image viewed by most New Zealanders about the Unions, but feel that given all the facts they would support the campaign as well. I have worked as a casual at Tauranga Wharf for the last four years but still feel as unsure about the future as I did when I first started even though I have been a reliable capable worker. Even among my casual work mates there is conflict as they are as unsure of their future as I am, which makes people take what they can before thinking about other workers. That unsureness has put me in the situation of working more than I want in some weeks as there is no way of knowing what next week will bring. I hope to gather support from all that I talk to and wish you luck in saving New Zealand’s shipping industry.
The Merchant Navy Association (Wellington branch) held a committee meeting on 15 March 2004 and from this meeting it was moved unanimously that $500.00 be deposited into the Cabotage Campaign Fund. The committee has mainly veteran members, of whom many are not fully conversant with present day maritime matters, but we are pleased to say we do have two committee members who are up with the present day problems regards seafarers. Our organisation has benefited from the ITF in our earlier concept as an Association and is for purpose of welfare. Wishing all the best in the campaigning ahead. Ian Dymock President/Secretary Merchant Navy Association (Wellington Branch)
Jenny Pountney
Whangarei Mobile: 021 855 121 Fax: 09 459 4972 Address: PO Box 397, Whangarei Auckland Seafarers Phone: 09 3032 562 Fax: 09 3790 766 Mobile: 021 326 261 Address: PO Box 1840, Auckland Email: garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz Auckland Local 13 Phone: 09 3034 652 Fax: 09 3096 851 Mobile: 021 760 887 Address: PO Box 2645, Auckland Email: local13@munz.org.nz Mount Maunganui Phone: 07 5755 668 Fax: 07 5759 043 Mobile: 025 782 308 Address: PO Box 5121, Mt. Maunganui Email: phil.spanswick@munz.org.nz Gisborne Local 38 Mobile: 025 6499 697 Address: 5 Murphy Road,Gisborne Email: dein.ferris@munz.org.nz New Plymouth Phone: 06 7589 728 Fax: 06 7513 646 Mobile: 027 2755458 Address: PO Box 659, New Plymouth Email: shane.parker@munz.org.nz Napier Phone/Fax: Mobile: Address: Email:
06 8358 622 025 2174 289 PO Box 70, Napier bill.connelly@munz.org.nz
Wellington Seafarers Phone: 04 3859 288 Fax: 04 3848 766 Mobile: 021 481 242 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington Email: mike.williams@muno.org.nz Wellington Waterfront Phone: 04 3859 288 Fax: 04 3848 766 Mobile: 021 606 379 Address: PO Box 2773, Wellington Email: john.whiting@muno.org.nz Wellington Stores and Warehouse Local 21 Phone: 04 3859 520 Fax: 04 3848 766 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington Nelson Phone/Fax: 03 548 7778 Address: PO Box 5016, Nelson
We want your ideas! The Maritimes welcomes contributions from members around New Zealand. Letters, articles and photos can be sent in – they can be about on the job topics, personal interests, sport, history, politics, social events, in fact anything you like. Please send to: ‘The Maritimes’, PO Box 27004, Wellington, New Zealand or email victor.billot@munz.org.nz or fax 03 4822 179 or phone 021 171 0911
Lyttelton Local 43 Phone: 03 3288 306 Fax: 03 3288 798 Mobile: 0274 329 620 Address: PO Box 29, Lyttelton Email: lwwu@xtra.co.nz Timaru Phone/Fax: 03 6843 364 Mobile: 021 2991 091 Address: PO Box 813, Timaru Port Chalmers Dunedin Local 10 Phone: 03 4728 052 Fax: 03 4727 492 Mobile: 027 437 7601 Address: PO Box 44, Port Chalmers Email: phil.adams@munz.org.nz Bluff Phone/Fax: Mobile: Address: Email:
03 2128 189 027 4475 317 PO Box 5, Bluff ray.fife@munz.org.nz
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