Wellington By Jim King COVID KiwiRail–Interisland Line With the return of COVID, for KiwiRail–Interisland Line there were a few hiccups at the beginning when New Zealand went into Level 4. There were a lot of issues pertaining to rostering, and crew entitlements to Paid Pandemic Special Leave etc. KiwiRail were pleased to report that the company has settled in to a steady rhythm of work, despite the threats and distractions that the Delta variant of COVID-19 was presenting, especially to those in Auckland. KR continue to be impacted by staff needing to isolate, but that is so far being managed within teams. The ferries, freight services, are still continuing throughout the Covid Alert Levels 2 and 4. A couple of ferry services were cancelled due to breakdowns etc, this was compounded by a locomotive falling into Picton ferry berth along with two wagons. If that wasn’t enough, the scheduled dry dock for the Aratere was delayed by a week, due to the Kaitaki’s gearbox breaking down. The end of August and the start of September was not a good period. KiwiRail are currently working on ways to speed up vaccinations for staff. There were about 160 of Interislander staff vaccinated in a special clinic in the Interislander Departures terminal in Wellington. The company were saying they have more vaccinations available than we have arms to jab. KiwiRail Wage Negotiations The first set of wage round talks is set down for 21 September. The MUNZ remit team was due to convene in our branch office to go over the remits on 2 September, but this was deferred due to COVID. Therefore, the MUNZ remit committee were emailed a copy of the remits and had been asked to have a good look over them. They have now come back to me with a full set of final claims to go to the employer. OSM Peter Cranney is in the process of writing to OSM to ask them just exactly what contract were the MUA members employed under. There seems to be some confusion over just exactly which entitlement these members were receiving when the Siem Amethyst was working here in New Zealand waters back in April.
Swire’s – Offshore Solutions MUNZ attended a mediation hearing on 23 August. This was to address issues surrounding our members that need to attend refresher STCW training courses at their own cost. We have now reached a confidential settlement and now consider this matter with Swire’s closed. We now look forward to working with the remainder of the OEG to have constructive dialogue about recompensing members who are required to pay for their refresher courses while being employed with their company’s/manning agents. StraitNZ (Bluebridge/Vessels) After a series of ratification meetings in August, the members voted to accept the company’s offer. Bluebridge are currently looking for casual AB seafarers, along with Hospitality staff who hold the relevant STCW certificates. If your interested in a bit of casual work, please contact me. Trainees The branch is looking for keen and interested young people who would like to go onto our trainee database. Names are very slow to come in. I have asked many times at our stop work meetings, National Council, and through the branch newsletter, and still not having much success. Therefore, please ask your family and friends if they would like to be considered to ship out as a trainee. If so please have them submit their CV to me so I can put their names into our database. Obituaries Maurice Robertson (IR) Maurice was a long-standing member of our Union, was actively involved as a delegate and also a very good Health and Safety Rep. Maurice was also my watchmate on the Arahura for a couple of years, and was a very fine watchmate and seafarer. Be at peace brother. John Coombs Former National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia and a massively important figure in the MUA and the broader union movement in Australia and internationally, John spent his life representing the interests of working people whom he cared for deeply.
