International Dockerworkers Council (IDC

Maritime Union affiliates to International Dockworkers Council (IDC)

New Zealand’s maritime workers have affiliated to a global organization of dockworkers.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand voted at its July 2022 National Council meeting to affiliate to the International Dockworkers Council.

The National Council was addressed by IDC Asia–Oceania representative Paul Keating, who is the Secretary of the Sydney Branch of the Maritime Union of Australia.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the affiliation is a natural progression for the Union.

“Dockers and waterfront workers have very close international bonds as a result of us all being part of the first globalized industry, maritime transport.”

He says common issues faced by dockworkers throughout the world included automation, technological changes, hostile anti-worker laws, health and safety, privatization, and GNTs (global network terminal operators.)

Mr Harrison says building international unity amongst workers was a priority for the IDC.

The MUNZ affiliation to the IDC is complementary to the affiliation of the Maritime Union to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF.)

The IDC (International Dockworkers Council) was formed in 2000 following the struggle of the Liverpool Dockers in the 1990s. In 2022, the IDC has over 140,000 dockworkers and port workers in its ranks globally.

The IDC is an association formed by organizations of dockworkers from all over the world. It is defined by its basic principles as being a united, independent, democratic, assembly-based working-class organization.

The IDC objectives are to support member unions in winning and maintaining appropriate labor standards and working conditions in the sector for all port workers worldwide, to create a network of international solidarity in defense of the profession and to actively participate as an international movement of workers standing up to the economic globalization of businesses in the sector.

Globally, the IDC is the only international organization that coordinates and directly brings together dockworkers’ unions. https://www.idcdockworkers.org/

From left: MUNZ National Vice President Josh Greer, MUNZ Assistant National Secretary Ray Fife, IDC Asia–Oceania Representative Paul Keating of the MUA, MUNZ National Secretary Craig Harrison, and MUNZ National President Carl Findlay, at the MUNZ National Council July 2022.

Maritime Union of New Zealand Lyttelton Branch Midwinter Party 2022, The Loons Club, Lyttelton

GARY HORAN

Lyttelton

Death at LPC Lyttelton tragically has added to the status of the maritime industry as some of the most dangerous workplaces in the country. Lyttelton branch member Don Grant was killed on Anzac Day while performing the role of hatchman on a coal vessel in Lyttelton. Historically this role has had few serious incidents over the years. It highlights that even the safest roles can be dangerous and we can never become complacent.

While we don’t know the results of the investigation yet, some general observations attending the scene of the accident were that serious issues were visible.

This was a very large ship, and even when loading was nearing completion, the ship was still high out of the water.

This would have had an impact of the vision between the hatchman and coal loader operator.

The coal loading operation machinery has been there for years and the question is whether it is still suitable for the facility.

Regardless, we must remain vigilant in performing any role on the waterfront or at sea. Member illness I had a phone call recently from a member who has a terminal illness and has not long to live. He has been off sick at LPC since November and they have paid him out the $50 000 payout they do for any employee who dies or is dying.

LPC have been trying to end his employment off their roster because they have no more financial obligation to him but if they do he loses his death benefit from the super. This was causing him unwanted stress at a time when he needs to concentrate on other things.

Craig has assured me the Maritime Retirement Scheme (super fund) is going to tidy this up. A member with a terminal illness should be contacted by the fund and assured their entitlement is being honoured.

It is hard having these discussions with members who are in this situation, and even though we are assuring them verbally a letter is much better at easing any anxiety. Lyttelton Port Company LPC are continuing to employ more people in all areas and our recruitment team of Gerard, Shanaya, Jake and Steve are doing a great job in growing our membership.

Gerard and I were approached by LPC Board Chair Margaret Devlin if we would be interviewed by the recruitment company who are handling the replacement of Roger Gray as CEO.

This is the first time I know where a Union has been asked for their input on such a senior role.

The High Performance/High Engagement meetings are rolling along and we are at this stage taking it as it comes. We are hanging in on this if we can see some positive results for our members, and if we don’t then we will pull the pin.

At a meeting recently we did a presentation on the role and history of our Union. Taking questions from some of the management team at the end they were obviously surprised of how much we do as a Union and the alliances we have here in New Zealand and around the world.

RoadKill (aka Mike Searle) has resigned as our branch Vice President and as a member of the union to take up the role of health and safety officer at inland ports for LPC. Steve Thompson has resumed the role of Vice President until our election in November.

We wish Mike well in his new career and thank him for his dedicated service to the union over the years. C3 We have lost all our permanents at C3 as they both retired and there are no perms there now only casuals. They are only doing cars, most of their staff are retirees and have no interest in joining the union. We only have about 8 casuals there now. SSA SSA are recruiting as well and are quite busy. They have a new manager. We are having some interpretation problems with the collective as we do with most Collectives, and we need to have strong and clear wording.

It’s hard trying to get our members to understand this company has some serious issues retaining contracts against ISO and ISL when the company is constantly making changes without real consultation.

The Collective Agreement expires here in October and we will be bargaining towards August.

The Tunnel Control CA has just expired and we are in bargaining now.

After one round its clear that the aim of clawing back some wage increases to off set inflation is not going to be easy. Seafarers At our last report we had been lauding Holcim for offering a trainee role to a young local the grandson of an ex seafarer.

The company have reneged on this offer and apparently told the young man they wanted the union to contribute half his wages. I have had no correspondence with the company about this and I’m sure Jimmy hasn’t either, so I will follow up when I am back at work after my knee operation.

Ex seafarer Mike Will has joined LPC as a cargo handler. It’s good to still have Mike in the union as he has been a great seafarer rep on the executive for many years.

The announcement of the new coastal shipping services is a great achievement and the branch wants to thank Craig, Russell and Jimmy for the great work they did in securing this. Branch news We had our midwinter function at the Loons recently and it was a great night had by all. I was a bit dusty the next morning.

The branch would like to thank Ray Fife, Josh Greer and Fiona Mansell for attending from Bluff, Port Chalmers and Wellington.

The recent rain here caused a bit of damage to our property in Akaroa. The creek flooded and was washing right across the section causing damage to the drive and the wind felled a tree that hit a neighbouring house.

We have a great executive in the village and they all contribute to the running of the office. My contract runs out in two years’ time and I will be 67 then so will probably not stand again. We will have to look for a replacement for me, and at present the role is only 24 hours which makes it hard to attract a current member into the role. This is something we have to consider going forward.