Light at the End of the Funnel?

Port Round Up by Fiona Mansell

Union Training

CPL: With negotiations it has been a bit slow getting a date organised to meet with the company and all three union officials/ delegates. However after a few attempts I have managed to lock in Friday 26 August where we are all free to talk and exchange remits. There have been plenty of disciplinaries with a wide range of issues going on at the port. C3: There have been plenty of opportunities to meet with Masterton and Wellington members which has been a great learning experience for me, especially with the Agreement expiring in a couple of months. In August I am heading up to Tauranga to sit in on their negotiations as an observer. There is plenty of work to be done in this space regarding improving conditions, pay rates and roster patterns. I still can’t get over how poor their roster system is and how these workers must make themselves available 24/7. If that is not bad enough, they often have their shifts cancelled at very short notice or rescheduled with little or worse still no compensation for that cancelled shift.

KR-IIL: A lot going on as always, mostly crew complaints about management. On that note, if any one of our members feels the need to lay a formal complaint against any person whom they work with or employed by, they are strongly encouraged to write it up and sign it and send it through to either myself and Jimmy so we are kept informed and of course support you through the process. I have recently had crew sign off on a complaint as a group which I have sent through however the company have come back to me and said that they need specific crew to sign the complaint before they can take it any further. Totally understand that crew do not want to due to repercussions. I would like to facilitate union train- Health and Safety or Zero harm ing courses for anyone interested. processes have been a bit of shambles Dates are as follows: lately with incorrect information getting Thursday 22 September passed on. There have been a few inciThursday 29 September dences on board recently that have been Tuesday 4 October poorly handled. If any of our workers Time 0930–1430 have an injury at work, please find a shipVenue: Conference Room, Level One, board delegate immediately to assist you MUNZ National Office, Waterside through the process or ring someone at House, 220 Willis Street, Wellington IIL office. One would think the CSMs Topics covered include: would be enough to assist, this has not Union History always been the case. The role of the delegate Inductions for new Cabin Attendants, Dealing with workplace issues Cooks and Stewards have started and we Disciplinary processes are coming up to our third with two more Communicating to go. It is great to see recruitment slowly Available resources happening Lunch and refreshments will be provided for the day. Please contact me on the details below with the date that best suits you: Fiona Mansell Assistant Branch Secretary Email fiona.mansell@munz.org.nz Mobile 021573244

RUSSELL MAYN AUCKLAND BRANCH SECRETARY

Given the loss of the two New Zealand crewed Tankers, the announcement that Maersk will be placing the Maersk Nadi and the Maersk Nansha on the New Zealand Coast is indeed welcome news. Both of these vessels will offer a dedicated New Zealand coastal container service, currently Swire’s have the MV Moana Chief operating as a New Zealand flagged vessel dedicated to containers. Swire’s have also just announced the introduction of a further vessel to supplement the MV Moana Chief. This 1300 TEU vessel is due sometime around September this year. The introduction of this vessel has been made possible with the assistance of the Labour Government.

The Minister of Transport Michael Wood announced on 24 May that $30 million has been committed to coastal shipping through the National Land Transport Programme. The four successful applicants for this funding were Aotearoa Shipping Alliance, Coastal Bulk Shipping Ltd, Move International Ltd and Swire Shipping NZ Ltd.

I cannot remember the last time new tonnage arrived on our doorstep. Finally Government, logistics companies and industry players have recognised the benefits that a vibrant, efficient well-resourced coastal shipping service can offer.

Coastal shipping can and will deliver an environmentally friendly option, we have no other option than to reduce carbon emissions and moving cargo by sea ticks all the boxes.

Not only are there the benefits to the environment but there is the long term sustainable benefits of a reliable, efficient sustainable transport mode that meets the test. No roads to maintain, able to function when natural disasters affect us, a future proofed service to move exports and imports across New Zealand.

The challenge for our industry is to make sure that we have fully trained seafarers going forward to man existing and new vessels as current seafarers retire. This is a great opportunity for young Kiwi’s to have an opportunity to forge a future in the Maritime Industry.

We must thank the Labour Party as the first Government in recent times to take positive steps to rejuvenate the shipping industry in New Zealand, in saying that congratulations also need to go to the union for the campaign that has been put in place to bring this to fruition.

For the first time in many years there is light at the end of the funnel. The challenge for us is to make good on the progress to date, continue to lobby for extra tonnage and protections from unfair competition on the coast, and promote an international Kiwi based service so our exporters are not at the mercy of foreign policies and price gouging.