Maritimes December 2007

Maritimes The

Issue 20 • December 2007

Magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand

ISSN 1176-3418

On the line

at Ports of Auckland

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 1

What’s going on at the Port of Napier?

Twenty five permanent and 60 casual jobs are under threat because Port of Napier management are undermining job security, wages and conditions through contracting out.

These workers make a massive contribution to Hawke’s Bay through their work, their earnings and their skills.

Yet they are being treated as disposable. It’s not good enough.

The Port of Napier calls itself “our port.” It is “our port” – owned by the people of Hawke’s Bay.* The Port of Napier has a responsibility towards its workers and the Hawke’s Bay community.

We need secure jobs and a stable workforce at the Port of Napier, for the future of the port and the future of Hawke’s Bay – “our future.”

It’s not too late. We are campaigning to make sure that no jobs are lost and that the Port of Napier starts to act like a responsible publicly-owned business.

How you can help!

To send an automatic email message to Port of Napier CEO Garth Cowie to show your support for secure jobs, visit this website: www.labourstart.org/munz To keep up with the latest news on our campaign website, visit: www.portofnapier.info

* Hawke’s Bay Regional Council own 92% of the Port’s shares, with the remaining 8% held by horizons.mw (formerly Manawatu Wanganui Regional Council). Source: http://www.portofnapier.biz/pdf/Ownership.pdf

2 | The Maritimes | December 2007

www.munz.org.nz

EDITORIAL

Standing together gets results

Edition 20, December 2007

Contents Port of Napier campaign Editorial and contents General Secretary’s report Update from National President Ports of Auckland dispute Port of Napier dispute Coastal Shipping comeback Terry Ryan Terror raids CTU Biennial Conference MUA meeting “On the line” Local 13 photo special ITF Women’s report ITF Seafarers Section Electoral Finance Bill Port roundups Obituaries Local contacts

2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 18 19 20 21 22 30 31

by Victor Billot Maritimes’ Editor

Ports of Auckland dispute page 6

Getting active

‘The Maritimes’ is published quarterly by the Maritime Union of New Zealand.

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 Editor: Victor Billot Mobile: 021 482219 Fax: 09 9251125 Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz Mail: PO Box 339, Dunedin New Zealand Editorial Board: Trevor Hanson, Phil Adams, Garry Parsloe and Russell Mayn Deadline for all Port reports, submissions, photos and letters: 1 March 2008 for next edition Cover photo of Local 13 members on the Ports of Auckland pickets, 2–4 October 2007, by Simon Oosterman of the National Distribution Union For more online photos, see www.flickr.com/ndu Thanks to our photographers: Simon Oosterman, Terry Ryan, Garry Parsloe, Jay, Kathy Whelan, Julie Howard and others

In an interconnected world, workers must unite across borders, educate ourselves about the world around us, and actively support each other in times of need.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has recently been involved in disputes with employers. In October there were strikes at the Ports of Auckland. Our union and our pickets received good support from other unions.

The Maritime Union is also currently campaigning in the Port of Napier to keep secure local jobs.

We have received good support from the wider union movement, including the Council of Trade Unions, International Transport Workers’ Federation and our fellow maritime unions overseas.

We have also received support from the international workers’ website, Labourstart, based in London, which has set up an email campaign for us on their website (see opposite page).

Port of Napier dispute page 8

Contact the Maritime Union National Office Telephone: 04 3850 792 Fax: 04 3848 766 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington Office administrator: Ramesh Pathmanathan Email: ramesh@muno.org.nz General Secretary: Trevor Hanson Direct dial: 04 8017 614 Mobile: 021 390585 Email: trevor.hanson@muno.org.nz National President: Phil Adams Direct dial: 03 4728 052 Mobile: 0274 377601 Email: phil.adams@munz.org.nz National Vice President: Garry Parsloe Direct dial: 09 3032 562 Mobile: 021 326261 Email: garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz Assistant General Secretary: Russell Mayn Direct dial: 09 3034 652 Mobile: 021 760886 Email: russell@munz.org.nz ITF Inspectorate: Kathy Whelan Direct dial: 04 8017 613 Mobile: 021 666405 Email: kathy.whelan@muno.org.nz

There is one important thing to remember at this stage.

With all this help we are getting, it should be noted that every Maritime Union branch in New Zealand should be ready and willing to support other workers in their struggles.

This means being active, getting down to pickets in person, using our initiative and not just waiting for someone else to do it. We have an obligation as union members to get involved.

The great danger for any union is for members to become disconnected from the union and to merely see it as a kind of glorified insurance scheme.

In reality, the union is a living breathing organism, made up of real people doing real jobs. By coming together in a democratic, open and active union we are part of a collective. The best way to sum up this philosophy is the old slogan: “Touch One, Touch All.” If an injury is done to one worker, then that injury is felt by all. By standing together, we can get results.

Our society encourages the “look after number one” mentality and this attitude can creep into the Union as well. This suits employers because as soon as workers are divided against each other, there is only one winner. That winner is not the worker.

The days of “standing alone” are over, if they ever existed. We need to be able to reach out to other workers for help, and return their help.

Maritime workers play a leadership role Maritime workers have always been an international group, and we can draw on strong traditions of militant unionism, progressive radical politics and a broad outlook as we take a leadership role in the workers’ movement.

The key issues we face as a union are political awareness, education, the development of our younger members so they can step up to leadership positions, regular union stopwork meetings and the promotion of a union culture on and off the job.

We have been handed down a remarkable organization by the workers who came before us and who fought hard for the wages and conditions we have achieved. Our responsibility is to maintain and improve our union for the generations to come.

Communications Officer: Victor Billot Mobile: 021 482219 Fax: 09 9251125 Address: PO Box 339, Dunedin Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 3

COMMENT

Industrial front heating up for summer

by Trevor Hanson General Secretary After a relative spell of calm on the industrial front this year, events have picked up speed over the last couple of months.

Maritime Union members have taken industrial action at the Ports of Auckland and as we go to print it appears more of the same will be happening in Napier.

National President Phil Adams will write more about these events in his column in this edition of the Maritimes.

As always, the right of working people to withdraw their labour is the key here and is a vital tool in our ongoing quest for good wages, terms and conditions in the workplace.

Maritime Union national executive meets The Maritime Union held its six monthly national executive meeting in Wellington from 19-20 November. Representatives from all ports attended the meeting. Much of the discussion was about the industrial actions in Auckland and Napier.

“The right of working people to withdraw their labour is a vital tool in our ongoing quest for good wages, terms and conditions in the workplace”

4 | The Maritimes | December 2007

We welcomed David Schleibs and Len Covell as observers from the Maritime Union of Australia to the meeting.

We also had a couple of younger delegates attend, Bradley Clifford and Tania Kahui from Wellington Branch, which was good to see.

Two members from the Port of Napier attended the meeting as well. Brendon Morris and Nathan Owen were able to give a rank and file perspective on events in the Hawke’s Bay.

Terrorism The recent furore about “terrorist threats” in New Zealand has been of concern to the Maritime Union. While the full story has not yet come out, the Maritime Union (as well as the CTU) is opposed to the Terrorism Suppression Act. The TSA in our view is simply a response to the George W. Bush led “war on terror” and is aimed at smoothing relations with such people rather than any situation within New Zealand.

If individuals are involved in violence or planning violence, there is already law in place that covers that in New Zealand.

At the political level, terrorism is often the result of political, social or economic problems that have not been dealt with.

In the end, a solution to violence can only be found when all people in the world have access to a decent standard of living.

This brings us to our main concern.

Where will the line be drawn in “terrorist acts”?

Will industrial action or pickets be seen as “terrorism” – especially if they involve international parties such as global maritime operators?

What effect will free trade agreements have on the way we deal with such issues?

These questions have not been answered in a satisfactory way.

Another way of looking at the situation is that the largest acts of terrorism that have taken place in the world are acts of state terrorism – the wars and invasions started by governments, and actions of violence taken against citizens by repressive governments.

It is worth remembering that the only act of terrorism that has taken place on New Zealand soil is the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior, by agents of the French Government.

CTU biennial conference The CTU Biennial Conference was held in Wellington in October.

The Maritime Union attended and a report from National Vice President Garry Parsloe is included in this edition of the Maritimes.

The conference also saw the election of new CTU President, Helen Kelly.

We welcome Helen into her new job and look forward to working with her.

Crane safety The union has attended meetings held by Maritime New Zealand on the issue of crane safety. The issue of creeping cranes has come up with Tasman Orient Line, especially with the Tasman Trader and Pathfinder.

We ask any members who experience problems on these or any other vessels to notify their branch and the national office of the Union as soon as possible.

If necessary work should be stopped on health and safety grounds.

Australian elections The Maritime Union welcomes the landslide election of a Labor Government in Australia. On some key issues such as “Work Choices” (John Howard’s version of the Employment Contracts Act), global warming and the Iraq War, the Labor Party are sounding very good. Howard is gone.

After the celebrations comes the hard work.

The change of a government is important but it doesn’t remove the need for unions to independently organize and keep speaking out for workers’ interests.

We can be sure that strong Australian unions such as the MUA and CFMEU will be continuing the fight.

In 2008 it will be the turn of New Zealand’s workers to decide the future.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand wishes all members, friends and families a safe and happy Christmas, New Year and summer.

www.munz.org.nz

COMMENT

Port companies have a social responsibility

by Phil Adams National President The Maritime Union has seen major industrial action over the past few months.

These events are featured in this issue of the Maritimes.

There have been a number of other matters affecting the Union, including the coastal shipping strategy, health and safety issues around cranes, and a number of important meetings for the Maritime Union both on the national and international level.

Auckland Waterfront Auckland Local 13 have engaged their employer over wage rates. The Ports of Auckland management tried some unusual tactics in the dispute including paying money into workers accounts, based on what management thought they should be getting as a wage rise.

You wonder what is going on in the boardroom to justify the managers’ enormous salaries when they come up with ideas like that.

The members at Local 13 stuck together through the dispute which involved rolling stoppages and a two-day strike in October. This issue of the Maritimes features an article and a photo special on the dispute.

Congratulations to Local 13 for a strong, disciplined and well-organized industrial action.

At the time of writing, no resolution had been reached and negotiations continue.

Port of Napier As I write, it appears we may be heading for problems at the Port of Napier. The Port company management have decided to contract out container stevedoring to ISO, the Tauranga anti-union stevedores.

The Maritime Union is mobilizing nationally and sending out the word to our international affiliates about this situation.

We have no intention of letting one irresponsible port company start a process of contracting out and further casualization in the maritime industry.

www.munz.org.nz

Worse still, the Port Company is owned by the people of Hawke’s Bay through their Regional Council. Yet they seem to have no concept of their responsibility towards local workers.

The idea that you can dump a workforce at the flick of a switch is unacceptable and the managers behind this decision should be ashamed of themselves.

The workers affected at Hawke’s Bay Stevedoring Services look forward to an uncertain future in the New Year. This is a skilled, hard-working and experienced group, who have generated the profits of the Port Company.

It’s about time we started running things for the benefit of the people who do the work.

The message we are sending the Port of Napier management is that they have the chance to change their ways. If they choose to trample over maritime workers, then they will be creating a situation that they will regret for a very long time.

The Port of Napier management need to be put on notice and we will be making sure they have a chance to consider their actions over December.

Shipping review The release of a government report into coastal shipping has been long awaited by the union.

We were happy to see recognition of the need to promote coastal shipping and believe that the report shows a good way forward. Coastal shipping is poised for a major comeback as growing congestion, fuel prices and the environmental impact of road transport increases.

The key issues the Maritime Union will be looking for is an integrated shipping system that offers quality, well-paid jobs and builds up a well-trained workforce from the new generation coming through.

International meetings Three national officials of the Maritime Union, Phil Adams, Russell Mayn and Garry Parsloe, attended the National Council Meeting of the Maritime Union of Australia in Sydney in October.

This was an informative meeting and a full report by Garry Parsloe is in this edition of the Maritimes.

In April 2008, we will be sending a substantial delegation of officials and rank and file members to the MUA National Conference, as well as the Mining and Maritime Conference.

The continuing close working relationship we have with the MUA is of great benefit to both Unions and we look forward to their 2008 Conference.

Congratulations are also due to the MUA and the Australian workers and union movement for their removal of John Howard and replacement by a more worker-friendly Labor Government in Australia.

Our Union was also represented by National Vice President Garry Parsloe at the ITF Seafarers Section Maritime Safety Committee meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October.

Thank you to all members and officials of the Maritime Union of New Zealand for your continuing support and hard work for the Union, and all the best for the New Year.

“We have no intention of letting one irresponsible port company start a process of contracting out and further casualization in the maritime industry”

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 5

NEWS

National Distribution Union members join the Ports of Auckland pickets, 2 October 2007 (photo by Simon Oosterman)

Auckland Local 13 strike Maritime workers from Auckland Waterfront Branch Local 13 at Ports of Auckland say their industrial action is about getting a fair share of the profit their hard work generates.

Around 250 workers at the Ports of Auckland went on strike for 48 hours on 2 October. They carried out rolling strikes on Tuesday 9 October, Wednesday 17 October and Monday 22 October (Labour Day).

These stoppages were for a symbolic 3.25 hours each.

This was a reflection of the workers’ feelings on the actions of the employer and the 3.25% wage increase they were trying to force workers to accept.

6 | The Maritimes | December 2007

Maritime Union Auckland Waterfront Branch Local 13 President Denis Carlisle says that maritime workers are the engine driving the success of New Zealand’s biggest container port.

“Ports of Auckland volume is up 12.6% over last year.

Our workers handled the equivalent of 773,160 standardized containers last year. The growth of the port is due to the productivity, skills and round the clock shifts of maritime workers.”

Mr Carlisle says workers productivity and increased living costs are not reflected in pay offers from management.

He says management have blundered by trying to bypass wage negotiations and paying wage increases that had not been agreed to.

“Ports of Auckland started to make extra unauthorized payments into our members bank accounts of the amount they feel we are worth.”

Mr Carlisle said this tactic was clearly designed to undermine genuine negotiations.

“Obviously the workers see this tactic for what it is, and are united and determined to see a good outcome arrived at by genuine negotiation, not by managers trying to bypass the process.”

“We want upfront negotiations to get a deal that both sides agree to. Not ‘pocket money.’

It‘s about respect.”

He says some of the key issues behind the workers’ action are pay claims, including back pay from 30 November 2006, and a no-cost claim that seeks to bring a small group of Planner/Supervisors and Cargo Officers to join the Collective Agreement.

Local 13 entered into a “facilitation” process in November 2007 at the request of the Port Company.

The results weren’t satisfactory to workers.

Local 13 thanks all individuals, branches and unions who have sent in messages of solidarity and support for their struggle.

www.munz.org.nz

NEWS

Workers united in their cause Workers at Ports of Auckland have been united in their cause and include both older and newer members of the union.

Gordon Kopu (58) has worked on the Auckland waterfront for 31 years.

He currently works at Axis Fergusson terminal as a stevedore, driving container and ship cranes and straddles, lashing ships and as a foreman.

For 14 of those years he has been on the union branch executive.

He’s been married for 36 years, has four children, and says he has two families – “my own family and my Union family.”

He says he believes that people who work together and socialize together work well together.

“I make sure we have socials, touch and rugby league down here, so we work well together and make a strong union.”

As a picket captain during the recent two day strike, he says his job is to “make sure everyone toes the line.”

“It’s good for the newer members to be on the picket so they learn about why they are there and how to behave.”

He says the way management has acted has helped the Union.

“It’s pushed people towards us.”

Carl Findlay (39) is one of the younger members at Ports of Auckland’s Axis Bledisloe terminal.

A straddle driver and foreman, he has worked on the waterfront for over five years and previously worked contracting for the Power Board.

He says shifts at the Ports of Auckland run from 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm and 11pm-7am, around the clock seven days a week.

He says the actions of the Port Company had created a negative reaction with workers.

“The blokes had a gutsful and were ready to rumble.”

As a delegate and union executive member, Carl was a picket captain at the two day strike in October as well.

He says it was a good experience.

“There was good public support and the blokes were really buoyant.”

“The whole thing has been a real eye opener.”

He says younger members are picking up what the Union is about and the industrial action has been providing a bit of an education.

“We don’t want to go backwards - we’re thankful for the conditions the old unionists fought for.”

Carl says when working for a big company like Ports of Auckland, it’s absolutely essential to be part of the union.

www.munz.org.nz

Local 13 picket captain Gordon Kopu on the Auckland picket line (photo by Simon Oosterman)

“There was good public support and the blokes were really buoyant – the whole thing has been a real eye opener”

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 7

NEWS

“The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council-owned Port of Napier has a responsibility to the local community and should operate in the public interest” Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson speaking with Napier members Troy Cram, Brendon Morris and the Napier Branch President Barry Crawford during a national officials visit to the Port of Napier in November 2007

Port of Napier workers demand secure jobs The Port of Napier faces industrial disruption and international union solidarity actions as local workers prepare to defend their livelihoods.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says management actions are putting secure local jobs in jeopardy and threatening the future of the port.

Job losses threatened Members of the Maritime Union employed at Hawke’s Bay Stevedoring Services have been threatened with job losses after a container stevedoring contract was awarded to Mount Maunganui-based stevedore ISO. The decision will affect around 25 permanent jobs and around 60 casual jobs at Hawke’s Bay Stevedoring Services in the Port of Napier from the start of 2008.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the situation has already had an enormous impact on local workers, and will lead to inevitable attacks on wages, conditions and health and safety in the future.

8 | The Maritimes | December 2007

“We have made every effort to talk to the Port Company, but they seem determined to hit the self-destruct button and have left us with no option but to take this dispute to the next level.”

“This is a situation where secure local jobs that benefit the local community are being dumped through what is effectively a contracting out process. The Maritime Union will do whatever it takes to ensure that secure local jobs are protected.”

He says the Maritime Union of New Zealand has the support of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and the International Transport Workers’ Federation.

Responsibility to local community Mr Hanson says the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council-owned Port of Napier has a responsibility to the local community and should operate in the public interest.

“This port company promotes itself as ‘our port’, but they behave as if they have no responsibility to the local people of Hawke’s Bay.” He says Port of Napier management have made a bad error of judgement that will cause all sorts of problems for the Hawke’s Bay economy.

“Their actions have led to a situation where the viability and success of the port is put in danger.”

Mr Hanson says the answer to the problem is simple.

“Management need to sit down with the Union to find a solution that is mutually acceptable, before they cause major harm to the local workforce, their business and the entire economy of Hawke’s Bay.”

Profits generated by workers Mr Hanson says the port workers in Napier were gutted and angry at Port of Napier’s decision.

“Our members have worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the Port Company and generated big profits for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the local people.”

National officials were in Napier in November to meet local members and to negotiate with management.

Further actions are expected over the December period.

For more information, view www.portofnapier.info

www.munz.org.nz

NEWS

Maritime Union Napier branch members Brendon Morris and Nathan Owen attended the recent National Executive meeting to give a rank and file perspective on the situation at Port of Napier

400 000 dockers worldwide supporting Napier wharfies The ITF Dockers’ Section Committee meeting held in London on 15 November representing more than 190 Dockers Unions in 200 countries which are responsible for organising some 400,000 dockers and port workers: • Notes with concern that the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) informed the meeting that the management of the Port of Napier is handing over container stevedoring to the anti-union stevedore ISO at the end of the year 2007.

• Further notes with great concern that this development is leading to job losses of union members and Casualization of port labour, which has resulted in ‘ports of convenience’ within New Zealand.

• Regrets that initiatives developed by the Maritime Union of New Zealand, its members and leadership to reach a mutually negotiated agreement have not been answered by the Port of Napier management.

• Supports the Maritime Union of New Zealand in its efforts to negotiate a settlement with all parties involved to the benefit of the workers.

• Calls upon the management of the Port of Napier to reconsider its position.

• Resolves that the Secretariat monitors the developments in the Port of Napier closely and in due course responds in the most militant way to support the Maritime Union of New Zealand by all lawful means of international solidarity.

Coastal shipping comeback Coastal shipping is on the verge of a major comeback.

As the costs associated with increasing freight transport start to hit home, the coastal shipping option is being talked about as the transport mode of the future.

A draft government coastal shipping strategy, ‘Sea Change’, was launched in November to outline the way forward for the industry.

The strategy noted that freight volumes are forecast to double by 2020, and combining rail, road, and shipping was key to boosting exports.

About 15 percent of freight is currently carried by coastal services, including the Cook Strait ferries.

It’s likely that larger deepwater vessels will not be able to call at all New Zealand ports in future, so building coastal shipping would help sustain regional ports and link them with main hub ports.

It would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ease transport congestion.

The Maritime Union has welcomed the report as a good start.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the goal of moving 30 per cent of domestic freight by coastal shipping by 2040 is a move in the right direction.

“The Maritime Union has worked alongside Government and industry in this area and we are happy to see real progess being made.”

He says the union is especially pleased that there is an acknowledgement of the need for training young New Zealand seafarers to join the ageing maritime workforce.

“Coastal shipping is on the way back and we need to ensure that there are quality, well-paid and skilled jobs available for young people in the maritime industry.”

The Maritime Union will be taking an active role in working with Government and industry to ensure the interests of maritime workers are promoted in the process.

The Maritime Union is working with the CTU to respond to the strategy and make our voice heard in favour of building up coastal shipping as the way of the future.

For more information on the Sea Change Strategy, view this website: http://www.transport.govt.nz/seachange/

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 9

NEWS

Former Assistant General Secretary of the Maritime Union of New Zealand Terry Ryan receives a standing ovation from the National Executive on his election to life membership, 21 October 2007

Terry Ryan honoured with life membership One of the most well-known wharfies in New Zealand was elected life member of the Maritime Union at the recent national executive meeting in Wellington.

Terry Ryan of Auckland Waterfront Branch Local 13 has played a key role in the union for decades as a highly respected figure locally, nationally and internationally.

The Maritimes magazine spoke to Terry recently and asked him about his time on the waterfront, and the kind of changes he has witnessed over a long working life.

Terry grew up in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier and still lives there today.

He says the area has changed considerably from when he was young, when it was a state house, working class area, where everyone played league.

Terry started work on the Auckland waterfront in 1964 aged in his mid-20s – as he noted, this was before many of our current union members were born.

He was on a list of 74 workers trying to get jobs on the waterfront through the WIC (Waterfront Industry Commission).

10 | The Maritimes | December 2007

In those days the WIC was a joint employer-union organization that employed all waterfront workers, who were then assigned to different stevedores on the day.

Terry went down to the wharf the day before his interview and ran into “a couple of jokers I played league with.” He was introduced to one of the selection panel as well. Out of the 74 applicants, four got a job, “three league players and an Irishman.” Terry was one of the lucky four.

This was at a time of compulsory unionism and “unqualified preference”. Union members were the first to get available work and “seagulls” (casual workers) picked up any extra work.

Terry estimates at the time there were around 2000 waterfront workers, 1500 talley clerks and 1200 harbour workers on the Auckland waterfront.

The union had just changed its name from the Auckland Cargo Workers’ Union to the Waterside Workers’ Union. Eddie Isbey was the president (and later a Labour MP).

Waterfront unions in New Zealand were still individual port unions, a result of the fallout from the 1951 waterfront lockout.

Terry says in the 1960s the union was a major influence in peoples lives, as everybody had the weekends off. Wharfies had sports clubs, bands, debating and chess clubs, and he says there was a lot more intermingling of members and a more cultural side of life.

In 1970 he was elected onto the Auckland executive.

“When you first get elected on it’s a popularity vote, but after that you have to stand on your own two feet.”

From then on in, Terry served continuously through to 2004, as secretary, vice president and president at different times.

He says there were many people who influenced him in the early days, but one name that stands out is Ted Thompson, whose leadership made a big impression on the young wharfie.

One of the first jobs Terry undertook as president was to get a history of the union published, written by the late labour historian Bert Roth and entitled “Wharfie – from handbarrows to straddles: Unionism on the Auckland Waterfront”, in 1993.

The “handbarrows to straddles” part of the title was Terry’s own creation, and he says it sums up many of the changes that have occurred over his working life.

He recalls working hard cargo like butter and mutton “where you could be in the same hatch for months.”

The union received a whack with port reform in the late 1980s, and consciously decided to put money aside, which later helped in disputes with employers as the union “could match the employers legal action and go all the way with them.”

However Terry says the biggest asset of the union is a non-financial one.

“The ability to bring officials from the ranks . . . it’s unique to wharfies and seafarers. You’ve got the advantage of on the job knowledge, which is a major strength. The strength of any union is the strength of its job delegates.”

Terry also served as the national assistant general secretary of the Maritime Union, and something he is obviously proud of is being elected to the Dockers’ World Committee of the International Transport Workers Federation in 1998.

He is the first New Zealander to hold a position on this central body of dock workers for the world.

His term on the committee runs through to 2010, although he is now represented at meetings by a proxy.

Terry’s service to the union continues as editor of the Local 13 magazine, Port News, and he is playing a central role as secretary/treasurer of the newly formed Veteran’s Association.

In November 2007, Terry attended the National Executive meeting of the Maritime Union in Wellington where he was elected to life membership, and received a standing ovation for his sincere and generous speech.

www.munz.org.nz

TERRORISM

“It is time to repeal these Terrorism Suppression laws, and it is time to stand up for our human and trade union rights”

Why unions condemn terror raids

by Robert Reid President, National Distribution Union The so-called ”anti-terrorism” raids by the police on individuals in Ruatoki and other parts of the country have been dominating the news over the last couple of months.

The Solicitor-General has refused the police permission to charge those arrested with offences under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Subsequently, all those arrested have now been released from custody and remanded on bail.

The TV news has been full of stories on the raids, the court cases and the debate about them every night.

We have heard many callers give their point of view on the radio talkback shows, and no doubt we have discussed these issues with our friends, families and workmates.

For some of us, these events may seem a world away. But for some union members, the actions have been very close to home.

Friends, whanau and a whole iwi, Tuhoe, have been caught up in the police actions.

And as we have watched we have indeed seen terror.

We have seen fear on the faces of those whose homes were invaded, cars stopped and searched by the police.

The Government and police are saying that commando-style raids were necessary to prevent these people from carrying out terrorist activities against us. We are told to suspend judgement until we hear the evidence.

But are people running environmental shows in Taupo likely terrorists? Are people trying to save snails in Westland terrorists? Is the Tuhoe nation terrorist? Not even the Solicitor-General thinks so.

Many unions through the Council of Trade Unions have opposed the Government’s Terrorism Suppression laws that were pushed through Parliament following the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York on 9/11.

We opposed them because we said existing laws could be used to arrest people who were planning or undertaking violent or terrorist activity.

We said the danger was that the laws could be used to crack down and suppress the democratic rights of unions and other groups to organise or protest or campaign on their issues.

www.munz.org.nz

The raids in October confirmed our fears.

It has been Tuhoe, Maori, environmental, peace, human and animal rights activists that have been put under surveillance, had their houses searched, and in some cases been arrested.

All over the world trade unionists are terrorised and killed. Guy Ryder, Secretary of the International Trade Union Congress, told us at this year’s NZCTU conference that an appalling global total of 144 trade unionists were murdered for defending workers’ rights in 2006, while more than 800 suffered beatings or torture.

There were also nearly 5,000 arrests and more than 8,000 dismissals of workers because of their trade union activities.

In New Zealand, trade unionist and stationary engine driver, Fredrick George Evans, was killed by police in Waihi on 12 November 1912.

On 27 March 1984 Ernie Abbott was killed by a bomb in the Wellington Trades Hall.

A number of others, including myself, had a lucky escape. The police never found the bomber.

And on 31 December 1999, Christine Clark died after being deliberately run over by the driver of a four wheel drive vehicle while she was on a Waterside Workers Union picket in Lyttleton.

Workers in New Zealand are still suffering from the terrorism of workplace accidents and deaths.

There are around 100 workplace deaths every year and the Government estimates that between 700 and 1,000 workers die prematurely in New Zealand as a result of work-related disease each year.

It is time to repeal these Terrorism Suppression laws, and it is time to stand up for our human and trade union rights and deal with the real terrorists against working people in New Zealand and around the world.

For more information view http://www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz/

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 11

CTU After the afternoon smoko, we had a report under the heading of “Affiliate Snapshot”.

This presentation was given by the New Zealand Nurses’ Organization (NZNO) and dealt with the struggle the nurses had in getting a multi-employer agreement in Place.

The next section dealt with the remits.

There were eight remits which were sent onto the National Affiliates Council, then we dealt with the rest in order.

MUNZ Remit 21 which sought industry-wide agreements was incorporated into Remit 24 under the heading of “Industry/MECA Bargaining.”

This remit was carried.

The remits seeking full public ownership of strategically important assets was also carried.

Newly elected CTU President Helen Kelly (third from left) with (from left) CTU Secretary Carol Beaumont, CTU Vice President Richard Wagstaff and CTU Maori Vice President Sharon Clair, at the CTU Biennial Conference 2007

CTU Biennial Conference

by Garry Parsloe National Vice President The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions’ Biennial Conference was held on 15–17 October 2007.

National officials Trevor Hanson, Russell Mayn, Joe Fleetwood and Garry Parsloe attended on behalf of the Maritime Union.

Day one opened with an opening address from President of the Council of Trade Unions Ross Wilson.

Ross spoke on the trade union movement, its history, some of its low moments and some of its major achievements.

He spoke on ACC issues, health and safety issues, election issues and other issues facing the trade union movement.

The next speaker was Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Helen spoke on the relationship between Government and the CTU. She went on to address the good work that the Labour Government has achieved in recent years.

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Helen concluded by addressing issues of sustainability, the environment, climate change, peace keeping and other matters that the Labour Government is involved with and committed to.

After morning smoko, we had a Conference outline from CTU Secretary Carol Beaumont.

There were the procedural matters of the 2005 Minutes, Credentials Report, Election of Returning Officers and Scrutineers, a Financial Report, Election of Trustees and a Biennial Report.

There was discussion around financial issues before Carol expanded on the wage campaign, recent disputes, growth within unions, the minimum wage campaign, collective bargaining, work life balance, union education, immigration, rebuilding unionism and regional structures.

The next session was under the heading of “Unions, Sustainability and Democracy”.

This section was delivered firstly by Carol Beaumont and supported by Helen Kelly, Richard Wagstaff and Sharon Clair.

This section had an open discussion around the above heading.

The final session before lunch was headed “Globalising Solidarity”. This section was delivered by ITUC Secretary, Guy Ryder. Guy stated that what New Zealand is trying to do should also be what the International Trade Union Movement is trying to do.

We must think and act globally.

Guy went on to address the record profits that big business is returning and the hard task of extracting some of that profit and directing that to workers’ wage packets.

He concluded by stating that it is very hard to get all unions to work globally and work towards a global labour market.

We need a global strategy.

After lunch on day one, we went into workshops for the first two hours, then reported back to the conference on the findings of each workshop.

Day two Day two opened with general business and review discussion.

At 9am, the Minister of Labour, Ruth Dyson, addressed the conference.

Ruth spoke on local body elections, union density, the low wage campaign, minimum wage campaign, health and safety and many other current issues.

After her presentation Ruth fielded questions, before summing up her presentation.

The next session was a Runanga presentation by Syd Keepa.

This was followed by the inauguration of CTU kaumatua.

After morning smoko, we had a Komiti Pasefika presentation.

In the next session, we had a Women’s Council presentation.

In the final session before lunch, we had a presentation from ACTU President Sharan Burrow under the heading of “Political Campaigning – the Australian Experience”.

Sharon expanded on Work Choice and a whole host of anti-worker legislation that their current government has imposed on workers in Australia.

Sharon went on to state that even after Australia elects a Labor Government, the ACTU will continue to lobby them over Industrial issues.

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VETERANS After lunch, we went back into workshops and then reported the findings from those workshops back to the conference.

After afternoon smoko, we received a delegation from the Green Party and the Maori Party.

This section was conducted in a question and answer forum.

There was a wide range of questions that both the delegations answered in a positive manner.

When Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons summed up, she stated that unions play a major role in New Zealand society and her party looks forward to continue their policy of working with unions.

The last session of day two was set aside to pay a tribute to Ross Wilson.

Day three Day three opened with an ITUC Asia Pacific report from Noriyuki Suzuki.

The next session was another affiliates snapshot.

In this session we heard reports from the UNITE Union and the National Distribution Union, regarding their latest disputes and what campaigns they are currently involved in.

The next session was headed “Launch of CTU Political Strategy and Workplace of the Future.”

These presentations were given

by Carol Beaumont, Helen Kelly and Peter Conway.

In this section, we dealt with all the difficulties that the trade union movement currently faces.

After morning smoko there was an Out @ Work presentation.

There were a lot of speakers involved in this session from a wide range of unions.

In the next session we had a YUM Presentation.

All the speakers spoke on the youth rate campaign and other issues that young workers are faced with in the workplace.

The next session was an affiliate snapshot from FINSEC union. There was a good presentation on the struggle within the banking industry to get all workers in that industry into their union.

The second part of this section was given by the RMTU. The speakers addressed health and safety issues that this union faces, especially within the rail sector.

The third part of this section was given by the EPMU. EPMU General Secretary Andrew Little gave the presentation. Andrew gave a report on all the problems that organizers face because of the heavy workload that is placed on the organizer.

Andrew said that his union has worked hard on a structure to get non-important calls diverted to a call centre so the organizer can be left dealing with the important issues.

At this point the delegates carried a letter in support of restoring democracy in Burma.

The final session before lunch was used for delegates to continue discussing the remits to conference.

After lunch on day three we carried on addressing the remaining remits.

After all the remits had been addressed we went into groups for a session on: 1. Feedback on political strategy.

2. What do we want for our future as a movement.

3. What is our union’s perspective – union group discussion.

After a lengthly discussion the findings from the groups were reported back to the conference.

As you can see from the above we had three full-on days.

For more information on the NZCTU visit www.union.org.nz

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Veterans’ Association Update The circulars returned by the members who ticked various boxes to indicate areas in which they could participate meant that no elections would be required, as nominations did not exceed vacancies.

The inaugural officers of the Maritime Union of New Zealand Veterans’Association who will act in a national capacity until other branches are formed and elections held are as follows: President: Doug Phillips.

Vice President: Eric Dunne.

General Secretary: Terry Ryan.

Executive: Bill Cunningham, Dave Mora, Barry Prescott, Peter Arnold.

The constitution allows for a junior vice president, a treasurer and an assistant secretary.

We would envisage these being filled once other branches are formed and we go national.

Meanwhile the secretary will act as secretary/treasurer.

Membership continues to grow. Each week the mail brings in new applications from all over the country. At the time of preparing this newsletter the membership currently stands at 81.

Xmas Function The Local 13 Xmas function will take place at the Maritime Club in Anzac Ave on 21 December 2007 at 1pm.

Local 13 has generously issued an invitation to all Veterans’ Association members to attend as their guests.

A wonderful opportunity for the veterans and current members to mix and mingle in a convivial and social atmosphere.

All veterans are urged to attend as a mark of appreciation to Local 13 for the invitation.

Veterans’ news will feature in each Port News and in the Maritimes occasionally.

All members are encouraged to submit stories and photos.

Written material is preferred, however we will take oral stories and transcribe them.

Previous members widows are welcomed by the Association as are canteen workers etc.

To date we have only one woman member Peggy Clare.

Many will remember Peggy serving them a cold ale at the De Bretts Hotel. Peggy has since married Jack Clare.

Wellington Seafarers’ Branch advised the national executive that they have established a database of about 40 ex members that they intend to approach re signing up as veteran members.

Meanwhile we have received our first South Island member in Arthur Brace of Westport.

Last month the Veterans’ Association was recognised by the national executive, becoming an official appendix with the following resolution being carried unanimously: “That having heard a report regarding the formation of the MUNZ Veterans’ Association, and taking cognizance of MUNZ policy enacted at the 2006 conference in relationship to veteran membership; Note the endeavour’s of Local 13 to establish the veterans on a national basis, with the aim to grow to coverage New Zealand wide through branch formation; Therefore this MUNZ national executive recognise and adopts the constitution voted into existence by the initial Veterans’ meeting at the Point Chevalier RSA in Auckland; Further that the recently elected officials be endorsed as the interim MUNZ Veteran’s officials to grow the veterans movement throughout the union.”

The veteran’s first executive meeting will take place prior to the Local 13 Xmas function on 21 December 2007 in the Local 13 boardroom at midday.

Merry Xmas to all Veterans and their families.

To contact the Veterans’ Association, write to: Maritime Union of New Zealand Veterans’ Association c/o Maritime Union of New Zealand Local 13 PO Box 2645 Auckland

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 13

TRANS TASMAN FEDERATION

Trans Tasman solidarity: MUNZ President Phil Adams, MUNZ Vice President Garry Parsloe, MUA Victoria Deputy Branch Secretary Dave Schleibs, MUA Northern Territory Honorary Branch Secretary Andy Burford, MUA Southern NSW Branch Secretary Gary Keane, and MUNZ Assistant General Secretary Russell Mayn

Maritime Union of Australia national meeting

by Garry Parsloe

Day one, 8 October The Maritime Union of New Zealand recently sent three national officials to the national council meeting of the Maritime Union of Australia.

National President Phil Adams, National Vice President Garry Parsloe and National Assistant General Secretary Russell Mayn attended the meeting, which opened in Sydney on Monday 8 October 2007.

After the welcome, there was an election for the presiding officers.

The rest of the first morning was taken up with a “National Approach Report”.

This was a full and comprehensive report on the Patrick’s dispute, the important issue of being active in the upcoming election, and how important it would be for a Labor Government to be elected, especially in the area of industrial relations and planning for the next four years.

14 | The Maritimes | December 2007

There was a report on the MUA national conference due to take place on the 7-11 April 2008.

This will be followed by the Mining and Maritime conference meeting on the 14-15 April 2008.

There was a report on employment for seafarers in Australia which noted the shortage in the shipping industry, especially in Western Australia.

There was a report on the ITF and the ILO. It was good to hear in this section just how much progress has been made in lifting the ITF wage rates that apply to foreign seafarers.

This goes some way to making our wage rates and conditions less prohibitive to foreign ship owners and may well assist our union going forward.

The report on “Your Rights at Work” attracted a lengthy discussion, especially with how that campaign fits into the MUA campaign.

There was a report on Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) activities and the relationship between ACTU and the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

A report was given on Australian shipping, manning and current shipping levels and wage and conditions negotiations. A further report on research and planning issues was given just before the lunch break.

After the lunch break on day one the meeting continued with the “National Approach Report”.

In this section, MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin continued reporting on activities and events the MUA is involved in.

He expanded on legal topics, including security card issues and the MUA database.

Mid-afternoon the national council was given a presentation from the MUA and CFMEU on their industrial and marginal seats campaign.

The speakers all stressed the importance of linking “Your Rights at Work” campaign with the campaign to elect a Labor Government.

It was also very important that the unions put a major effort into the marginal seats.

All the speakers were confident that if the unions put the work in, they would see the Labor Party in government.

There was a discussion around environmental issues, climate change and other issues that are seen as important in this election.

Nearing the end of day one, we had a presentation from ALP deputy leader Julia Gillard.

Julia stated that the MUA was a great union that has never backed off when defending its members.

Even when the Howard Government was attacking them, the MUA stood up and fought back.

Julia spoke on how the most environmentally-friendly mode of transport, shipping, is so important at this time in history with all the attention being given to climate change.

She also addressed the question of industrial relations and how there is a real need to give protection to workers.

Julia stated that if workers want a collective agreement, then the Labor Government would ensure that this legislation would provide for one.

She concluded by stating that legislation would absolutely guarantee that workers could not be attacked for being in a union.

In the last session of day one, the council discussed a campaign programme that would involve the whole MUA membership in an all-out effort to elect a Labor Government.

Day two, 9 October Day two opened with the MUA financial auditors report.

After the financial report council heard an “Environmental Report Launch”.

There was a press release from the MUA which stated that “the Australian Institute Study found that a shift from roads to sea freight would deliver cleaner environmental outcomes and assist Australia to meet greenhouse reduction targets”.

The statement went on to say that “the report found that road transport accounts for less than 40% of the domestic freight task, but is responsible for over 80% of freight emissions.

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TRANS TASMAN FEDERATION In comparison, shipping accounts for 22% of the freight task and only 4% of emissions”.

This shows us just how much Australian shipping should be part of the solution to meeting the challenges of climate change.

The next session was headed “Hydrocarbons Alliance Report”. In this session, we heard a report from the Australian Workers Union (AWU).

AWU Secretary Bill Shorten stated that the MUA was one of the best little unions around and hits out well above its weight.

He went on to talk about the good relationship between the MUA and the AWU. Bill concluded by stating that cabotage was something that needs to be promoted because cabotage is the answer.

AWU National Vice President Paul Howes was the next speaker to address the council.

Paul spoke on organising in the hydrocarbon sector and how important it is now, especially with the massive growth in that area.

The next speaker in this sector was MUA Assistant National Secretary Mick Doleman.

Mick spoke on union density, organising, FPSOs, ITF and IMO. On the issue of FPSOs, Mick expanded on the campaign to have FPSOs recognised as vessels and not platforms.

The last speaker in the session was MUA National Industrial Officer Rod Currie. Rod spoke on manning issues in the hydrocarbons area, the problems with the FPSOs being deemed to be platforms and union coverage.

Just before lunch we had a Sydney Branch report from Secretary Warren Smith.

Warren spoke about getting information out to the membership by putting out a monthly newspaper, the campaign to elect a Labor Government, the “Your Rights at Work” committee activities, the closing down of Darling Harbour as a working port, all the organising work that is going on in the Harbour Ferry Boat Section, the activities around APEC, World Maritime Day, May Day, the campaign around Australian shipping and ITF issues.

After lunch we had a Southern Queensland Branch report from Branch Secretary, Mick Carr.

Mick gave a report on manning issues, especially in the catering department. He then spoke on the “Your Rights at Work” campaign, the MUA Veterans Association and the campaign to elect a Labor Government.

The next session was headed “Seafarers’ Training”.

In this section Mick Doleman addressed the training levels for integrated ratings, the current shortage of integrated ratings in Australia, dredging, towage, bluewater, offshore and the move to train caterers to an integrated rating status.

Mick Doleman concluded by thanking MUNZ for their continued support in not only the supply of unionised labour but also for accepting that MUNZ members will return to New Zealand when Australian seafarers become available.

At this point I took the opportunity to thank the MUA for their help in placing unemployed New Zealand seafarers into work in the Australian Maritime Industry.

The next session on day two was headed “MUA APHEDA”.

This session was presented by Peter Jennings of APHEDA and MUA Deputy National Secretary Jim Tannock.

Jim spoke on the real need to support this project and asked that all branches and their membership get in behind the project.

Next session was headed “Membership Project”.

This session was presented by Jim Tannock. Jim stated that there that there was a need to do some work around unfinancial members. Jim went on to explain the best ways to resolve this problem then concluded by explaining how best to keep a running record of branch membership.

Day three, 10 October Day three opened with a Victorian branch report by Branch Secretary Kevin Bracken.

Kevin spoke on union rallies, APEC, solidarity forums, dredging, local body elections and the campaign to elect a Labor Government.

www.munz.org.nz

He reported on the two deaths in the general and bulk stevedoring section and thanked the branches for the donations to the families of these workers.

Following these tragic accidents, the focus now has to be on establishing a code of practice within the stevedoring industry.

In regard to dredging, there is going to be a massive dredging programme in Melbourne Harbour and this will create massive employment opportunities.

The next report was from the Western Australian Branch which was given by Branch Secretary Chris Cain.

Chris addressed the massive explosion of work in the offshore, along with dredging, diving and other small boat work.

With all this growth there is a good argument to raise the union profile in Western Australia to ensure union coverage of all this work.

Due to the explosion of work in the oil and gas industry, and the infrastructure required over the next 20 years and taking into account the vast area to cover, in some cases 3,000 kilometres, the need for another branch official was a matter of some urgency.

After smoko, council heard an ACTU report from ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.

Jeff stated that the ACTU were working hard to get rid of “Work Choices” and get rid of the Howard Government.

Jeff went on to talk about the importance of marginal seats and the greater campaign to have Labor elected in this crucial election.

Jeff spoke on ACTU policies and how these policies line up with the Labor Party especially around “Work Choice” and “Your Rights at Work”.

Jeff concluded by stating how important it was to elect a Labor Government so workers can enjoy some relief from Howard’s Industrial Relations legislation.

At this point, Phil, Russell and myself all had an input into the debate, especially around the CTU relationship with the Labour Government and how that impacts on unions and union density. [continued on page 29]

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 15

On the line Workers at the Ports of Auckland picket, 2–4 October, 2007 Photos by Simon Oosterman To view the full set online, visit www.flickr.com/ndu

16 | The Maritimes | December 2007

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The Maritimes | December 2007 | 17

ITF

Breakthrough for Pacific seafarers

ITF Coordinators from Australia (Dean Summers) and New Zealand (Kathy Whelan) on board the Capitaine Tasman in Sydney, October 2007, reporting to the Tongan crew on the achievement of an agreement

by Kathy Whelan New Zealand ITF co-ordinator ITF New Zealand became aware of the special arrangements that existed in Samoa and Tonga in relation to two vessels, the Forum Samoa II and the Capitaine Tasman, in 2000.

The vessels were operating in New Zealand ports and were subject to an ITF inspection of the employment arrangements.

Crew salaries were identified as being far too low. The ITF investigated with a commitment to increase wages to an acceptable level.

Background The Pacific Forum Line was formed in 1976 and at that time two vessels were granted by the German Government, through Hamburg Sud, on a lease to buy arrangement as part of an aid project to Tonga and Samoa.

18 | The Maritimes | December 2007

Pacific Forum Line is owned by 12 Pacific Island nations, including Samoa and Tonga.

ITF investigation The ITF New Zealand carried out extensive investigations with the assistance of Dave Morgan, then President of the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union.

We reported the Samoan situation where the special arrangements about the national flag were recognized by the ITF. The New Zealand Inspectorate entered into negotiations with the Samoan Shipping Service for a national flag agreement.

This agreement moves the crew pay rates to International Labour Organization minimums over a three year period for the Samoan crew of the Forum Samoa II (as reported in the previous issue of the Maritimes).

The new agreement came into effect in 2005.

After lengthy negotiations with the Shipping Corporation of Tonga, and with the help of the ITF Australia Inspectorate, the same agreement was achieved on the Tongan-manned vessel Capitaine Tasman.

The monthly salary for an able seaman (AB) from Tonga or Samoa on these two vessels has now moved from US$230 per month to the ILO minimum of US$870 per month.

This will be reviewed at the next renewal date 1 October 2008. It has been a long haul but a necessary one.

When making submissions to the Government on New Zealand’s relationship with South Pacific countries, we highlighted this degree of exploitation in the Oceania region.

We urged that the New Zealand Government ratify the Maritime Labour Convention (also known as the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights) as a positive way to prevent this exploitation. www.munz.org.nz

WOMEN’S REPS PAGE LEARNIING

Women’s report Janita Barton MUNZ Local 13 Membership #0689 Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to thank Local 13 officials, executive and most of all the membership for the continued support I receive.

I recently attended the National Women’s NZCTU Biennial Conference held in Wellington on 29-30 June.

I attended this conference with fellow comrades from Auckland, Wellington and Lyttleton.

We had a number of guest speakers over the two days, including Prime Minister Helen Clark, MP Sue Bradford, and members of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and the Australian Council of Trade Unions who spoke on issues we face in the workplace.

Even though we were fewer in numbers compared to some other unions that attended, we were as usual well represented in all discussions and workshops that affect us in the workplace.

Some of the workshops included were low pay, equal employment opportunities, abolishing youth rates, casualisation, work/life balance and promoting education for women in the workplace and the union.

It was refreshing to watch my comrades that had not attended a conference before grow in confidence and knowledge from this experience.

They got involved in the workshops and activities and found them to be rewarding and beneficial.

Each union was given the opportunity to nominate a representative.

I was nominated from MUNZ and I am proud to say that I am now the MUNZ Women’s Representative on the NZCTU Women’s Council.

I look forward to this new experience and chance to represent MUNZ within the NZCTU arena.

www.munz.org.nz

Rank and file women attend NZCTU Biennial Conference Jennifer Neilson MUNZ Local 13 Fullers Group Ltd I had the privilege of meeting and joining my fellow comrades from Wellington, Lyttleton and Auckland at the NZCTU Biennial Women’s Conference held in Wellington in June.

Working on the Fuller’s Ferries in Auckland, I quickly found myself comparing stories with my fellow seafarer comrades Lana, Ebony, Tania and Marian.

The more we spoke, the more I discovered we have the same sort of barriers in our workplace environments.

All aside, the conference had a colourful array of speakers, including Prime Minister Helen Clark, MP Sue Bradford, NZCTU Secretary Carol Beaumont, and NZCTU President Helen Kelly.

When our guests had all spoken we got down to business in workshops and the same issues kept arising.

These included low pay, equal employment opportunities, removing youth rates, casualisation, work/life balance and promoting and educating women, not only in the workplace, but within the union as well.

Our ACTU speaker informed us of the conditions our comrades have to work under with the Tory Government in Australia.

It’s either work as I say and do or you don’t have a job.

All of us at the conference were shocked to hear of the conditions people had to work under. It was basically no choice! This opened our eyes and made us realise it can easily happen in New Zealand with a change of government.

The Burmese union representative gave an amazing speech on their struggle for women in the workplace and their basic rights.

It was great to go down to Wellington, meet my fellow comrades and visit Union House while I was there.

It was exciting sitting through the remits session and I was totally captivated by our guest speakers from overseas.

Friendships were made and it was brainstorming in overload. Sharing everyone’s experiences in the workshops was the key to the conference.

I hope to meet more comrades at my next conference.

We want your stuff.

The Maritimes needs your photos, letters, reports, news, views and opinions.

It’s your magazine!

If there is something you’d like to see in the Maritimes, send it to the Editor: Mail PO Box 27004, Wellington, New Zealand Email

victor.billot@munz.org.nz

Fax (09) 9251125

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 19

INTERNATIONAL

ITF Seafarers’ Section meeting

Photo by www.flickr.com/vividbreeze Reproduced under Creative Commons’ license AttributionNoncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic

by Garry Parsloe National Vice President On 1–2 October 2007, the ITF held the ITF Seafarers’ Section Maritime Safety Committee meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Day one After the opening address we discussed issues from the last meeting.

We then went into the status of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) subcommittee monitors and deputies, before discussing the ITF work within the IMO. In this section we addressed issues surrounding asbestos, inert gas, safety strops on lifeboats, safety when testing lifeboats, maritime environment protection and the major issue of not allowing seafarers’ to do dockers work.

After morning smoko we went into Agenda Item 4, Maritime Safety.

This section was around accidents involving lifeboats.

There seems to be far too many accidents over the on-load release stocks on davittype lifeboats.

There needs to be some immediate action around this in an effort to halt all accidents in this area. The manufacturers have to-date stated that they are unaware of problems with their equipment.

They say they have had no or little feedback, and consider the problem is training and the human element. They are unable to standardise the equipment, particularly on the on-load release hook.

The shipping industry is of the opinion that the manufacturers could do far more to design a standardised, failsafe on-load release hook.

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They say manufacturers should take more responsibility for the safe operation of equipment they supply and look to make the maximum out of a regulated worldwide servicing system approved by them.

There is also the hotly-debated issue of the benefits or problems related to secondary safety devices, such as pins or strops, to prevent lifeboats being accidentally released during drills or maintenance.

There is disagreement as to whether they should even be fitted, and should they be in place at all times until the final stage of launching.

The second part of this section was around the revised guidance on the ISM Code.

Last year, an IMO expert working group, following a survey of seafarers, amongst others, decided that the International Safety Management (ISM) Code was understood, generally accepted and successful.

We registered our concern at both the way this process had been conducted and the relevance of the conclusions.

That is not to say that we do not consider there are many positive aspects to the code, but our feedback indicates varying standards of application and still far too much paperwork.

There are two initiatives currently proposed at the IMO in respect to the code: clarification of the guidelines for the operational implementation of the ISM Code by companies, and training and minimum competency requirements for the role of the designated person under ISM Code.

The final part of the section was on the status of FPSOs and FSUs. Since 2000, the IMO has been amending the status of floating production storage and offloading facilities (FPSOs) and floating storage units (FSUs) so they would not be classed as tankers under MARPOL. This would also apply to vessels that are expected to disconnect and operate under their own power. Unfortunately, national administrators have chosen to write them out of their Maritime Acts as a ship and to include them under their petroleum legislation as a platform.

This has in many cases caused the removal of the maritime crew and the management no longer has to consider the vessel in respect to its safe operation as a ship.

De-manning these vessels of maritime crew and by-passing the safety requirements of a ship is clearly the intent.

The ITF do not agree and consider that any vessel that can be defined as a ship under a convention with normal responsibility of master and crew must comply with all minimum safety requirements, operation and manning.

After lunch, we had a presentation, then a debate around safety issues on ferry boats/vessels in various countries around the globe.

There have been a large number of major accidents with ferries around the world but to-date there are still a lot of countries that have not applied proper safety standards onboard these vessels.

Both the USA and Canada were vocal in their disappointment over the lack of safety standards in the ferry industry.

The second matter after lunch was on training and watch-keeping.

Existing procedures under ILO Convention Number 74 provide for a period of sea service of 36 months reducing to 24 months where an approved course has been followed.

Given the growing shortage of seafarers, it is important that new seafarers are attracted to a career at sea and are able to achieve the appropriate levels of competency within an acceptable time frame so as to increase the number of seafarers world-wide.

For the above reason, the rules will now provide for a reduction in the minimum period of seagoing service required to qualify as an AB in the deck department from 24 to 14 months, while specifying the necessary competences.

While the above sounds good and may well be good for a lot of countries with a shortage of seafarers, it does not suit New Zealand to cheapen the AB ticket by reducing the sea time.

All the above does is create a band aid solution by allowing anyone who gets their feet wet and with STCW 95 to be acceptable.

This in turn slows the process for the youth of New Zealand to come into the Maritime Industry.

The last agenda item on the first day was “identified areas for the STCW 95 review”.

The main areas of discussion were around certificates and endorsements, medical standards, recognition of certificates, revalidation of certifications and the use of simulators.

[continued on page 31]

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UNION NEWS

Electoral finance reform should limit the undue influence of wealth

by Helen Kelly CTU President

Mansour Osanloo, President of the Tehran Bus Workers’ Union, visited the ITF and ITUC in June 2007 in London. This is the first time that a trade union leader from Iran attended the meetings of these organisations.

Iranian trade unionist jailed

Transport workers around the world have condemned a five year sentence handed down to Iranian trade union leader, Mansour Osanloo.

Osanloo has been in detention in Tehran since 10 July and was only briefly released in October to undergo urgent medical treatment on his eye.

International Transport Workers’ Federation General Secretary David Cockroft says, “For two years, Mansour Osanloo has fought back against the Iranian regime’s brutality. Now they are trying to crush him with spurious accusations of endangering national security and criticising the regime. We know – the world knows – that Mansour’s only crime in their eyes is to have asserted his right to belong to a trade union.”

Osanloo is President of the trade union representing workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, which has been violently repressed by the Iranian authorities. He has been made a particular target for imprisonment and brutal attacks.

The ITF has called for the release of all imprisoned trade unionists in Iran and freedom of association for Iranian workers.

Since issuing the statement, the ITF has received reports that brother unionist Ebrahim Madadi has also received a two-year prison sentence and that another representative of the bus workers’ union has been summoned to court.

For more information and to send a campaign email to the Iranian Government, view the following website: http://www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/freeosanloo.cfm www.munz.org.nz

The Electoral Finance Bill will come back before the house later this week.

The problems with the bill have been well documented. In some cases, these problems were significant, such as those affecting the legitimate role of third party advocacy groups.

Like many other organisations, we proposed amendments to the definitions relating to third party election activity so that they more carefully targeted electoral speech, rather than wider political activity.

Amendments put up by the select committee have gone a long way to fixing these problems.

However, recent debate over the Electoral Finance Bill has ranged from the sensible to the almost hysterical, including a dedicated campaign against the bill by one newspaper.

Due to problematic drafting, the public focus has inevitably been on the problems with the bill.

But what has been largely absent from recent public debate have been the very real reasons why we needed change in the first place.

There was a high level of public interest in reform following the last election when we saw millions in secret funding to the two main political parties and a third party spending over $1 million seeking to discredit two political parties and clearly influence the election outcome.

And because of the devious actions of that third party, we have this year been considering scrutiny of funding and activities of political parties and third parties in election year.

We accepted the need to provide more transparency and limit the potential for unlimited parallel election campaigns, and so supported moves to better regulate the role of third parties.

The view of unions was that the principles driving our electoral finance reform should be about limiting the undue influence of wealthy interests on the electoral process, and providing for transparency in the funding and activities of political actors, including third parties.

Unions are upfront about their political activity, and many of our goals for working people can only be achieved through involvement in the political process.

And we defend the right of all groups to have a say in issues that affect them, including through participation in the electoral process.

But there is every reason to be very cautious about defending the rights of wealthy interests to spend millions of dollars procuring electoral objectives.

As the CTU has often quoted recently, international financier George Soros has warned that “perhaps the greatest threat to freedom and democracy in the world today comes from the formation of unholy alliances between government and business.”

Nicky Hager’s well-researched and unchallenged analysis of the National Party funding and strategies in his book last year provided clear evidence of an urgent need to reform our election funding laws to, in the words of the 1986 Royal Commission on the Electoral System, “limit the potential for corruption by interests with access to substantial funds.”

I have a level of suspicion of those who call this bill an attack on democracy under the guise of freedom of speech, too.

Freedom of expression or freedom of speech through expensive mass advertising are not freedoms that every person can exercise.

The average New Zealand income is around $34,000, and so a third party spending limit of three-and-a-half times that amount needs to be seen in this light.

Furthermore, following the select committee amendments, this limit is only when they are calling on people to vote for or against a candidate or party or parties.

It is encouraging that there is now going to be some movement on anonymous donations and secret trusts. There was a strong public expectation of reform in this area.

We don’t think electoral reform should stop here. Public funding should stay under active consideration. It difficult to see why the campaigns of political parties should be privately funded, with the corresponding advantage (and risk of undue influence) to parties backed by corporates and millionaires.

Public funding of elections would build on the existing funding that we all already accept as a given, through Vote Parliamentary Service and through the extensive broadcasting allocations.

We also think a cap on donations to political parties should be considered, alongside consideration of public funding. It is far preferable to front up with a small amount of money and prevent parties from accessing millions in secret and corporate money, through both a ban on anonymous donations, and consideration of reasonable caps on political donations.

For more information, view this website: http://union.org.nz/electionfunding

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 21

PORT ROUNDUPS

Picket line, Ports of Auckland, October 2007 (photo by Simon Oosterman)

Auckland Local 13

by Russell Mayn It doesn’t seem that long ago when I was writing the 2006 Maritimes’ Christmas article.

This has been my first year in office as Assistant General Secretary and I have found it both challenging and enjoyable.

There is one thing you can be sure of in our industry, no two days are the same.

On some issues we have been successful and others I guess they will keep for next year.

Nationally, we are currently focused on the dispute in the Port of Napier and protecting the jobs of our members.

These workers are under attack from the Port of Napier through contracting out.

This issue raises the question of job security for stevedores throughout New Zealand and is not just a local issue confined to the Port of Napier.

I believe workers in our industry are taken for granted, working as they do 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The cost to family life and the hazards our members are exposed to on a daily basis seem to be disregarded.

Health and safety is improving and hopefully by the end of 2008 we will have made significant advances throughout the maritime industry to reduce the number of accidents.

22 | The Maritimes | December 2007

There are still some employers who are willing to turn a blind eye to safety to increase the profit margin and make the company look good.

I have some sympathy for the stevedoring companies who are trying to maintain a welltrained workforce.

The problem they face is pretty simple in an industry without minimum standards for training in place.

If they invest in their employees and in health and safety they lose their contracts to a cheaper, casualised workforce.

Companies cannot walk away from their social responsibilities and drive the standard of stevedoring down purely to increase their bottom line.

I don’t believe they would like to be treated with the same indifference as they treat our members, here today and gone tomorrow.

What a great time for the Port Company to send this message out to our members in the Port of Napier: “Thanks for all the hours you have worked and the times that you have sacrificed family commitments to work a vessel but don’t come back in the New Year and by the way hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Perhaps the Port of Napier has missed its opportunity, they should have been innovative and reintroduced the ‘Chopping Block.’

There is nothing like a hungry workforce to improve productivity and bring some discipline back to the workplace.

And don’t forget it might be a good idea to advertise as a “Port of Convenience”, as I am sure this will attract some extra trade into the region.

Rest assured, the fight to protect the work of bona fide union members in the Port of Napier is not something that the Maritime Union of New Zealand will walk away from.

The demographics of disputes of this nature have changed.

These disputes are no longer fought just at a local level or at a national level.

The union movement has realised the importance of internationalism and this will play an pivotal role over the coming months in the struggle to protect workers from indiscriminate job losses.

Many good campaigns have been fought by the trade union movement throughout the year, including the Progressive lockout, the campaign to remove Youth Rates, recognition for a collective agreement in the health sector and many more.

So we have a lot to be proud of from the past year.

The Sea Change Strategy has seen the Government take a proactive stance and look to the future in making Coastal Shipping a viable transport alternative to land transport.

There are many positives in establishing a coastal shipping service and some of the gains will be long-term.

There is no doubt that this form of moving cargo has long term benefits for the environment. It will pose some challenges for everyone involved.

Firstly, we will have to get the vessels to move the cargo and convince users that this is the best option.

Secondly, we will have to train young New Zealanders as seafarers to replace and enlarge our current workforce.

I have no doubts that all of the barriers in place can be overcome, and in 10 years time someone else will be writing an article expounding the benefits of a healthy New Zealand coastal shipping service.

The annual Interport Sports’ Tournament will be held in Whangarei next year and this will be the first time to my knowledge that we will have competitors from the Maritime Union of Australia involved in the tournament.

I look forward to seeing everyone there for what has always been an enjoyable week. I feel confident that Auckland will excel, but I am sure the other ports will have a different take on this.

Next year, all going well, will see the Northern Region up and running. We believe this will provide a better service for the membership. It will mean some changes for all the branches/locals involved but will create a stronger and more unified union presence on land and at sea.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all those involved in the union movement throughout the world and especially the members and families of the Maritime Union of New Zealand a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

My thanks to all the office staff locally and nationally for their assistance during the year.

“Touch One, Touch All”

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

Auckland Seafarers: local body elections

by Garry Parsloe, Auckland Seafarers’ Secretary National Vice President On 24 September 2007, the Auckland Delegates’ meeting heard an address from Mike Lee. Mike Lee is Chairman of the Auckland Regional Council.

He was a former ship’s officer and is a passionate conservationist. Mike holds an MSc (Hons).

During his three years as chairman, Mike has worked hard to reduce ARC rates increases and restore the credibility of regional government.

Key achievements of ARC under his leadership include the buy back of 100% public ownership of Ports of Auckland, acquisition of four superb new coastal regional parks, including a new headland park at Wynyard Point, and persuading the Government to electrify rail.

Mike has fought to improve public transport, reopen the Onehunga rail line and extend train services to Helensville.

Under Mike’s leadership, the ARC unanimously rejected the poorly conceived stadium on the waterfront.

Mike is concerned that councils need to control costs much better and be more accountable to ratepayers. He believes in keeping publicly owned assets and that councils are there to serve the public, not the other way round.

Chairman of the Auckland Regional Council Mike Lee meets with members of the Maritime Union of New Zealand Auckland Seafarers Branch, 24 September 2007

Merchant Navy Day: The Auckland Merchant Navy Association held its Merchant Navy Day on Sunday 2 September 2007.

The day was held in remembrance of the merchant seafarers who gave their lives in service for their country during two World Wars and the many conflicts in which they served.

The service was held at the Merchant Navy Memorial in Teal Park.

At the service it was heartening to see the large turn out of current and retired seafarers especially those from our union.

Pictured from left to right are Jimmy Ryder, Mario O’Merovic, Garry Parsloe and Albie Reid

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 23

PORT ROUNDUPS

Wellington Waterfront

by John Whiting

CentrePort Lengthy multi union discussions with the Wellington Port Company aimed at negotiating a retirement policy have not reached a point of acceptability by the membership.

The problem of a satisfactory arrangement to deal with a proportionately large older workforce will not go away.

The company have reaffirmed their desire for a drug and alcohol policy and this will required our careful and vigilant input.

Golden Bay Cement ACFTU delegates meet with maritime unionists, Auckland, 6 September 2007

Auckland Seafarers: All China Federation of Trade Unions’ Delegation

by Garry Parsloe Auckland Seafarers’ Secretary The Auckland Seafarers’ Branch hosted an All China Federation of Trade Unions’ Delegation in Auckland from 3-7 September 2007.

This delegation was from the Zhejiang Provincial Trade Unions and was headed by their Vice Chairman, Chen Din Xin. The highlight of the visit was on the afternoon of 6 September where we received the whole delegation into the Auckland Union rooms to swap information regarding the trade union movement in our respective countries.

This rather large delegation met with Assistant General Secretary Russell Mayn, Local 13 President Denis Carlisle, Auckland Seafarers’ President John O’Neill, Local 13 delegate Peter Quedley, and myself.

The information that we shared will help establish on-going dialogue which will in turn lead to international benefits to the union movement in both countries.

24 | The Maritimes | December 2007

New Plymouth

by Ryan Cox First off, I would like to apologize for no entry last issue.

Work has been fairly steady here. Weekends are seemingly non-existent, which leaves me wondering whether the shipping companies have it planned this way.

On 24 November, we were visited by the Maersk Duffield, which brought large interest from the public, since it was 100 metres longer and twice the weight of any previous vessel the port has seen.

In the past six months, we have also seen the retirement of two more respected union men, Nev Rowlands (#225) and Peter Cox (#57). Their experience in the industry will not be replaced easily.

Both are happy with their retirement and are fully supported by the rest of our members. We wish them all the best.

One issue we have experienced a great deal of trouble with is the standard of gear on the Tasman Orient Line.

Most vessels to visit have slowly been improving, except for the Tasman Endeavour, which seems to have got worse.

The twist locks have been painted yellow on the top instead of the bottom, resulting in them being put in upside down. Also, on closer inspection, there seem to be two different types of very similar locks, one of which being harder to release as the lever is very short.

Both types also seem to have a common failing when the spreader is landed on top of the box. They can snap shut again causing a fanning effect when stacked.

Any feedback on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

The collective agreement covering this work area has been renewed for a one-year term, with a wage increase acceptable to our members working at the silos.

Wellington Port Cold Stores Members at this work site have endorsed the renewal of their collective agreement for a two-year term, with a wage increase now and at the first anniversary.

Good news for the cold store members has been the announcement of the sale of the business to Taylor Preston, a local export meat company, with the management staying with the current provider.

This removes the earlier concerns of job losses if a blast-freezing contract was not renewed. The hope is rather of new tonnage being channelled through by the new owners.

Napier dispute Our branch members extend their support and solidarity to our comrades at Napier in their struggle to retain their longstanding and rightful share of their local container ship stevedoring.

We will be joining you to offer our support in person.

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

Gisborne

by Dein Ferris We have progressed forward since our last report in that we concluded our employment agreement with Gisborne Stevedoring Services, with only payment of stat holidays outstanding.

Because of unclear legislation and our weekly guaranteed payments, stat days have become an issue to us.

To clarify things, working on these days is not the problem, it is only when they fall in a minimum week. We are continuing to try and get this matter resolved.

We also had an unexpected interport transfer to work for NZL in Tauranga loading kiwifruit. We ended up working there for 10 days.

If you want to find any ex-Kaimai or stevedore boys they are all working for NZL. Old wharfies don’t disappear, they just move somewhere else. Must need our skills.

By the time this is printed, everyone should be aware of the Napier situation.

We support any action taken and know we will achieve a satisfactory conclusion.

Speaking with our manager, it appears the shipping program for the coming squash season will be pretty similar to last year, according to the producers.

This is good news for our members, who rely on this trade for a large percent of their income.

The port is changing, with a new road and entrance presently under construction.

Some call it progress?

Summer has arrived, that means Christmas is just around the corner, so seasons greetings and best wishes to all.

Ka kite apopo.

www.munz.org.nz

Auckland Seafarers’ branch meets with delegation from Xinjiang Uygur, 12 September 2007

Auckland Seafarers: Xinjiang Uygur Union Delegation

by Garry Parsloe Auckland Seafarers Secretary On 12 September 2007, the Auckland Seafarers’ Branch hosted a delegation from the Xinjiang Uygur Region of China.

Xinjiang was set up as an autonomous region on 1 October 1955. It has an area of more than 1.66 million square kilometers, one-sixth of the total size of China and larger than any other province or autonomous region.

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xin for short) is located in Northwest China, with its capital city in Urumqi, which is surrounded by lofty mountains.

Xinjiang is known far and wide as the home of fruits and melons.

Its main agricultural produce includes wheat, corn, cotton and plenty of fruit like Hami melon, grape, fig, Ili apple, etc.

Being one of China’s five major pastoral areas, it has advanced livestock breeding.

It also has rich resources of petroleum, gold and nonferrous metals.

It is divided into two prefecture-level cities, five districts, five autonomous prefectures, 14 county-level cities, 61 counties and six autonomous counties with a population of 19.25 million of which five million are the Uygurs, the principal minority group there.

The rest are the Hans, Kazaks, Mongolians, Huis, Xibes, Kirgizes, Ozbeks, Tajiks, Russians, Manchus, Daurs and Tatars.

Delegation leader Ms Xiao Ling and the other delegates met with Auckland Seafarers’ President John O’Neill and myself in the Branch Union rooms to get a better understanding of the trade union movement in New Zealand and exchange information of union services in general terms.

The delegation asked questions regarding union structures, pension and retirement schemes, medical schemes, agreement negotiations and many other related issues.

John and I answered their questions, and asked a few of our own before we concluded the meeting.

I believe the exchange of information will be of a benefit to all those involved and we have agreed to continue exchanging information on trade union issues.

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 25

PORT ROUNDUPS

Port Chalmers Dunedin

by Phil Adams

Members of the Whangarei, Mount Maunganui Tauranga and Auckland branches of the Maritime Union met recently to discuss the formation of a Northern Region that would unite the branches

Mount Maunganui

World Lyttelton Maritime Day

by Phil Spanswick

by Garry Parsloe Auckland Seafarers’ Secretary National Vice President

Greetings from the Surf Capital of New Zealand.

We are currently negotiating with Toll Owens over the collective agreement. The negotiations began in February and are still continuing. We are also waiting on the result of the Toll Owens Drug and Alcohol case, which was heard in the Employment Court in September 2007.

We are having problems with NZL Group over their reneging on the Drug and Alcohol Agreement that was agreed to in the last set of negotiations.

This probably means they have created a dispute and most likely will end up in the Employment Court.

Along with the RMTU, we are working on a collective agreement for the whole of the combined membership of Toll Owens in Tauranga, which may be completed by May 2008.

We have commenced negotiations with Quality Marshalling.

Our discussions with the Northern Region (Whangarei, Auckland Wharfies, Seafarers, Mt Maunganui and Gisborne) are moving along and the probability we will amalgamate with all of those branches.

All the best for Christmas from the Mount Branch.

26 | The Maritimes | December 2007

by Les Wells

World Maritime Day was celebrated in Auckland on 17 September 2007 at a cocktail function hosted by Dave Morgan, Deputy Chairman, Maritime New Zealand.

Each year, World Maritime Day is celebrated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

New Zealand is a member state of the IMO and is represented

by Maritime New Zealand.

The theme for this years World Maritime Day was the IMO response to current environmental challenges.

As always Dave Morgan gave a polished address and hosted an evening that everyone was able to leave with a complete understanding of World Maritime Day.

Well, another year has nearly passed and I don’t know where the time has gone. We are into talks with Pacifica for the customer services and the cargo handlers, and these are nearly concluded.

We have received many remits for our talks with LPC in February of next year.

Port has been very busy with logs, cars and coal ships. There has also been a number of cruise ships in Port with many a tourist walking around our Port.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members and families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Also a very big thank you to our executive for all their hard work over the past year.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from the members in our Port. Hopefully, 2008 will be a good year for all who work in our industry.

Things have been busy down here, particularly in the terminal where 10 new cargo handlers have just started and all existing “B’s” have been offered full five day employment.

Two new straddles have just arrived and are badly needed as demand for straddle work grows. The lads from Southern Cross have been kept busy through logs, fertilizer, fish and out-of-port transfers.

Dennis Lobb, who works for them, is still off work but making good progress and we should see him back around or just after Christmas.

In the terminal, the introduction of sliding shifts is slowly being accepted by the members although everyone admits we are still short of numbers.

The system needs to work for all concerned, as failure could see an increase in the problems that the Port of Napier are experiencing through contracting out shipboard work, something that we can not allow.

The officials of our branch would like to see the sliding shifts at least given a go so they can be accepted or not.

Negotiations The union has asked the company for two days so the negotiators can go through the remits and invite those who submitted them to speak on the remits.

After this, we would be seeking a meeting with management to sit down and begin negotiations for a new agreement. The negotiating team commend those who have put in remits and state that they are of a very high standard.

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS Napier situation

Retired Members’ Shout

As this issue of the Maritimes goes to print, the situation in Napier is not good.

The Port Company there have given the ship board work currently done by Hawke’s Bay Stevedoring to our old enemies ISO, known in the south as “Mainland”.

Although Napier is in the North Island, the ramifications of ISO becoming established will have effects throughout New Zealand ports.

Our port will support Napier’s stance in any form they require in this dispute, as this is to all purposes a national dispute.

As National President, it is great to see the level of support on an international level, including the ITF, MUA and other international maritime unions who have pledged support, along with New Zealand unions and the CTU. This dispute must and will be won.

On 13 December our annual Retired Members’ and Union Shout will be held in the Bureau Hall at 4pm.

This is an excellent time for the younger members to meet and mix with the older members and recognize the work they have done which put us where we are today.

We will be announcing the setting up of a local Veterans’ Association.

A Veterans’ Association has been established in Auckland under the guidance of Terry Ryan and it is hoped to set up branches around the country.

We hope for a good turnout at our Retired Members’ Shout.

Thanks go to Bryan Berryman, Tank and the team for organizing it again.

Auckland The Port Chalmers’ branch commends the stand of its Auckland members in seeking decent improvements in wages and conditions. We watch this situation closely as similar events could occur at any New Zealand port when agreements expire.

National executive meeting On the 19-20 November, a national executive meeting was held in Wellington.

Debate was good and varied and it was good to see the unified stance in helping Napier in its time of need.

We heard good statements from CTU Secretary Carol Beaumont, and also Wayne Butson and Todd Valster of the RMTU, who attended at short notice.

It was also good to see Terry Ryan honoured with life membership of the union and have two Australian guests, Dave Schleibs and Len Covell of the MUA who helped to make the two-day meeting both enjoyable and productive.

Alsco picket line, Dunedin: SFWU members Judy, Masina and Pat are joined by Victor Billot from the Maritime Union, November 2007

The annual Kids’ Christmas Party will be held in the Bureau on 2 December.

This year a record 76 children will attend. This shows the branch has a young feeling about it and events like this can only be good for our union and the kids who attend.

Members currently on sick leave are Dennis Lobb, Cyril McWilliam, Sean Duffy, Alan West and Ross Abo. All the best for a speedy recovery. Back after illness are Goeff Glendarry, Neville Scoles and Bill Napier.

Welcome back.

The MUA Conference and Mining and Maritime Conference was also discussed and the MUA was pleased a large contingent will be travelling across from New Zealand, including six from our port.

Everything on the travel side is coming together nicely.

MUA National Council

Alsco

Sports Tourney

In October, Garry Parsloe, Russell Mayn and I had the privilege of travelling to Sydney to attend the MUA National Council Meeting.

This was a full interesting week and all of us participated in the debates and learned how it is done across the Tasman.

With the election looming Labor candidates came and spoke, which was interesting, as there was a resounding defeat of the Howard Government shortly afterwards.

At the meeting, raffle books were circulated for the APHEDA movement, of which the MUA is a part.

Their current campaign is to support the needy youth in South Africa.

All ports in New Zealand should have received copies of their raffles and it is hoped support will be forthcoming.

Kids’ Party

All entries are in for the 2008 Tournament in Whangarei.

Numbers are strong for all events. Our branch wishes all the best for those competing.

Terry Ryan The Port Chalmers’ Dunedin Branch at this time would like to recognize and thank Terry Ryan for all the work he has done for the union at a local and national level.

We hope Terry will accept this as an acknowledgement of all the work he has done and still does for the Maritime Union.

Horses Our new horse, Born on the Tyne, is a good replacement for Ohoka Jasper, who has won four races in the USA as I write this.

www.munz.org.nz

Illness

Several members of our branch supported striking laundry workers in Dunedin by attending their pickets.

The workers have now settled with the employer and have thanked us for our support.

Stop work meetings December will be our last stop work meeting for the year, and we are expecting a good turnout.

It has been good to see high numbers in attendance this year stepping up to debate the issues.

We look forward to the New Year and encourage all members to get involved, stand for the branch executive, and know your contribution is what makes your union strong.

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 27

PORT ROUNDUPS Federation of Labour Officials of the branch attended the FOL 70th anniversary held at Parliament in late October.

It was great to see that the NZSU and WFWF were at the forefront of the trade union movement defending working class rights.

Attending on behalf of the Maritime Union were Joe Fleetwood, Mike Clark, Glenn Wyllie, John Whiting, Bradley Clifford, former National Secretary NZSU Jimmy Woods, former National President WFWF and a ‘51 lockout veteran Ray Fergus and former National President of the Maritime Union Dave Morgan.

Co-leader of the Alliance Party Wellington Seafarers’ Branch executive members at the branch rooms, 21 October 2007, from left Barry Millington, Tania Kahui, Mike Clark and Joe Fleetwood

Wellington Seafarers

by Joe Fleetwood

Government Select Committee for Immigration The General Secretary, Trevor Hanson, and I attended this hearing in October.

The hot topics for us were the very poor enforcement around our immigration laws.

We spoke on the lack of regulations in the fishing industry and the continual exploitation of foreign seafarers on our coast, as well as the lack of industry training leading to inexperienced New Zealand fishermen.

We also noted the use of guest labour, which sees a continual driving downward of maritime rules, regulations, and, more important, hard fought for wages and conditions.

The politicians seemed sympathetic to our concerns, but we will wait and see.

Toll The branch has received the last minutes for the year of the Maritime Operations Council which deal with outstanding issues.

28 | The Maritimes | December 2007

Trevor and I had met with Toll Interislander to discuss the alcohol and drug policy for Toll shipping.

Due to a unfavorable outcome for Union members, Trevor and I left the discussions, and the debate continues.

Strait Shipping We are in ratification process now, and all going to plan we will have a new two-year collective agreement that sees improvements for all union members and will take us forward into the future.

I would like to take this time to thank the negotiating team of Wayne Davies, Darrel Robb, Andrew McMillan, and all the ship board delegates, for all the hard work they put in over the last five to six months.

NIWA I believe the Tangaroa is back from her 47-day project in Australia off Lord Howe Island.

The union has received good feedback on behalf of the Maritime Union of New Zealand members on board. Good stuff, brothers and sisters.

Offshore We will see the arrival of new vessels late December and early January 2008. These are all short term projects.

Then the members working those vessels will take their leave and be unemployed till they join the next vessel.

Delegate system Brothers and sisters, we must defend our delegate system on board all vessels and the waterfront. This is what makes us strong and keeps us focused on union issues.

It also defends our industry from the rogue employers that continually attack our wages and conditions, and try to drive down industry standards and undermine your collective agreements (all in the name of profits for themselves).

On behalf of the Wellington branch, we would like to thank all delegates for taking up the fight on behalf of the crews and work gangs you represent.

Thank you.

One branch

The Wellington branch has invited Victor Billot to speak at the 10 December stop work meeting to discuss the direction and the working class policies of the Alliance Party.

Veterans’ Xmas Function The Wellington branch will be holding the Veterans’ Xmas function at the Ferryman’s Bar 15 December 2007 from 4pm till late. All are welcome.

Also, the branch is in the process of setting up the local Veterans’ Association, made up of retired seafarers, watersiders, port workers etc.

Comrades, you may be retired from the job but you are never retired from the working class struggle.

What is a Union?

A union is an association of like-minded and like-positioned people who rely on their unity and their organizational strength and skills to defend and strengthen their interests collectively.

United we stand – divided you will crawl.

On behalf of the Wellington Branch, we would like to wish every one a happy Christmas and a very safe New Year.

The two Wellington executives will meet in the New Year to discuss the formation of a single branch which will give us the ability to function more efficiently. www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

MUA meeting [continued from page 15]

We expanded on collective bargaining, multi-employer agreements and industrial relations that assist workers and their unions.

In the first session after lunch we had two superannuation presentations, one from SERF and one from SRF. The next session was headed “ALP Report”.

This report was given by Martin Fergusson, MP for Batman, who will be the Minister of Transport under a Labor Government.

Martin gave an extensive background report on the history of the Labor Party.

Martin then spoke on the real issue of where do we go from here.

Martin spoke on employment issues, cabotage, single voyage permits, immigration issues, seafarers rights, Movement of Freight and other Transport issues.

There was a healthy debate in this session, with a good balance of speakers putting questions to Martin on all aspects of his role as the incoming Minister of Transport.

The last session on day three was headed “Building Unity within the Transport Sector”.

In the session, I was able to report on Maersk’s challenge to Section 198 of the Transport Act and how that was resolved with our Government addressing the wording of this section so that there will be no more challenges over the intent of this legislation.

I was able to report on the work of the New Zealand Domestic Sea Freight/Sustainable Shipping Committee.

This has resulted in a paper that has been to Cabinet and is now out for public scrutiny and input before going back to the Ministry of Transport in December 2007, and being finalised by March 2008.

I was able to expand on environmental and climate change issues and how our Government is supporting getting containers off the roads and onto ships to do their bit for climate change.

There was a long debate on how best to get union coverage of workers on floating production storage and offloading facilities (FPSOs) and floating storage units (FSUs).

All speakers acknowledged that this is a very difficult area to organise in.

There was a general agreement that the union would need to stay alert and keep active so as to keep up to speed in this area.

In the next session we had a Northern New South Wales’ Branch report from Branch Secretary Jim Boyle.

Jim spoke on the export of coal, the attack on the traditional dockers’ work coverage and his branches relationship with the Labor Party.

The next session was the Southern New South Wales’ Branch report from Branch Secretary Garry Keane.

Garry spoke on some of the enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs) that the branch is involved in, the activities in the branch to ensure the election of a Labor Government and the level of shipping and dredging in the Branch.

In the next session we had a South Australia Branch report

by Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn.

Jamie stated that his branch covers seven ports and the branch was stretched trying to cover such a large area.

He was pleased to hear that there was a move to place an ITF inspector in his region.

Jamie went on to talk about the importance of being able to continue on with all the training courses.

Jamie concluded by reporting on the “Right to Work” campaign and the campaign to elect a Labor Government.

The next session was “MUA National Youth Conference”, presented by Jim Tannock.

Jim gave a full report on all aspects of the conference and said that the conference had been an absolute success.

The last session before lunch was “National Conference Organisation”. This section was given by Jim Tannock.

Jim stated that it was important that everyone confirm the names of who and how many are coming to this conference before 20 December 2007.

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International guests: Deputy Branch Secretary Victoria Branch MUA Dave Schleibs and Honorary Deputy Branch Secretary Northern NSW Branch MUA Len Covell attended the Maritime Union of New Zealand national executive meeting in November 2007 as observers

After lunch on day four we had a “Women’s Report.” This section was a very positive session with Paddy Crumlin expanding on some of the problems that women face in the workplace.

Paddy went on to say that unions need to work hard to address women’s issues at branch level.

The next session was the Tasmanian Branch report.

This report was given by Branch Secretary Jason Campbell. Jason spoke on collective bargaining, branch committees, marginal seats and the campaign to elect a Labor Government.

The next session was the Northern Queensland Branch report by Branch Secretary Laurie Horgan.

Laurie gave a report on activities in and around Darwin.

The next session was a report from Rick Newlyn on “Branch Responsibility”.

Rick spoke on training, how the branch should manage itself, the criteria for reporting back and LPG issues.

Rick concluded by expanding on a range of enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations and on union recruitment.

Next Session was a “Veterans’ Report”.

This session was given by the Veterans’ National Secretary Fred Krausert.

Fred stated that there had been a Veterans’ Branch set up in most branches.

Fred went on to report on all the work that the veterans are doing to ensure that there is a Labor Government elected.

Towards the end of the day, we had a report from the East Timor delegation, then a report from the PNG delegation.

Paddy Crumlin responded to both reports from both the delegations.

The last agenda item at the National Conference was a report on the Credit Union.

It was a most enlightening presentation and showed those of us at the meeting the massive benefit of being part of a Credit Union.

So, comrades, as you can see from the above, the MUNZ delegation had a very intense four days of addressing issues that are confronting maritime workers.

It all went a long way towards addressing those issues with the mapping of campaigns to resolve issues that both our unions face.

The above demonstrates the importance of ongoing dialogue and support for the Tasman Maritime Federation.

For more information on the MUA, visit www.mua.org.au

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 29

OBITUARY

Obituary: Hans Peter Hamill

by Pat Honan Chief Cook, Golden Bay (Union Number 55) Hans Peter Hamill was born in Austria on 21 September 1940.

His father was killed fighting in the war. The path of life for Peter started as toddler in a walk from his home land of Austria with his mother and thousands of others as they fled Austria at the beginning of the war. They were befriended by an Allied Scottish soldier, who showed them a new life in Scotland.

For a boy who could only speak one word of English (that was the word chocolate), his life began as a battle.

I was lucky enough to sail with Peter – I was cook and Peter was the steward – and he would tell me stories of his life and how those early years shaped him as a person.

He had a huge love and value of his family and of the great outdoors where he loved to hunt and fish.

He told me off his .303 rifle that was given to him by an old friend before he died.

Peter first went to sea after attending the Merchant Navy Training School in the UK as a steward.

I could see this man had been trained well, as he showed it in the way he worked at sea and the constant high standards every swing.

I often hear of the days when cooks and stewards were dressed in hats suits and ties, and Peter was certainly of this type. His early years at sea were spent with Cunard Line in Europe before coming to New Zealand, where he did a bit of plastering work before deciding to go back to sea.

He joined the Wellington Branch of the Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union.

30 | The Maritimes | December 2007

He was second steward on the ferries and he told me many a story of the colourful men and women he had worked along side (and at times exchanging words with seaman who wanted more than what was available.)

He brought to life in a humorous way the old stories of the sea between the catering and the deck department.

I had a great respect for Peter, he stood up for himself and the things he believed in. He was wise and was always willing to give help or advice to whoever asked for it.

You don’t get to really know a man as well as you think you do until families and friends stand at a wake and tell the story of the person they knew.

What was said about Peter was consistent: he was honest, trustworthy and true.

He loved the union for the fact that he was given the chance to have a good standard of life and the security that being part of a collective gives.

Peter joined the cement carrier Golden Bay in 1985, and was on board in October of 1991 when they took strike action against the company’s attempts to man its vessels outside of the corner system.

It was during that dispute that he learnt the real strength of our union and the true meaning of solidarity.

Peter met his long term partner Colleen in Wellington, they married had a son Karl and now have three grand children.

He then met Becky while on the Golden Bay and she was his partner for the next 14 years. Peter was found to have lung cancer and tragedy was to be a double-edged sword.

While Becky was driving him to and from his medical appointments she felt unwell and was found to have cancer in her liver and passed on three weeks later.

The tragedy that beset Peter was yet another display of how tough this man was.

He battled on for the next part and got well enough to come back to sea.

Eventually he had to retire with a medical exit, which Peter referred to as “yet another great condition the union has got us.”

Peter and I would sit in his cabin over a good Scotch whisky and he would tell stories of his life and of times gone by – I miss those times.

He was a member who never gave our union any trouble.

He did his job well and always believed that we need to bring younger people in and spend time imparting the stories of the past, so that they know what has gone before us in the hope that they would value it as he did.

Towards the end of his life, he got more and more involved in the social side of the Union.

He helped me cater for the Auckland old timers’ function when we paid tribute to Dave Morgan on his retirement, and he was proud to be part of that.

Peter was fast off the cuff with a good sense of humour. He was just a great stand up guy who respected people and gave and helped where he could but never suffered fools.

He was the backbone of the union, always there, solid and reliable.

Rest in peace, comrade. It’s been a honour and a pleasure to have sailed with you and I will miss you.

“Fair Winds” until we meet again over a cigar and a dram and a good old tale or two.

Obituary: Kenji Yasuda

Kenji Yasuda, former President of the Japanese dockers’ union Zenkoku Kowan, passed away on 24 October, aged 68.

A valued member of the ITF Dockers’ Section Committee, Kenji Yasuda was respected not only for his experience and knowledge of the port industry, but also for his personal commitment and dedication to the struggle for dockers’ rights in Japan and around the world.

His contribution to the work of the section was invaluable and he will be missed, particularly by all in the ITF dockers’ family.

The ITF Dockers’ Section has, on behalf of the ITF Secretariat and all affiliated dockers’ unions, expressed condolences to the union and asked for heartfelt sympathies to be extended to Kenji Yasuda’s family.

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LOCAL CONTACTS Whangarei Mobile: 021 855121 Fax: 09 459 4972 Address: PO Box 397, Whangarei

Auckland Seafarers Phone: 09 3032 562 Fax: 09 3790 766 Mobile: 021 326261 Address: PO Box 1840, Auckland Email: garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz Auckland Local 13 Phone: 09 3034 652 Fax: 09 3096 851 Mobile: 021 760887 Address: PO Box 2645, Auckland Email: local13@munz.org.nz Mount Maunganui Phone: 07 5755 668 Fax: 07 5759 043 Mobile: 0274 782308 Address: PO Box 5121, Mt. Maunganui Email: phil.spanswick@munz.org.nz Gisborne Local 38 Mobile: 025 6499697 Address: 5 Murphy Road,Gisborne Email: dein.ferris@munz.org.nz

Blast from the past: Kenny Tyson, Tony Littlewood and Johnny Baker at the Great Northern Hotel, Auckland, 1968, during the Wainui dispute (photo supplied by Kathy Whelan)

ITF Seafarers’ meeting [continued from page 20]

On the issue of medical standards, this regulation is to be reviewed with the view to developing international standards of fitness for all seafarers and a standard format for the medical fitness certificate in co-operation with ILO, WHO and IMHA. This regulation should be reviewed with a view to establishing a register for certificates issued for all ratings.

On the issue of simulators, the meeting was in agreement that simulators must not be used to lower any sea time requirements or standards.

Day two Day two commenced with a summary of day one then we continued into discussions around training, alternative certification, integrated ratings, watchkeeping, hours of work, excessive hours and a safety culture.

The above issues are identified areas for STCW review.

After morning smoko, we had a debate around alcohol limits.

Even amongst our own affiliates, alcohol limits are very contentious, but we believe total prohibition of alcohol will not solve this problem only drive it underground and make the seafarers’ life even more antisocial.

A most important issue is the manner of testing for alcohol and the protection of seafarers’ rights, whilst ensuring the safety of the ship.

We need to be careful that the right to test crew at any time has to have some qualification and can only be carried out by an independent health professional.

The committee is asked to consider our submission on alcohol limits and the problems of ensuring seafarers’ rights are adequately protected in the testing process and give direction for STCW 95.

We then discussed Agenda Item 8, “Minimum Safe Manning.”

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After a fair discussion in the plenary and working group, it was decided to set up a correspondence group to review the principles for establishing the safe manning levels of ships.

A number of submissions dealt with rosters, ensuring the crew complied with hours of rest, but again made no provision for the work outside the watch.

Generally there is nothing in the discussion that will give any comfort to the seafarers and the co-ordinator has recognised that within the time frame allowed it would be difficult to evolve any acceptable solution.

The committee is requested to consider the options in detail and formulate a comprehensive basis for our submission to the correspondence group.

The whole issue of minimum safe manning will need a lot of work done on it and it is our understanding that we have about one year to arrive at an acceptable position on this most important issue.

So comrades as you can see the two days were full on.

New Plymouth Mobile: 021 479269 Address: PO Box 659, New Plymouth Email: rpcnz3@yahoo.co.nz Napier Phone/Fax: Mobile: Address: Email:

06 8358 622 027 6175441 PO Box 70, Napier bill.connelly@munz.org.nz

Wellington Seafarers Phone: 04 3859 288 Fax: 04 3848 766 Mobile: 021 481242 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington Email: joe.fleetwood@muno.org.nz Wellington Waterfront Phone: 04 8017 619 Fax: 04 3848 766 Mobile: 021 606379 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 Fax: Mobile: Address: Email:

03 5472104 027 6222691 PO Box 5016, Nelson bill.lewis@paradise.net.nz

Lyttelton Local 43 Phone: 03 3288 306 Fax: 03 3288 798 Mobile: 0274 329620 Address: PO Box 29, Lyttelton Email: lwwu@xtra.co.nz

Timaru Phone/Fax: 03 6843 364 Mobile: 021 2991091 Address: PO Box 813, Timaru

Port Chalmers Dunedin Local 10 Phone: 03 4728 052 Fax: 03 4727 492 Mobile: 0274 377601 Address: PO Box 44, Port Chalmers Email: phil.adams@munz.org.nz Bluff Phone/Fax: Mobile: Address: Email:

03 2128 189 027 4475317 PO Box 5, Bluff ray.fife@munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | December 2007 | 31

Ports of Auckland, 2 October, 2007 32 | The Maritimes | December 2007

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