Maritimes Autumn 2009

The Issue 25 • Autumn 2009

Maritimes Magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand

ISSN 1176-3418

The Recession:

what does it mean for workers? www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 1

NEWS AND MEDIA

Voices of Solidarity There are a number of other radio shows around New Zealand that have featured the Maritime Union and union issues, and are supportive of workers’ rights and trade unions. These shows are all available, not just on the radio, but on the internet as live streams or podcasts.

A selection is listed below.

The Revolution will not be televised This is a weekly show on Dunedin’s Radio One 91FM on Saturday morning 9am– 11am with host Olivier. It features interviews and discussion about current events with a wide range of activists.

You can stream the show live on http://www.r1.co.nz/

or download podcasts from

http://therevolutionwillnotbetelevisedradio1.blogspot.com/

Community or Chaos

Workers’ voice: Maritime Union members Alan Windsor and Russell Pierce in the studio

Union On Air A lot of the news we get in New Zealand is poor quality. Corporate media, talkback radio and lowest common denominator standards give a distorted sense of the world complete with commercial hype and anti-worker bias.

But around the world, independent media is making a big impact. Workers and activists are creating their own news and their own media to cut through and share information that is useful to workers.

The Maritime Union of course has the Maritimes magazine and our website, and Local 13 publishes the Port News magazine.

However there’s a lot more alternative media out there where you can find real news about real people.

Two Maritime Union of New Zealand members produce their own radio show in Wellington that can be heard weekly.

What’s more, you can now download their show via the internet.

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Seafarers Alan Windsor and Russell Pierce are part of the team that produces Educating for Social Change/Behind the News.

Together with fellow presenters Victoria Quade and Jim Delahunty, the show is produced on behalf of the Wellington Workers Education Association.

The show is broadcast on Access Radio Wellington 783 AM at 4pm every Sunday.

Lively debate on issues and subjects which are important to all working people in New Zealand.

If you miss the show or live outside Wellington, you can download a podcast from the following website:

http://www.accessradio.org.nz/community.html

Community or Chaos is a Dunedin radio show on Toroa Radio 1575AM broadcast on Tuesdays 11am–noon.

Host Marvin Hubbard presents an hour of informative discussion on various topics spanning from economics and politics to local and touring musicians. http://www.toroaradio.co.nz/podcasts.php

Community Focus Broadcast Saturdays 9.30–11.30am, Community Focus is a two-hour examination and analysis of issues involving Hamilton and the Greater Waikato, focusing on local, regional and national politics, and community events and personalities.

Martin G and Craig (Willsy) regularly interview community leaders, individuals working in social services, local and national politicians, and commentators about regional and national issues; and comment on local happenings and concerns.

Well worth a listen online at http://www.communityradio.co.nz/

or download podcasts at

http://www.communityradio.co.nz/index. asp?pageID=2145827197

If you know of any good pro-worker media, let us know.

www.munz.org.nz

EDITORIAL

Socialist answers required for capitalist crisis

Edition 25, Autumn 2009

Contents Union on air Editorial and contents General Secretary’s report Update from National President Global recession MUA West Australia Conference News Gaza Price fixing Spirit of Competition model Seagulls fighting for crumbs Pacific Titan Union History ITF News Interport Vindicatrix Reunion Port roundups Letters and notices Port contacts

2 3 4 5 6 10 11 12 15 17 18 19 20 23 24 30 32 51 51

‘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: 8 May 2009 for next edition Cover photo: MUNZ members on the Kaitaki, Wellington, 30 January 2009, from left Ajay Kapoor, Keli Kanipule, Dave Molloy, Tameri Teeneta (photo by Luke Appleby) For more on-line photos, see www.flickr.com/maritimeunion Thanks to our photographers including Terry Ryan, Alf Boyle, Russell Mayn, Barry Howe, Dave Milner, Joe Fleetwood, Garry Parsloe, Les Wells, Harry Holland, Bill Connelly, Luke Appleby and others

Resisting the recession page 6

Interport 2009 page 24

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 Inspector: Grahame MacLaren Direct dial: 04 8017 613 Mobile: 021 2921782 Email: maclaren_graham@itf.org.uk 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

by Victor Billot Deregulated, free market capitalism has failed.

Corporate globalization and the “open markets” driven by the short-term self-interest of the big players of the global money markets have ground to a halt.

Despite the recession being caused by the inherent flaws of the system, it appears workers will be made to pay for the crisis.

Public money will rescue the rugged individualists of the finance and business world who eagerly accept the handouts.

The result of mass unemployment in major world economies, especially the USA and China, will have huge roll-on effects.

In New Zealand, the effects have been less immediate, but job losses are now causing disruption and insecurity.

The recent “Jobs Summit” brought together business interests, bureaucrats, National politicians and a sprinkling of invited unions (including the Maritime Union) to discuss solutions for unemployment in New Zealand.

Unions need to be represented at such events to advocate for workers. But unions should also be promoting political and economic alternatives that work for workers, not just helping to find quick fixes to bolster up the same crook system.

The pressure to find “practical” solutions must not hide the fact that the current crisis and recession are the direct result of deregulated, free market capitalism.

The suggestion that a nine day “working fortnight” could save jobs is not without merit. The concept is one very familiar to our permanent part-time and casual members of the Maritime Union.

However losing a day’s wages every fortnight in exchange for a sketchy promise of “training” is simply not an option for the hard pressed majority of workers.

Basically workers are being asked to pay for a failure of the capitalist system.

The “selfless” example of CEOs and corporate managers giving up a small percentage of their salary is cynical window dressing.

Most of these individuals are already paid far too much, and will not even notice the difference, especially after John Key’s pro-millionaire tax cuts give them another boost.

Unions must use this opportunity to press home a more radical agenda for secure jobs and decent living standards for all workers. But it is no secret that organized labour in New Zealand is not in a powerful position.

The fact is that during the 1980s and 1990s the workers’ movement in New Zealand, as elsewhere, sustained a series of body blows.

The progressive and social democratic reforms that had occurred in Western nations over the twentieth century, such as the welfare state, and regulation of labour markets, were under attack.

This caused a crisis of confidence in the workers’ movement that became defensive and reactive.

Despite the pain and disruption caused by economic hard times, unions must now use the chance to organize working people.

Even in the heartland of capitalism, US President Obama has spoken to the people and clearly stated that the corporations and the super-rich are no longer going to get a free ride at the expense of the working people of America.

In New Zealand, we should see which way the wind is blowing.

The time is now to revive and push for progressive social change and a peaceful revolution in our society and around the world.

The old socialist ideas of solidarity, equality and concern for each other are the values that we need now.

They are values that the maritime unions in New Zealand and Australia have always stood for.

We need to provide leadership now for working people – and not let the same people who caused the mess get put back in a position where they can do it all again.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 3

COMMENT

Workers should not pay for crisis

by Trevor Hanson General Secretary Many New Zealanders have started 2009 with apprehension and uncertainty about their jobs and their economic security.

We need to put our collective thinking towards ensuring that all Maritime Union members are given the best protection possible in what could be a difficult year.

The international recession is beginning to hit home. The financial crisis caused by the deregulated and extreme form of free market capitalism is hitting the productive economy hard. Spikes in unemployment, inability to pay mortgages or debt, and other financial stress are now the realities for people throughout Europe, America and Asia.

We can only achieve a good result by responding to challenges as a national Union.

The attitude of looking after our own port or employer first (parochialism) and disregarding the big picture will not get a good result.

Global outlook The recent response by Governments worldwide averted a complete global financial catastrophe, although the cost has been great, and what will be done to ensure a repeat performance does not occur is not yet clear.

In short, socialist measures and Government action were used to stabilize the economy. It is interesting to note how the major capitalist institutions quickly accepted this safety net.

This is despite the rest of us being told for years that social welfare, regulation, and public investment are all inefficient and outdated.

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Yet when the big boys stuff up, they are only too happy to abandon the discipline of the market place and feed at the public trough. It’s a funny old world.

What is of concern is that the losses and economic damage will be paid for by the working class through taxation and reduced living standards.

Since the mid-1980s we have witnessed several downturns in the economy on top of the major restructuring of the maritime industry and labour market.

In the mid-1990s global capitalism increased the pressure to maximize profits at all costs. The search was on for the cheapest labour source, with continuing attacks on unions, casualization, relocation of industry and the use of cross-border workers being imported for short-term work.

China became the major manufacturing engine of the world and became dependent on exporting to the countries they had originally taken the manufacturing from.

Today China is in trouble as the recession bites deep. Millions of its population are unemployed and are returning to their rural communities. The country is faced with social unrest as a lack of job security or welfare shows the dark side of the capitalist road they have taken.

Union response The only correct response as a Union is to keep aware and alert, and when we have to act, to do so as a united national body.

Workers should not have to pay for the greed and corruption that has led to the current economic recession.

We have seen major attacks on waterfront workers and seafarers over the last two decades. There will be continued attacks on wages and conditions, and job security, as capitalist enterprises compete to push up their shrinking profits.

The only way forward in the long term is for all workers inside the wharf gate to have one union and one voice.

Debt problem The debt problem is another big issue.

The mass availability of cheap credit through credit cards and personal finance, together with the unsustainable over valuing of house prices, have left many people in a difficult situation.

It is likely that there will be a turn away from corporate globalization as nations concentrate on building their domestic economies or working within smaller regions. There has already been a large extension of public ownership, especially in the finance and banking sector which will probably continue.

Superannuation The many members who are part of our two superannuation schemes have all been hit with reductions in their superannuation accounts.

In my recent visits to ports as a trustee of the Waterfront Industry Superannuation Fund, it was obvious that most members are aware of the realities of the situation.

The main question from our members at these meetings was when did we think that the situation would improve.

None of the trustees has the answer to this question.

All the fund managers that currently administer our investment portfolio have told us that the global financial situation is worse than the Great Depression. But it must be remembered that even at the worst case scenario, the employer contributions and accumulated interest from the super still put us far ahead of what many workers have.

Interport 2009 I recently attended Interport 2009 in Timaru along with many other maritime workers from throughout New Zealand.

The annual interport sports tournament shows how the Maritime Union has a strong culture of its own, built up through many years.

Members of the Union from many ports come together in a convivial social environment and spirit of friendly competition.

The Council of Sport and the hosting port Timaru must be congratulated for their hard work which saw another successful interport this year.

There seems to be a small resurgence going on around the ports with many branches hosting revitalized social events for their members, including picnic days, children’s parties, end of year gatherings and old timers’ get togethers, which provide a great opportunity for the Union to be more than just about “the job” but also about our wider families, veterans and communities.

This is an important part of the role of the Union and I encourage all branches to keep these events going, or consider restarting them.

In times gone by, watersiders and seafarers had a lively culture that ranged from sports clubs, music groups, debating clubs and political discussions.

Although in our time stretched world and with a numerically smaller Union, this culture is not as easy to sustain, it builds a better Union and it also makes life more enjoyable.

www.munz.org.nz

COMMENT

Working for a well-organized Union

by Phil Adams National President

Regionalization The national officials of the Maritime Union met in Wellington in February to discuss regionalization plans for the Union.

It had been planned to hold a special meeting of all branches to discuss this important issue, but it was felt that more planning had to be done and a better framework drawn up so that branch officials will have a better idea of what they are discussing by our next National Executive meeting in 2009.

It also gives us an opportunity to present the concept to the membership.

Regionalization simply means grouping together our branches in larger regional groupings. There are three planned regions: northern, central and southern.

The purpose of the exercise is to run a more effective Union. We can pool resources and look at appointing regional organizers if required. The goal is to provide a better level of service and union organization to all ports, especially those smaller ports or ports with a more difficult industrial environment.

The national officials believe this could be of benefit in many areas, including organizing, co-ordination, during disputes and with negotiations or legal actions.

The regionalization plan is discussed in more depth in this issue of the Maritimes.

All members will have the opportunity to have their say through their branches.

www.munz.org.nz

Ports

Police spy

The continuing relationships (good and bad) between New Zealand port companies have continued to be high profile.

The Port of Otago and Lyttelton Port Company merger was in the news late last year and now we have seen the latest instalment, this time the ongoing rivalry between Ports of Auckland and Port of Tauranga.

NZL stevedoring has announced its intention to re-establish a second container terminal at Sulphur Point in competition with Port of Tauranga. NZL claim to have the right to do this under a 2003 contract.

Port of Tauranga are disputing that.

The Ports of Auckland announcement that it would be a major customer of NZL at Tauranga is all part of the volatile situation.

What is badly needed in New Zealand is a national ports’ strategy, public investment and perhaps the concept of a KiwiPort (we have KiwiRail and Kiwibank after all).

The parochialism and mindless competition between ports show that leaving a vital part of our infrastructure to the chaos of “market forces” is a mistake.

The national officials of the Maritime Union were disturbed to find out late last year that our Union was one of a number of legitimate groups that had been spied on by a police informer.

While it appears our Union was not a major target, other Unions were also spied on.

The Union is following up the incident and wants to find out why the Police are wasting money spying on legitimate public organizations like unions.

The release of papers from the SIS on the 1951 waterfront lockout last year showed how these secret agencies are used not on enemies of the people but on the people themselves.

It is the right of every citizen to belong to a legitimate trade union, organization or political party without the approval of the secret service or the Government.

After all, we don’t suppose they spy on employers.

Overseas labour Recent events in the UK are a reminder that the use of cross-border labour is causing growing problems throughout the world. Local workers in construction and heavy industry are striking to defend their jobs and conditions.

The Maritime Union is strongly critical of free trade deals and jobs policies that promote the exploitation of cross-border, short-term and casual workers, as is happening elsewhere.

This simply leads to employers being able to undermine wages and conditions in high wage countries, while holding back the development of poorer nations who lose their most skilled workers.

The Maritime Union is an internationalist union, we do not have a problem with overseas workers.

What we do have a problem with is free trade deals permitting short term, casual and non-union labour to be imported across borders by employers to drive down wages and conditions.

At a time of recession and growing unemployment, this has the potential to create conflict and division between workers.

This is exactly what employers want.

“The Maritime Union is strongly critical of free trade deals that promote the exploitation of cross-border, short-term and casual workers, as is happening elsewhere in the world.”

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 5

NEWS

“We won’t pay for their crisis!”

According the the Irish Times: “Up to 120,000 people have marched in Dublin in protest at how the Government is handling the economic crisis. The march, which was organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), took nearly one and a half hours to make its way from Parnell Square to Merrion Square” Photo by Infomatique http://www.flickr.com/photos/infomatique/3299446278/ Licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

The global recession is hitting workers hard.

Unions need to lead the resistance to attacks.

by Victor Billot Around the world, unemployment queues are growing, the financial system is reeling, and Governments are pouring billions of dollars into keeping their economies from going into a deep freeze.

The world is experiencing the worst economic crisis in generations.

The response from Government and business leaders around the world has been one of shock and amazement.

However, the economic crisis is the predictable result of the instability of the extreme form of capitalism that has been pursued aggressively in recent years.

“Globalization”, or rather a global system based on the power of transnational corporations, has been promoted as the solution to poverty and inequality.

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The transformation of society Buzzwords such as “open and competitive markets”, “flexible labour” and “free trade” have become part of the English language. These words are used as euphemisms, hiding the reality that these concepts benefit some and harm others.

Since the 1980s “deregulation” and “privatization” have been promoted.

Any control or law that required private business interests to work within the boundaries set by society were regarded as bad, so “deregulation” meant these controls and laws were abandoned.

“Privatization” was driven by business seeing it could make money out of public services ranging from health, education, transport, infrastructure and other services.

The ideology said that private services were more “efficient” than public services. In reality, private business was only interested in making profit, so took over the profitable areas.

Socially and culturally, the effects have been massive. Insecurity has bred selfishness and intolerance. Social problems such as crime and family breakdown have increased.

People are encouraged to look after number one and to see personal wealth as the only measure of success. These values are described as “individualism.”

The values of collectivism and solidarity that have served working class people well were under attack.

Unions were in the firing line. Welfare state provision for public health, education, housing and services were reduced.

Taxation changed from progressive tax to regressive taxes such as GST that moved the tax burden from the wealthy to the poor.

Job security became a thing of the past as free trade policies and “flexible” labour markets forced workers to compete with each other, and then with workers in lowpaid economies where human rights and democracy were under siege.

The benefits accrued to the already wealthy, the global ruling elite, and the major shareholders in the global corporations who played nation off against nation, worker against worker.

At the same time, the environmental devastation created by the profit system has created global warming, damaged the atmosphere, created toxic waste, destroyed the forests, denuded the oceans, and depleted natural resources from oil to water.

www.munz.org.nz

While the industrial system and even capitalism itself have proved to be dynamic systems that have created great wealth, they now threaten the very basis of life on earth itself.

Compared to this concept, the current economic crisis is a minor glitch – even though it will mean misery and hardship for hundreds of millions.

The financial roots of the crisis The global economic recession has its roots in the deregulated global finance markets.

Financial institutions were responsible for the subprime disaster in the United States.

Bad loans were packaged up into obscure and complex investment vehicles that percolated through the global economy.

When the inevitable problems occurred, the shock waves spread quickly throughout the entire interconnected economic system.

The United States Government and the vast corporations quickly abandoned their usual talk of free markets, and organized massive subsidies to keep big business afloat.

While workers’ benefits such as a public health system have always been criticized as taxpayer-funded “creeping socialism” by the business and political elites, no such concern was evident as huge handouts of public money were poured into the private sector in recent months.

Despite their dire straits, corporate bonuses in the US actually increased by 14% overall in 2008.

The leader of the international trade union movement ITUC, Guy Ryder, says companies receiving public bailouts have invented the latest financial innovation – recycling taxpayers’ money into executive bonuses.

“This is nothing less than grand corporate grand theft, and sadly it is not limited to the US.” The situation represents the failure of the policies of extreme capitalism that have dominated the world in the last quarter of a century.

Effect on New Zealand The effect on New Zealand has become more evident in 2009.

Job losses are mounting as companies lay off staff or relocate overseas to exploit cheap labour.

New Zealand’s unemployment for the December 2008 quarter was 4.6% and Government officials expect this to increase to 6.4% over the next year.

Hundreds of job losses were announced in the first week of March 2009 alone, including 105 at Irwin Industrial Tools in Wellsford, 180 positions at Sealord in Nelson and 60 from timber products company Nelson Pine Industries.

National Distribution Union secretary Laila Harre said retail workers were being hardest hit. www.munz.org.nz

Ms Harre said thousands of jobs have been lost over the last two months as employers choose not to replace people leaving.

The Warehouse chain was cutting the equivalent of 600 jobs this year by reducing hours and dropping positions.

The union response to the crisis has been mixed.

There is a tension between Unions engaging with Government and business to develop “practical” solutions, but also a clear sense that unions need to lead a fightback against anti-worker policies.

The CTU has engaged with the Government job summit process and has backed the idea of a “nine day” working fortnight to avoid further job losses.

The Government would subsidize the day off.

But the secretary of the largest private sector Union the EPMU, Andrew Little, says the Government’s nine day fortnight announcement is underwhelming and will have to be met with substantial employer top-ups if it is going to work.

The EPMU has supported the idea of a nine day fortnight in principle but only if the government provides a decent subsidy for lost wages.

While it’s important to ensure as many jobs are saved as possible, unions need to be building alternatives to the current economic system that has led to the crisis.

Despite the recession, in several countries such as the UK and the USA, union membership is on the increase. Unions have to use the sense of anger and frustration amongst workers to create a positive movement for change, not just trying to restore “business as usual.”

This means campaigning on a range of issues. Jobs, wages and conditions are central, but so are related issues like housing, health, education and public services.

The housing market, which has been dominated by unsustainable speculation, has lurched from being overpriced to grinding to a halt as prices drop and houses sit unsold.

The situation for young families looking to buy a house still remains poor. Previously the cost of housing was so unaffordable that many took out 95% or 100% mortgages, which they are now stuck with as the value of their property sinks.

Those still trying to get into a house still face inflated prices, and banks now demand 20% deposit, which is completely unrealistic for most working class people.

Although the finance system has not been hit as hard in New Zealand, many finance companies have collapsed taking the investments of ordinary people with them.

The high level of debt in New Zealand will mean many problems as unemployment and financial stress rise.

[continued on next page]

The effect on workers United States The USA jobless rate will reach 9.4 percent this year and remain high until at least 2011, threatening the nation’s longer-term growth potential, according to a survey from the business website Bloomberg News. The USA has already lost 4.4 million jobs since December 2007.

United Kingdom A national business organization predicts UK unemployment will hit 3.2 million as the economy shrinks - over one in ten people.

Official unemployment figures are rising and currently stand at 2 million.

Iceland Iceland’s financial sector crumbled late last year and three of the country’s biggest banks were nationalized.

Iceland’s currency lost half its value and thousands of Icelanders lost their savings and jobs and the government later resigned amid popular anger.

China Around 20 million migrant workers have returned to the Chinese countryside after failing to find work in the cities.

This creates around 26 million to 40 million unemployed people in the countryside, depending on different estimates.

Middle East The UN puts the average unemployment rate as 15 per cent in the Arab world, reaching 40 per cent among people between the ages of 15 and 24 – a total of 66 million out of the total Arab population of 317 million.

Japan Declining exports have pulled the Tokyo stock market to a 26-year low. Japan’s is the world’s second largest economy – which shrank by 12.7% in the last quarter.

Global The world is in the grip of a “great recession” in which the global economy could shrink for the first time since the Second World War, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says.

The head of the IMF, Dominique StraussKahn, says that the global financial meltdown was set to be worse than even previous pessimistic forecasts.

“The IMF expects global growth to slow below zero this year, the worst performance in most of our lifetimes,” he said.

Global unemployment is expected to hit 50 million.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 7

Workers mobilizing – National Distribution Union members and supporters demand decent wage increases at the ‘Skinny Santa Parade’, Auckland, 21 November 2008 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndu/3085974040/ Photo used with permission of NDU [continued from previous page]

As New Zealand has become reliant on a limited range of exports or services, such as volatile agricultural or primary products and a vulnerable tourism industry, the effects of the global recession will be magnified.

Maritime mayhem The downturn is hitting shipping and shipbuilding hard around the world.

Hundreds of container ships have been laid off as trade between Asia and Europe has slumped.

More than 10% of the world’s container ship fleet, or over 450 ships, are laid up.

The total capacity of the container ships laying idle (no movement for 19 days or more) is over 1.35 million TEU (twentyfoot equivalent unit).

The number one global shipper Maersk is preparing to increase the number of idle container ships and is rumoured to be considering laying up around 8% of its fleet, up to 25 vessels.

The shipbuilding industry is in trouble, especially for major producer South Korea.

The Korean Samsun Logix, the world’s seventh largest shipping company, has filed for receivership.

Newbuild orders for South Korean shipyards fell by 40.6% in 2008.

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Response from workers Global trade unions have denounced bonuses ripped out of failing banks and businesses in recent months, as tens of millions of workers worldwide face loss of their jobs and homes and more businesses hit the wall.

Many countries have seen workers taking an organized approach to defending their interests.

French waterside workers were among hundreds of thousands of French people who took part in a national one-day strike in January 2008.

Both ports and shipping services were heavily disrupted as workers demanded measures to protect jobs and wages.

In Dublin, approximately 100,000 people marched through Dublin in February to protest government cutbacks in the face of a deepening recession and bailouts for banks.

They accused the government of sticking teachers, nurses, civil servants and construction workers with the bill for Ireland’s economic woes while letting banks and property developers off the hook.

Leaders of the G20 nations are meeting in London to “coordinate actions to revive the global economy”.

The meeting will be greeted with a mass protest on Saturday 28 March organised

by Put People First, a coalition of unions, charities and other groups.

Put People First is about “creating an economy based on fair distribution of wealth, decent jobs for all and a low carbon future.”

Martin Copson, a senior shop steward in the Unite union at Corus steelworks in Scunthorpe, told the Socialist Worker newspaper that “Ordinary people need to protest at the G20 summit of the world’s leaders to demand that they put people before profit and invest in jobs. We have to make sure that there’s a future for working people.”

“The people being affected aren’t the ones who caused the crisis – it’s ordinary workers and their families.”

Roads ahead Any solution will have to go beyond temporary measures to “restore” a system that does not work for the majority.

The following proposals outline ways in which economies and societies could move to overcome the instability and failure of the current system.

Financial markets and global finance will need to be heavily regulated to ensure that the current situation does not simply repeat itself. The role of finance must be to serve the interests of global development and investment, not short-term and irresponsible profiteering.

www.munz.org.nz

General Strike, France, 29 January 2009 – up to 300,000 people march in Paris and 2.5 million across the country to protest attacks on workers in the economic crisis http://www.flickr.com/photos/timlam18/3316137992/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en

The introduction of international rules and agreements to control the flow of money including taxation on financial transactions rather than workers’ incomes or productive work. The power of finance corporations must be curbed and brought under control by the people.

Free trade will need to be replaced by a global system of trade that puts workers’ interests, the interests of the majority, first. This means ending the “freedom” of corporations to seek the lowest level of wages and conditions by relocating to low wage economies where human rights and workers’ rights are under attack.

Instead of plundering developing countries for their resources or selectively draining them of their educated population through immigration, wealthy nations need to provide support to ensure the equitable development of all nations.

The end of “flexible” labour markets, the end of anti-union laws, and the end of contracting out and transfer of labour across borders to drive down wages and conditions.

Casualization must be tackled and the need for secure jobs recognized as a key part of this.

The empowerment of unions to play a central role in developing plans for a more equal, just and stable economic and social system.

www.munz.org.nz

Greater democratic input from workers into decision making processes.

Social measures such as affordable housing, health care and education must be collectively paid for and provided for all.

The sovereignty and role of democratic Government and communities to make decisions in their own interest without the interference and pressure of private business interests.

Introduction of progressive taxation to reduce the gross inequalities of the free market economy.

Any “bailouts” of corporations should come with ownership rights for the people, the public, whose capital has saved these companies from failure.

Representation of workers and the public on the management and boards of these companies. A much greater role for public, collective and co-operative business and enterprises.

The requirement that all corporations must comply with strong regulations to reduce pollution and resource depletion.

If workers merely react to the current recession, we will once again come last.

Unions need to aggressively organize and mobilize workers to demand major changes to the economy and to society.

These changes are required not just for short-term benefit, but for the survival of humanity.

NEWS

“Unions need to aggressively organize and mobilize workers to demand major changes to the economy and to society”

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 9

INTERNATIONAL

MUA Western Australia Conference February 2009

by Garry Parsloe National Vice President On 18–20 February 2009 I attended the Australian MUA state conference in Fremantle.

Wellington Seafarers’ Branch Secretary Joe Fleetwood and Peter Stills from the Wellington Seafarers’ Branch executive also attended the conference.

The conference opened with an Aboriginal welcome.

MUA Western Australia Branch Secretary Chris Cain then welcomed all the International guests.

The State opposition leader Eric Ripper officially opened the state conference.

He spoke on the importance of being in Unions, the need to implement good industrial relations legislation that will protect workers’ wages and conditions, the need to invest in port infrastructure and the immediate need to put apprenticeships and training programmes in place.

10 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

The conference was then shown a video around the struggles that the Maritime Union of Australia has faced over the years. This video gave a full overview of the Patricks’ dispute, and the campaign to defeat the Howard Government.

Following the video, National Secretary of the MUA Paddy Crumlin gave his address to the State Conference. Paddy spoke on global unemployment, support for a Labor government and the need for workers and Unions to have decent industrial relation legislation to work under.

After smoko we had an address from Allanah McTiernan from the Australian Labor Party.

Allanah’s presentation was on the ALP position on regional ports, future of Fremantle Harbour and maritime policy.

Allanah spoke on workers’ rights at work, industrial relations, subsidies to shipping, maritime programmes and supporting port development.

The morning session concluded with a DVD of recent disputes in the Western Australian region.

The afternoon was taken up with regional port reports.

Day two opened under the heading of “Internationalism” and the relevance of unions in the international economic downturn.

As I was on the agenda to speak in this session, I took the opportunity to thank the Maritime Union of Australia for their support in the Napier dispute.

I then went on to give a report on our recent dispute with the Port of Tauranga and our subsequent victory which ensured that our members in Tauranga were not replaced with non-Union labour just because the Port of Tauranga could not resolve their issues with NZL. After morning smoko on day two we had a panel presentation under the heading of “Community Campaigning.”

Various speakers spoke on community issues and the support unions have received from their communities when in disputes.

Also in this session we had an excellent presentation from Willie Adams of the ILWU.

Willie spoke on the world economy, industrial relations, the protest against wars and the recent political campaign in the USA. The last session on day two was under the heading of “Industrial Relations” including the Industrial Relations system, current negotiations, bargaining in the current environment, forward with fairness, the future of Industrial Relations, and the impact of legislation.

Joe Fleetwood spoke on this panel and on New Zealand’s Industrial Relations laws.

The campaign around our support for the Labour Party in the General Elections, New Zealand’s free trade agreements, sale of public assets, tax cuts and casualisation.

The last speaker on day two was Secretary of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Workers’ Union Michelle O’Neill.

Michelle spoke on wage rates within the industry that her members work in and on some of the problems that her members are facing.

Day three opened under the heading of “Unions Working Together in Western Australia” including Unions Working Together, the Ten Point Plan, Hydrocarbons Campaign, and joint campaigning between unions.

All the panel speakers spoke with passion on the importance of unions working together.

It was in this session that we had a Veterans report which identified all the good work that the MUA Veterans have done especially in support of picket lines.

After smoko on day three we had a session under the heading of “Growth” including building capacity, growth campaigns, and organising.

Speakers in this session spoke at length on how they are growing the Union membership.

After lunch on the last day the conference addressed all the resolutions that had been debated in the earlier sessions of the conference.

After the closing speeches we headed off from what was a very positive conference.

www.munz.org.nz

NEWS

Plans for minimum wage referendum

Maritime Union named in police spy case

National Government’s “90 Day Serfdom Law”

The Maritime Union is backing moves for a referendum on boosting the minimum wage.

Maritime Union of New Zealand spokesperson Victor Billot says the Union has offered its support for the proposed referendum put forward by the Unite Union.

The Unite Union has submitted a request to the Clerk of the House for the right to petition for a referendum on raising the minimum wage to two-thirds of the average wage.

The proposed wording would read “Should the minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour and then in steps over the next three years until it reaches two-thirds of the average ordinary time hourly rate as recommended by the 1973 Royal Commission into Social Security and the International Labour Organisation?”

Mr Billot says the problems of low wage work and casualization were serious problems for New Zealand and needed to be sorted out.

He says the spiralling costs of basic goods such as food and housing were putting many working families under immense pressure.

“We are basically looking at a substantial number of low waged workers in New Zealand doing necessary work, and contributing to society, who are being exploited and used to prop up the economy for the benefit of employers.”

Mr Billot says the proposed referendum would attract a groundswell of support from workers.

“People are sick of seeing a small elite enrich themselves while others have to struggle with poverty wages.”

The Port Chalmers Dunedin Branch of the Maritime Union has already passed a resolution supporting the concept of the referendum at its February 2009 stopwork meeting.

The Maritime Union is looking at legal action after newspaper investigations revealed the Union had been spied on.

Emails released to the media in December 2008 revealed how a paid police informer was providing information to the Special Investigations Group (SIG) of the New Zealand Police on a number of legitimate organizations.

The Maritime Union was one of a number of unions reportedly named in emails about union actions sent by police informer Rob Gilchrist to his handler in the Special Investigation Group.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Maritime Union believes an inquiry is required and is looking for an apology from Police.

He says the spying actions discriminate against union members and have damaged the reputation of the Union, as well as intruding on privacy.

“We want to find out just what information is being held and the reason behind our Union being targeted.”

He says the weak response of the Government has been disturbing, and if the Police had nothing to hide, they would not object to an inquiry.

“If the police are serious about tracking groups who threaten the wellbeing of ordinary New Zealanders, would they pay informers to spy on employer groups wanting to attack wages and conditions?”

“Who exactly decides who goes on the spy list, who authorizes these decisions, and what accountability and procedures do such special investigations have to ensure they are not corrupt or politically biased?”

by Peter Harvey President, Mount Maunganui Tauranga Branch

www.munz.org.nz

It strikes me like something out of a “bad comedy” watching the National-led Government’s selling changes to our employment laws as for the benefit of working people.

The last time this happened was in the early 1990s when the then National led Government was in the process of enacting the Employment Contracts Act. Workers were told at that time that the Act would give them the increased flexibility they yearned for to bargain directly with their employers for mutually agreed contracts.

Of course many workers who remember that time would not agree that that was the outcome.

Now workers are being told that by empowering employers with the right to dismiss them at will within the first ninety days of employment (in certain enterprises) this will create more job opportunities in the labour market. This is a twisted piece of “Tory logic”, it doesn’t sit well with the high levels of employment we have enjoyed over the last few years without this policy. The reasons given by the Government and employers for the taking away of such essential worker rights are equally fallacious.

Apparently there is “an army” of ex new workers out there that have risked lawyer fees, court costs and been able to hoodwink employment court judges into awarding them big payouts for what were frivolous personal grievance cases.

Of course that is fantasy but it is what the Government and employers would have us believe.

So now along with other changes to the Employment Relations Act, New Zealand worker rights begin the slippery slide down to those suffered by our brother workers in countries governed by the more oppressive regimes. The New Zealand Trade Union Movement has of course already begun the fight to prevent these changes from becoming established and accepted as the norm in our workplaces. In the meantime though the message the new law sends to all workers is clear - don’t “need” the job too much, keep your head down no matter how bad the job gets, don’t even think about joining a Trade Union, we don’t want to hear a squeak out of you.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 11

NEWS

Wellington seafarer Jack Thompson (with Palestinian flag) and Wellington Seafarers’ Branch Secretary Joe Fleetwood at the “Free Palestine” March to Parliament in January 2009

Unions react to Gaza catastrophe:

Humanitarian aid, calls for ceasefire and denouncement of “disproportionate response”

12 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

A first planeload of humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza touched down in Egypt in January 2009 as part of a trade union relief operation.

An Airbus of emergency supplies was organised and loaded by Jordan’s General Trade Union of Workers in Air Transport and Tourism with the support of the ITF. Containing three ambulances, medical supplies, food and water, for distribution in Gaza by the Red Crescent, the aircraft was made available free for the flight by Royal Jordanian Airlines.

ITF Representative for the Arab World Bilal Malkawi, who was on the airplane which he and Jordanian trade unionists helped load, reported: “We’ve collected what was most urgently requested by medics in Gaza. Mostly non-perishable items – examination tables, beds, wheelchairs, swabs, casts and splints for broken limbs. Plus bottled water, milk for babies, rice, wheat, and children’s food.”

The international trade union movement, including the ITF, ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation), and the Palestinian and Jordanian trade union congresses (PGFTU and GFJTU) have all backed a call for trade unions to sponsor humanitarian relief aid to Gaza.

Unions around the world have called for a ceasefire and condemned the bombing of Gaza in January 2009 by Israeli military forces.

In response to calls for support from the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions and the International Trade Union Confederation, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions called on the New Zealand Government to take practical actions including revoking the credentials of the Israeli ambassador and ensuring that the New Zealand government does not make use of Israeli products or services in its procurement provisions.

CTU President Helen Kelly said these actions were similar to those taken by the Government in relation to Fiji and are an appropriate and proportionate response to the totally disproportionate actions of Israel against the people of Gaza.

“Families in Gaza are the poorest in the Middle East and have nowhere to hide from these attacks. They are not only losing their lives but also the limited work opportunities that do exist are being destroyed,” she said.

“New Zealand is a long way away from this conflict, but we can make a real difference through these actions and in doing so, we make it clear to Israel that they must leave the occupied territories and work for peace in the region if they want international relations with countries like ours.”

www.munz.org.nz

NEWS

A ferry good result The weeklong Manly Fast Ferry dispute was settled in February 2009, as Bass and Flinders management and the Maritime Union of Australia signed off on an agreement to raise both wages and safety for the Manly Fast Ferry.

“It’s a win for commuters and a win for the workers,” said MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Warren Smith.

“Commuters will get the insurance of a service that will maintain the highest community and safety standards, the workers will get decent wages and conditions. It’s all we ever wanted.”

However Mr Smith also called for the NSW government In future to give proper consideration to workers’ rights in tendering processes.

Maritime workers and community supporters have been protesting the new service with picket numbers swelling to around 70 a day at Circular Quay.

Under question was the company decision to bypass the union, cutting back on wages and safety conditions on the new service at the same time undermining the public ferry service. Negotiations broke down last week and the union has been mobilising supporters daily, raising safety and wage issues while urging commuters to give the new fast ferry a miss.

Union officials and management met and agreed to work together, signing off on a heads of agreement, which includes commitment to a union collective agreement, guaranteed safe operating procedures and a 25 per cent pay rise for crew.

The parties aim to finalise the agreement

by March 31.

All pickets and protests will stop while negotiations are under way.

For more information, see www.mua.org.au

Women keeping Ports of Auckland watch on working must remain in rights public hands Working women must be vigilant that their quest for parity and opportunity in the workplace does not fall victim to the recession, CTU President Helen Kelly says.

Speaking to mark International Working Women’s Day on 8 March, Kelly said that unions everywhere are very concerned about how the economic crisis will impact on women’s employment.

“The New Zealand Government’s recent decision to suspend two enquiries into pay and employment equity for its own female employees is a very serious concern,” said Helen Kelly.

“We’ll be keeping a very close eye on women’s jobs and won’t allow their working conditions to go backwards.”

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) reports that pay inequity worldwide is higher than official government figures suggest, and that women bear a disproportionate brunt of job losses in the recession.

The ITUC’s evidence showing that trade union membership leads to much better incomes for both women and men, as well as greater equity, confirming the vital role that unions must play in promoting fair treatment for women at work.

Documentary makers seek old crew members We wish to hear from any one who may have been part of coastal steam ship crews in New Zealand during December 1956.

We are particularly interested in crew members of the ‘Koromiko’ and the ‘Kopara’ that passed through East Coast ports during this period.

If you can help, please email or call us on the number below.

Many thanks, Scott Bainbridge Email scott@screentime.co.nz Screentime Ltd 09 303 3339 EXT 303

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says that any proposal to privatize the Ports of Auckland would create a “perfect storm of opposition.”

Maritime Union Local 13 President Denis Carlisle says those pushing the plan were people out of time.

“There is obviously a faction out there who want to bring back port privatization plans from the dead.”

Mr Carlisle says that the privatization strategy with the Ports of Auckland failed in the 1990s due to mass public opposition and recent attempts to part-privatize the Ports of Lyttelton had also ended in failure.

“It seems bizarre at a time when the deregulation and privatization agenda has now been completely discredited globally, there are people who still want to continue on down the same old path.”

He says that the port has recently seen major productivity gains and to complain about reduced profits when the global economy was in crisis showed privatization proponents were out of touch with reality.

Mr Carlisle says it was obvious that there were problems with the port system in New Zealand.

These problems were due to lack of a national ports plan and regulation, leading to self-destructive competition and the casualization of the workforce, and privatization would only make matters worse.

“In the end analysis, the role of ports is to ensure the flow of goods to and from New Zealand, not as a cash cow for private investors looking for a quick buck.”

He says it made no sense for a small, maritime trade dependent nation like New Zealand to pass over control of its transport infrastructure to private interests whose only motive is short term profit.

He says that if board members were not comfortable with the status of the Ports of Auckland they should clear out.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 13

NEWS

New US labour laws would help union rights

Send it in.

We want to hear from members about what they want to see in the Maritimes magazine.

It’s your magazine.

We’re looking for photos and news tips from members.

Get in touch to tell us if there is something you’d like to see in the Maritimes.

Mail PO Box 27004, Wellington, New Zealand Email victor.billot@munz.org.nz Fax (09) 9251125 Mobile 021482219

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire The Roger Award 2008 has gone to British American Tobacco NZ Ltd (BAT), who beat out stiff competition from Rio Tinto Aluminium NZ Ltd for top place.

It’s a prize you don’t want to win and a nightmare for corporate public relations managers.

The annual Roger award goes to the worst transnational corporation operating in New Zealand.

The award is organized by the Campaign Against the Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) and was announced at an Auckland event on 2 March 2009.

Judges included economist Geoff Bertram, past President of the Methodist Church Brian Turner, RMTU life member Paul Corliss, Nurses Organization industrial manager Cee Payne, Banks Peninsula writer Christine Dann, and former Waikato University vice chancellor Bryan Gould.

Other finalists for the Roger included ANZ, Contact Energy, GlaxoSmithKline, Infratil, McDonalds, and Telecom.

A special Accomplice Award went to Business New Zealand.

The winner has to be a transnational (a corporation which is 25% or more foreignowned) which has the worst record for Economic Dominance, treatment of people, environment damage and political interference.

The judges noted that BAT product “kills 5,000 people every year and ruins the lives of tens of thousands. It perennially refuses to take responsibility for the social and economic consequences of its activity, while maintaining a major public relations effort to subvert the efforts of the Government to reduce cigarette consumption.”

Rio Tinto Aluminium was runner up because of its “single act of political intimidation”, threatening to close the Bluff smelter if the former Government’s proposed emissions trading scheme went ahead.

Workers in the US are backing the new Employee Free Choice Act so that other workers are able to benefit from union rights in the workplace.

The act is due to be considered by the US Congress later this year.

Teamster Union member Fred Hargrove, who has worked for UPS Freight, formerly Overnite Transportation, for more than 20 years, mainly without union backing, spoke at a press conference in Raleigh, North Carolina in February.

Teamsters Local 391 and other labour, religious and community groups held the meeting to express support for the EFCA and to challenge an event hosted by an anti-labour coalition, involving big business, which is fighting the pro-worker legislation.

“My brothers and sisters wanted to be in a union,” Hargove said. “Overnite did everything they could to keep us from organising, but UPS Freight was the exact opposite. With a card-check agreement and no management standing in our way, we quickly joined the Teamsters in a matter of weeks.”

“Our wages, benefits and work rules are all improved because we could finally join the union,” he said. “Now I want other workers to have the same opportunity, without having to wait 20 years to do it.

The Employee Free Choice Act will provide that opportunity.”

“Let us be clear” said Jack Cipriani, International Vice President and Local 391 President. “These big business groups that are fighting the Employee Free Choice Act don’t care about workers. All they care about is their ability to line their own pockets. We’re going to keep on sharing the truth about the legislation.”

The Employee Free Choice Act would allow for stronger penalties against employers who violate workers’ rights when they attempt to form a union and during first contract negotiations, provide mediation and arbitration for first contract disputes and allow workers to form unions by signing cards authorising representation.

For more information http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/ index.cfm/newsdetail/3085

More information available at www.cafca.org.nz

14 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

www.munz.org.nz

NEWS

Photo by Jef Poskanzer licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

Price fixing? The regulators are all at sea

By Tim Hunter The Commerce Commission’s prosecution of 13 airlines for alleged “extensive and long-term cartel activity” in air cargo, ie. price fixing, looks like a robust defence of market principles by the government.

It is nothing of the sort.

Right under the noses of regulators cartel activity is going on that makes the air cargo trade look like tiddlywinks, but nothing is done about it. Why? Because it’s legal.

In the year to June, airlines carried $14 billion worth of New Zealand’s international trade, comprising $5.5b of exports and $8.5b of imports.

That trade earned airlines about $400 million, according to the Commerce Commission. Over the seven years the cartel operated, air cargo revenue was worth $2.9b, it said.

In its statement on Tuesday, the commission said the alleged airline cartel “will have caused extensive harm to the New Zealand economy.

New Zealand is a long way from its overseas markets and so the harm to our economy and our ability to compete internationally will have been disproportionately greater than in other jurisdictions in which the conduct took place.

“Many New Zealand businesses and every consumer will have been directly affected by the increased air freight costs over many years.

www.munz.org.nz

It will have resulted in increased costs for exporters and importers and higher overall prices for many consumer goods.”

There are several ways the cartel was said to operate – a key one was by agreeing to impose surcharges on fuel.

As commission chairman Paula Rebstock commented at the press conference, if surcharges were genuinely a cost recovery measure there would be no need to discuss them with competitors.

While the financial cost to New Zealand was difficult to estimate, she said overseas studies suggested cartels tended to raise prices by 10-20%.

By that figure, the alleged air cartel could have cost New Zealand businesses at least $300m over the seven years.

Aircraft, however, carry just a fraction of New Zealand’s international trade. In the year to June, $70.4 billion worth of goods were shipped by sea five times the amount going by air. That’s $35.3b of exports and $35.1b of imports.

Sea cargo is therefore much more important for our merchandise trade than air cargo.

Yet sea freight is dominated by cartels that blatantly fix fuel surcharges. Known in the trade as the “bunker adjustment factor”, or BAF, one particular surcharge is a significant cost for businesses shipping goods in and out of New Zealand.

According to one shipping industry source, several BAF increases this year have added a total $US400 ($690) per 20ft container to freight prices. “Those BAF increases pay for the entire fuel used by the ship coming down from Europe. It’s profit, undoubtedly. The shipping lines are absolutely creaming it.”

Yet despite the importance of sea freight to New Zealand and the potentially huge burden of price fixing, parliament in 1987 specifically exempted inwards and outwards sea freight from the anti-competitive provisions of the Commerce Act. The law was perfunctorily revisited in 1996 when then-transport minister Maurice Williamson was advised that there was “no pressing reason” for change, and there were “very good reasons why any review should be delayed”.

Nothing has been done about it since.

Some provisions of the Shipping Act 1987 cover abuse of power by shipping companies, but these are so limp-wristed they make Liberace look like John Wayne.

So when we see the Commerce Commission targeting airlines it’s worth reflecting on the foibles of legislation. Clearly, airlines just didn’t lobby hard enough for special treatment.

This article originally appeared in the Sunday Star Times on Sunday, 21 December 2008, and is reproduced with kind permission.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 15

FEATURES I thought it might be nice to own, there can’t be many seamen that own the first ship they worked on.

Soon after arriving on board the Te Aroha I realized what a big job I was taking on, financially and maintainence wise.

Gordon and I agreed that she needs to go to a trust, as she’s too much for one person to take on.

When she was a cargo vessel she had a captain, a chief engineer, two able seamen and two deck boys to maintain her and keep her seaworthy.

It’s important to keep this historical vessel going, let’s not have the attitude of a lot of people today and see this taonga (treasure) made into a kauri table or a piece of furniture – another part of New Zealand history gone forever.

The Te Aroha is 100 years old and going strong but needs some love and care. If you have any ideas or input or finance to keep her going into the next century comrades, please get in contact with me.

MUNZ members visiting the Te Aroha from the YeoTide (in background), from left, John Brown, ‘Staggers’ and Russell Alexander

100 year odyssey:

“Staggers” Paul Saggers 72 Grove Street, Nelson Phone 021643206

A History of the Schooner “Te Aroha”

by Paul ‘Staggers’ Saggers MUNZ 1446, NZSU 2682 Built from one kauri log, the last of her kind, the Te Aroha is a hundred years old this year.

MV Te Aroha was built for the Wairoa and Mohaka Shipping Company by T.M. Lane and Sons of Totara North in 1909.

Te Aroha was purchased by Richardsons and Company in 1913, and was one of the many vessels that provided the only means of communication between Napier and northern Hawkes Bay. In 1916 the Wairoa Farmers Co-operative Meat Company built a freezing works in Wairoa. Te Aroha was insulated for the carriage of frozen meat and along with the scows Koau and Echo shipped up the whole output of the Wairoa Freezing Works.

In 1928 she was sold to the Anchor Shipping Company of Nelson who employed her in their trade from Nelson bays and ports to Wellington, Wanganui, the West Coast and Lyttelton.

In 1933 the Te Aroha was bought by the Karamea Shipping Company to replace the illfated Fairburn which had sunk on the Buller River bar.

For the next 48 years the Te Aroha served Nelson bays and ports and Wellington and crossed Cook Strait more than 10 000 times.

16 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

Tim Phipps (aka ‘The Arab’), who was an ex-Rail Ferry mate as you may remember, purchased the Te Aroha in 1976. In 1979 the Te Aroha was sailed to Auckland where she was sold to the Aotea Shipping Company. They carried out major refit and changes to convert her from a cargo ship to a passenger charter vessel.

She is now lying alongside in Whangarei and owned by ex member and now MUA member Gordon ‘Snowdrops’ Snowden.

I and many others started our seatime on scows and auxiliary scooners like the Te Aroha, Portland and Echo.

Many other vessels before my time include the Pearl Casper and Oban.

They are now gone, along with the sailors who sailed on them.

There are many Kiwi seamen who owe their worldly goods, livelihoods and regular income to these small wooden ships that gave them a start in life at sea, some of them going on to become foreign going masters.

Even watersiders received regular work at New Zealand ports thanks to regular calls from these old wooden ships.

Recently I came back from Whangarei as a guest of ‘Snowdrops’ Gordon Snowden, now owner of the Te Aroha, with the intention of purchasing the vessel myself.

The Te Aroha today

The Te Aroha carried 2000 mutton carcasses from Wairoa Works to Napier each day in 1918

www.munz.org.nz

FEATURES

First Asia Pacific Regional Offshore Task Force Group (OTFG) Meets in Bali

Matthew Smith with his scale model of the Spirit of Competition

Ex-Kiwi makes it big in modelling

by Victor Billot Former Pacifica worker Matthew Smith has built a scale model of the recently retired Pacifica vessel Spirit of Competition.

The model is 70% complete and as can be seen in the accompanying photograph is of a high standard of workmanship.

“I would like ex crew if they read the Maritimes to see that I did build a model of the ship after speaking about it years ago,” he says.

Matt, formerly of Lyttelton, has lived in Sydney for five years now.

“I knew a lot of seaman with Pacifica and at Milburn Cement. I work as a chef and cook. I used to help the guys out on the ships at Pacifica from 1995-2000 to get lots of work experience and that made me go to Tech in 2000.”

He says he is glad the Spirit of Competition crew have gone to a new ship, but sad about how the wharfies who worked the ship have been treated.

The model is scale 1/100, and he started to build the model end of November 2008.

The hull is made up of 5mm balsa wood for frames then covered with 2mm balsa for hull plating.

The hull was coated with sanding sealer and filler, then Matt used the correct paints for hull.

Matt chose the blue as the underwater hull as he thought it looks good and he has photos of the ship in drydock with blue on the hull.

The model was built using ships plans from Pacifica Shipping, general arrangement plan and hull lines plan.

Any questions or comments for Matt can be emailed to mjsmith292@hotmail.com

The Asia Pacific Regional Offshore Task Force Group (OTFG) held its inaugural meeting at the Bali Seamen’s Club in Sanur, Bali on 4 November 2008.

The birth of the regional group was a result of an earlier meeting held in Ciudad Del Carmen, Mexico in October 2008, where the ITF OTFG agreed to the setting up of three regional groups; one representing the Americas, another representing Europe and the third representing Asia Pacific, to continue the work of the Task Force in between annual meetings of the Main Group.

Among the affiliates that participated in this first regional group meeting was SMOU, which represented Singapore.

Other affiliates included Indonesia, Timor Leste, Russia, New Zealand, Australia and Norway.

After the election of the Chairman for the group, Mr Mick Doleman, discussions focused on the issues in the Asia Pacific, potential new members of the group and action-plan to be taken including closer ties with International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) affiliates.

A report on the Timor Leste situation was also delivered.

The group agreed that they would utilise the ITF’s website to maintain efficient communications, disseminate information and encourage dialogue.

Following the Asia Pacific Regional OTFG meeting in Bali, members of the group went full swing into action to meet with the Minister for Labour and the Minister for Natural Resources in Timor Leste.

The intention was to further the work in the area for the establishment of a task force with government and union involvement to work together to fund training and employment opportunities for Timorese transport and maritime workers.

The meeting concluded successfully with the Minister for Natural Resources agreeing to hold a seminar on 23-24 February 2009.

Reprinted from SeaVoices, bimonthly publication of the Singapore Maritime Officers Union and Wavelink Cooperative

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 17

RANK AND FILE REPORT

Seagulls fighting for crumbs

by Darrin Beazley Local 13 My father Norman Beazley was a stevedore for thirty-four years. Even though it has been twenty-seven years since his early demise, the core values that he emphasized, hard work, family and education still resonate in my life.

In our house, real men played league, we always had a veggie garden, Michael Savage was worshipped, and a healthy diet consisted of seven boil ups per week.

He was Union to the core and was on the frontline in the ‘51 lockout. I am ashamed to admit now that I am a Seagull* that those workers’ rights they fought for have since been eroded and sadly Seagulls today in many aspects are worse off than ever before.

If you don’t know your past you are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

Seagulls now are waiting for phones calls for shifts which is no different to those who begged for work outside the gates during the 1930s Depression.

Once Seagulls were on the same rate as the permanents. The management of stevedore companies has always been combative, treating us as faceless numbers and putting profits first.

However this article is not about attacking the four Auckland stevedore companies as they don’t control the amount or when the ships come in to port.

Instead it’s about the many difficulties that Seagulls face and why we endure them.

The men and women who ply their trade on the wharves are a special breed. They sometimes work mentally and physicaliy exhausting sixteen-hour days in atrocious weather with low pay rates (it was $13 per hour until the beginning of this year).

We have dramatically fluctuating paychecks which could be brilliant one week and pathetic for the next three weeks.

We are especially proud of our safety record in what is a very dangerous working environment. It is not uncommon for workers to find themselves standing on top of boxes three high in ferocious electrical storms. Except for me, because I have such an intense phobia of heights that I get dizzy wearing my pink high heel shoes.

18 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

Another problem with being a Seagull is that it takes many years to gain a promotion to become a permanent worker with the security and basic benefits like sick leave, which is something most Kiwi workers take for granted.

Only one out of approximately seventyfive of our Seagulls got picked up this year for permanent work.

Compound this with a dramatically declining dollar value due to the escalating cost of essentials such as food, fuel, rent and beer. The result is high stress and astoundingly low morale. Due to these types of issues there is a medium turnover of Seagulls and only the hardest survive (not strictly true because I’m still there and I’m soft as butter. ) Like any job, nothing beats experience so some of the best workers are forced to leave because it is impossible to house and feed your families when you only gain two or three shifts a week. Every industry needs those who know how to perform multiple tasks automatically.

The diverse nature of our cargos make the job interesting.

Many times it is like a giant jigsaw puzzle placing cargo in the holds.

Driving new or powerful vehicles off ships can be awesome but personally I find carships mundane.

We speak our own language too. For an example, a foreman may tell us there are 10 20 reefers that are DLR on the aft starboard tween. My kryptonite is lashing up, lifting heavy chains and putting on twitches makes me blonde (confused) so I just go fishing instead.

We have elevated mocking to a art form with no-one immune from the foreman down.

We laugh so much that I wear nappies. So many hilarious events have occurred in my life as a Seagull. I will only give two examples because “what happens on the wharves stays on the wharves”.

A person who drove a car off a car ship but the ramp was on the lower level so he wrote the car off is an example, or the idiot who filled a white jumpsuit with paper and hung it from the roof. Someone thought that it was a suicide and called an ambulance.

I got fired for that one but got reinstated because everyone said it wasn’t his fault because he has the mental age of a three year old. Good times, good times.

It would be remiss of me not to contribute crucial counselling to alleviate our constant financial distress and sense of alienation from management.

Seagulls should be able to work for other companies. Maybe even have a pool of workers.

Consolidate the workers that we have instead of constantly bringing in new Seagulls. Train us to perform skilled jobs.

Diversify so that we can do other jobs like selling firewood or vacuum cleaning the trucks.

Stop changing the rules every week – they don’t make sense and are open for abuse with a prime example being Seagulls weren’t allowed to drive the company vehicles so we sat outside the base because there was no-one to drive us onto our ships. Run rule changes by us and give us details of the months shipping schedules.

“Make me the boss.”

Seagulls are proud, passionate professionals. This is our career, or as in my case my last chance, because I am otherwise unemployable. (I cherish feeling the sun on my cheeks but am not allowed to work with no pants on.)

There is a sensual, serene sense of satisfaction when we have turned our ships around. It can be exciting, fun, frustrating, and painfully boring in the same hour yet this is where I am meant to be because even though we come from many diverse nations we share an intense sense of comradeship that is rare in other industries.

We have each others backs. They are my brothers and sisters who I trust with my life but not my wife.

This article took twenty drafts yet I will never be satisfied with the end result. It was composed to vent my anger from being broke five days a week, yet it reaffirmed how much I love my vocation. * Editor’s note: for those outside the industry, seagull means a casual watersider.

www.munz.org.nz

RANK AND FILE REPORT

Pacific Titan

“Solidarity wins the day”

by Alf Boyle Pacific Titan arrived on the New Zealand coast in late October 2008, into New Plymouth, for seismic work off the New Zealand coast.

MUNZ members joined the vessel in New Plymouth on 26 October, relieving some MUA members when we joined.

Upon joining the vessel, we were appalled to see the state of our shared bathroom and toilet facilities. A meeting was held with MUA and MUNZ members present, and it was voted that we pursue a hard laying claim of $70 per day per man, and request an overhaul and refurbishment of our bathroom and toilet facilities as soon as possible.

A hard laying claim had been previously lodged by MUA in respect of this same issue.

We were in port for at least a week after lodging our claim and requests, for matters to be addressed and sorted.

However, we never heard a bean, and the Master informed us on the Thursday afternoon that the ship was ready to sail at 0700hrs on Friday 7 November.

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On good advice from MUNZ and the MUA (thanks Joe and Chris), delegates Colin Wilson (MUNZ) and Nathan Bartlett (MUA) informed the Master that we would not be sailing until we were acknowledged and had the ships problems sorted out.

We were approached by the Master on the Thursday night with offers of $20, then $35, and finally $50.

Needless to say our members stuck to our guns with our original claim amount of $70, together with an assurance that our facilities would be sorted out as soon as possible.

So we stuck it up, and hello, next minute the company is listening to us!

After some good work by Chris Cain and Joe Fleetwood and the solidarity shown by the members on board, Swires came to the party and sorted matters out, allowing us to sail.

A big thanks again to Joe Fleetwood and Chris Cain in winning this battle, and we hope that Swires have got the message, that we are not prepared to put up with the conditions on some of these old ships anymore.

Unity is strength – MUA and MUNZ members Pacific Titan.

An example of the unacceptable condition of facilities on Pacific Titan that led to the dispute

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 19

UNION HISTORY PORT ROUNDUPS MV Lorena departing Onehunga for Rarotonga 20 November 1976

Wheelbarrows for Rarotonga an interlude from my sea-going career

by Allan Phillips NZSU 974, Life Member since 1985 On the 29 April 1974 I was asked to relieve Len Anderson in the Anzac Avenue Seaman’s Union rooms in Auckland until the 9 May 1974, holding the fort and running the corner during that time.

As I was on the corner prior to this, I once again re-registered until receiving an urgent phone call on the afternoon of 21 May 1974 asking if I could take a pier head jump on the M.V. Lorena to relieve Alick McDonald, who being a sea going counciller at the time was wanted urgently to attend a union meeting.

I hadn’t been up to the Islands since the S.S. Waihemo days so jumped at the chance and got down to the ship as soon as possible to find the crew finishing the deck cargo lashings ready for sea.

Terepo Rahihi was bosun so it was good to renew his acquaintance.

It was to be my first time to Niue and Aitutaki and also my first time alongside in Rarotonga. We had to call in to Raoul Island on the way back on 13 June 1974 to uplift the crew off a yacht that were stranded there.

If I remember correctly there were two men and two women who had anchored their boat at Raoul Island to go visit the weather station, only to find on their return the anchor had dragged and there were only little bits and pieces strewn along the shore.

20 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

The mate gave his cabin up to the women and the men had the hospital, while we made our way to Wellington where we arrived to press and television on the 16 June.

We were in Onehunga on 24 June but didn’t leave until 7 July, as a strike was called during that period. Harry Julian had originally purchased the Lorena but had sold it to the New Zealand National Line.

She had already done a trip for the New Zealand Shipping Corporation before I joined her.

During one of my early leave breaks I ran into John Kellaher (Rubber Lips), who being married to a Raro girl, asked if I could take a parcel up to Rarotonga for her, to a Mrs Campbell, who I believe could have raised her.

I duly took it up and Mrs Campbell came down to the ship to collect it, inviting me to go for a ride around the Island.

We called at her home in Titikaveka for a cup of tea and I was intrigued to see on her front lawn two bronze signal cannons from a long ago wreck of a sailing ship.

Mrs Campbell was a very nice old lady and I quite enjoyed the trip around the Island.

After another trip to the Islands we were due for survey, so ended up on the Whangarei Slipway on 12 August 1974 for a couple of days. I went relieving Bosun on 22 August 1974 and about then we instigated a two-crew system, the first on the coast to do so.

I remained bosun of one crew and Terepo Rahihi bosun of the other crew. Our motorman then was Frank Liley who had been in the Navy with the then Kiwi fire chief at the Rarotonga Airport, so we got to know that crew pretty well.

We had to take on water in Rarotonga so I jacked it up with the fire chief to bring a tanker load down. It was double filtered water at the airport as it had to be free of impurities in case of emergencies.

That became a regular ritual every trip after that. It was used as a fire crew practice.

I guess one good tum deserved another, as I used to take potatoes and onions up for them - they were pretty expensive to purchase locally.

On 7 September 1974, we met the assistant fire chief, John Rennie, over at Aitutaki and he took us for a tour around in their local four-wheel drive. We went up to the highest point, which still had some remnants of the American wartime defence gun emplacements. Aitutaki lagoon was a Catalina P.B.Y. base during the war.

As we were going back to Rarotonga to change over engineers, John, the assistant fire chief, came back over with us.

One of my old mates had come back to sea after a spell ashore running a hash foundry. I’d known Terry Veale for years and we got on well together.

One of the local identities we ran into at the Banana Court, Max by name, used to lend us his old bomb of a car every trip. We’d

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UNION HISTORY leave it full of gas for him as payment plus a few shouts at the Banana Court. It sure was an old bomb – the battery was jammed in with a coconut. One trip Terry and I went around to pick it up at his home and Terry couldn’t get it started.

Old Max pushed it out muttering to himself, fired it up and it being in gear he disappeared through the back of the so called carport and was lost to view in the jungle behind. Talk about laugh, we both cracked up, it was like a scene out of a movie.

During those times we used to go out to Sonny Gilland’s place at Titikaveka.

He was a cousin of Terepo Rahihi’s and had gone to New Zealand.

He actually finished up as a foreman of Fisher and Paykel the last I heard, but we used to use his private beach for swimming and barbecuing.

I don’t think Sonny has even been back to Rarotonga. When I visited a couple of years ago you couldn’t see what was left of the house for the overgrown jungle.

We used to take a full load to Rarotonga every trip. They would block stow drums on deck and put cars on top.

Someone botched up in Auckland one trip, because when it came to sailing time we couldn’t house the cranes because of the way they had stowed the cars. We had to defer the sailing and get a gang back next morning to rearrange the cargo.

The manoeuvering into the harbour in Rarotonga was a bit tricky. We used to have to drop the anchor abeam at the end of the wharf and payout about two or three shackles while steaming across the basin. Then we’d heave the bow back on the anchor to get turned around facing the open sea ready to get out in a hurry if we had to.

The local yacht club in those days raced a class of yacht called a sun-burst and we used to frequent there sometimes. They used to have the local horse races along the beach in the same area. David Peake even graced them with his presence in November 1975 and gave an exhibition gallop for the benefit of the local boy jockeys.

We were running out of Onehunga quite a bit so I got to know the Harbour Board waterman, Shorty MacGracecutt quite well. I’ve recently run into him again - he is now living up the Mount overlooking Tairua Harbour. Len Ford who I’d been a shipmate with before, was driving a forklift at Onehunga and possibly still is. I’d been to sea with one of his other brothers and of course Billy Ford was an Auckland Watersider.

As we were doing Rarotonga and Aitutaki regularly, we got to know some of the locals in both places. Harold Brown had the local watering hole in Aitutaki. Whenever we used to go there, there always seemed to be an off duty mate or engineer with us who would take a radio telephone with them so we knew when the last barge of bananas would be going out to the ship. www.munz.org.nz

We had two days there on 12 and 13 November 1974 and had been out to sea for some time when I received some sad news.

As I was permanent 4 to 8 watch, I’d been turned in for a while when Tony Thompson, the skipper, came down to say he had bad news for me.

A cable had arrived to say my dad had died that day. It wasn’t really a great shock as he’d had a stroke way back in 1946, which had robbed him of speech and paralysed his right side. He’d been able to walk with a stick but his right arm was useless.

He’d spent twenty-eight years like that.

There wasn’t much I could do except send a cable back to apologise for not being able to be there.

Some Leopards in the Cabin I can’t remember the date but one trip from Onehunga we were up for 2pm so most of us adjourned to the Manukau for a final wet-the-whistle. The wharfies were just topping off the after hatch, which necessitated breaking down the pallets of canned Leopard beer.

Frank Lilly’s cabin porthole opened onto the foredeck and he jokingly said that if they couldn’t get it all in the hatch, to throw it in through his porthole. When we got back just before 1pm the wharfies were all finished and gone.

However, Frank found he couldn’t get his cabin door open - they’d taken him literally and he had to finish up getting through the porthole to shift some of the cases of Leopard out of the way. I think everyone’s locker finished up with some cases in it that trip and we had a good Sunday barbecue on Sonny Gilland’s beach at Titikaveka.

We had left Aitutaki on 5 July 1975, and by the time we had got down to the Kermadecs, had struck the fringe of a tropical cyclone. We were really rolling our guts out. Sliding up and down in our bunks, standing up one minute then doing head stands the next. About 10pm all hands were put on the shake, as the steering flat was awash with seawater and was getting dangerously close to the electric motors.

After bailing madly using the same principle as we had in the old Puriri, dumping the water down the tunnel escape, we got the water low enough to find that we didn’t actually have a hole in the side.

The cooling water pipe for the refrigerator had been fractured and the water was just pumping into the steering flat.

In the midst of this panic Tony Thompson came down to get me. Arthur (Pervo) Smith had slipped off the boat deck ladder and landed on his head and was nearly off the side of the ship. Between us we managed to struggle with him down to his bunk, but sad to say, he ever regained consciousness and died early the next morning. We had been heading for Onehunga but diverted to Auckland, arriving there on 13 July 1974.

Dave Clarke was in office then and was waiting on the wharf to hear the details.

His brother Ben was in the crew then and I think Ken Stevenson had been Arthur’s room-mate. Frank Lilly the motor man had plugged Arthur up, having learnt the procedure whilst in the Navy.

Pineapple delivery We were back in Rarotonga on 13 November 1975 and, after discharging the cargo, we proceeded to Mangaia on 18 November for a full load of pineapples destined for the cannery in Rarotonga. It was quite a tricky operation. As we drove the cranes we found with the swell that the bins would get quite a swing on.

It was a matter of dropping them into the hatch quickly then steadying them on the side of the hatch before lowering them.

Even so we ended up with pineapples all over the place. Needless to say quite a few ended up in our cabins and by the time we got back to Onehunga on 28 November, they were nice and ripe for eating.

We used to buy quite a lot of canned fruit and Raro orange juice direct from the factory, usually at a cheap rate for damaged cartons. Greggs were to pull out of Rarotonga later and there’s now a local brewery in part of the old juice factory.

On the end of the wharf at Rarotonga in those days, was a little canteen run by Colin Scott’s wife. Colin had a fish and chip place near the picture theatre, which only opened late afternoons and was usually run by others in the family.

Colin was a blown away Aussie, having gone up there when they were laying the airport runway and meeting and marrying a local girl.

He had a little Suzuki Van that we used to take round to Sonny Gilland’s banana plantation, from which he had given us permission to help ourselves. We couldn’t get right up to the plantation so had to cut them and carry them quite a distance, which was pretty hot work. We used to get two or three bunches each every trip, until they ran out.

No one was looking after the plantation so they never got to rejuvenate.

We had been having trouble with one of the forward deck tanks always seeming to be making water, so on 27 May 1976, it was decided to dry dock in Auckland.

When they’d pumped the water out there was a fountain gushing out from two or three different places - the plates had got a bit thin so had to be patched up.

As mentioned earlier, I was on the permanent 4 to 8 watch being bosun, so when Tony Thompson relieved the mate about 6am or so, he’d always send me down early. He used to like to read a few tracts out of the good book. One thing about Tony, though, was even with his firm religious beliefs he never tried to cram it into our heads.

[continued next page]

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 21

UNION HISTORY

Delivering the wheelbarrows in Rarotonga, from left Mr Tangaroa Tangaroa, Mr Pomani Tangata MLA for Atiu, Mr Pupuke Raabti MLA for Rukahanga with wheelbarrow, Bosun Allan Phillipps and Mr Nick Hurley, 2nd secretary to NZ representative [continued from previous page]

In 1976 we started to call at Niue quite a bit on the way to Rarotonga. At that time the cook at the local hotel on Niue had been on the New Zealand coast and Terry Veale got to show him how to make hamburger steaks like he used to do them when he had his takeaway place.

On 21 September 1976, while loading in Aitutaki, a sail appeared on the horizon and we finally made out a yacht under jury rig.

He was going to try and run the passage, but after much shouting and yelling finally came around astern of us where we threw him a line. There was only himself and a girl crew member.

It turned out that he was 30 days out of Honolulu and had got dismasted and had been under jury rig for weeks. He’d been in sight of Aitutaki for three days but hadn’t made any headway till that day.

We got him a couple of cans of beer and threw them down to him as he was just about out of water, then arranged for him to get towed in by one of the barges. The tide only seemed to ever run the one way in the passage and that was always out. It used to surge around the Island from the other side.

We saw him ashore later and invited him aboard for breakfast next day as we were staying overnight.

22 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

After leaving Aitutaki one trip we got a radio call to say one of the barges hadn’t made it back, so we turned around and located it.

They had had the nous to take some diesel from the broken down motor, put it in a tin and use a singlet as a wick for a beacon which we were able to sight fairly easily on the luckily, rather clear night. They didn’t want to come aboard and only asked for a few provisions.

So under tow we had them back off the passage by daylight to the gratitude of their families.

We were back in Onehunga and I went on leave on 5 October. Between then and 12 November, when I signed back on again, I had read in the local Central Leader that Aussie Malcolm, the MP for Eden, had been up to the Islands and found that on Penrhyn, the most northerly of the Cook Island group, they had no means of getting their copra from A to B. He had got the local electorate school children involved in a fund raising exercise to supply some wheelbarrows for the people of Penrhyn, but they didn’t know how they were going to get them up there.

I chatted to Tony Thompson about it, suggesting it would be good public relations to offer to take them up, stowed under the F/csle head free of charge.

He was in agreement, as was the company when approached, and it was left up to me to get it organised.

I got in touch with the Central Leader editor and things really snow balled from there. Next thing Aussie Malcolm has flown up from Wellington, got television into the act and also some of the children concerned – the uptake being that I think it was 19 November 1976 that I took delivery of the wheelbarrows at lunch-time. I had to forego a Manukau Hotel lunch (but all for a good cause).

On arrival in Rarotonga on 29 November, Colin Scott was on the wharf to meet us.

On mentioning the wheelbarrows (and as I think his wife was from Penrhyn), he shot off and got in touch with the local Penrhyn MP Mr Tangaroa Tangaroa, Mr Nick Hurley from the New Zealand Representatives office, plus some Penrhyn people who all gathered at Mr Tangaroa’s home, which was quite near the wharf, for the handing over. This went ahead under local press and radio coverage.

The good bone china came out for a celebratory cup of tea and everything went down very well.

The next Cook Island newspaper featured me on the front page with Albert Henry relegated to page two. He was evidently so incensed about that, and the fact that he didn’t get into the act, that he took the radio station off the air for two days and shut down the Cook Island News as well.

The wheelbarrows were duly delivered to Penryhn by a local Cook Island ship.

www.munz.org.nz

ITF

ITF News

Maritime Union Online People are increasingly getting their news and information from the internet.

The Maritime Union is online and there are a number of websites which you can find us on.

We have our main website at www.munz.org.nz

by New Zealand ITF inspector Grahame MacLaren Firstly I would like to wish all members and their families a Happy New Year and all the best for 2009.

There has been some interest expressed around the branches by members interested in doing ITF FOC (Flag Of Convenience) ship inspections. Now that I have had my official training in the UK, I am in a position to offer some informal training to those interested in carrying out these inspections.

Anyone who would like to participate in this training please contact me (contact details below) with their name, phone number, email and port details and I’ll get something organised.

There are already some members who hold ITF ID cards that have experience with ITF FOC inspections, so if these members are interested in continuing carrying out inspections could they also please contact me with their details.

This is with a view to compiling a national database of all members able to carry out ITF FOC inspections.

With the current global economic situation, we are already seeing foreign ship owners struggling, with some falling over all together. As a result we should expect an increase in FOC contract related problems, such as crews being under paid or not paid at all, and cases of seafarers being abandoned.

This is already happening overseas and would indicate a busy time ahead for the ITF FOC campaign here in New Zealand.

Contact: Grahame MacLaren NZ ITF Inspector 04 8017613 021 2921782 email grahame.mclaren@muno.org.nz

www.munz.org.nz

that features contact details, union news and information. We are in the process of upgrading this website and plan to have more content soon. You can also download back issues of the Maritimes magazine as PDF documents. There are also links to other union sites and related websites such as the super funds.

The Maritime Union is also online with pages at Flickr.com (photos), YouTube (videos) and Facebook (social networking.)

We are slowly adding our material to these pages. If you have any digital photos or short videos in digital format, that feature the Maritime Union or its members, we are happy to add these to our Maritime Union site. We can also put in a link if you have a page on Flickr or YouTube.

Our Flickr page is www.flickr.com/maritimeunion

and our YouTube page is

www.youtube.com/maritimeunionnz

Some members are on Facebook, the social networking site. We have just started a Maritime Union of New Zealand group and just search for “Maritime Union of New Zealand” under groups in Facebook and you will find us if you would like to join.

The Union also maintains or helps with several other websites. www.keepourportpublic.org

is the site for the successful community campaign to stop privatization of the Port of Lyttelton. We keep adding news about port privatization in New Zealand to it though. www.portofnapier.info

is the campaign site for our successful late 2006 campaign at the Port of Napier for secure jobs. We keep this site up as a record of the campaign. nznotforsale.org

An important message for veteran and retired members receiving the Maritimes magazine The Maritime Union is updating its mailing list of retired and former members of the Maritime Union of New Zealand, the New Zealand Seafarers Union and the Waterfront Workers Union.

To ensure our records are accurate, we are requesting that all veteran members above join the Maritime Union Veterans’ Association.

Membership is free.

To continue receiving copies of the Maritimes, you must be a member of the Veterans Association.

To join the Veterans’ Association, please fill out the form inserted in the Maritimes or contact the Veterans’ Association at PO Box 2645, Auckland.

A copy of the membership form is also available on our Maritime Union website and can be downloaded and printed off at the following address: http://munz.org.nz/PDF/MUNZ_Veterans_membership_ form.pdf

Note that you may have given your name previously to someone to get a copy of the magazine but you have not filled in an official form, in which case you are not a member of the Veterans’ Association.

To keep getting the magazine, or with any queries, please write to PO Box 2645, Auckland.

is a website the Union helps maintain with other community groups that provides information and resources about the negative effects of free trade deals, and better solutions.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 23

INTERPORT 2009

Interport 2009 Timaru, 9-12 February 2009

by Terry Ryan Timaru, the urban hub of the Central South Island, has preserved much of its historic heritage, both in terms of its architecture and the debt it owes to its port for its size and prosperity; it is also the City of Roses.

So it was to here that the athletes of MUNZ gathered for the 54th time the Interport Sports Council has held such a competition and the first time in South Canterbury’s only city and port.

Timaru is a very appropriate place to hold a sporting competition given the area’s history is bound up with its sports teams.

Rugby, as an example, saw a match versus Canterbury as early as 1873, and for one euphoric moment in 1950 they held the Ranfurly Shield. However, the four greatest Timaru legends are Pharlap, claimed by the Aussies but born and bred in Timaru; Jack Lovelock, 1500 metre gold medalist in the 1936 Berlin Olympics; and Bob Fitzsimmons, the only New Zealander to win the world heavyweight boxing title, was educated and worked in Timaru.

The fourth is MUNZ General Secretary Trevor Hanson, who can lay some claim to being the best bait catcher at the Interport fishing competitions over the years.

For those with no knowledge of Timaru, we can advise that the original name was Te Maru “Place of Shelter”. It was a haven for weary Maori travellers canoeing along the otherwise shelterless coastline. The first building was a cottage on the beach for whaler Sam Williams in 1838. In 1851 the abandoned whale station was used to land stores by brothers William and George Rhodes who were the area’s first farmers.

In 1859, when the English ship, Strathallan, arrived with 120 immigrants, the area began to grow, becoming a borough in 1868. Development of an artificial harbour was begun in 1877, and the first steam train puffed into Timaru in 1876. City status was finally achieved in 1948.

On 7 and 8 February 2009 the sportsmen and women of MUNZ rolled into town to create some history of their own.

Golf contested their tournament at the Highfield Golf Club, the fishing was off Oamaru Port at the 60 metre level, while the indoor sports took place at the Timaru Town and Country Club.

In all, eleven branches were represented with J. Gibbons pioneering an entry from the Port of Nelson and Joe Fleetwood making the breakthrough on behalf of former seafarers, being the first competitor since we all became Maritime workers.

It is to be hoped that many more will follow from these areas.

Some might even say that now MUNZ has granted the Veterans a seat on the National Executive that there were 12 branches competing in Timaru.

Interport 2009: Dave “Spanky” Frew with two outstanding fish, assisted by Wellington Seafarers Secretary Joe Fleetwood (photo by Terry Ryan) 24 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

www.munz.org.nz

INTERPORT 2009

Interport 8 ball winners Arthur Peke (left) and Cyril McWilliams (centre front) are congratulated by Russell Mayn (back left) and Dave Frew (back right)

Local 13 fishing organizer Ray Munce fishing on the Willerie at Interport 2009 (photo by Terry Ryan) www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 25

INTERPORT 2009

Fishermen on Aarie 10 miles off Oamaru at Interport 2009 (photo by Terry Ryan)

Mike Myers receives Fishing Trophy from Russell Mayn and Dave Frew at Interport 2009 (photo by Terry Ryan) More photos online at www.flickr.com/maritimeunion 26 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

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INTERPORT 2009

Fishing

by Terry Ryan The fishermen, of necessity, had to rise at 5am to travel the 1 hour and 15 minutes to Oamaru from where the boats left.

On day one the forecast was dismal, but the weather great.

On arrival in Oamaru, once a working port where we had members, and two of the fishing group had worked there on interport transfer (Trevor Hanson and Kevin Ansell) the water was like glass.

However, Ted Boraman of Oamaru Charters said a southerly was moving up the coast and should arrive in 30 to 45 minutes. It duly arrived with winds up to 100 knots, did not pass through, but did set in.

Day two was a case of waking up to drizzle and rain.

However, in Oamaru it was clear and a day’s fishing was enjoyed that rated right up there with the best of any interport tournament.

For example, 13 species were caught on Robert Odie’s ‘Willerie’ – Blue Cod, Groper, Jock Steward, Dog Fish, Sand Shark, Grey Boy, Trumpeter, Tarakihi, Parrot Fish, Skate, Red Cod, Barracuda and Octopus.

Joe Fleetwood (Wellington) won best Groper, and Paul Napier (Port Chalmers) best Cod. Day three, although marginal, saw the boats head out for another excellent day’s fishing.

The ‘Willerie’ from Timaru and the ‘Aarie’ from Oamaru between them landed 34 Hapuka apart from the many bins of miscellaneous fish. Competition for the best Hapuka saw the lead change many times until Timaru’s Kevin Ansell landed the winner with only minutes of fishing remaining. Graham Finn (Timaru) landed the biggest Trumpeter while Blue Cod specialist, Paul Napier, again landed the best Blue Cod. Day four saw the weather affecting the whole country and put paid to any fishing or golf.

So it was only left to award the trophies at the Queens Hotel.

Fishing Results Day One Heaviest Blue Cod: Paul Napier (Port Chalmers) – 8 lb

Heaviest Groper: Joe Fleetwood (Wellington) – 11 lb

Oddest Fish: Terry Ryan (Auckland) – Skate

Dick of the Day: Dave “Spanky” Frew (Timaru)

Day Two Heaviest Blue Cod: Paul Napier, Pt Chalmers – 6.5 lb

Heaviest Trumpeter: Graham Finn (Timaru) – 4.5 lb

Day’s Odd Fish: Howie Ruinui (Auckland) – Gurnard

Dick of the Day:

To explain the Dick of the Day and luck prizes: Dave Frew failed to let go the lines on the first day and the boat tried to tow Picton Wharf to the fishing grounds!

Tony Townsend, perhaps unfairly (seeing Terry Ryan was using his rod) won because he was the only fisherman on the ‘Willerie’ not to land a Groper.

Kevin Ansell was unlucky when landing a brace of Groper when his line broke.

Frantic efforts with the gaff failed to stop the fish swimming away into the 50 metre deep water.

Joe Fleetwood was the luckiest as the escaping fish swam one each side of his line and he pulled them both aboard along with sinker, hooks and trace.

The most helpful deckie went to Bill Ryan, Timaru.

Prize for the ugliest catch was awarded to Ray Munce, Auckland, who hooked himself and Doug Phillips was the oldest competitor, while Steve Conroy won best fish story.

The traditional fishermen’s Tuesday night function was held in the South Timaru Cosmopolitan Club with more fish than could possibly be eaten by the visiting fishers.

A big thank you to Adrian Finn who supplied the well received smoked trout.

A great week’s friendly fishing competition in spite of the weather.

Tony Townsend (Timaru)

Overall Port News Cup Paul Napier (Port Chalmers) – 8 lb Cod

Pacifica Trophy Heaviest fish Kevin Ansell (Timaru) – Groper 14 lb

Runner Up “Spanky” Frew (Timaru) – Groper 13.11 lb

Heaviest Bag Terry Ryan (Auckland) – 7 groper

Unluckiest Fisherman Kevin Ansell (Timaru)

Luckiest Fisherman Joe Fleetwood (Wellington)

www.munz.org.nz

Joe Fleetwood with a brace of hapuka (photo by Terry Ryan)

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 27

INTERPORT 2009

Golf

by Terry Ryan After two months of great weather, the weather Gods dumped on the golf tournament. Day two was cancelled due to the greens resembling swimming pools and day four was likewise affected by the deluge that swept the province.

Apart from the weather, the Highfield Golf Club turned it on in all other aspects to make those visiting for the tournament feel right at home.

With some of the events unable to be contested, the big surprise upset of the week was Auckland losing the Kere Kere Canoe on a technicality. There is no truth to the unfounded rumour that there was not room for it on the plane!

One of the Interport founders all those 54 years ago, Arthur Pitcher, now a wandering campervan gypsy, arrived in town for the tournament. Artie’s over 80 years now but can still hit a ball.

Interport Golf Trophies Winners 2009 Interport Cup – 54 Hole Nett 1st Danny Manu (New Plymouth) 2nd Brett Souter (Lyttelton)

Rare Cup – 54 Hole Gross

1st Steve Campbell (Auckland) 2nd Troy St John (Lyttelton)

Flett Black Memorial – 54 Hole Par 1st Graham Hindley (New Plymouth) 2nd Fraser Adams (Port Chalmers)

George Waller Memorial – 54 Hole Stableford 1st Mike Skipper (Mt Maunganui) 2nd Bob Johns (New Plymouth)

Crockett & Lewis Cup – 18 Hole Stableford 1st Graham Donaldson (Port Chalmers) 2nd Arthur Peke (Auckland)

Bill Brown Memorial – Best Nett No Trophy 1st Graham Waugh (Port Chalmers)

Norm Fisher Memorial – Best Gross Any Day 1st Cyril McWilliams (Port Chalmers)

KereKere Canoe – 36 Hole Gross Nett Teams 1st New Plymouth (Neville Rolands, Danny Manu, Bob Johns, Brett Surrey, Graham Hindley, Nigel Storkel) 2nd Port Chalmers (Graham ‘Winky’ Waugh , Cyril McWilliams, Andrew ‘Barbie’ Jennings, Fraser Adams, Graham Donaldson, Ricky Richan)

Most Honest Golf

Mike Myers (Auckland)

Artie Pitcher Visitor’s Trophy Best Nett Graham Butler (Nelson)

Ray Dobson Memorial Best Gross Visitors D. ‘Frog’ Johnson (Whangarei)

28 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

Indoor Sports

by Terry Ryan Held at the Town and Country Club, the indoor sports, due to space and availability of equipment, were reduced to two events for 2009.

Played on the basis of drawn pairs, 32 teams contested the darts and pool competitions. All games were fiercely contested in the spirit of friendly competition.

Darts Darts were unable to produce a 180 high score although James Mullins of Port Chalmers achieved a 140, while Robin Miller, also of Port Chalmers, and Sue Myers, headed the lady throwers with 99.

Semi-Finals Dave Frew (Timaru) and Ray Munce (Auckland) beat Rod Gibbons (Port Chalmers) and Bob Douglas.

Winky Waugh (Port Chalmers) and Ray Ashford (Mt Maunganui) beat Sue Myers (Onehunga) and Terry Ryan (Auckland.)

Final Dave (Spanky) Frew with partner Ray Munce (Auckland) defended his title won last year in Whangarei from Winky Waugh and Ray Ashford.

Pool Pool witnessed some great elimination matches culminating in a close three frame final where Cyril McWilliams (Port Chalmers) and Arthur Peke (Auckland) won 2-1 on a technical call on the black in the 3rd frames from Ray Ashford (Mt Maunganui) and Graham Waugh (Port Chalmers.)

The organisers offer their thanks to Mike Myers, Joe Fleetwood and Robin Miller for their assistance in ensuring the events ran smoothly.

In summary, Kevin Forde and his organising committee of Tony Townsend, Bill Ryan, Graham Finn, Kevin Ansell and Alister Ferguson provided an excellent Interport tournament.

They all deserve a big pat on the back for a job well done.

With 15 major sponsors and 32 support sponsors, it is fair to say that Timaru itself was happy to hold the MUNZ Interport Sports Tournament.

www.munz.org.nz

INTERPORT 2009

Interport 2009: from left, golfers Chic Waretini, Artie Pitcher, unknown, George Ward, and Arthur Peke, some of the great stalwarts of Interport golf (photo by Russell Mayn)

Interport 2009: Ray Ashford of C3 in Mount Maunganui (right) receives congratulations www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 29

VINDI REUNION

Vindicatrix 8th Downunder Reunion Christchurch, New Zealand 2008 Thanks to Terry McKnight MUNZ 1534 for sending in the following info from the Vindi Reunion.

More information and photos at www.nz.vindicatrix.com and also at www.qld.vindicatrix.com

Report by Jack Secker This was another very good reunion gig, and our thanks must go to the organisers for such a valiant effort.

They were, (drum roll please maestro) introducing them to the party participants, (from a slightly impaired memory bank) Terry Knight, Vic Gray, John McLister, Dave Spice, Don Sangster, Ian Donald, Dick Hodge, Colin Titcombe. Also Harry Pemberton, who, for personal reasons, was unable to attend the reunion.

At this point I once again send our combined thanks to all these men for a well done job.

I have little doubt too that there were a number of ladies involved here.

I do know that Dick Hodge’s wife Carol was kind enough to make and supply that sumptuous Vindi cake. I send multiple thanks for that delightful addition to the consumables.

30 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

When I first arrived at the Woolston Bowling Club’s premises there were four or five able lads there that were arranging some flag decorations, and trying to improvise a message of welcome. They had Terry climbing the wobbly ladder, with Alan Creasey keeping it steady?

Rod Orrah was opening and passing the flags upwards, and Vic was trying to keep things going in an orderly manner.

There were also a couple of “our” young ladies there bustling around very busily doing things. Thank you Kim and Laurice.

I managed to time it really well and arrived as the last banner was being put in place. This, of course, was commented upon, with feeling, by the workers.

If you weren’t one of the almost 100 Vindi attendees that attended this reunion, tough, you missed out on really good time. The Meet and Greet on Friday 31 October was no real indication of what was to come. True, the hall was extra large, but the lads and lasses seemed to fill it anyway.

The beginning was a seemingly sedate affair. There was of course the usual joyous greetings of long time no see friends. The less enthusiastic, but none the less sincere, welcome of members being greeted at their first reunion gathering. Thanks must of course go to the airport greeters.

There were members from many places, such as Australia, both islands of New Zealand, and the UK had a representative couple as well, Mike and Barbara Sergeant, who were most welcome.

The bar was open at 5pm, and we were soon slurping delicious drinks and swinging the lamp with vigour, figuratively speaking of course.

Around 7pm the finger foods started to arrive, the verbal volume didn’t noticeably decrease, but the foods did, rapidly.

Thereupon, a most welcome interlude ensued, that included music and singing by two of the lovely young ladies, who are members of the Woolston Bowls Club.

Many thanks ladies for some really good entertainment with many toe-tapping oldies song and sing alongs included in your repertoire. www.munz.org.nz

VINDI REUNION Saturday Parade time was around 10am, and what a surprise! We were booked on to an “elderly” ex-London, double deck omnibus.

Almost the same sort of London bus I used to drive before I became a “lorry driver”.

I feel positive it still had the original seats as well. Not exactly built for comfort.

This ancient vehicle transported us from Woolston to Lyttelton, via a tight fitting tunnel.

It certainly looked like all those on the upper deck would have to duck smartly as we entered the tunnel.

Obviously the driver had done this trip before. He missed the tunnel roof, by a not great margin it looked like. Then “pop” we were out of the tunnel and heading for one of the long time ago watering holes, the British Hotel.

Well the outside did look rather familiar, but I am told the inside has changed significantly. We, of course were not heading there, even though the bus parked right outside the door.

Our destination was the Maritime Museum, which has been established within the confines of the old Seamen’s Mission.

Three decks it has, and it’s packed with heaps of maritime history and artifacts.

After a short while looking at the exhibits, it was time to take a walk over the bridge to the docks where our second transport of the day lay at rest alongside the wharf.

This was the 100 plus year old steam tug “Lyttelton” that was to be our cruiser round the harbour of Lyttelton. This was a very interesting part of the day, and we were lucky enough to see some of the endangered dolphins known as “Hector’s Dolphins” playing in the bow wave of the “Lyttelton.”

These famous dolphins are an endangered species. Dave Smith of England, bottled ship maker extraordinaire, donated a prize to be raffled at the reunion with all proceeds to be donated to the Save the Hector Dolphins Fund. I believe that about $380 was raised in this way.

Thanks Dave, that was a very kind gesture. My only complaint is I didn’t win it.

From there it was back to the bus, back to the Bowling club and a few hours to rest and recuperate to get ready for the Official Grand Dinner and some excellent entertainment during the evening.

And what entertainment it was. To start with we had a versatile duo, Ian and Tony that sang and played us through the 60’s to the 90’s music. Great playing guys.

Then progressing along, we were suddenly whisked away to the East and in amongst the bazaar bars and their “Belly Dancers” What a difference that made to the congregation.

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With all of those bellies being sensually moved in some Arabian dancing, apart from the dancers’ music, there was silence in the house.

There were of course some other sounds, such as “Wow”, and get outta the way ya mug, yer spoilin’ the pictures, Hey, I can’t see through ya mate. You know what I mean.

It was a real surprise and a well kept secret. As for the girls, the dancing, oh, and yes, and the attire. Just one word. Superb.

The group is known throughout New Zealand as “Clessidra” Tribal Style Dancers. These beautiful young ladies kept us enthralled for about 30 minutes.

If you would like to see more of and about them just log on to www.clessidra-dance. com By the way folks, I am still trying to get a disk made of the big day and will do so ASAP. There were of course the raffles to be drawn, and also the cake to be cut. What a cake it was too. The patience and ingenuity that went in to the production of the Vindi Logo alone deserves a special mention. Someone performed some magic of their own to concoct that master piece.

The day finally slowed down enough to let the Guys and Gals start feeling tired, and start thinking that it may just be time for some shuteye before the Church Parade in the morning.

“If you weren’t one of the almost 100 Vindi attendees that attended this reunion, you missed out on really good time”

Sunday St John St church hosted the Sunday Service, and it was good to see that there were a good few of the Vindi lads still mobile enough to get to the church on time.

The vicar at the church welcomed the appearance of so many of our members and invited all and sundry to stay after the service and partake of some tea and a few tab-nabs.

It was a very welcome repast and I think we all had some sustenance and indulged in a certain amount of chat with the locals and the church officials as well.

The highlight of the service was the reading of the poem Heroes by David Partridge – the reading spoken by an English lass recorded by the BBC and leaving many moist eyes.

From there, we adjourned round the corner once more to the bowling clubs premises.

This time to partake of a very well prepared BBQ with Mick Kingcott wearing the apron and tossing the snags, plenty of salads and pre-cooked chicken legs masterly arranged by Helen Mclister.

Once again the bar was open and was hosted by “El Presidente” of the bowls club. I feel that I should ask all the ladies and gentlemen of the gathered sea hounds to raise a glass or three and toast that gentleman for his kindness and generosity whilst labouring mightily behind the bar to keep up with the rampant thirst of the customers. Well done sir.

As the BBQ ended in the late afternoon it was announced that the meeting was now closed but it would be re-opened again in November 2009 at Caloundra in Queensland.

So, to all those that journeyed to Christchurch, Bon Voyage and soft sailing. See you again next year. Auld lang syne.

I do have one last thank you to the catering team in the Woolston Club kitchen.

A few times, with little or most times no warning, they suddenly had around forty hungry bodies descend on them clamouring for food and somewhere to sit. Again and again there were suddenly tables reserved and the food that was required appeared from literally nowhere.

They did a great job. Thank you all.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 31

PORT ROUNDUPS

New PRP intake at Port of Lyttelton, January 2009, back row from left Justin Copsey, Geoff Henry, Kahu Piripi, Eugene Douglas, Luke Bulger, Mark Wilson and Alf Saul, front row from left, Peter Loader, Tony Cash, Kieran McHardy, Jamie Staples and Hamish Buchanan (photo thanks to Lyttelton Port Company)

New PRP intake at Port of Lyttelton, December 2008, back row from left Shaun Cameron, Reuben Cooper, Brendan Nolan and Kane Marshall, front row from left, Clive Argyle, Andrew Barnes and Jason Hanson (photo thanks to Lyttelton Port Company) 32 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

It’s your magazine.

Living history: found recently in a Lyttelton garden, a badge of the Lyttelton branch of the New Zealand Watersiders Federation 1922 (submitted by Les Wells)

Dedicated to a reporter who said the Watersiders got £50 a week

by E. O’Donovan, Lyttelton, First published 10 December 1943 Have you ever seen the Lyttelton Wharfie, Lined up in front of the board, Waiting to take his disc off, Which they say is dipped in gold?

He comes to work in a bell topper, And he swanks in a swallow-tail coat, Then he takes a cigar from his pocket, And lights it with a ten bob note; And if you look at his face, You’ll see rouge upon his cheek, He’s the best dressed guy in Lyttelton, And he’s paid fifty pounds a week!

At work he wears silk overalls, And he wields a hook made of gold, With a Mother of Pearl handle, Imported from Spain I’ve been told; And he wears a little smoking cap, To protect his permanent wave, He looks somewhat like the Aga Khan, Or reminds you of Dad and Dave, And when he’s off in the lunch hour Friends he doesn’t have to seek – For he’s one of the Lyttelton Wharfies, Who gets fifty pounds a week!

You ought to see him on Sunday, Done up in his very best clothes, With rings and diamonds all over him, And an ear-ring stuck in his nose.

If you met him, he would not talk of cargo, but he’d tell you of the places he’s been, And how he’s kidded reporters, Of these things that he has seen; He doesn’t talk in a loud tone He speaks very low and meek, For he’s one of the Lyttelton Wharfies, Who gets fifty pounds a week!

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A Wharfie died the other day Who lived at Corsair Bay, The doctor said he’d strained his heart, Carrying home his pay, He put it all in one pocket, And it must have cramped his style, Fifty pounds was too heavy for A wharfie to carry a mile.

This tale spread round the country, As the fellows read the “Sun” – Bushmen dropped their axes, And they came to Port on the run, It was talked of in the factories, And in the Army they did speak Of how the Lyttelton Wharfies, Got fifty pounds a week.

So they came down amongst us, And they joined the wharfie push; But when they drew their wages, They scattered to the bush, So whenever you meet a reporter, Just look at him with a grin, Don’t ever tell him anything – Just tell him to wipe his chin, He’s generally after information, And news he will try to seek, But he’s never seen a wharfie Draw fifty pounds a week!

All members are welcome to send in contributions to The Maritimes.

It’s your magazine, and every issue we have rank and file members who send in their photos, letters, and articles about what they’re doing on and off the job.

If you need some advice we can help, and if there is something you’d like to see in the magazine let us know.

Contact the editor at: Mail PO Box 27004, Wellington, New Zealand Email victor.billot@munz.org.nz Fax (09) 9251125 Mobile 021482219

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 33

PORT ROUNDUPS

Retiring foreman stevedore Rob Thorpe with wife Liz

Retirement of Rob Thorpe (Wiggy) Lyttelton foreman stevedore Rob Thorpe retired recently and the Lyttelton Branch has forwarded his reflections on his many years as a maritime worker and unionist.

Dear Les, It is with regret I am tendering my resignation from the New Zealand Foreman Stevedores’ Union Section Local 41 of the Lyttelton Branch of MUNZ as I am retiring.

Since leaving school I have been honoured to have belonged to the Unions below: • A member of the New Zealand Seamen’s Union for seven years whilst I was at sea.

• A member of the New Zealand Waterfront Workers’ Union for 12 years as a watersider.

• A member of the New Zealand Foreman Stevedores’ Union for 29 years.

• A member of MUNZ Foreman Stevedores’ Section Local 41 for the last three years.

During my time at sea I recall three memorable occasions.

My first was while as an AB on the “Breeze” off Cape Campbell, when we rescued three fishermen from a sinking fishing trawler which they were delivering from Bluff to Napier. We took the trawler in tow but she sank before we reached Wellington.

The skipper off the trawler made us a donation with which we bought a silver cup and had engraved the name of the trawler skipper’s newborn baby, who was born while he was away.

We added the name of our ship, the date, and other details of the rescue, and then sent it up to the baby in Napier.

34 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

I was also an AB on the “Kaitoa”.

When leaving Mount Maunganui one night, with a full load of newsprint for Fremantle, the skipper went on the inside of both the channel markers instead of between and stuck us aground on the Mount.

Fortunately it was not full tide and with the help of an ML launch and the small tug the Mount had in those days, they helped us to refloat. We went back to the Mount, had the damage assessed, repairs were carried out, and the next night we left for Fremantle.

My most memorable experience came after coming ashore, while working in the floating staff of the Lyttelton Harbour Board. I was chosen as one of the crew of the steam tug “Lyttelton 2” to go down to Timaru, and along with the tug “Otago” from Dunedin, we combined to salvage the British freighter the “Treneglos”, which had run aground on a reef after leaving Timaru.

After a number of attempts the “Treneglos” was lightened, when gangs of watersiders were ferried out to the ship, and her cargo of wool from the forward hatches, was dumped over the side to waiting fishing trawlers, which took the salvaged wool into Timaru.

With further attempts we were successful in getting her off the reef and back into Timaru. The “Treneglos” was discharged, and temporary repairs were done over the next fortnight We then made another trip down to Timaru, encountering some heavy weather on our way. After arriving and taking on a full load of bunkers, including sacks of coal on deck, we towed the “Treneglos” up to the floating dock in Wellington for major repairs.

When I started on the Lyttelton waterfront as a watersider, I only did six months of the old hours, from 8am to 9pm with an extended hour to 10 pm for a finishing ship.

We then went to the two shift system, 7am to 5pm and 5pm to 11pm.

With the starting of the Container Terminal, the hours changed a few times, and we eventually saw the implementation of 24-hour shifts, seven days a week.

While some may have found these hours beneficial, I’m not so sure that all these changes have been for the better.

The round the clock and weekend work, I believe, takes its toll on a persons health, family life, and social life.

Over my time as a watersider and especially as a foreman stevedore, I believe I have carried out my duties diligently, calling a spade a spade when needed, whilst endeavouring to ensure workers have been able to work in the safest possible environment obtainable, aboard ships, around the terminal, and wharf areas, along with the correct manning, which from time to time has brought me into conflict with some managers.

Throughout these periods I have been taught and learnt the importance of belonging and having strong active Unions.

A Union is only as strong as its members.

Members need to take part in Union affairs and assist their Union leadership, who are their representatives in negotiations, and resolving any related problems that occur occasionally for members.

Unfortunately, I believe issues with employers will never be over, there will always be some issue to challenge. In these troubled economic times we are going to have to be especially vigilant, in trying to retain present conditions that our forefathers fought to obtain for themselves, present members, and any future members to work under.

I can remember my first day working as a Watersider, walking up into the Centennial Hall in Lyttelton and reading the banner hanging on the back wall above the stage, UNITED WE STAND. This is still so true today.

With the ageing membership of our Unions, it is imperative we seek and encourage younger members to come forward, to become involved in representation and Union administration, for future replacement for those representatives nearing retirement.

I wish you all the best for the years ahead, and if I can be of any assistance at any time in the future please do not hesitate to call me.

Thank you once again for all the assistance and backing I have received from the Unions over my working life.

I have enjoyed my time working in maritime industries over these years. I’ve formed many great friendships, great memories, along with the camaraderie formed working with a great bunch of guys, and especially all the friendly banter we have had, which made time go faster, and days enjoyable.

I believe it is this I will miss most of all in my retirement.

To all the people who contributed to all the wonderful presents my wife Liz and I received at my farewell function, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you very much, they are treasured.

It is with gratitude and sadness I now sign off for the last time.

Thanks Les, thanks everyone, Rob Thorpe (Wiggy)

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

Port of Lyttelton Foreman Stevedores at Bob Thorpe’s retirement, front row from left, Ian Moore, Les Thurlow, Steve Smith, Robert Proffitt, back row from left, Joelian Ornsby, Bob Thorpe, Mike Stodart, Spike Jones, Garry Horan, Bill Cowan and Peter Brazell

At the Napier Branch Christmas Function, Napier Cosmopolitan Club, 4 December 2008, from left, retired ex members George Bates and Norm Rowe, a past President of the Napier Branch (photo by Bill Connelly).

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 35

PORT ROUNDUPS

At the Port Chalmers Dunedin Branch Old Timers Christmas Shout, 12 December 2008, from left, Richard Templeton, former Port Chalmers branch Vice President Clive Giles, Billy Napier and Graeme Hutton (photo by Victor Billot)

At the Port Chalmers Dunedin Branch Old Timers Christmas Shout, 12 December 2008, from left, former Port Chalmers Branch President Laurie Forgie, Branch Secretary and National President Phil Adams, Port Chalmers member Nick Abernethy and Port Chalmers executive member Stuart Crawford (photo by Victor Billot) 36 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

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PORT ROUNDUPS

Port Chalmers Dunedin

by Phil Adams Greetings and welcome to the New Year from Port Chalmers.

Things have been relatively busy particularly the Terminal where contrary to the recession, things have been extremely busy.

Maersk have indicated they will reintroduce the Southern Star service, meaning another 30 visits a year which is excellent news for our port and local members.

It is good to see the lost time from injuries down in the terminal. I was recently speaking with the CEO of Port of Lyttelton who commented on this and congratulated us on being a safety conscious port.

Noel’s crowd at Port Chalmers Cargo Services is going through a quiet patch with the odd log ship and fish.

Super visit In January I visited the ports of Lyttelton and Timaru to speak to members regarding the performance of our Super Scheme.

It was good to meet with the members in these ports and I also had the opportunity to meet with Port of Lyttelton CEO Peter Davie along with Lyttelton Branch President Les Wells.

One of the points that came out is how fortunate we are that Union officials in the past had the foresight to set up the Scheme.

Those members in the Scheme getting close to retirement will retire with substantial money as opposed to a lot of industries where staff retire with their holiday pay.

If you are not in the Super Scheme, sign up as soon as possible to get maximum benefit and enjoy your retirement.

Christmas Shout In this issue we have some photos of our Christmas Shout. This was well attended by past and present members. The meal was good, there was copious quantities of drink, and it was great to catch up with the retired members. These members put themselves on the line for us to enjoy what we have today. We know they look forward to this annual event. Long may it continue.

Bryan has been a very good member and assisted with the social side of our branch.

All the best Bryan for your future off the waterfront. Your contribution to the Union will not be forgotten and we hope you will attend our retired members shout each year.

Our long standing Branch President David Dick has indicated he will be stepping down as President this year. Dave, myself, Ian and previously Clive Giles have led the branch through some challenging times.

Dave has always put the membership first and can take a lot of the credit for the strong position the branch is in.

We hope Dicky will remain involved in the branch, and those who aspire to leading it should emulate his time as President.

Picnic Day On the last Monday in January, members and families attended our Annual Picnic Day at Aramoana Domain. The weather was good and a large crowd turned up.

Over the last couple of negotiations the Company have tried to take this day off us, but we have stuck to it.

We feel it is the only day of the year members and families can enjoy time together.

One wee hiccup we seem to have with the day is with the injury list.

Grant Booth and Paul Jackson (PJ) were both injured during the footy game and are off work but apart from that a great day was had by all.

Spirit of Endurance Pacifica have introduced the Spirit of Endurance and it now calls every Saturday.

Although its liftings are not high, it is hoped that this will improve.

The one problem we do have with it is safety issues including the gangway. Our branch has given Pacifica some leeway to get the safety issues sorted out as we are trying to encourage coastal shipping. The leeway is slowly running out and action will be taken if serious safety issues are not sorted out.

Sports Tourney Our members have returned from the Tourney in Timaru and although bad weather played its part, all enjoyed it and are looking forward to next year in New Plymouth.

I have been told boxing may be included.

Queenstown Holiday Unit

Regionalization

The Queenstown Unit has dates available for this year. We encourage all MUNZ members throughout the country to take advantage of this wonderful asset.

Enquiries to Ian Quarrell 4727216 or Alan Middleditch 0212298726.

Our December 2008 stopwork meeting was attended by 60 members. As per instructions from our national executive, we discussed regionalization.

A good discussion took place but all were of the opinion that more information was required. There was a general agreement this was a better option than amalgamation.

A meeting of national officials was held in February to look at proposals.

At our next national executive meeting it is hoped branches will bring observers as it is an important issue.

Retirement It is with some sadness we note that Brian Berryman has decided to move to Hanmer Springs to take up a business opportunity. www.munz.org.nz

Our branch will be sending observers as with the last executive meeting.

This experience is necessary as when the current officials move on and leave the industry, it is important that we have experienced members to take their place.

Lashers Fifteen of the new lashers have started and there is a good mix. When all 25 have started our executive will meet them to convey the Union’s principles, plus an opportunity for them to ask any questions.

All have joined our Union. It was interesting to read in another union journal that new staff will always join the Union that waves the largest carrot at them.

However no carrots were waved and the new members join MUNZ because of our reputation, and nothing else.

Sick list Those on the sick list, some of whom have now returned to work. Dave Perkins (returned), Jeff Hindle, James Mullan, Richard Templeton, Don Saxton (returned), Karl Tamati (returned), Dave Burgess, Paul Jackson and Grant Booth (picnic day casualties).

Vessel division The Port Company is still pursuing the vessel division even after no one applied to go across to it. One of the problems with this division is no one knows how it works.

Our members have had to put up with a lot of change over the last 20 years and it is not surprising there is resistance to further change particularly in the hours of work.

The situation is that the people who talk glowingly of the vessel division are not the people who will work the hours and conditions that come with it.

Veteran’s Association Around thirty retired members joined up with the Veteran’s Association while at the Christmas shout. These veterans will continue to play an important part in our Union as they have seen the good and the bad times. Their knowledge can be used to educate our new members.

Finally our branch is facing challenging times ahead with the recession. It is time to be united, listen to what your officials tell you, and always take an interest in the Union so we can ride this out and continue to improve our wages and conditions.

It is hoped that those putting their name forward are prepared for the time and energy commitment in leading a Union like MUNZ. You must gain the respect of men and management and be prepared to attend to situations at the drop of a hat. The rewards are the satisfaction of putting something back into the Union in a positive and constructive way. All members know that our leadership is solid and can be relied upon.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 37

PORT ROUNDUPS

At the Auckland Seafarers Branch Old Timers Party, from left, Jack Mahoney (retired cook from Lyttelton), a former President of the Auckland Seafarers’ Branch and long standing executive member of the Seafarers’ national executive Alex McDonald, former national executive member of both the Cooks and Stewards Union and the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union Pat Lumber, with Maritime Union National Vice President Garry Parsloe

Auckland Seafarers Old Timers’ Christmas Party

by Garry Parsloe National Vice President We held the Auckland Branch Old Timers’ Xmas Party at the Maritime Club in Anzac Avenue on 12 December 2008.

The Auckland Secretary welcomed all the Old Timers to their Social and thanked them for their past struggles which have helped preserve the Union in the good condition that it is in, not a lot of ships but those that we have are on the best of wages and conditions.

The Secretary then read faxes from the vessels which, among other things, wished all the Old Timers the best on this very special day. The ships’ faxes were indicative of the high regard that the Old Timers are held in by the membership.

He made special mention of Arthur George Green who most would remember as “Saltspray Green”. George is now 99 years old and has been a member since the 1920’s.

George has seen it all.

38 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

Old Timers from other Ports were welcomed to the party with a special reference to Jack Mahoney who travels up every year from Lyttelton to attend our party.

Current Branch Executive members representing the Auckland Branch Executive were Secretary Garry Parsloe, Vice President Peter Davis, and Branch Executive members Brian Ford, Vince McClafferty and Daniel Staley.

Past Executive members in attendance were Pat Lumber, ex National Executive member of both the Cooks and Stewards Union and the New Zealand Seafarers’ Union, and Alex McDonald, ex President Auckland Seamen’s Branch and also long standing member of the Seafarers’ National Executive.

As well as welcoming all the Old Timers, I acknowledged the excellent relationship that the Auckland Seafarers’ Branch has with Local 13, thanked the President of Local 13 Denis Carlisle who had put in an apology as he could not be in attendance, and also thanked Secretary of Local 13 Russell Mayn and the rest of the Local 13 Executive.

As AWUNZ Secretary Ray Bianchi and PSA organizer Linda Holt were in attendance, we acknowledged Ray Bianchi’s massive input into the Trade Union Movement along with Linda Holt’s tireless effort in all the work she does for CTU Unions Auckland.

It was also good to see Secretary of the CWU Pat Brown at our party.

The first speaker was Terry Ryan, former National Assistant Secretary of MUNZ and former Secretary of Local 13.

Terry spoke on the importance of getting all the old timers to sign up into the MUNZ Veterans.

The next speaker was Secretary Local 13 Russell Mayn who spoke on the unity between Seafarers and Dockers and how that unity has shown through as we are now all Maritime workers.

The last speaker was Ray Bianchi, the Secretary of AWUNZ (Amalgamated Workers’ Union of New Zealand.)

As usual Ray’s speech was very colourful with references to his earlier days at sea. Ray went on to talk about a range of events within the Trade Union Movement.

Special thanks must go to the cooks, Pat Honan and Paul Gradiska, for the excellent spread that they put on.

As always it was an excellent day out for all the Old Timers and on behalf of The Auckland Branch Executive I want to thank all those individuals and ships’ crews for their donations which made the Old Timer Party the success that it was.

See you all next time which will be on the 11 December 2009.

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

Auckland Seafarers Chinese delegation

by Garry Parsloe National Vice President On Sunday 7 December 2008 the Auckland Branch of MUNZ hosted a General Union of China delegation.

The Delegation was headed by Vice President of the General Union Mr. Yao Bingfu.

We hosted the Delegation in our Auckland Union rooms from 2pm till 6pm, then met again that night in a Chinese Restaurant to further our discussions.

The visit was of benefit to both MUNZ and the visitors as we discussed a variety of Trade Union issues that are taking place in New Zealand and in China.

Both parties felt that this exchange of information was of some assistance as we move forward in promoting working class issues.

At the conclusion of the discussion the China Delegation put forward the concept of a small delegation coming to Auckland on a Training Programme.

Let’s see where that leads.

All in all it was a productive half day.

Maritime Union National Vice President Garry Parsloe with Vice President of the General Union of China Mr Yao Bingfu

At the Auckland Seafarers Branch Old Timers’ Party, from left, Maritime Union National Vice President Garry Parsloe with Amalgamated Workers’ Union Secretary Ray Bianchi

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 39

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Mount Maunganui Napier Tauranga

by Bill Connelly

by Eddie Cook It’s been very busy here at the Mount with negotiations with NZL Group just about finally sorted.

The casuals were the ones who had a terrible Christmas and New Year but our branch helped out as much as we could.

We had some more good results at mediation so now NZL should be working a lot closer with the union which happened when they lost their contracts to non union at Sulphur Point.

A few people got involved to get a picket line ready at short notice. This never eventuated but thanks to the following people, John Taumateine, Wendy McMahon, Andrew Spick, Rob Appleton, Peka Roberts, Kevin Knudsen, Wayne Dickson and Seddon Lloyd who volunteered their time just in case.

It was a good result in the end as C3 are doing the contracts and using NZL workers who are hired out to them which is better than non union.

There were a few ITF problems with the crew on the MSC Maleas wanting an ITF agreement which should be sorted out in Sydney, thanks to Richard Rankin for helping me get it sorted.

Sports Day A great day for all involved in the Sports Day which was held on 3 February 2009 at the Citizen’s Club in Tauranga.

Table Tennis, Winner: Wally Ihe, Runner Up: Dean Anderson, Bowls, Winner: Eddie Cook, Runner Up: John Winter Darts , Winner: JJ, Runner Up: Dean Anderson, 8 Ball , Winner: Dave Hollaway,, Runner Up: Thomas Golf , Winner: Mark Te Kani, Runner Up: Walkie Ririnui Special Prize went to Mel Tahau for all her help, and Overall Winner was Dave Hollaway with special thanks to Vince from C3 and to the Citizens Club.

We are in the process of a few Collective Agreements at the moment with Comvita, Bayline, Ballance and CRS Container Yards at the Mount and Sulphur Point so there are lots to do for the time being.

Remember to stick together as one and it will be fine in 2009.

40 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

Around and about The Port of Napier has just created another record profit, but this is not reflected in the amount of ships that our members have worked throughout the year. We have seen a sizeable increase in the visits from tourist vessels and on 6 January 2009, we had three alongside on the same day.

These are a great fillip for the retailers in Napier and a welcome boost to the economy of the region. We are just about ready to kick off the busiest part of the year with squash and fruit added to the mix, which again will create a shortage of skilled personnel, but somehow we seem to manage.

C3 (Formerly Toll Logistics New Zealand Limited) Their current Collective Agreement expired on 31 December 2008 and a new agreement has been signed for the next two years. With the signing of the agreement it was also agreed to take on two further employees to handle the future skill based needs of the company and also the current contracts being serviced by C3. It is with a great deal of pride that we welcome the following two members into the permanent ranks on the Napier Branch register, Lou Aranui and Greg Keen.

Lou and Greg have been on the Napier register for many years and have been continually employed on a casual basis by C3, so it is good to see them now part of the permanent workforce.

Christmas Function This was a huge success with a lot of the older retired ex-members showing up and enjoying a few beers with some of their old mates and a few newer acquaintances. It was also an opportunity to repay members of the RMTU, whom we also invited along, to show our appreciation of their assistance during the strike of December 2007.

The function went on well into the evening, with some members still in the Napier Cosmopolitan Club well after 11.00pm when I decided to call it a day.

We also took the opportunity to present Bob Staines, a past President of the Napier Branch, and Rod Williams, a long time serving Executive member, with Life Memberships of the Union.

The certificates were presented by Barry Crawford, the current President of the Branch, who said it gave him great pleasure to present both Bob and Rod with the kudos they both so richly deserved. Both the recipients were pleased with the respect show by their former comrades and thanked everyone in attendance.

All in all a good year for all concerned.

Hawkes’ Bay Stevedoring Services Limited Our members employed by this company have been in continual employment on a regular basis and their idle time content is minimal. Their current Collective Agreement is in place until the 31st July 2009.

New Napier permanent Greg Keen

Kelcold Limited I am pleased to report that we have concluded the negotiation process and have a new Collective Employment Agreement in place for the next two years. This agreement expires on 1 December 2010.

New Napier permanent Lou Aranui

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

Napier member Bob Staines (left) receives his life membership certificate from Napier Branch President Barry Crawford at the Napier Christmas Function, 4 December 2008

Napier member Rod Williams (left) receives his life membership certificate from Napier Branch President Barry Crawford at the Napier Christmas Function, 4 December 2008 (photos by Bill Connelly) www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 41

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Auckland Waterfront Local 13

by Russell Mayn

Recession? Depression?

But not concession.

The global financial crisis the world is facing is concerning and no one seems to have an answer as to when things will change for the better or for how long it will last.

As I have never experienced a depression it is difficult to comment as to whether what we are facing is a depression or a recession.

What I know about the 1930’s depression I have learnt from reading and by watching documentaries on the subject. My father lived through the great depression and he spoke rarely of the hardships everyone faced but when he did he spoke with a determination that none of his children should ever face the hardships that families endured during the 1930’s.

This was the beginning of the New Zealand welfare state, compulsory unionism and all the values we once supported as a country.

Throughout the global financial crisis we have been bombarded with analysis on how we allowed sub prime mortgages, hedge funds, collateralised debt obligations (CDO’s) and house mortgages to be based on over inflated market prices.

Like many I struggle to get my head around what all this really means but the first thing that becomes evident in all of this is that deregulation in the global financial sector has been a disaster for working families throughout the world.

The tried and true formula where banks lent money to customers and held the mortgages has been forsaken for farming mortgages out to finance companies who are not required to conform to the same regulations that banks have to.

This comment may be more pertinent to America than to New Zealand but over the years we have seen the traditional lending system evolve from workers being able to access Housing Corporation Loans, and Home Loan Accounts for first home buyers all disappear.

42 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

Mortgage brokers – I never heard of these when I was buying a house.

It seems that greed has encompassed us all as we sat back and watched house valuations spiral upwards and out of the reach of the average Kiwi.

We are responsible in some way as we enjoyed the so called profits on our properties at the expense of our children.

I don’t believe that the Union can supply the answers to the current financial crisis but what we can do is use our combined strength and determination to effect change during this period.

The exploitation of workers through casualisation, free market ideology and the user pays market driven thinking has failed us all.

The price we will pay over the coming months could be severe, I hope this does not eventuate but if it does we will have to fight to protect our families and working conditions. The greed and excesses of corporations combined with the drive to increase profits, reduce costs, and outsource jobs are all coming home to roost.

Our challenge will be to keep our industry in work.

This will not be easy as some employers may decide to use the recession as a tool to attack conditions and rates of pay.

The answer to this has to be that the Union will work with employers to find other alternatives, the options are numerous.

Each issue will have to be treated on its merits and a solution found that is based on particular circumstances.

This will be a work in progress as the market changes and hopefully recovers.

The worst outcome would be if both Employers and Unions turn a blind eye and just hope that issues disappear or we sit on our hands and don’t react to each problem as it arises.

This does not mean a reduction in hourly pay rates or conditions.

Unfortunately it is the workers throughout New Zealand and the world that will pay the price for something they have little control over. This will be a test for Government globally and workers will have the ability to judge their performance.

On the positive side, adversity provides the opportunity to right wrongs and create a platform for a fairer and more equitable society.

Arising from the great depression, the labour movement fought to establish unionised workplaces and lobbied for social change.

New Zealand once had a welfare system that was the envy of the world.

So where to now? The first step is to make sure Government monetary rescue packages are designed to preserve jobs especially in companies that have a history of good industrial relations and have added value to New Zealand.

The questions that should be asked as each company comes under the microscope: have they outsourced employment to sweatshops to increase profits? Have these companies displayed a corporate and social responsibility?

Financial institutions that have been involved in profit taking by making loans available to workers knowing full well that the chances of repayment were minimal and then repackaging these high risk loans to investors without disclosing the risk factors are at the root of the crisis. Do they deserve rescuing?

Or would the money be better spent in refinancing mortgages under state control, in such a way that in the long term investors will receive their money back but at an interest rate that represents what the market can sustain long term.

Our industrial legislation will need a revamp not only to protect workers from the race to the bottom but also to protect employers from the continual merry go round of contracts shifting, not due to performance, but to the cheapest and more than often the nastiest employers who bastardise permanent employment and use casual employment to enhance profits.

Too many times I have witnessed maritime contracts being undercut, which in turn has destroyed the lives of maritime workers only to find that the contracts are unsustainable.

The end result is that no one wins, no companies survive the undercutting war and once again the workers bare the brunt of deregulation.

Then there is the Yellow Union versus the Union argument. Bonafide Unions do not just look after the members they represent but they also have a social responsibility to make sure that their actions do not damage workers.

They respect protective action.

Some employers have cunningly pitted worker against worker by promoting a destructive form of competition.

This has been done under the banner that Unions who take protective action are dinosaurs who hold back technological advances and stifle the gains that can be made through efficiencies.

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS If wanting a weekly guaranteed wage, superannuation, security, decent working conditions and a safe workplace are looked at as being restrictive then we are proud to be called dinosaurs.

But we are not, as we have accepted shift work and the 24/7 port operations. Now may be the time if cargo reductions as predicted arrive for third shifts to disappear and shift hours be cut back to a maximum of eight hours per shift to maximise the retention of stevedores in the ports.

If privatisation and deregulation work, and corporate executives have all the answers, then why are we facing a recession that has been triggered by these strategies?

Financial institutions are being nationalised because they failed as private enterprises, they have been found wanting and therefore so the ideology behind these companies must also be assessed.

Once the tax payer’s money has been spent to save companies through nationalisation, they should not be returned to where they came from.

There is enough evidence to say that controls are the answer so financial institutions cannot in the future create profits from ideas. Sub prime mortgages cannot be bundled up into complicated investment options then on sold for profit.

CEO’s should not be rewarded with huge stock options while their company heads into meltdown.

New Zealand hopefully is in a better position than most to ride out the storm, with the outcome being a return to objectives that benefit all New Zealanders not the minority. Our history of leading the world in social change could serve us well if we take note and learn from our past.

www.munz.org.nz

Loading plywood at Port of Gisborne (photo by Dave Milner)

Gisborne

Timaru

by Dein Ferris What a summer we are experiencing, wonderful for the tourists, not so good for the squash growers. The area is experiencing drought conditions.

To date we have had five squash ships in Port, taking out somewhere around nine thousand pallets. The quality seems OK but volumes appear down.

We are gettig one ship a week at the moment and hopefully the season will go longer. There were later plantings due to the dry conditions prior to Christmas so this may eventuate.

We had the Superfund tour last month with Trevor Hanson and David Young attending. Members queried David on the performance of fund managers and the overall perfomance of the Fund. It was asked why the Fund didn’t have a cash investment account, as banks at the time had investment rates of 6%. Something that may be looked at.

Trevor gave an overview of the situation around the Ports. A point of interest, Gisborne Stevedores now manages the Wellington Branch.

At the time of writing there were only five ply vessels, as we call them, scheduled this year.

They call at Wellington, Gisborne and Whangarei. A sign of the economic times.

Well the sun’s shining, about 25 degrees already and only eight in the morning, that’s all from the land of sun, surf, and sand.

by Kevin Forde The downturn is affecting Timaru with shipping dropping off including fertilizer visits. Bulk cargoes up with the large volume of palm kernels coming in.

Two Tasman Orient vessels have started visiting.

There have been some problems with cranes which we have worked with the RMTU to get fixed.

The Interport was a good success and we thank those who organized and attended.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 43

PORT ROUNDUPS

At the Wellington Branch Past and Present Function, December 2008: from left, Laverne Kellodd, Michael Jackson, Mat Logan and Garry Carter (photo by Luke Appleby)

At the Wellington Branch Past and Present Function, December 2008: Jeff Littlejohn and Sam Thompson (photo by Luke Appleby) 44 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

Wellington Waterfront Branch member Leonard Francis Monk receives his life membership certificate at the Wellington Branch Past and Present Function, December 2008 (photo by Luke Appleby)

Wellington Waterfront Branch member Vincent Benny Criscillo receives his life membership certificate at the Wellington Branch Past and Present Function, December 2008 (photo by Luke Appleby) www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 45

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Wellington Seafarers

by Joe Fleetwood

Government Elections The Maritime Union has seen Governments come and Governments go, but make no mistake, the type of Government we have makes a big difference to what we can achieve as a Union.

Obviously we now have a Government that is anti-working class, it is made up of people who are largely parasites who derive their wealth from our work, and they think we have it too good.

Every National Government is dedicated to ensuring more profits big business (less wages for workers) and to keep the working class divided and scared.

Some people in this country have a short memory. There is only one reason National are Government.

The reason is because a large number of working class people gave their vote to a political party that goes against basic selfpreservation.

The National Party is a political organization of the employer. Voting for National if you are a worker is like signing the employment agreement a boss hands you without negotiating it with the Union.

The reasons given by a few working class people for voting National are disturbing.

Some working class people want a tax cut. Rather than fighting for higher wages through a Union, they think that an employer class Government is going to hand them free money out of the goodness of their hearts.

These people will get a tax cut of a few dollars a week as opposed to John Key and the other employer class millionaires who will get tax cuts of tens of thousands a year on top of their already vastly inflated salaries and perks.

Of course, to pay for these tax cuts workers lose our collective services that taxes pay for, hospitals, schools, social benefits and many other things.

Voting for a National Party tax cut is the same as refusing to join a Union because it costs a few dollars a week. You often notice that the people who don’t want to join the Union always come running when they need some help.

The other brilliant reason that some workers voted National is that they wanted a change.

46 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

My only advice to these people is that if you lose your job, get re-employed as a casual, get no work when the recession comes on, get your benefit cut, can’t afford to get your children to the doctor, and lose your house, remember that you are the one who wanted a change and voted for a political party that has always been against the worker.

There are no free lunches and the only way to advance our interests as workers is by collective action. That means understanding politics and getting involved for pro-working class policies, as the banner for the Wellington Seafarers’ Branch reads “Peace and socialism.”

Regionalisation The Wellington Branch supports Regionalisation if it will provide a national, centrally funded Union with one fee for all members (either dollars or percentage of wage).

A few questions: how much will it cost to set up the three regions? How many officials needed? Does national office set the fee or does the region? What is the structure of National office and the Region?

As you can see there are many questions that need to be answered. All have been endorsed via stop work meetings and sent to National office for reply.

A question asked to me by a member was if we had amalgamated with the RMTU would it have provided some or all of the above?

It may well have but we will never know.

Southern Surveyor On 2 February 2009 New Zealand ITF Inspector Grahame MacLaren and I visited the Australian flagged and manned vessel the Southern Surveyor in the port of Wellington.

We had a meeting with the MUA crew members on board and discussed issues from both sides of the Tasman, and dropped off a variety of MUNZ and ITF journals, badges and stickers for our comrades.

We wished them all well in their travels and a safe trip. I would like to thank Chief Cook Andy G from Tasmania for the invitation to talk to the members.

United we stand – divided we crawl.

Kiwirail As I write we are nearing the final stage of final settlement which the negotiating team will bring to the membership for ratification. The process of ratification as we all know is by a simple show of hands for or against, at stop work meetings, or, for those that cannot attend, it will be at shipboard meetings. A simple majority is required.

Strait Shipping and Terminal Seems to be rocking and rolling along with minimum trouble as one would expect. We will initiate bargaining in March 2009 to renew the Terminal collective agreement that expires in May this year, and very soon after, we will do the same for the Shipping agreement.

A letter will be sent to all ships and terminals seeking remits for contract negotiations. All remits must be endorsed by shipboard and terminal meetings that are to be signed off by the delegate and sent to the Secretary.

NIWA We are at the final stage of renewing the new collective agreement for NIWA Shipping. When we work through the final settlement the joint negotiators will visit all ships with a view of ratifying the final document via a simple show of hands with the majority to carry it through.

Offshore The offshore in New Zealand is relatively quiet now with several ships finishing their contracts. This will see many seafarers unemployed.

This is a major problem when you are dealing with a casual industry. The branch is in constant contact with the MUA officials that look after the Oil and Gas Industry and all relevant employers.

Peter Stills and I are due to attend the Western Australia State Conference where we will meet with the MUA officials and finalise the Offshore and Blue water administration fee payable to the MUA.

Branch Clothing Members are reminded that branch clothing is available at moderate prices.

Proud to be Union and wear Union clothing.

Delegate system I would like to thank all members that put their hands up to become ship board and dock side delegates. It is a very important job that must be held and supported by all union members. A strong delegate system like we have makes us all stronger.

The Maritime Union will defend our delegates and system to the bitter end.

There seems to be a big push coming from certain employers to try and undermine the union by offering little incentives such as resign from the union and you will be promoted, or individual agreement and the like.

These people that fall into the trap will learn the hard way when they lose all the benefits of being a family member of the collective.

www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS When the boss has finished using you, he will get rid of you because he has no use for your crawling suck hole ways any more.

Collectively we are strong – as divided individuals you will crawl.

Stopwork Meetings Members are reminded to attend their stop work meetings. This is the best way to learn about your Union and your local branch you belong to.

Come along and meet your local executive members, don’t sit on board your ships and shore side mess rooms whinging about things, attend and have your say.

A lot of members have left the industry and come back into the fold but don’t attend their branch meetings. I’m a little disappointed to say the least, quite a few have crawled their way back into the fold, get employed through the union and then crawl and suck to the boss. The small number who do this need to remember we have been around since 1879 and will be around in another 130 years.

Solidarity is Union Power.

Wellington Seafarers’ Secretary Joe Fleetwood addresses the MUA Western Australiia State Conference (report next page)

Part of the welcoming committee at the MUA Western Australia state conference

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 47

PORT ROUNDUPS

Wellington Seafarers Branch report: MUA WA State Conference 18-20 February 2009

by Joe Fleetwood The Wellington branch was invited to attend the MUA West Australian State Conference from 18-20 February 2009.

Wellington branch executive member Peter Stills and I attended along with Auckland Seafarers’ Secretary and National Vice President Gary Parsloe.

Day 1 A local Aboriginal elder from the Nonga people welcomed all on to their land and blessed the conference.

MUA Western Australia State secretary Chris Cain welcomed all rank and file, delegates and all Internationals from around the world.

He informed all that the engagement of youth is one of the main themes this week as the branch held the state youth conference on Monday 16 February which was attended by 70-80 members, a great example of the leadership in the branch.

State Opposition Leader Eric Ripper officially opened the Conference then gave an overview of the current situation of Australia. He then summed up with an inspiring speech on the need for strong Unions, industrial laws, protection of wages and conditions, and the need for training in all industries.

He finished off with how Unions have been and will be a big part of the survival of the working class.

We then watched the conference DVD presented by MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, based on a collective approach taking us forward nationally and internationally.

The video touched on the appalling attacks during the Patrick’s Dispute, Work choices, and the fairness at work campaign.

It wasn’t a campaign to elect the Australian Labor Party, but to rid the country of John Howard and his disgraceful IR laws.

The ALP getting elected is what came from running a successful campaign.

Paddy then give a state of the nation report, and followed up with an in depth ITF International report.

Chris Cain introduced Wilson Baldonaza who is the Secretary-General of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) trade union centre in the Phillippines.

Wilson gave a frightening look at the world of a union official and activist in his country.

Hundreds of union officials and activists have been kidnapped and brutally murdered, now the figure is 1000 members of the working class, Wilson is a leader amongst leaders and a true friend of the working class.

48 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

ALP state member Alannah McTiernan put the ALP position forward based on regional ports, future of Fremantle Harbour and maritime policy.

Alannah spoke strongly on Australia being a shipping nation and must ensure shipping’s survival.

I must point out that Alannah was instrumental in state cabotage and state owned shipping in WA, a true friend to workers.

She also spoke on the need for stronger IR Laws, getting rid of existing WorkChoice laws, and getting collective agreements in the port of Bunbury.

We then watched the branch DVD on campaigns past and current including wages, terms & conditions, health and safety, unionizing in Port Hedland because of the growth, ROV operators, dredges, divers, construction, training provisions and programmes and the RTO School, blue water, and the future of union youth, which was supplemented by branch officials.

The afternoon session was concluded with regional reports from Esperance, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Dampier, Port Hedland, and Broome, and general business.

Day 2 Internationalism Garry Parsloe was first cab off the rank thanking the MUA and the ITF International family for their support in our victory in the Port of Napier.

He then gave an indepth report on the recent dispute he coordinated for the union in the Port of Tauranga where we defeated the anti-union attacks on our terms and conditions and retained union labour.

MUA ITF Inspector Adrian Evan gave an enlightening report on the work he has been doing in West Australia.

Yongamele Manene of South Africa summed up the current state capitalism, asking if capitalism is so great why didn’t it predict what is happening now with the world credit crash. Now is the time for workers to seize the power.

Willie Adams from the ILWU gave an inspirational speech about the need to be one with your community, and unions are communities. We must campaign against war and issues in the world economy.

He briefed us on historical ILWU leader Harry Bridges for the benefit of the youth and how California now has a College named after a trade union leader, the Harry Bridges College.

Industrial Relations Scott Ludlum of the Green Party thanked the MUA for support and briefed us on their party industrial relations policies.

New ALP member Melissa Parke gave an overview of state ALP policies.

I thanked the MUA for the invitation and the chance to give an overview of the state of the nation in New Zealand.

I reported on the support MUNZ gave to the Labour Party.

I also talked about how the National Party ran a campaign based on “Vote for Change” and change we are getting – Fire at will 90 days, KiwiSaver superannuation, ACC, no maritime policy, minimum wage, tax cuts for the rich, sale of public assets, job losses, casualization, free trade not fair trade and so on.

The National Party only got elected because people voted outside their class and if you are one that did, shame on you for what you have done to your families.

It will only get worse before it gets better – now is the time to re-organise.

National Secretary of Textile and Clothing Union Michelle O’Neill noted how that industry has been heavily exploited.

Day 3 Unions working together in West Australia AMWU State Secretary Steve McCartney reported on the work they have been doing in Kimberley with the Aboriginal people. He also gave a presentation on the WA Union Movement Solidarity and Co-operation Agreement 2008 between AMWU, MUA, AWU and ETU. There was also a presentation from some people you can never forget, the Liverpool Dockers. Jimmy Nolan and comrade gave two very heart wrenching accounts of the class struggle in the UK. MUA Veterans Secretary Fred Krauser talked about the great work the veterans are doing then finished off with “retired from the job but not the struggle” – his advice to the youth – never forget the class struggle.

There were many more great and inspirational speakers from Australia and around the world that have been through or are going through the same class struggles as we all are in the world.

One thing that shone through as a ray of light at the end of the tunnel was a great old saying “Workers united will never be defeated” and this is so true.

In closing I would like to thank Chris and all his officials, the WA Branch and the MUA family at large for the invitation to attend.

It is always a very rejuvenating Conference that only strengthens the bonds between our great unions and the family of the ITF Affiliates.

Power to the people. www.munz.org.nz

PORT ROUNDUPS

Bluff

by Ray Fife The New Year has heralded in an uncertain future for a lot of workers throughout New Zealand and around the world due to the global recession we are now in.

Our members have seen very little work since the New Year and the trading outlook for the rest of the 2009 and into 2010 is going to be very volatile to say the least.

This is due to the current volatile nature of export markets and the likelihood that harsh economic conditions will send additional ripples through the New Zealand economy.

A range of sectors were encountering cancelled sales orders and were finding it necessary to investigate new customers and markets. Fertiliser and petroleum import volumes were expected to come under pressure from the dairy industry payout decreases and a contracting economy.

As a trading nation it would be naive to think that export and import businesses will not be further negatively impacted by these testing conditions.

The New Zealand Aluminium Smelter here in Bluff which is 80% owned by Rio Tinto has had to manage reductions in operating capacity, firstly due to dry winter electricity shortages and more recently as a result of a transformer failure halting a potline production. The potline is capable of generating 28% of the total output at the smelter.

Just over a year ago Rio Tinto bought Canada’s aluminium- maker Alcan for NZ $72.5 billion dollars. Metal prices were racing higher; Rio Tinto was setting the pace.

Now the deal is a stone around Rio’s neck.

Metal prices have plunged 40-60% and Rio Tinto is saddled with US$39 billion in debt and has little choice but to sell assets to repair its finances.

One side effect due of its poor decision making is to shed 14000 jobs world wide.

NZAS produces approximately 350,000 tons of aluminium a year and because sale orders are down due to the economic downturn we have heard that there are well over 2 million tons of aluminium stored in warehouses throughout the world waiting for someone to buy it.

It is a matter of riding out these uncertain times without incurring any job losses as the jobless tally is at a six year high and future job prospects for the workers here are bleak.

www.munz.org.nz

Ross Tangney and Kerry Gillan taking the crab off to put a digger onto the Anatoki (photo by Harry Holland)

Tony Heslip and Kerry Gillan waiting for the trucks to load by the Anatoki (photo by Harry Holland)

Superannuation Waterfront Industry Superannuation Fund Chairperson David Young visited our port in January to speak to the members on the state of the superannuation industry and how it is affecting our fund.

David explained the reasoning why there were changes made to the fund and answered all questions that were put to him.

It was a timely visit, even though the superannuation industry has taken massive hits because of the global recession, David was able to put at ease members’ concerns to a point where they understood why it is all happening. Put it this way, no one is happy, but they realise it is out of our control and we can only ride it out and wait for the eventual turn around.

Branch Activities The Branch had a very good turnout for our Christmas shout. The children’s Christmas party was well attended by members’ families and our Picnic Day golf tournament in January was enjoyed by all those who entered for a social round of golf and the refreshments that go with it.

The David Low memorial trophy was presented to Ivan Pollock for his rowdy behaviour and non stop yapping and the fact that he still managed to post the best score for the non golfers’ section.

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 49

PORT ROUNDUPS

Wellington Waterfront

by John Whiting

Past and Present Function The Wellington Past and Present Function in early December was a great success.

The highlight was the presentation of Life Memberships to Ben Criscillo and Len Monk.

Our oldest attendee was once again James Patrick O’Boyle at 95 years young.

James, a former Napier and Wellington wharfie is a 1951 lockout veteran and Loyalty Card holder.

Picnic Day On 25 January 2009 our branch picnic day was held in Days Bay on the eastern shore of Wellington harbour. This is a particularly family friendly venue and with the bonus of a brilliantly fine day a great time was enjoyed by those present, especially the children.

Our grateful thanks go to Bradley Clifford and Tania Kahui whose organizing skills and hard work created a great day. Thanks also to the employers who gave financial support.

This event deserves a much bigger level of membership support and we will work hard to achieve this next year.

Our members, thrown on the scrap heap with the ship, have fared somewhat better.

Two have effectively retired and of the others four have commenced employment with the Wellington port company CentrePort.

This progressive move by CentrePort is a win/win as they are securing men with an industry reputation for reliability and with heavy machinery skills and licenses.

Our differences with Pacifica over details of the make up and value of payments made to our redundant members have not been resolved and are now in the hands of our legal representative Peter Cranney to progress under dispute procedures.

CentrePort As well as the introduction of a renewed collective agreement as reported in the last Maritimes, December 2008 saw the launch of the CentrePort Workplace Drug and Alcohol policy signed off with the Company by five unions (MUNZ, RMTU, EPMU, MSG and AIMPE).

We believe this policy, which evolved over many days of intensive meetings, establishes a fair but workable formula for achieving a drug and alcohol free workplace.

Included is no random testing, and testing under three criteria only - pre-employment, obvious impairment on the job, and in tightly defined accident circumstances.

Any member returning a positive test will be offered access to a rehabilitation process that provides for continuance of the rehab past another positive before any severance could be contemplated.

The policy makes particular note of the right of the members to have union representation at all phases of the testing process and it is imperative that members do not enter any test process interview alone.

Establishing a union paper trail will assist in a satisfactory outcome.

The workplace reality of today is that employers will want to have workplace drug and alcohol policies. We believe that in Wellington, by dint of engaging with the employer in an intensive negotiating process, that the policy has been ironed out that is as fair as possible and also workable with the maximum possible protections.

Capital City Stevedores This company’s available work has now reduced to approximately four to five ships a year loading breakbulk cargoes of manufactured timber and veneer products.

Three of their permanent part-time workforce have been made redundant and two have been retained. These two and a small casual workforce will come under the management structure of Gisborne Stevedoring Services and satisfactory discussions have been held with Manager Dave Milner to set out a workable and reassuring format for this novel setup involving our members.

Pacifica The “Spirit of Competition”, formerly in use on the Wellington Lyttelton service, is still tied up at inter-island wharf in the heart of Wellington. It is still displaying Pacifica’s paintwork albeit more and more rust streaked.

50 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009

Gone but not forgotten: Veteran Barry Howe recently took this photo in Westport of the plaque commemorating the Kaitawa disaster

www.munz.org.nz

PORT CONTACTS

Letters Times have changed Congratulations to Keven Levien for writing a book.

How times have changed!

When Scouse, Bash and I knew him he could hardly bother to fill in the overtime book, a document so valuable that the deckboy had to take it to boat drill in case the ship sank.

Congratulations, Snozz.

Con Linton, ex-4607

Raroa Dispute Hi Trevor, I’d like to pass on the sincere thanks of all the crew onboard the FPSO Raroa to the Maritime Union of New Zealand for their support during our recent industrial dispute.

Knowing that there were other Union members out there supporting us helped us keep going and was a real morale booster when things were getting tough.

Pleased to say that our contract negotiations turned out well for us in the end.

We’re having a collection for the crew of the two vessels that were in attendance at the time to show our appreciation for their solidarity. (A copy of this email has been sent to our EPMU delegate Peter Jones.)

Many thanks

Bushfire fund

John Whelan Medic, FPSO Raroa

MUNZ menbers M. Renwick, Tuppence Tipene and Von Hennings (Ian Barker absent) who are crew members of the Dof Subsea Geobay raised $2000 along with MUA members for the Victorian bushfire appeal.

At present $250 000 has been donated by MUA and MUNZ so far.

Members of the dive crew and project crew are currently donating to the fund in support of a well known diver who has lost everything in the Kingslake fires.

John and the Crew of the FPSO Raro On behalf of the Maritime Union of New Zealand – No problem comrades.

Solidarity and fighting together as a united front is the only way the working class will defeat the unscrupulous attacks upon workers rightful wages and conditions from the multinational corporate capitalists.

This is only the start of what the MUNZ/ EPMU oil and gas alliance can do. United we stand – divided you will crawl.

Unity in Struggle

Dean Skelly

Joe Fleetwood Maritime Union of New Zealand

Whangarei Mobile: 021 855121 Fax: 09 459 4972 Address: PO Box 397, Whangarei Email: smurrayz@hotmail.com

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: nzwwumtmtga@xtra.co.nz Gisborne Local 38 Mobile: 025 6499697 Address: 5 Murphy Road, Gisborne Email: ferris1@xtra.co.nz New Plymouth Mobile: 021 479269 Address: PO Box 659, New Plymouth 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 364649 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:

03 5472104 027 6222691 PO Box 5016, Nelson

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

Veteran watersider Tommy Gregory and wife Pat Gregory recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary (photo supplied by Kathy Whelan)

www.munz.org.nz

Bluff Phone/Fax: Mobile: Address: Email:

03 2128 189 027 4475317 PO Box 5, Bluff fifefamily@xtra.co.nz

The Maritimes | Autumn 2009 | 51

Stood loyal right through: Veteran watersider James Boyle (95 years of age) displays his 1951 waterfront lockout loyalty card at the Wellington Branch Christmas function, December 2008 (photo by Luke Appleby)

www.munz.org.nz

52 | The Maritimes | Autumn 2009