The Maritimes Spring 2014

The Maritimes Issue 47 • Spring 2014

Magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand

ISSN 1176-3418

Special Election 2014 edition

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 1

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www.munz.org.nz

Brad Fletcher President, Lyttelton Branch Local 43 Passed away Thursday 28 August 2014 as the result of a workplace accident.

A respected friend and loyal unionist.

Never forgotten.

www.munz.org.nz

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I urge all members to consider the information in this magazine about the election.

Remember that our vote was not “given” to us.

It was fought for and won through centuries of agitation and campaigning by the working class.

Voting was once the privilege of “men of property”, that is wealthy landowners and capitalists.

Only after many years was the right to vote extended to all men, to women and to Maori.

Working people have gained much through electing Governments that have acted for the common good.

Pensions and benefits, public health care and education, minimum standards of employment, holidays and sick leave, and many other things we take for granted were won by the industrial and political struggle of working people.

National Secretary’s Report

By Joe Fleetwood

Election 2014 The 2014 general election is on 20 September.

The Maritime Union is urging all members to vote, and to encourage their friends, family and workmates to do the same.

Who you vote for is your business, but make sure you make use of your democratic rights to vote and select a Government of your choice.

Find out how to vote or make an advance vote on the following pages of this magazine.

We need to elect a Government that is pro-worker.

The Maritime Union supports the election of a Labourled Government with support from other parties with pro-worker policies.

The National Government has not helped workers.

Its policies have been aimed at making the rich richer at the expense of working people and beneficiaries.

A National Government, if re-elected, will attack unions.

There is no doubt about this. Reducing the power of working people to negotiate decent wages and conditions will be part of this.

Further casualization of jobs, outsourcing and restrictions on the rights of workers to organize will be on the agenda.

The National Party stands for the employing and owning class of society, the big shareholders and speculators.

As a maritime worker, you should consider what is in your interests and your community’s interests this election.

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Dirty Politics If this doesn’t convince you, consider the new book “Dirty Politics” by investigative journalist Nicky Hager that has caused a national uproar in the last few weeks.

He has done New Zealand a favour by uncovering the rotten connections between the National Government (including the Prime Minister) and a collection of affiliated extreme right wing bloggers and political operators.

ITF Congress In August I attended the 43rd Congress of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) held in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

The ITF congress is the major world event for transport workers. Around 6 million workers around the world were represented by 372 unions at this meeting, which is held every four years.

Some of the highlights included the re-election of our good friends Paddy Crumlin of the Maritime Union of Australia as the International President of the ITF, and Stephen Cotton, acting General Secretary, was elected unopposed to the position of General Secretary.

The Maritime Union was represented at meetings of the Dockers’ and seafarers’ sections.

I was invited to speak as a New Zealand representative at three special fringe sessions, the first celebrating the Maritime Union contribution to the struggle against apartheid and remembering Comrade Nelson Mandela, the second was about our connection with Cuba and the disgraceful trade embargo the USA has imposed on them, the third was the Offshore Task Force Group / Regional Maritime Federation discussions. We have a special section in this edition of the Maritimes on the ITF Congress where you can read more about this.

The ITF has gone from strength to strength in recent years as a (GUF) global union federation providing leadership and solidarity, and the 2014 congress confirmed the progress we are making.

In this edition of the Maritimes we have coverage of some of the key items from the Congress.

Foreign Charter Vessel Bill passed into law In the last session of the current Parliament, the Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Bill was passed on 31 July. www.munz.org.nz

After recent concerns that delays would see it relegated to the next parliament – potentially well into next year – the Government Bill became law. This will ensure that Foreign Charter Vessels will have to be reflagged under the New Zealand flag by May 2016, bringing the full force of New Zealand employment and health and safety law and regulations on to them.

The Maritime Union can be proud of the part it has played in fighting for the rights of fishing workers over the last decade and more. This is a real victory.

However, much work has yet to be done to improve wages and conditions in the industry, to organize fishing workers, and to ensure New Zealand workers have the right to work in their own industry.

The Maritime Union has worked with the ITF to represent crew members who suffered mistreatment and exploitation aboard these ships of shame.

In recent years we have been part of a growing international campaign From Catcher to Counter that has seen maritime and food processing worker unions uniting to organize fishing workers globally. A massive task but each journey begins with a step.

Death of Brad Fletcher, President, Lyttelton Branch Local 43, Maritime Union of New Zealand

By Joe Fleetwood National Secretary Maritime Union of New Zealand

In this issue National Secretary’s Report page 4 Election 2014 special feature page 6 News page10 ITF news page 14 Health and safety page 15 ITF Congress Special Feature page 16 Branch contacts page 23 Port Roundups page 24

MARITIME UNION BADGE NICKEL PLATED WITH 3 ENAMEL INFILLS AND RE

The Maritimes Magazine 26mm Published quarterly by the Maritime Union of New Zealand.

Authorized by Joe Fleetwood, 220 Willis Street, Wellington.

ISSN 1176-3418 Editorial Board: Joe Fleetwood, Garry Parsloe, Ray Fife, Carl Findlay

Editor: Victor Billot Mobile: 021 482219 Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz

Deadline for Summer 2014/2015 edition: 1 November 2014

The Maritime Union is greatly saddened by the death of Maritime Union Lyttelton Branch President Brad Maritime Union online Fletcher, in a workplace accident on Thursday 28 August 2014.

Website www.munz.org.nz The loss of Brad, a full-time worker at the Port of Facebook www.facebook.com/maritime.union JOB: 34984 v2.0 Lyttelton, is a great shock to the many of us who knew Twitter www.twitter.com/maritimeunion him and worked with him.

Flickr www.flickr.com/maritimeunion PLATE DEPTH: 2mm 1 PINand (9mm) AND CLUTCH ELECTROPLATING: NICKEL Brad was a highly respected figure inFITTING: Lyttelton the YouTube www.youtube.com/maritimeunionnz Maritime Union.

The APPROVAL Maritime Union of NewTOZealand is affiliated to the PLEASE ENSURE ALL DETAILS his ARE workmates CORRECT BEFORE GIVING TO PROCEED PRODUCTION The Maritime Union will be supporting International Transport Workers’ Federation and family at this time. www.itfglobal.org When further information is available we will pass it on to members.

RESIN

Front cover photo

AB seafarers Ben Mayn and Byron Cumming aboard the Kakariki in Dunedin encourage fellow MUNZ members to vote, August 2014 (photo by Victor Billot)

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 5

Voting in the 2014 general election Enrolment information Getting on the electoral roll is essential to have a say in this year’s general election.

In 1981 turnout was 89%. In 2011 it was 69%.

Although 94 percent of eligible voters were enrolled in 2011, 840,000 of them did not vote. Some of these people (around 300,000) had however voted in 2005 and/or 2008.

Unions are encouraging all people to vote in 2014.

Being on the roll is essential to vote.

Who can enrol to vote?

You qualified to enrol if: • you are 18 years or older • you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (see what this means below) • you have lived in New Zealand for one year or more without leaving the country.

(A permanent resident is someone who is entitled by law to live permanently in New Zealand. If you have to leave the country by a set date you are not a permanent resident for electoral purposes. This includes people who have student or visitor permits.)

The sooner people enrol the better.

Information for getting time off work on election day to vote If you are working on election day you are legally entitled to have time away from work to go and vote on election day.

Section 162 of the Electoral Act 1993 sets out the responsibilities of employers in respect of allowing any employees working on election day time off to vote.

General Employees Any employee who has not had a reasonable opportunity to vote on election day before starting work, must be allowed to leave her or his work for the purpose of voting no later than 3pm for the remainder of the day. An employer cannot make deductions from the employee’s remuneration for the time taken off.

Employees Carrying Out Any Essential Work or Service Any employee who is required to work after 3pm for the purpose of carrying on any essential work or service must be allowed to leave her or his work for a reasonable time earlier in the day for the purpose of voting. An employer cannot make deductions from the employee’s remuneration in respect of the time taken off, provided it does not exceed 2 hours.

Crew of Ships A master of a ship in port in New Zealand shall, at their request, allow any crew members who are registered or qualified electors of the electoral district the ship is located within, to go ashore to vote.

Useful resources • Main website www.elections.org.nz • 24 hour Freephone 0800 36 76 56 • Text enrol name and address to 3676 • Electoral commission on Facebook www. Facebook.com/IvoteNZ

Election Day 20 September It is very important that people know that if they enrol on election day, they will be allowed to vote but this vote will not be counted.

Many people do this and assume their vote is counted. Their vote will not be counted.

Advance voting Voting starts on Wednesday 3 September.

This period is known as “advanced voting” but is open to everyone, you don’t need to meet specific criteria to vote on this day.

During this period you can enrol and vote on the same day. Workers who are rostered or likely to be working on September 20 should consider voting during this period. The last day to vote is Saturday 20 September.

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www.munz.org.nz

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS… Unemployment and insecure work

154,000 unemployed

254,000 96,000 jobless

30%-50%

underemployed

– that’s 6% of our workforce

in insecure work

+

unsafe working conditions

Housing crisis

Unsafe workplaces

Child poverty

A QUARTER OF NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN LIVE IN POVERTY 2 OUT OF 5 OF THEM ARE FROM HOUSEHOLDS WHERE AT

LEAST ONE ADULT IS IN FULL TIME WORK OR SELF EMPLOYED

600-900

people die each year from work-related diseases, such as asbestos*-related illnesses

Erosion of workers’ rights

v

DID YOU KNOW that New Zealand has not banned imports of products with asbestos? Other countries have.

The average house used to cost 2 times the yearly average net income – manageable for most people. Now a house costs 5 times the average yearly income.

Inequality Average real pre-tax income in 2011 dollars 500k 400k 300k

Top 1%

200k 100k

Asset sales Not according to Treasury figures…

Glenda, 1980s

Samuel, 2014

Cleaner at the local school.

Employed directly by the school. Rostered a month ahead.

Works 40 hours a week. Belongs to union. Has standard holidays. Paid extra for overtime and weekend work. Has had job for five years, with three wage increases. Paid 52 weeks of the year.

Cleaner. Casual worker. Varying hours.

Can find out on the day if he has work.

Employed by a large corporate commercial cleaning contracting company. Has had to take a second job. Company lost a contract one month and he had no work for a week with no pay. On minimum wage. Only has work for 45 weeks of the year. Work is often restructured.

Bottom 90% 1953

2011

Tax costs = public spending cuts

Genesis Energy

Meridian Energy

Higher wages = more productivity

Mighty River Power

Greater inequality

Poorer schools

Poorer hospitals

Air New Zealand

Taxpayers worse off by Inadequate public transport

Privatisation of roads and prisons

Slack workplace regulations

Authorised by Helen Kelly, NZCTU, Level 7, 178 Willis Street, Wellington

www.munz.org.nz

$145 million each year

Higher wages and fair treatment

Better motivated workers – more effort and thought into work = more productivity

Employers make the most of investment into workers = spending money on equipment and working methods

Effect of increased spending power of workers creates more demand for goods and services

JUST VOTE.

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Maritime workers meet Labour contenders: Labour Party Tauranga candidate Rachel Jones, MUNZ Tauranga Branch Secretary Selywn Russell, Labour Party leader David Cunliffe, and MUNZ Tauranga Branch President Peter Harvey

Labour work and wages policy good for working people Labour’s new policy on work and wages is good for the working people of New Zealand.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary, Joe Fleetwood, says working people need a voice in their workplaces.

“The recognition of the role of Unions as this voice is a foundation of the Labour policy.”

The rights of working people would benefit from the abolition of the 90 days fire at will law, he says.

A commitment to strengthening of procedures for collective bargaining and multi employer bargaining would also ensure fairness and improvements in wages and conditions.

The restoration of rights of access for unions to the workplace, and increases to the minimum wage and the introduction of the Living Wage to core public services would help many struggling workers.

Mr Fleetwood says the combined effect of casualization, unemployment and low wages is harming New Zealand.

He says the Maritime Union supports the goals of the Labour Party for an inclusive society where all New Zealanders move forward together.

The Maritime Union is an affiliate of the Labour Party.

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Greens call for shipping lanes The Maritime Union is backing the Green Party’s call for compulsory shipping lanes for coastal shipping.

Compulsory shipping lanes are designated channels in the ocean in which ships are allowed to sail.

The Rena grounding in 2011 has been followed by 35 “near miss” incidents and it is only a matter of time before another grounding occurs, says MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood.

He says shipping lanes are an important measure to prevent this and exist in a number of maritime nations such as the UK, Norway and Canada.

“The large number of foreign flag of convenience vessels on the New Zealand coast together with the enormous pressure put on ships officers and crews for fast turnaround require immediate action to prevent a future disaster.”

The Maritime Union is also supporting the Green Party call for improved oil response capability by Maritime New Zealand.

“An increase in the Oil Pollution Levy on the industry is overdue to properly fund our response ability.”

Mr Fleetwood says the Union has been calling for the introduction of a permanent fast response vessel funded by the oil and gas industry.

He says the Maritime Union supports the Green Party’s call for a stronger legal framework to recover costs from polluters in the event of an oil spill.

www.munz.org.nz

Labour stands for working Kiwis.

We’ve got a positive plan to create jobs and boost wages.

We believe that every Kiwi who can work should be able to find work.

Right now too many families are struggling with wages that don’t keep up with the cost of living, a lack of job security and fewer and fewer rights at work.

Labour believes in putting people first. In our first 100 days we’ll lift the minimum wage to $15 an hour, abolish the 90 day fire at will law and overturn National’s anti-union laws.

On September 20, vote positive. Give your Party vote to Labour for secure jobs, decent pay, and an economy that works for everyone.

www.munz.org.nz

Authorised by Tim Barnett, 160 Willis St, Wellington

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Lack of information on Port of Tauranga death “extremely concerning” The Maritime Union says it is extremely concerned about the lack of public information about a Tauranga port worker who died on 22 August, several days after a serious workplace accident.

On 16 August a 59-year old worker at the port suffered head injuries and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital from Tauranga Hospital.

The man died on 22 August but the incident only became public days after his death.

Maritime Union National Secretary Joe Fleetwood says the failure of communication from the employer and port company was astounding and deeply disturbing.

He says there have been conflicting media reports about when and where the man had died, and as yet he had not even been named in public.

Worksafe New Zealand was investigating but it was reported police had not been informed of the incident or death of the worker until several days after his death.

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Other port workers were in the dark as well and were not aware of what had happened.

Mr Fleetwood says some important information had yet to be confirmed such as where the injury occurred or who the principal employer was.

Why has the employer made no public statement about the death of their employee?

What were the circumstances of the death?

When was Port of Tauranga informed by the employer about the incident and subsequent death – and why did they not make a public statement about the incident until approached by media?

He says the confusion surrounding the situation is deplorable as workers had a right to know what was occurring in their workplace.

Mr Fleetwood says all maritime workers find it distasteful that no information has been placed in the public domain by the employer or Port of Tauranga until well after the event and repeated approaches from the media.

He says Port of Tauranga has a duty of care to workers who work within their port and that includes acknowledging this type of incident.

“It seems while a worker from the port was in hospital with fatal injuries, the Port of Tauranga put out a press statement on 21 August 2014 about their profitability, success and what they call a strong health and safety record. This attitude speaks for itself.”

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New inland port and port alliance A new inland port and freight hub was announced in Palmerston North on 13 August 2014, adding to a tangled collection of strategic alliances recently formed by industry players.

The new development will be built on the site of the former Longburn Freezing Works.

It is a joint venture between Ports of Auckland and Port of Napier, together with refrigerated goods company Icepak, with a focus on freight distribution for the central North Island.

The plan has the support of the Palmerston North City Council, whose Mayor Jono Naylor said the inland port was aligned with the regions ambition to double its agribusiness exports.

KiwiRail has also voiced support for the project with discussions being held about connecting to the main north-south trunk line.

Site clearance is underway on the nine hectare site and work is planned for a cross dock, container yard and container wash facility, as part of the first stage of a $20 million development.

The new Palmerston North inland port sees another inter-port alliance with other industry players, hot on the heels of announced developments of two competing inland ports at Rolleston, one operated by Port of Lyttelton and the other by Port of Tauranga.

A large inland port and freight hub to be part of a major development at Ruakura, in Hamilton, is still going through the consents process.

The Ruakura development by iwi corporate Tainui Group Holdings is potentially the largest of the new inland ports, with a decades long development timeframe, and located strategically between Auckland and Tauranga.

Fishing Bill a major step towards fixing industry problems The Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Bill was passed on 31 July 2014 in Parliament, after recent concerns that delays would see it pushed down the list until next year.

The new law is a major step, but much work remains to be done.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary, Joe Fleetwood, says the bill is the culmination of many years of work.

“The exploitation and abuse which have gone on aboard these ships of shame will remain a stain on New Zealand’s history.”

The reflagging of FCVs under the New Zealand flag under the new law will improve standards in the industry but proper enforcement was required.

He says the Maritime Union had assisted foreign crews, and advocated for jobs for New Zealand workers in a high productivity, value added industry, for many years.

New Zealand had become the focus of media attention in the United States after a major investigative article in the business press exposed the practices where foreign fishing crews had been mistreated, abused and exploited.

The Union had also met with United States State Department Ambassador at Large, Luis Cde Baca, during his visit to New Zealand to investigate international forced labour and human trafficking in the fishing industry.

“The Maritime Union will continue working as part of a global campaign by the International Workers’ Transport Federation to improve working conditions and standards in the fishing industry.”

general election 3 september - 20 september 2014

www.munz.org.nz

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Dirty Politics: book reveals Ports of Auckland agenda The Maritime Union says the Ports of Auckland must come clean after revelations in Nicky Hager’s new book “Dirty Politics.”

Maritime Union National President Garry Parsloe says Mr Hager’s investigative journalism has detailed that Ports of Auckland, a company owned by the people of Auckland through Auckland City, was involved on many levels with right wing “attack” bloggers and publicists to smear union members during industrial disputes.

If the Ports of Auckland would not come clean, they must be directed to by the owners of the port, Auckland City, on behalf of the ratepayers and citizens of Auckland.

Questions that must be answered include: Does the Port and the Board confirm or deny any unethical practices as described in “Dirty Politics” were being paid for by the Port company, effectively coming out of the ratepayer’s pocket?

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Will the Port Company open the books on the full cost to ratepayers of their attack on their own workforce, starting with payments to attack bloggers, PR firms and consultants?

Does the Port confirm or deny the connection outlined by attack bloggers and Ports of Auckland Board chair Richard Pearson?

Does the Port confirm or deny a connection between its management and attack bloggers or their associates?

Does the Port and the Board confirm or deny that contracting out plans were discussed with outside parties involved with attack bloggers?

If any of these situations occurred, or the Port company or Board refuse to answer, then a clean out of the Board is now required and a full independent audit of Port Company management’s actions in the dispute must be held, says Mr Parsloe.

“I do not see how the Board can remain after the spotlight of truth has exposed what has happened here.”

“This was not about productivity, or the best interests of Auckland. This was an attack on their own workers and a misuse of ratepayers money.”

www.munz.org.nz

Port of Lyttelton privatization threat re-emerges A buy back of Port of Lyttelton shares by Christchurch City looks like the first steps in a renewed bid for privatization.

Christchurch City Council Holdings Ltd (CCHL) launched a takeover bid for Lyttelton Port Company on 1 August 2014 with the intention of delisting the LPC from the New Zealand Stock Exchange.

CCHL entered a “lock-up” agreement with Port Otago, a 15.48 per cent shareholder in Lyttelton Port, for Otago’s shares.

This triggered a compulsory acquisition of the remaining smaller shareholders in LPC. The offer was still be finalized as the Maritimes goes to print, as the takeover process can take up to a month to be launched.

The purchase has come at the same time as the release of a report commissioned by the Christchurch City Council that proposes asset sales as a method of obtaining capital for the rising costs around the postearthquake rebuild of the city.

The Council released the report in neat timing shortly after the announcement of a $883 million funding shortfall for the rebuild.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Lianne Dalziel, has backed the report’s conclusions.

Ms Dalziel told media it was clear that, as well as other options such as Government assistance and reducing operational spending, selling assets is the only way the council can address uncertainty around its finances.

The council is considering the release of around $400 million in capital from CCHL. The $2.6 billion portfolio includes Christchurch International Airport, the Lyttelton Port Company and electricity supplier Orion – although Ms Dalziel hopes to maintain “strategic control” of all three companies.

The previous privatization attempt at Port of Lyttelton in 2006 foundered.

A plan was announced to sell a half share of the port to global network terminal (GNT) operator Hutchison who would have taken over the operations at the port.

The Maritime Union joined a wide based community campaign Keep Our Port Public which organized against the sell off.

However, the deciding factor was the surprise purchase of a blocking stake in the Port by Port of Otago Limited. This ended the bid.

The current development of strategic alliances, including the Port of Tauranga’s buy in to the Port of Timaru and nearby inland ports, will be renewing pressure on Port of Lyttelton to hook in to a similar alliance, perhaps with another GNT operator.

Contact the Maritime Union National Office Telephone: 04 3850 792 Fax: 04 3848 766 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington 6141 Office administrator: Ramesh Pathmanathan Email: ramesh@munz.org.nz National Secretary: Joe Fleetwood Direct dial: 04 8017614 Mobile: 021 364649 Email: joe.fleetwood@munz.org.nz National President: Garry Parsloe Direct dial: 09 3034652 Mobile: 021 326261 Email: garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz National Vice President: Carl Findlay Direct dial: 09 3034652 Mobile: 021 760887 Email: carl.findlay@munz.org.nz Assistant General Secretary: Ray Fife Direct dial: 03 2128189 Mobile: 0274 475317 Email: ray.fife@munz.org.nz ITF Inspector: Grahame McLaren Direct dial: 04 8017613 Mobile: 021 2921782 Email: mclaren_grahame@itf.org.uk Communications Officer: Victor Billot Mobile: 021 482219 Email: victor.billot@munz.org.nz

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 13

Maritime workers recover crews’ wages in ITF week of action ITF team in action at the Port of Lyttelton

Tens of thousands of dollars of outstanding pay for seafarers is in the process of recovery after a week of action in July 2014 by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in New Zealand ports.

Delegations of dockworkers and seafarers representing the ITF visited five vessels in New Zealand ports as part of a week long Flag of Convenience and Port of Convenience campaigns Workshop.

Approximately US$110,000 has been recovered in back wages, and issues of crew wellbeing have been investigated.

The exercise was led by New Zealand ITF inspector Grahame McLaren, and Australian Assistant ITF Coordinator, Matt Purcell, who were joined by maritime workers who are rank and file members of ITF affiliated unions, the Maritime Union of New Zealand and the Maritime Union of Australia.

McLaren says the joint exercise was about getting results for seafarers and was aimed at strengthening the New Zealand network of ITF approved contacts, who are maritime workers accredited by the ITF to visit vessels on a voluntary basis to check on the wellbeing of crew.

“The exercise has built on the already strong relationship with their fellow Australian ITF Representatives and respective affiliates throughout the two countries.”

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An eight strong ITF delegation visited the MV Lilly Oldendorff on 3 July 2014 in Bluff, says Mr McLaren.

The delegation delivered a message through the Ukrainian Master that the vessel owner’s refusal to cover his vessels with ITF approved employment agreements was no longer acceptable in this region, and their vessels will now become a target for affiliated unions.

In Lyttelton on 1 July 2014, several issues were investigated on board the Liberian flagged bulk carrier, Sea Success.

Crew were owed pay of over US$53,000, and several crew members had been on board for over 12 months, contravening the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, which New Zealand is currently considering ratifying.

The Panamanian flagged vessel, SW Spinnaker, was detected as owing US$55,000 of wages to crew.

In the Port of Tauranga, ITF representatives visited the ship Cap Pasado on 4 July 2014 to talk to crew and investigate issues around the death of a Filipino seafarer aboard the vessel last month in the Port of Los Angeles.

Around 700 unions representing over 4.5 million transport workers from some 150 countries are members of the ITF.

www.munz.org.nz

Health and safety update Tauranga worker dies after fall A worker from ISO Mount Maunganui died several days after suffering injuries after a reported fall.

St John paramedics were called to Tasman Quay about 2.30am on Saturday 16 August 2014.

A St John spokesperson told media that two ambulance crews were sent to the premises and one transported a man to Tauranga Hospital in a serious condition.

A caller to a local radio station said the worker was wearing a hard hat but suffered head injuries in a fall onsite. The injured worker is understood to have died at Tauranga Hospital on 22 August.

A WorkSafe investigation is underway and a WorkSafe spokesperson confirmed an incident resulted in the man’s death but could not comment further as an investigation is underway. It is unknown how long the investigation will take but there is a statutory six month period where charges can be laid.

A Port of Tauranga spokesperson told media the port is aware of the incident but will not be commenting as it is under investigation.

ISO had not made any public comment so far.

50 incidents tabled in Parliament Reports of 50 ship-related collisions, or near misses, were disclosed in parliamentary question time in July 2014 by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.

The release was in answer to a request by Green Party MP, Gareth Hughes, who was criticising the Government for playing down recent shipping incidents in the wake of the Rena grounding.

Maritime New Zealand has suspended publishing its monthly incident summaries since February as it considers privacy issues.

One of the major incidents reported in April was the container ship Maersk Batur which lost all power while navigating Otago Harbour.

Port Otago’s tugs Otago and Rangi had to return to the ship and tow it back into deeper water, having had a near miss with the shipping channel’s sandbank.

The Singapore-registered 223m-long, 43,000 tonneplus Maersk Batur is a regular visitor to Port Chalmers, and global shipping giant Maersk is the port’s largest customer.

In another incident, a five-minute grounding of a 177m Singaporean cargo ship off New Plymouth’s coast in occurred in May, which the master did not report until five days after the incident. www.munz.org.nz

Crew member injured The Port Chalmers Dunedin Branch reports a foreign engineer was injured aboard the City of Xiamen while berthed at the Port Chalmers container terminal on the morning of 20 August 2014.

Emergency services attended after the crew member slipped while carrying out maintenance in the engine room, hitting his head and elbow, and sustaining a possible spinal injury.

Nelson contamination The Nelson Mail reported on 15 August that a highly contaminated site at Port Nelson has been named as one the 10 areas in New Zealand which most urgently require a cleanup.

Calwell Slipway became contaminated after ships were washed and maintained there from the 1970s onwards.The main contaminant is tributyltin, formerly used in marine paints to reduce the growth of weed and other organisms on ship hulls.

Following international recognition of its serious effects on marine life, its use was stopped in the 1990s. The area has been under stage three of its remediation since 2012, and is now approaching its final stage.

Minor oil incident A minor oil spill occurred in Port of Tauranga in 19 August 2014. The incident occurred with the vessel Sea Star Emperor during bunkering.

Up to 20 litres of heavy fuel oil was spilled, but most was collected in the ‘keep-safe’ area around the bunkering connection, and only about one litre went into the water below the connection at Berth 11.

The exact cause is unknown and is being investigated

by SGS/Mobil.

Tauranga chemical fire A fumigation chemical used to treat cargo coming into the Port of Tauranga ‘spontaneously combusted’ overnight of 15 August causing people to evacuate from the Jean Batten Drive area.

The Tauranga fire station advised MUNZ the chemical was aluminium phosphide. About 25 firefighters from Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Greerton, as well as a specialised Hazmat unit were called to a depot next to Bunnings after reports of an explosion and subsequent fire about 8pm.

Police officers were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and the Tauranga Airport was required to be closed.

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 15

ITF Congress 2014

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary, Joe Fleetwood, addresses the 43rd Congress of the ITF

ITF vows to harness ‘Spirit of Sofia’ following 43rd congress Energising and unifying were two of the words used to describe the ITF’s 43rd congress which closed in Sofia, Bulgaria on Sunday 17 August 2014.

It was also the most participatory ITF congress ever.

ITF president Paddy Crumlin was re-elected unopposed, while Steve Cotton was installed as general secretary.

There was praise from Crumlin for Ekaterina Yordanova of congress hosts, the Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria (FTTUB).

“What a great congress it has been and we couldn’t have done it without you, Ekaterina. We made a commitment to leave the Bulgarian trade union movement in a stronger position when we left and that has happened because people here now know the strength of this family.”

16 | The Maritimes | Spring 2014

The ITF congress adopted a four-year work programme, focussing on organising key hubs and corridors, leveraging key industry players, activating mass union membership and responding to geographic shifts.

One of the key focuses of the conference was maintaining the right to strike as workers across the world continue to struggle for better rights and conditions.

Mr Cotton said that over the past four years a new social consciousness had begun, with uprising all across the globe and that the trade union movement would continue to provide the answers.

“Globalisation affects us all and it affects no group more than those working in the transport industry, so to achieve its mission of improving the lives of millions of transport workers across the planet the ITF needs to truly think globally,” he said.

For the first time ever congress featured a timetable of fringe events with everything from Cuba solidarity to world music covered.

More info and reports at the Congress website http:// www.itfcongress2014.org

www.munz.org.nz

Offshore issues: panel at ITF Congress 2014, from left MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood, KPI (Indonesian Seafarers) President Hanafi, MUA Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman, ITF campaigns director Shannon O’Keeffe and ITF Offshore Taskfoce Chair Norrie McVicar

Solidarity required to stand up to Oil and Gas giants

Maritime workers’ role in defeating apartheid

Workers in the offshore oil and gas sector gathered at the ITF Congress in August 2014 to discuss ongoing issues in the global trade.

Maritime Union of Australia Deputy National Secretary, Mick Doleman, who chaired the meeting of the ITF Offshore Taskforce, said that the industry was an enormous money-spinner, worth US$200 billion in coming years in Australia alone.

“This means the employers have deep pockets,” Mr Doleman said.

“We can’t conquer them on our own so we need to work together, we need to act as a movement.”

His thoughts were echoed by Hanafi Rustandi, President of the Indonesian Seafarers’ Union (KPI), who said countries in his region needed to work together.

Maritime Union New Zealand National Secretary Joe Fleetwood said the recently-formed Regional Maritime Federation (RMF), which brings together maritime unions from Australia New Zealand and Papua New Guinea would help build strength and capacity in the region. Mr Fleetwood said it was hoped that Indonesia and Timor Leste would soon join the RMF. Questions from the floor came from union and ITF representatives from Africa, Brazil, Canada and India.

Severino Almeida from Contmaff in Brazil paid tribute to the work of the ITF Offshore Task Force.

– Report from www.mua.org.au

The role of New Zealand maritime workers in defeating apartheid in South Africa was remembered at a special event at the 43rd ITF Congress.

Delegates gathered to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela at an event hosted by SATAWU General Secretary, Zenzo Mahlangu, representing South African transport workers.

Mandela was described as a humble man who became President of South Africa from 1994-99, in the first multi-racial elections in South Africa.

He was imprisoned for 27 years for his role in the struggle against the racist apartheid policy, before being released in 1990.

Former chairman of the Danish Seamen’s Union, Henrik Berlau, spoke of the Maritime Unions Against Apartheid movement which led from the front on the oil embargo against the brutal Apartheid regime.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary, Joe Fleetwood, Maritime Union of Australia Deputy National Secretary, Mick Doleman, and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) International Secretary-Treasurer, Willie Adams spoke of their unions role in the global struggle.

Other speakers chronicled their unions’ support, including Fatima Aguado (CCOO), Mohamed El Saidi (Tunisia) and Jong In Huy (Korean Railway Workers’ Union).

www.munz.org.nz

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 17

ITF 43rd Congress Report

By Garry Parsloe National President On 10–16 August 2014 National Secretary Joe Fleetwood, Wellington Secretary, Mike Clark, Wellington Branch President, Alan Windsor and I attended the ITF 43rd Congress in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The Congress opened with speeches from Bulgarian Prime Minister, Professor Georgi Bliznashki, who stated that it was of paramount importance that the ITF supports the UN and all organisations that seek peace and social justice.

The Congress Slogan “From Global Crisis to Global Justice – Transport workers fighting back” is proof of that willingness. Solidarity in the struggle for social justice is paramount and a noble fight.

ITF President, Paddy Crumlin, said that “everything we do is essential to the quality of human life, we are running the trains, buses and airplanes, our dockworkers are moving goods. We are in the fishing industry. We are everywhere and we demand justice”.

ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, said that “you are working, as the ITF has always done, at the cutting edge of trade union internationalism. From the very beginning, transport workers have been leaders in global workers solidarity”.

As well as the opening speeches we had a great start with a cavalcade of welcome from the Bulgarian hosts and a line-up of the national and international guests.

All the above set the tone for a positive and productive Congress. On the second day we had reports from unions all around the world expanding on their struggles for social justice.

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At night we attended a packed fringe event that paid tribute to Nelson Mandela. Joe Fleetwood spoke at the event where he pointed out some of the activities that New Zealand maritime workers did in support of social justice in South Africa.

In the morning of Day three, Tuesday 12 August, the MUNZ delegates attended the Seafarers’ Section Conference.

In this section we dealt with all the remits that were put before the Seafarers’ Section.

In the afternoon the MUNZ delegation attended the Dockers’ Section Conference.

Paddy Crumlin opened up this section and after giving an overview on the work being done and the planning for going forward, and we had an in depth report on the Ports of Convenience Campaign.

On day four our delegation attended the joint Seafarers’ and Dockers’ Conference. At the meeting we dealt with all the remits and resolutions from both the Seafarers’ and Dockers’ meetings that were held the previous day.

On Friday 15 August we attended the plenary session where we debated the issues of the day, the occupation of Palestine and the Free the Cuban 5 campaign. All the issues and the resolutions were addressed at length before Congress endorsed them.

In the afternoon, along with other issues, we elected Steve Cotton as the ITF General Secretary.

On the last day Saturday 16 August we attended the 43rd ITF Congress closing session.

There were closing addresses from the Seafarers’ Section, Civil Aviation, the Dockers’ Section, the Road Transport Section, the Rail Section, the Women’s Transport Section, the Inland Navigation Section, the Youth Section and the Fishing Section.

Paddy Crumlin then read the names of all the elected officials before thanking all the volunteers.

He then summed up a most positive and productive conference.

www.munz.org.nz

Transport workers say no to violence against women Delegates from all around the world gathered at the ITF Congress 2014 to discuss union action to prevent violence against women.

Violence against women is a global atrocity and the transport industry is by no means exempt. Physical assault, verbal abuse, emotional intimidation and sexual harassment shape the lives of millions of women around the world.

Chaired by Diana Holland, Assistant General Secretary of UNITE, speakers included delegates from Canada, India, Palestine and Australia.

Sheela Naikwade told a terrible story of a woman who was beaten on a bus and when a female conductor tried to intervene, she was beaten as well. No-one stepped in to help either woman. “This is an incredibly sad thing and more work needs to be done,” she said.

Jerry Dias spoke of the steps his union has taken to ensure there are women in leadership positions and described violence against women as something men have to fix.

This was echoed by MUA Deputy National Secretary, Mick Doleman, who is an ambassador of the White Ribbon campaign, which originated in Canada.

“Domestic violence is as much union work as wages, safety and job conditions,” he said.

www.munz.org.nz

Global unions call for action on Gaza The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) is backing the call by the ITUC for immediate world action to secure a ceasefire and negotiated settlement in Gaza.

The ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) stated: “We also call on the international community to provide urgently needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, including food, water, medical aid and generators.

However, the only way for there to be a lasting peace and mutual understanding between the people of Israel and Palestine is for the occupation and blockade of the Palestinian territories to end.”

ITF president, Paddy Crumlin, commented: “The situation in Gaza is horrendous; a human and avoidable tragedy. There is worldwide agreement that a ceasefire must happen immediately, and it must be followed by change to tackle head on the longstanding causes behind this latest episode of this horrible conflict.”

The ITF’s Gaza emergency appeal fund has topped US$134,000 as the federation delivered its second shipment of desperately needed aid to Palestinians in the conflict zone in August.

The money is being used by the ITF office in Jordan to buy and dispatch medical supplies and equipment.

Like the ITF’s first shipment, delivered on 28 July, the second cargo will be delivered to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, whose support includes running a mobile hospital in Gaza.

It will include an urgently needed operating table and more materials requested by doctors helping injured people, such as wheelchairs and crutches, bandages, syringes, facemasks, gloves and dressings.

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 19

Report on ITF Congress

By Alan Windsor Wellington Branch President At 3pm Sunday 10th August, the opening ceremony of the 43rd ITF Congress took place with a Bulgarian cultural display.

The measure of the worth of any Congress is who attends the opening, as this sets the tone for the events to follow.

To have the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, the Mayor of Sofia, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Congress Sharon Burrow, and Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Guy Ryder, make contributions, shows the ITF is an organisation that carries weight and deserves respect in all its endeavours.

20 | The Maritimes | Spring 2014

The Congress was hosted by the Bulgarian transport workers FTTUB and their President, Ekaterina Yordanova.

With this direction set, president of the ITF, Paddy Crumlin, declared the congress open for business.

The theme of the ITF 43rd congress was “From Global Crisis to Global Justice: Transport workers fighting back.”

As with any organisation of this size, the following week was structured with sectional meetings every day. This was supplemented by fringe events which covered a huge range of issues.

The main focus on day one was a recap of what that had happened to all the affiliates from around the world in the last four years since the Mexico congress.

MUNZ National Secretary, Joe Fleetwood, outlined the history of the Ports of Auckland dispute and thanked the ITF for the support we received.

There were some harrowing tales from some delegates but also some very good wins such as the Paraguayan dockers who, with assistance from the Argentinian dockers, blockaded their main river for two weeks and were able to achieve a union and collective agreement for the first time in their history – strength in solidarity.

www.munz.org.nz

Also the DHL freight and mail workers in Turkey who were all sacked from their jobs by the local Turkish employer. International support from all the fellow unions in Europe was able to bring pressure to bear on DHL, a German freight and mail forwarder who happens to be the largest operator of this type in the world.

The solidarity shown throughout Europe got all the jobs back and achieved a collective agreement.

Later that night MUNZ attended a fringe event to recognise Nelson Mandela. Seafaring and dockers’ unions from around the world related their efforts to embargo South Africa to bring about the end of the apartheid state.

The Danish Seamen’s Union gave an enlightening narrative about the maritime unions stand against apartheid. Joe Fleetwood presented the MUNZ account and the activities of many New Zealanders in the stand taken against the Springbok Tour of 1981.

The event finished off with our South African brothers and sisters singing and dancing to rejoice the end of apartheid and the freeing of Nelson Mandela.

Wednesday evening Finlay Macintosh and I attended the Palestine action support group along with representatives from many of the unions.

What a night. The solidarity and empowerment radiating from these oppressed and occupied people was fabulous, a lesson to all to never give up and fight for your rights.

The sectional meetings included seafarers’ section, dockers’ section, aviation, road transport, rail transport, womens, youth, fisheries, tourism and inland boatmens, all reporting on their industries.

Thursday night we were up for it again and attended the Cuba solidarity fringe event.

Joe Fleetwood was part of the panel which was led and presented by the RMT, Britain’s Rail and Maritime union which has been to the fore in support for the Cuban cause.

Much discussion ensued over the US embargo that has been going on for the last 50 years.

In spite of that it was noted how Cuba punched above its weight with the highest literacy in the region as well as free education and health. Cuba also regularly offers medical aid to countries in distress from Haiti to the South Pacific, with Cuban doctors training the local population on how to look after themselves.

On Friday, the plenary session brought everyone back to the main hall. Some main topics emerged as a result of the neo liberal economic agenda.

www.munz.org.nz

After wrecking most of the world’s economies through rampant greed, the recipe for getting the system back on track has been to usher in austerity measures such as cuts to social services, health, and education and Privatisation of everything that had not already been sold.

The new thrust of repression is through concerted attacks on the conditions and rights fought for by our forebears. The right of freedom of association is coming under attack in employer led court cases and the right to strike is now under severe attack. We need to be mindful of the intentions of the neo liberal programme that is being imposed upon the working class.

The day drew to a close with the formal election of the new general secretary of the ITF, Steve Cotton, and reappointment of the president Paddy Crumlin, and also all of the sectional heads.

This was done with unanimous applause from the delegates, and there being no other business, we adjourned to the closing event at the Sofia millitary park where the fence around the venue was made out of rifle barrels.

Our Bulgarian hosts put on a magnificent evening with singers and dancers. After a break for food the main event of the evening started. The workers’ rock group, the Alabama 3, was brought out from the UK, this was the group who played at Bob Crow’s funeral.

Unashamedly from the left, they lifted everyone’s spirits and rounded the evening off with no doubt of whose side we were all on.

Saturday brought the closing of congress. With the section reports and tasks identified and a closing address from our President, the congress was closed.

The best yet in the view of the experienced attendees.

This congress was the first “paperless” one and all the digital documents presented are available online at the ITF website.

A luta Continua – The struggle continues.

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 21

Australian offshore jobs under attack Offshore jobs are at risk due to interference by the Abbott Government, says the Maritime Union of Australia The Australian Conservative Government’s assault on Australian jobs shows no sign of abating, with the announcement it seeks to abolish the work visa requirement for offshore oil and gas workers.

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) National Secretary and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) President Paddy Crumlin said it was in the national interest to hire Australian workers first, when there are workers available to do the job.

“Not satisfied with ensuring the demise of the local car manufacturing industry and trying to destroy coastal shipping, the Abbott Government now wants to make it easier for the offshore oil and gas industry to use foreign workers and deprive Australians of jobs in the resources industry,” Crumlin said.

The former Labor government reintroduced the Offshore Resources Act (ORA). The Act means skilled workers from overseas can only be accepted on a 457 visa, which is administered under the Migration Act. That regulation comes into effect on 29 June 2014.

But the current government plans to eliminate the requirement for workers to have a 457 skilled migration visa.

Assistant Immigration Minister, Michaelia Cash, says reintroducing the ORA adds unnecessary red tape and will delay offshore operations. She plans to counter with the ORA Appeal Act, which she will send to the Senate.

In the event the ORA Repeal Act is blocked, Senator Cash said all people who are subject to the ORA Act will need to hold either a permanent visa, or one of the following: • the maritime crew visa for articled crew members of vessels who are participating in, or supporting, an offshore resources activity; • the temporary work (short stay activity - subclass 400) visa for people undertaking short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work; • the temporary work (skilled - subclass 457) visa for people being sponsored by an approved business for up to four years.

22 | The Maritimes | Spring 2014

Shadow Workplace Relations Minister, Brendan O’Connor, said the Opposition would block any changes in the Senate.

Crumlin said Tony Abbott was simply looking after his mates in big business.

“BIS Shrapnel and University Of Sydney research has confirmed that maritime wages make up less than one per cent of the cost of building projects like Gorgon,” Crumlin said.

“Yet the Abbott Government wants to shift to a policy that will cost Australian jobs, while delivering no real improvements to the competitiveness of the LNG industry.

“The MUA and the ITF will do what they can to stop these changes going ahead, and we are confident all Australians will join the fight to ensure their kids can have jobs in their own country.”

Crumlin said that despite the Abbott Government’s actions, and those of business and lobby groups in Australia, Chevron Chief Executive, John Watson doesn’t blame unions for cost problems on Gorgon.

The MUA is working closely with the ITF as part of a global campaign to build awareness over delays and cost overruns on the project which was originally costed at US$37 billion but has now blown out to US$54 billion.

At a Chevron shareholder meeting in Texas on May 28, Crumlin drew a response from Chevron CEO John Watson. According to a Reuters report of the shareholder meeting, Watson said the cost overruns were due to weather, the rise in the value of the Australian dollar and increasing material prices. He said Chevron is committed to using organised labor in Australia.

“We have no intention of blaming organised labour for cost overruns or delays at Gorgon,” Watson said.

MUA WA Branch Assistant Secretary, Will Tracey, doesn’t buy the argument that it’s only about removing red tape for oil and gas companies.

“The changes would impact on all workers across the sector, not just pipe and cable layers,” Tracey said.

“I’m also concerned those on Maritime Crew Visas won’t come under the Migration Act. “There’s no reason why this industry, like every other, shouldn’t fall under the Migration Act. “It’s a nonsense to suggest this is simply about getting skilled labour into the country.

“They can still do it under the current system.”

www.munz.org.nz

ILWU vote ratifies Grain Agreement US and Canadian Longshore workers who load grain in Pacific Northwest export terminals have voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with several multinational grain companies.

The vote included members of ILWU Local 8 in Portland, Ore., and Local 4 in Vancouver, Local 21 in Longview, Local 19 in Seattle, and Local 23 in Tacoma, Wash., who collectively voted 88.4% in favor of a tentative agreement with Louis Dreyfus Commodities, United Grain Corporation and Columbia Grain Inc. that will be in effect until May 31, 2018.

Members voting in favor totaled 1,475; those voting against numbered 193.

Negotiations for the new agreement began in August of 2012, involved 70 separate sessions, and included lockouts at Portland’s Columbia Grain and Vancouver’s United Grain facilities. Terms of the agreement include work rule changes and wage increases over the life of the agreement.

ILWU members will resume their jobs at the lockedout facilities on Wednesday. All picketing has ceased, and the parties have agreed to drop all pending NLRB and other legal actions associated with the dispute.

Bargaining was difficult, but in the end, both sides compromised significantly from their original positions, resulting in a workable collective bargaining agreement that preserves the work of the ILWUrepresented workforce and fosters stability for the export grain industry.

The men and women of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have loaded grain for export in the Pacific Northwest since 1934.

More information see www.ilwu.org

Branch and local contacts Whangarei Secretary: Ben Hathaway Home: (09) 4343152 President: John Farrow Mobile: 021 855121 Address: PO Box 397, Whangarei 0140 Email: ben.hathaway@munz.org.nz

Auckland Local 13 Phone: (09) 3034 652 Fax: (09) 3096 851 President: Garry Parsloe Mobile: 021 326 261 Email: garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz Secretary: Russell Mayn Mobile: 021 760 886 Email: russell.mayn@munz.org.nz Vice President: Carl Findlay Mobile: 021 760 887 Email: carl.findlay@munz.org.nz Vice President: Patrick Honan Mobile: 021 293 9156 Address: PO Box 1840, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140

Mount Maunganui Phone: (07) 5755 668 Fax: (07) 5759 043 President: Peter Harvey Mobile: 027 5501 566 Secretary: Selwyn Russell Mobile: 0274 782308 Email: selwyn.russell@munz.org.nz Address: PO Box 5121, Mt. Maunganui 3150 Gisborne Local 38 Secretary: James Harvey Mobile: 027 508 4470 Address: 21 Titoki Place, Elgin, Gisborne 4010 Email: james.harvey@munz.org.nz New Plymouth Secretary: Terry Whitehead Phone/Fax: (06) 751 5514 Email: npmunz@yahoo.com

Mobile: 027 468 0050 Address: PO Box 6084, New Plymouth

Napier Secretary: Bill Connelly Mobile: 027 6175441 Phone/Fax: (06) 8358 622 Address: PO Box 70, Napier Email: bill.connelly@munz.org.nz Wellington Secretary: Mike Clark Mobile: 0274 538222 Email: mike.clark@munz.org.nz Phone: (04) 3859 288 Fax: (04) 3848 766 Asst. Secretary: John Whiting Mobile: 021 606379 Email: john.whiting@munz.org.nz Phone: (04) 8017 619 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington 6141 President: Alan Windsor Mobile: 021 148 3771 Vice President: Jimmy King Mobile: 027 363 0194 Nelson Secretary: Ken Knox Phone/Fax: (03) 547 2102 Email: ken.knox@munz.org.nz

Mobile: Address:

027 6222691 PO Box 5016, Nelson

Lyttelton Local 43 Secretary: Les Wells Mobile: 027 432 9620 Phone/Fax: (03) 3288 306 Address: PO Box 29, Lyttelton Email: les.wells@munz.org.nz

Timaru Secretary: Tony Townshend Mobile: 027 4324134 Address: PO Box 813, Timaru Email: tony.townshend@munz.org.nz

Port Chalmers Dunedin Local 10 Phone: (03)4728 052 Fax: (03) 4727 492 Secretary: Phil Adams Mobile: 0274 377601 Email: phil.adams@munz.org.nz President: Ben George Mobile: 021 472 021 Email: ben.george@munz.org.nz Address: PO Box 44, Port Chalmers Bluff Phone/Fax: President: Email: Secretary: Email:

www.munz.org.nz

(03) 2128 189 Harry Holland harry.munz@xtra.co.nz Ray Fife ray.fife@munz.org.nz

Address: PO Box 5, Bluff Mobile: 027 228 4315 Mobile: 027 447 5317

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 23

If these representatives are in your area turn up, listen and judge. Ibelieve their policies are right for the working class, plus our children and grandparents.

Surely all the people of New Zealand should share a fair standard of living for our families that supports housing, health and education, and above all our children’s care. So in short, vote – it’s our cause.

Around the port Wilsons Parking Route K We have just concluded the agreement here and the members are pleased that we have a redundancy agreement now in place, as it seems this will happen in the next couple of years.

C3 We are just about to get into regular consultative talks as to be ready for our bargaining that will start in the not too distant future. Congratulations to the newly elected delegates Ray Ashford, Mark Jacobs, and Marie Butler. We look forward to your input.

NZCSL

MUNZ Tauranga Mount Maunganui Branch Vice President Steve Beets (left) with some new members at NZCSL who have just become permanents (photo by Selwyn Russell)

Mount Maunganui Tauranga

By Selwyn Russell

Election 2014 It does not seem that long since we sent the last report in for the previous magazine, however with the election not too far away it is imperative for us to rally our families and support the Get out and vote campaign. If we let apathy rule this country it will be at the cost to ourselves and our children growing up in a society of haves and have nots.

There have been a number of things going on around the Bay of Plenty supporting our cause. We have been supporting our Labour Party candidates Rachel Jones and Clair Wilson by attending huis around the bay with invited guests such as Andrew Little, Helen Kelly, and many others.

We also held a successful meeting with David Cunliffe, the leader of the Labour Party.

24 | The Maritimes | Spring 2014

It has been very pleasing to note that, with the assistance of the managers and our members, the union has grown here. As they are gaining contracts it is great to see that yet another 8 workers have been made permanent. I was invited by management to go and see potential members in Napier which duly happened, and our Napier Secretary, Bill Connelly, got another 13 new members for the branch and into the MUNZ family. I believe this relationship can grow and it would be pleasing to head towards a national document here.

Te Manu Toroa We have initiated bargaining and are waiting for them to reply for a meeting.

Ballance They have had a shut down and the company implemented its drug and alcohol policy with random saliva. We have a new member here.

Rena Because of the salvors getting into specific salvage now, the members that were on the support vessels will be reallocated to the Monarch. We are hoping we can keep our seafarers out on the reef for the rest of the salvage. Also we still have a few seafarers on the docks hoping to ship out soon.

NZM As previously reported they are all on individual agreements here. It would be good to get one of them onto the committee as the work seems very sporadic at the moment.

Comvita Signed off and very quiet here at the moment. www.munz.org.nz

New Plymouth

By Terry Whitehead Hi, Kia ora Due to an unprecedented work load in the January– March period of this year we have been busier than ever before (in my time anyway).

Thank you to all our out of port workers for all their help and hard work.

Whangarei, Gisborne and Lyttelton all sent members and we appreciate all their efforts. Now with the downturn of uptake of logs things have slowed right down. Hopefully we will see an increase in workloads over the coming months.

The odd scrap boat and upcoming Project cargo should go some way in keeping our branch financially secure.

Anadarko All done and dusted. We had some ongoing pipe/ drilling gear storage work happening but this has now come to completion. What an absolute pleasure it was working with and for this company. Professionalism is the only word to describe them.

A big thanks to them for their very generous donation of $10,000 worth of surplus office equipment that they donated to the Taranaki Futures organization to help them with their start-up and running costs. A very worthwhile cause that will benefit Taranaki youth.

After all the doom and gloom on the front pages about their arrival and deep water exploration, their charity work only managed to get a small paragraph in the local paper.

Bulk cargo – feeds and fertilizer Seasonal as always but a lot of PKE (palm kernel) has been coming and going from our Port. Our Naki cows sure can eat!

Once the new SWAPs storage shed is completed we should be looking at increased volumes of discharge.

Five hatch cleanouts should be the norm.

Urea is also high on the agenda with small volumes of DAP and Potash discharged.

Logs From three boats a month to one boat in three months. The economic climate and slowing of the Chinese intake have affected our workload immensely.

Logs have taken on another dimension for our branch with us purchasing our own diggers and with our members driving them. With the increased workload at the time, we were looking forward to possibly hiring more people.

A big welcome to Isaac McIndoe who has come on board as a log digger operator and trainer. He has slotted in well and is a pleasure to have in our team.

www.munz.org.nz

Port Taranaki Drug and Alcohol Policy Starting from 18 August 2014, random urine testing will be in place at the main gates.

Everyone entering is now potentially subject to being tested.

We worked in conjunction with the port company regarding this being introduced and made our case for saliva based testing, especially in light of C3 recently adopting our policy.

Due to a big push by the oil companies who are the Port company’s main income providers, it was looked at but largely ignored.

We were informed that as an Oil export port we were one of the last in the world to take gate testing up and refusal to comply would put ships coming here in jeopardy.

It has caused quite a heated debate between all parties but the writing has been on the wall for many years and it’s hard to argue with common sense. As our manager says “You were clean to get your job, now you must stay clean to keep them.”

Thanks to Joe Fleetwood for helping me with advice and info regarding this situation.

Other News In late December 2013, our branch made a donation to help one of our member’s sons get to Australia for the Gold Coast Titans development squad.

Paul ‘Paora’ Noble will be a name to watch out for. We wish him all the best and know he will do his whanau and us proud.

A future Kiwi for sure!

We held our annual Old Timers’ day at the end of January and, as always, it was a great success.

Unfortunately, not many of our current members could make it due to a boat being in but a great time was had by our past members and friends who attended.

We also had great feedback about the Interport tournament from our friends who went. Despite the weather they enjoyed themselves immensely.

On the election front I have made all our members and casuals aware of the importance of having their say by voting.

I am amazed at the amount of people not even enrolled. You can’t moan about the Government if you’re not enrolled or if you don’t bother to vote. This is a situation only we can put right ourselves.

So, let’s get it right this year.

All the best, take care of each other and let’s keep safe.

The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 25

Bluff

By Harry Holland We have been busy down here on the mainland and things have been moving along well. Cargo and the hook is still moving on all the ships.

Tiwai We had a big issue with the pumping of pitch and loading of metal at the same time.

Some of our members were hospitalized over pitch contamination and we got Work Safe NZ involved.

We came to a manageable solution, the short of it all that we are loading metal while they discharge pitch with a lot of new rules and regulations being put into place and working. Here’s hoping.

Training We have just done a fire safety training course for Sulphur and Duracell which comes into the port.

We have been very surprised when talking to other ports about this only to find that they don’t even have any fire gear or safety in their ports.

This is a big one guys and very dangerous – you need to look into this if you don’t have this in place in your port. An explosion would be disastrous.

There is a Ship right training programme also up and running along with a Met Track Course at Tiwai being done very soon.

We have had a number of our new members signed off on their crane driving and gantry driving.

This is a big one for our port as we are now moving ahead with the new members. Well done to all who have achieved this.

New Crane We understand a new South Port crane is on the water as we write heading to Bluff and due to arrive early September.

This will work with the other crane that is currently working the MSC container ships, cutting the turnaround time down.

This new crane is bigger than the other so let’s wait and see.

Justin Dimond departs On a sadder note we have lost our Vice President Justin Dimond who has left the Port company and moved onto greener pastures.

He was a huge part of the Union and is a big loss to us.

Many of you will remember him for his commitment to the job.

Justin, we wish you and your family all the very best for the future and thank you very much for your hard work comrade.

ITF We held an ITF course and refresher course down here in Bluff with Grahame McLaren and three Australian delegates.

This was a very good and well run course with all our guys getting a lot out of it. The three members from Australia were great ambassadors for their country and union and contributed well to the course.

Our New Zealand ITF inspector Grahame and Matt Purcell from ITF Australia took the course and did a wonderful job.

We now have about eight ITF trained delegates in the port and the boys are keen.

A huge thanks goes out to Grahame our man for organising it and coming down to do it.

Branch elections

We welcome your contributions to the Maritimes magazine.

Articles, letters, photos and suggestions are welcome.

The elections for the Bluff branch executive will occur in the near future for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Executive.

Watch this space.

Contact the Editor mobile 021482219 email victor.billot@munz.org.nz post PO Box 27004, Wellington 6141

26 | The Maritimes | Spring 2014

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MUNZ Bluff Branch hosted an eight member ITF delegation during the July 2014 Week of Action for training and a ship inspection.

Port Chalmers, 2014

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The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 27

Wellington

By Mike Clark We finally have the three Interisland ferries up and running, albeit at a slower pace than anticipated.

This has resulted in multiple changes to rosters over the past few weeks. This is something that has been unavoidable but is causing disruption as our members have to juggle their home life around these times.

I have been in constant contact with the company voicing our concerns, but the business is freight driven and that is the reason behind these changes.

Kiwirail H/R Manager for Interisland Line Carla Flynn has been most helpful during these trying times which are both frustrating for the members and also the rostering team.

If anyone has concerns about these changes outside of remuneration please contact H/R. Rod Grout, the former CEO of Pacifica Shipping and a great supporter of New Zealand coastal shipping over a number of years, and now a well respected Marine and Transport consultant, said in the Shipping Gazette recently “that the enforced cut in the Aratere’s sailings recently is a wake up call to stop wasting money on outdated rail ferries and adopt an efficient shipping practice.”

The Aratere returned to service last month after a lengthy dry dock in Singapore following the failure of one of its propeller shafts and the loss of a propeller during a scheduled sailing in November 2013.

As a consequence of this the original smaller propellers on the vessel from its original build in 1999 were refitted. This has resulted in reduced sailings due to lack of speed.

It would be obvious to most seafarers that when you stick 30 metres into a vessel then the prop sizes would have to be modified to maintain the required speed.

As one engineer said to me, you wouldn’t stretch a Corolla and leave the same running gear in it unless you wanted a slow ride, would you?

The Kaitaki is due to depart for Nelson for an in water survey on the evening of Saturday 16 August and return on the 23 August to re-enter service on 24 August.

These times and dates are yet to be confirmed.

The Arahura goes to dry dock in Auckland on 25 August and back on 22 September ready to re-enter service, provided all goes to plan – which just doesn’t seem to be happening at this point in time.

The dry-dock agreements are currently being negotiated and the delegates on both vessels have been informed of the progress.

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Offshore We have had a number of vessels finish up in our Offshore industry in the past couple of months as is usual for this time of the year.

On the Rena project in Tauranga we have had two tug and barge operations wound up but we wait in anticipation for a ruling from the Environmental Court later this month to determine if there will be ongoing salvage work taking place.

This would involve more vessels, resulting in ongoing work for our members.

The National Secretary and I met with executives from New Zealand Oil and Gas last month and they were very positive about the future prospects in this country for more work in this industry.

I have been in constant contact with the Offshore operators to see if there is work on the horizon, but with the way the bush telegraph works the members know before us.

It is with disappointment that I report that some members are intent on ringing and suckholing to the companies in the Offshore for work and there have been a number of these persons who have taken work outside of our coverage and not notified this office.

These persons will not be considered for work in this Union until there is a commitment made to adhere to the rules.

We are not in the business of stopping people accepting work outside of the industry when there is no work available as everyone needs to survive, but common courtesy is to ring this office if you accept work so that the database can be adjusted.

Failure to comply will result in your name being deleted.

Swires We are close to a deal with Andy Neville from Swires to engage Trainee ABs and IRs with a few technical details to be worked out in terms of Maritime New Zealand requirements.

Like us, he is committed to training young New Zealanders to work in the industry.

As it stands we have a number of applications but the process will be that the applicants will be forwarded by us but that Swires as the employer have the final decision on who they employ.

Hopefully by early September we will be in a position to notify our Offshore people of projected work coming up over the summer months.

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Election 2014

MUA Campaign

The Branch has been actively involved with the Labour Party for the upcoming elections.

It is important for everybody who is eligble to enrol to vote and on the day make it a social occasion and get out to vote and have a say on your and your families’ future.

You will see on your vessels material relating to the elections.

Please take the time to read it and not just scoff at it and say “what difference does my vote make.”

The jobs and wages and conditions in our industry were built on well founded Labour values and the importance of this should not be lost.

It wasn’t the Companies that gave us the wages out of the goodness of their hearts but the battles of our predecessors and their working class ethics.

If a Labour Government is returned to power their promise is to immediately increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour and again increase it to $16.25 in April 2015, introduce 26 weeks paid parental leave, repeal the 90-day fire at will legislation, and strengthen workers’ bargaining rights so they can negotiate a fair deal.

These are but a few of Labour’s promises should they regain the Treasury benches.

Anybody that is willing to help in any way with door knocking, phone answering or any other tasks that are required, please contact Sue Windsor at the CTU on 027 665 5489 or email suew@nzctu.org.nz

Thank you to all who participated in signing the MUA petition online.

They are again in a battle over their bargaining process for a Collective Agreement or in Aussie terms an Employment Agreement.

The MUA along with AMOU have lodged a claim in the Federal Court to overturn the Abbott Government’ s attempt to remove all visa regulations from the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry thereby removing job security for all Australians aboard Offshore vessels.

The hearing is set down for 19 August.

This is just another attack on Unions trying to secure work for their members on decent wages rather than have imported labour doing it.

In closing On a final note as per the last contract talks a number of our long serving members have opted for an early retirement package.

To those that have gone and intending to go in the coming months on behalf of the Branch we would sincerely like to thank you for your continued support for our cause over the years.

To have a future we have to have had a past and your years of service have left us in a strong position both industrially and politically.

We wish you all a long and happy retirement, as the saying goes “retired from the workplace but not the struggle”.

Maritime Union of New Zealand representatives at the ITF Congress fringe event for the Cuban Five, hosted by the UK RMT Union.

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The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 29

Auckland Local 13

By Russell Mayn As we draw closer to the General Election on 20 September things are starting to hot up.

The release of Nicky Hager’s book “Dirty Politics” has added a bit of fuel to the fire. I was wondering if the National Party produces a magazine and if so I bet you there would be a cartoon in it “Hagar the Horrible”.

I listened to Radio New Zealand and the interview with John Keys regarding the allegations in the book and the answers provided by the leader of the National Party were laughable.

Their claim is that it is just some trumped up campaign from the far left to discredit the National Party. All political parties use bloggers. The left have theirs, it is just the way of the world these days.

But the point is it is not the bloggers, it is how political parties use them, the information that is given to them and then how the bloggers use that information.

Not that anyone could accuse me of being biased but there is a very large difference between the material and how it is presented on the left wing blogs than to the content and presentation of the Whale Oil Blog and its champion, Cameron Slater.

The allegations in the book point to a relationship between the National Party and Cameron Slater that goes far beyond the normal expectations that New Zealanders hold for our politicians.

For individuals who have been attacked on Whale Oil, they suffer the consequences of the accusations and smears whether there is any truth to them or not.

It may be just what goes around comes around and the use of such a blog site by the National Party especially by some of its Ministers has bit them fair and square on the nether regions.

During the Ports of Auckland dispute we copped our fair share from Whale Oil, our members were portrayed as lazy, overpaid gang members and personal details were posted to discredit executive members and attack activists who spoke out during the dispute.

For those of us involved in the Ports of Auckland dispute none of the allegations in the book come as a surprise.

We all knew that information was leaked so that bloggers and social media could attack union members. I guess the unanswered question is, was the Board and Management involved and if so, to what extent.

30 | The Maritimes | Spring 2014

I will leave that up to the reader to decide but there is a familiar odour permeating from Chapter 8 in the book.

If the allegations in the book are accurate, then it also brings into consideration the company’s previous stance on values. If the Port Company was to be consistent with its approach to how they dealt with what was considered to be a breach of the company values then heads would have to roll.

In New Zealand, workers have the “Right of Association”, and they should be able to feel that they will not be discriminated against if they exercise that right and join a union.

In the conversations that I have with union members employed by the Ports of Auckland the exact opposite is the impression I get. The majority of MUNZ members believe that they are being discriminated against purely because they want to have a say in the terms and conditions they work under and belong to a union which is determined to negotiate a fair settlement.

Our membership in Auckland has shown a stoic approach and remained proud to fight for what they believe in and for that I take my hat off to them.

As each day passes and details of the emails referred to in the book are released the allegations gain credibility. So can we expect any investigation or accountability. If you listen to the leader of the National Party, the answer is no, and I expect that the same answer applies to the other parties who get a mention.

Along with the right of association we are fortunate to have the right to vote in a democratically run election.

The decision on who forms the next Government in New Zealand is around the corner in September and there is a lot at stake for workers and their families.

The industrial legislation changes being promoted by the National Party are another step to weakening workers’ rights to bargain collectively.

If allowed to proceed into law, these changes will spell a decline in wages and conditions across the board.

The effects will not just be felt by union members but non-union will also feel the brunt of these changes.

Without Collective Agreements to set the benchmark, increases will become smaller or non-existent. In a number of industries we deal with there is trend appearing where extra increases or conditions are being offered for individual agreements.

The question that workers need to ask themselves is, will these increases stand the test of time if Collective Agreements are not in place.

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To answer this you don’t have to go far back in history to the Employment Contracts Act (ECA).

During the ECA workers found themselves without protection and employers were quick to reduce terms and conditions. It has been some time since the ECA but for those of us who remember, it is not with fondness.

Overtime payments disappeared, hours of work increased, redundancies were an everyday occurrence and job security became a thing of the past.

September is the time when we can all have our say for a fairer, more equitable society and all we have to do is cast our vote. The message is don’t be a no show, “Get out and Vote”.

What’s happening on the Auckland Waterfront and at Sea. There is plenty going on.

A number of Collective Agreements are up for renegotiation including Holcim, Pacifica, Silver Fern Shipping, C3 Stevedoring, and Sanford’s.

New Collective Agreements at 360 Discovery and Kaipara Towboats are being bargained.

Some are well down the track and others are at the early stages of bargaining, and we will keep you posted as they are concluded.

The Ports of Auckland Collective Agreement remains unresolved and whilst some progress has been made, there are still some big ticket items to reach agreement on.

We will be looking to hold an all up stopwork for Ports of Auckland members in September and, as always, we will notify you by email and text message.

If you are not receiving the messages for monthly stopwork meetings then, we do not have your current details.

Please update your email and mobile number at the office.

I leave you with one of my favourite cartoons from Hagar the Horrible “An Injury to One is an Injury to All”

Farewell function for Darien Fenton MP: National President Garry Parsloe thanked retiring Labour MP Darien Fenton for her long time support for and solidarity with the Maritime Union at the function held at the Maritime Club

MUNZ Port Chalmers Dunedin Branch President, Ben George, hands a contribution from the Branch to MUNZ National Secretary Joe Fleetwood to go towards the Union’s 2014 election efforts to deliver a worker friendly Government

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The Maritimes | Spring 2014 | 31

Waterside workers, 1951

They fought for the rights of those who followed.

This election, make sure you vote for the next generation.

32 | The Maritimes | Spring 2014

Authorised by Joe Fleetwood, 220 Willis Street, Wellington.

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