MWJ 2015 Winter Edition

Maritime Unions Celebrate Federal Court Offshore Visas Win Michaelia Cash loses another round in the courts as part of lengthy legal battle

THE MARITIME WORKERS’ JOURNAL winter 2015

MUA Fights For Fuel Security MUA makes multiple appearances at Senate Inquiry into fuel security as national campaign to save shipping jobs takes to the streets

Abbott and Industry team up to try to pinch wharfies’ penalty rates MUA defending on multiple fronts against Productivity Commission and Award Modernisation

Working Waves 20th Anniversary

Contents

S o l d i e rs B e ach , N orah H e a d, N SW M arch 27, 2 0 1 5 Winners: Opens: Con Parris Over 40s: Steve Alderman Longboard: Sean Chaffer Comrades Cup: Toby Dunn The Rockhead Relay: DP Port Botany Thanks to: Maritime Mining Power Credit Union Maritime Super METL RT Health Hunterlink

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uel Security to the F fore as MUA ramps up campaign

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UA battles to protect M Aussie jobs in the offshore

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nion saves Seafarers’ U Tax Offset

24-25 P enalty Rates Under Attack ... Again 36-37 U nions band together in bid to send Abbott packing after one term

Thanks to members at: DP World Port Botany Patrick Port Botany Qube Newcastle Ningaloo Vision Stybarrow Venture Sydney Harbour Ferries Newcastle Tugs

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vitzer does the dirty S on MUA

52-55 W A Branch Conference Fights From The Front

Special thanks to: Retired members George Murray, George Robotham, Ray White, Young George BBQ Hendo, Prestie, and Whitey for running the Contest Soldiers Beach SLSC Wyong Shire Lifeguards Cherie at the Newcastle Branch

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UA takes leadership M role in global workers’ capital agenda

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lobal maritime G industry pays tribute to Hunterlink founder Paul Karras, who passed away aged 63

Images © Brad Malyon

EDITOR IN CHIEF Paddy Crumlin Communications Director Darrin Barnett Editorial Team Ashleigh Telford DESIGN Magnesium Media PRINTER Printcraft Maritime Workers’ Journal 365-375 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Contact: 9267 - 9134 Fax: 9261 - 3481 Email: journal@mua.org.au Website: http://www.mua.org.au MWJ reserves the right at all times to edit and/or reduce any articles or letters to be published.

Publication No: 1235 For all story ideas, letters, obituaries please email journal@mua.org.au Some articles in this MWJ were sourced from Working Life (workinglife.org.au), an ACTU-run trade union news service

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National Research Officer Penny Howard spoke in opposition to the ‘Reclaim Australia’ rallies

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C A M PA I G N

Our Coast. Our Fuel. Our Security The campaign to keep Australian-crewed tankers on the coast has heated up, as the union continues to focus on ‘fuel security’ as a mechanism to protect and extend Australia’s coastal shipping fleet. Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith reports.

MUA Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith addresses a fuel security rally in inner Sydney

Newcastle Branch members turned out in numbers

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he ‘fuel security’ focus has already served to ensure that cross-bench Senators in the Federal Parliament do not move to support the Coalition’s proposals to undo the Coastal Trading Act. The Senate cross-benchers have informed the MUA that they see Minister Warren Truss’s attempts to change the Act as cynical, while the Fuel Security Inquiry is still on foot. The MUA has successfully linked in the minds of the cross-bench members that fuel security is a shipping issue, which has lead to their ongoing rejection of changes to the Coastal Trading Act. The fuel security issue has attracted wide community support, including organisations such as the NRMA and other state motorist organisations, as well as the National Farmers’ Federation.

In latest news, BP has indicated it intends to remove the British Loyalty from coastal trade. This announcement has been the basis of the latest targeting of BP in the fuel security campaign.

Demonstrations have occurred against BP after every branch’s last stop-work meeting.

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In other areas of the campaign the following has occurred: Caltex Myself, SNSW Secretary Garry Keane and National Research Officer Penny Howard met Caltex and outlined how we believed there was sufficient Temporary Licence cargo on the coast to sustain a MR tanker. The union presented its case and has followed up with Caltex, and we are waiting on a response from the company.

The request to Caltex is based on a sixpoint plan: 1. Caltex approach Australian tanker owners and operators to see if they would consider bringing a tanker on the coast under a General Licence and with Australian crew that would jointly service the east coast refineries and terminal operators.

2. Based on current patterns, we believe that Caltex would be the lead user of such a tanker.

3. We also understand that Viva is happy to consider being a part-user of such a tanker.

4. In such an arrangement, the tanker owner-operator would take the initiative

of putting the tanker on the coast, and retain responsibility for it. But Caltex would provide a multi-year contract for a portion of the tanker’s cargo, to provide some stability for the ship.

5. Such a tanker could be sized and specified to suit the Australian market, and Tasmania in particular, which requires a small number of specialised shipments.

6. We gave them a spreadsheet with the Australian Temporary Licence fuel shipments in 2014. That did not include fuel carried on Australian General Licence tankers, only international tankers, and it also did not include intra-state cargos. We also noticed that the Melbourne loadings at the Mobil refinery ended on October 17 2014. We have written to the Department and asked for the missing data to be inserted. We included crude oil shipments on the long list of voyages on the first tab; but these voyages were excluded in the analysis on the subsequent tabs.

The MUA has further proposed that Caltex engage Australian crews for international import voyages.

Viva Following street demonstrations that targeted www.mua.org.au

the company, Viva agreed to meet the MUA. In that meeting with myself Penny Howard, Viva agreed it would open up carriage of Temporary Licence cargo out of Geelong to General Licence vessels if they were available. The MUA has sought to capture this in a written agreement and we have not, at this stage, received a response to our written proposal. The Caltex proposal links the overflow of Avgas out of Geelong, which is the predominant port export for which the Geelong refinery has an overcapacity in production.

Viva has subsequently contacted the union wanting to meet and discuss arrangements relating to shipping.

A common theme with oil majors, particularly those with a retail focus, is they really do not like our approach in taking the campaign to the street. This is a tactic we will have to continue with where necessary.

Mobil There have been at least two demonstrations aimed at Mobil. Mobil currently has the smallest shipping task out of the Altona refinery in Melbourne, but there is a view that this will increase because of increased competition with Viva over the inland www.mua.org.au

This highly organised body of refinery workers from the AWU, CFMEU and the NUW is dealing with its industry under siege. The closure of the refineries is seeing job losses in the terminals.

ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY WARREN SMITH

Victorian market. Both of which have a priority focus.

The MUA is yet to meet with Mobil - and will continue to place a focus on disruption of its business until the company agrees to meet and consider our broader proposals regarding tanker manning and fuel security.

BP demonstrations The targeting of BP is aimed at securing the retention of the British Loyalty, which we have identified as being able to be maintained on the coast if it was repositioned to the west-east trade due to significant volumes of Temporary Licence cargoes coming out of the Kwinana refinery.

Australian Refineries Organising Committee (AROC) This highly organised body of refinery workers

from the AWU, CFMEU and the NUW is dealing with its industry under siege. The closure of the refineries is seeing job losses in the terminals. So far Clyde, Kurnell and Bulwer refineries are closing or have closed.

This negative trend is linked partly to a downward spiral of coastal trade in refined product. Accordingly myself and Communications Director Darrin Barnett met with AROC in Perth to discuss joining forces in the fuel security, shipping and refining areas where our destinies are entirely linked.

The MUA received a warm welcome and an ongoing commitment around the development of joint campaigning.

We have since been in contact with these comrades and will continue to work closely - hopefully seeing an increase in the amount of organising and campaigning resources for the campaign.

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C A M PA I G N

British Loyalty delegate Glen Mallon, National Research Officer Penny Howard and Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray outside the Senate fuel security inquiry in Sydney

cost of an Australian crew, which is the single biggest factor in removing us from the coast.

Shipowners Shipowners Teekey, ASP and Stolt have all been approached regarding the direction of the campaign, with a view to convincing these companies that a tanker put on a general licence would be viable with the support of long term contracts from oil majors - especially considering the amount of Temporary Licence cargos the union has mapped around the coast.

South Australian Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn addresses a rally of branch members at Port Adelaide

Lobbying Considerable lobbying of the Senate crossbenchers in Canberra has been carried out. There will now be a focus on visiting cross-benchers in their home town offices, to stress the ongoing commitment to the campaign and to urge ongoing support - as well as thanking these people for their previous support.

The MUA lobbying group, led by Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman and Darrin Barnett, has met on several occasions with key cross-benchers John 6

Madigan, Ricky Muir, Jacqui Lambie and Nick Xenophon, as well as ALP members Melissa Parke, Gary Gray, Nova Peris, Sharon Claydon, Sharon Bird, Stephen Jones, Matt Thistlethwaite and Glenn Sterle, plus Greens members Janet Rice and Adam Bandt.

The MUA has also encouraged members to send a letter to their MPs – and many have written back, including some Coalition members.

Committees are springing up now in most branches to continue to prosecute

and further develop the ongoing campaign around coastal tankers and shipping generally.

Tanker Consultancy Work The MUA has engaged John Francis from Ocean Freight Management to undertake consultancy work regarding the coastal tanker trade. It is based on the main interstate Temporary Licence voyages from Kwinana undertaken in 2014.

It has calculated the cents-per-litre for an Australian crew to carry the cargoes on www.mua.org.au

each route, and how much a ship would carry a year if it just went back-and-forth on those routes.

At the current average volume for the Temporary Licence ships on these routes 32,300 tonnes - the cents-per-litre is 0.510.77, depending on the distance.

If ships were to be scheduled to carry 40,000 tonnes instead (more likely if they are doing a dedicated run, instead of just doing them opportunistically when an international import ship turns up), the cents-per-litre is 0.41-0.63. www.mua.org.au

If a ship was to rotate between doing the four voyages, it would do five rotations a year (total of 20 voyages). This would add up to 646,000 tonnes-per-year at 32,300 tonnes-per-voyage and 800,000 tonnesper-year at 40,000 tonnes-per-voyage (not including any other delays during the year).

This compares very well to the 740,854 tonnes loaded onto Temporary Licence ships in Kwinana and taken to other states in 2014.

This analysis attempts to break down the usual gross figure with regard to the extra

Campaign material There is plenty of campaign material available from national office and through branches regarding the campaign.

Comrades are urged to grab leaflets, posters and merchandise and join their local branch shipping committees to further the campaign. Every member of the community we inform can assist us in fighting for the future of Australian shipping jobs.

Get Involved Members around the country have been attending rallies, meeting with their local MPs and sharing the campaign on social media.

You can too.

• Email your MP and demand a fuel security plan for Australia: http://www.mua.org.au/email_your_mp • Get in touch with the campaign team through Mich-Elle Myers: michelle.myers@mua.org.au • Join the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ secureourfuel 7

C A M PA I G N

British Loyalty Crew Resolution

Fuel Security Senate Inquiry Opening Statement from MUA Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray – 2 February 2015 I speak to you today on behalf of all the seafarers who crew Australia’s remaining fuel tankers.

The ongoing closure of refineries around Australia means we now import 91 per cent of our petrol and diesel – up from 60 per cent in 2000. And this number will continue to rise with two more refineries in Queensland soon to be on the chopping block.

In recent times we have seen the work of our vessels undermined by lowest-common-denominator foreign competitors. These foreign vessels are able to undercut Australian operators by using crew on serf wages, maintaining shoddy safety standards and cutting vital environmental protections.

By allowing Flag Of Convenience foreign vessels to undercut Australian vessels and Australian standards in supplying this fuel, we are creating an international race-to-the-bottom in our domestic waters.

Companies that pay their crew $2-anhour tend to be equally unethical when it comes to environmental and safety standards.

As the crew of Australia’s remaining fuel tankers, obviously we are deeply worried about livelihoods, our families and our futures.

Yet the fact is, we are equally troubled by the other factors we are putting at risk.

We are worried about the wellbeing of our pristine coastal waters and the Great Barrier Reef.

We are worried about the future of training and maritime skills for our young people, who are crying out for decent, quality jobs.

We are worried about Australia’s economy, which will now be at the mercy of foreign supply lines.

And we are worried about our national security at a time when terrorist group Al-Qaeda has openly declared its intention is to target international fuel ships.

More than half of Australia’s fuel comes through the Straits of Hormuz to Singapore, and then through the narrow Straits of Malacca, an area already notorious for its piracy.

We believe that a serious environmental disaster in Australian waters is inevitable - whether it is by

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storing large volumes of petrol in large tankers in Port Phillip Bay, Moreton Bay or Botany Bay or by moving tankers around the Great Barrier Reef - when run by those unfamiliar with Australian waters and conditions.

Inspections carried out on some of Vitol and Viva’s tankers give us a snapshot of the kinds of ships being used to import fuel to Australia. Since August 2014, they have used: • three ships that have been detained at least once; • a Vietnamese ship with crew paid less than $2-per-hour; • a United Arab Emirates-owned ship which violated the conditions of the Temporary Licence issued under the Coastal Trading Act, in order to evade their responsibilities under the Fair Work Act – the Fair Work Ombusdman is currently investigating this matter; and • a tanker that recently ran aground in Estonia being used as a storage tank for up to 100,000 tons of fuel in Port Phillip Bay. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) detains an average of one international tanker every month, because its inspectors found that they pose ‘a danger to the ship or persons’, or ‘an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment’. However, AMSA only has the resources to inspect about half of the hundred international tankers visiting Australia every year. By way of reference: before the Tandara Spirit was removed, Australian-crewed tankers had never been detained once in 36 years of service.

Oil majors Caltex and BP, who are adopting a similar position to Viva on coastal trading vessels, are preparing to remove ships off the coast and end the jobs of Australian workers.

Despite changes to the structure of Australian fuel refining, there still remains significant volume of product carried on Temporary Licences by Flag of Convenience ships. We ask you to demand in Parliament that existing coastal trade be carried by safe and reliable Australian-crewed ships.

We must ask ourselves: What happens if there’s a terrorist attack on a fuel tanker? Australia only has about three weeks worth of fuel supplies. This leaves

us completely exposed to an attack, or simply to unexpected fluctuations in international market forces. Should we not continue to run refineries and Australian-crewed vessels as an insurance policy against any interruption in the global supply chain?

In addition, there is the risk of contaminated fuel. There have been examples in recent times when entire tankers have had to be sent back to Singapore. One of these left the Navy dangerously low on fuel. These examples weren’t deliberate; but it is not inconceivable that fuel loads could be a target. Refining here means we know the quality of the fuel - and Australian crews ensure that fuel is delivered exactly as it left the refinery.

Indeed, the NRMA and other key organisations have been raising concerns about Australian fuel security for some time.

A stable fleet of Australian ships on long-term contracts is the only way to ensure our future fuel security and proper environmental protection. These ships could be partly on the Australian International Shipping Register and partly on the Australian General Register, to provide companies with additional flexibility.

We don’t understand why Australia won’t follow the US example that has served that nation so well.

America’s Jones Act requires that all goods transported by water between US ports be carried on US-flag ships. With this simple principle they ensure national fuel security, environmental standards and working conditions - all while providing quality jobs for US citizens.

Australia is an island nation. The lifeblood of our economy is fuel, and we are deeply concerned that the country is needlessly throwing itself on the mercy of international forces beyond our control.

Please note: Since this statement was made, the Hugli Spirit, under charter to Caltex, has been removed from the coast, and the seafarers on board have been made redundant. In addition, it has been announced that the British Loyalty, chartered by BP, will soon be removed from the coast, making the seafarers onboard redundant. This will leave only 2 Australian General Licence tankers in operation, down from 6 in 2011.

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British Loyalty BP announced earlier this year that it would be sacking the crew of the British Loyalty by taking the ship off the Australian Coast. The British Loyalty is one of the last three Australian-crewed tankers on the coast. There were six in 2011.

MUA Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith said BP currently carries more than 700,000 tons of product fuels on foreign-manned vessels that trade on the Australian coast under temporary licenses.

“There is more than enough cargo,” Smith noted. “ BP just wants to take environmental and safety shortcuts and have the lowest-paid crew it can find from anywhere in the world.

“BP has the ability to retain the British Loyalty trading on the Australian coast and could replace this ship, saving Australian jobs, protecting the environment and our fuel security.

“It seems BP is determined to remove the safe and highly trained Australian crew and replace them with cheaper and highly exploited third world crews.

“A cost analysis shows that the cost of employing an Australian crew on a product tanker equates to around one cent-per-litre at the petrol pump.

“BP is slashing Australian jobs, jeopardising our environmental safety with Flag of Convenience ships of shame and showing total disregard for Australia’s fuel security, to squeeze every last cent of profit out of the community.

“Let’s stop another Gulf of Mexico disaster on the Great Barrier Reef. Let’s protect shipping jobs and maritime skills.

“Let’s add to our fuel security, which the oil majors and Abbott Government want nothing to do with. Tell BP it must keep

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the the British Loyalty on the coast and do the right thing by us all.”

MUA Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray said it was vital for the community to draw a line-in-the-sand, as this would be the third tanker to go in nearly as many months.

“The crew of the British Loyalty are decent, honest, hardworking Australians,” Bray said.

“They just want to feed their kids, pay their mortgages and work under Australian conditions. Instead, BP wants to give them the sack and replace them with foreign crew on as little as $2-an-hour.

“They are a very staunch crew and are not only worried about their futures, but also angry about the demise of Australian ships and their treatment by BP. “Australia should not allow its workers to be undermined by this disgraceful employer behavior. We don’t want our precious marine environment exposed to Flag-ofConvenience ships, with their exploited crews and lack of standards.

“The Abbott Government has allowed our fuel security to be placed in the hands of foreign-owned companies, who evidently have no regard for Australian workers or Australian interests.

“The community needs to let the Federal Government know this is a bridge-toofar. We know there is enough cargo to sustain another general license ship on the Australian coast and that having a local crew costs less than one cent-per-litre extra at the bowser.

“Australia needs a fuel security plan.

It’s time the Abbott Government acted on this important issue, which not only has implications for fuel security but also national security and environmental safety as well.”

We the crew of the British Loyalty stand in solidarity after being told that BP intends on finishing the vessel up in early May and sending it overseas.

After meetings held between the MUA and ASP, we have made it very clear that BP clearly has enough product cargoes currently being carried on foreign-manned vessels operating under temporary licenses to continue to retain this vessel and its crew in another capacity.

The crew members are still unclear why an Australian crew, that has been in BP’s top two performers among their entire global fleet of ships for the past seven years, is being thrown on the scrap heap. The statistics speak for themselves, where the British Loyalty crew has consistently lead the way in safety, productivity, training and environmental outcomes that outperform BP’s own benchmarks.

In addition to figures clearly showing that BP has a freight task that could easily see this vessel retained on the Australian coast, we feel that any argument regarding the cost of Australian crews is a moot point - as it is now clear that the cost of employing an Australian crew on a coastal product tanker adds less than one cent-per-litre to the cost of fuel at the petrol pump.

The British Loyalty crew’s professional record speaks for itself and will stand up to any public scrutiny. Again we cannot understand why BP is hell bent on removing a crew that is not only competitive on cost, but adds value to environmental and fuel security safeguards that this country needs.

It is our determined intention to continue to demonstrate that it is not in BP’s interest to finish this crew up. We will be there until the end, and we will be sticking to the claim of either retaining the British Loyalty or finding a replacement vessel - as we know there is enough cargo running between the west and east of Australia on BP-charted vessels.

The crew of the British Loyalty firmly believes that it is our right to work on our coast and we ask that members support us in our determined struggle to retain our jobs and a viable tanker trade on the Australian coast.

We fully endorse that our union and our comrades send a clear message to BP that it is not acceptable to undermine Australian jobs, it is not acceptable to undermine Australia’s fuel security and it is not acceptable to undermine Australia’s pristine coastal environment by using foreign-manned crews which place a higher risk on this country’s fuel security and environment and rob the Australian community of decent jobs.

OUR COAST. OUR FUEL. OUR SECURITY. In Solidarity, MUA Crew of the British Loyalty.

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Cabotage Requires Internationalism In March, Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith represented the MUA at an International Transport Workers’ Federation meeting of the National Cabotage Working Group in London. This is his abridged report:

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n ad-hoc meeting during the ITF Congress in 2010 in Mexico suggested the objectives for a National Cabotage Working Group, which were noted by the Joint Seafarers and Dockers Conference. As a consequence the Congress agreed to establish the Working Group.

The objectives were: • To promote the retention of national cabotage and its implementation in other countries • To co-ordinate and support national cabotage campaigns • To promote national flag shipping, crewed by national seafarers • To rebalance the ITF work between national flag shipping and FOCs • To promote the retention of maritime skills in traditional maritime countries The 2015 meeting convened on the following premise: “It is clear that national cabotage is under threat from national political developments, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Seafarer Section Committee tasked this small group to develop a proactive strategy to meet the threats to national cabotage. As the terms of reference suggest, this will involve national and regional political action.”

The Meeting The main elements of international challenges to cabotage, outside of specific national laws, are currently Free Trade Agreements (FTA).

Background reports were received on the situation in Norway, Australia, India, Nigeria, Brazil, Philippines, Indonesia, Greece and Canada. I was able to speak to the Australian situation and dealt with it on the basis of the following points: • Coastal Trading Act status under coalition and proposals to unwind the Act. • Legislative barriers to CTA changes (ie. cross-benches) • Fuel Security campaigning – linking the broader issue to shipping and CTA • Removal of tanker fleet • Cross-bench support for fuel security and consequential unwillingness to deal with CTA while that issue is alive • Building unity around manufacturing, especially the Refineries Organising Committee • Meetings with oil major and demonstrations • Building a business case for shipping through engagement and mapping.

After discussion on the briefing papers and reports, the meeting was split into three 10

Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith

separate groups. These groups were: National Cabotage Issues; CETA; TTIP & TISA Background on Free Trade Agreements (FTA) The opening and removal of any barriers to the movement of goods, services, labour and capital are the underpinning motivations of all the FTAs. TISA The Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) is currently being negotiated by a group of World Trade Organisation (WTO) members calling themselves the “Really Good Friends of Services” (RGFS). Members of RGFS include Australia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the European Union, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Chile, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay Peru, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and the United States.

The agreements are being negotiated secretly and behind closed doors. The ITF’s information on the aims of TISA was only revealed through WikiLeaks.

TISA adopts a negative list approach to national treatment. The national treatment rule requires governments to give foreign providers the same treatment given to comparable domestic providers. Significantly, measures that are technically non-discriminatory can violate these non-discrimination rules if they adversely affect the equality of competitive opportunities of foreign providers. These national treatment obligations would apply to all sectors unless they are explicitly excluded.

Proposed ITF Position on TISA • I n general terms, the ITF should oppose the harmful effects of TISA •G overnments of participating countries should be called on to conduct comprehensive assessments of TISA’s impact on, among other things, quality jobs and the environment •N egotiations should be conducted in an honest and transparent manner. The process should be accessible to civil society actors including trade unions •T ISA should not in any way curtail national governments’ ability to regulate public interest goals through, among other things, the enactment of social and environmental legislation • Th e proposed standstill and ratchet provisions should be scrapped •T ISA must incorporate an enforceable and binding labour and/or sustainability chapter •T ISA should not be used as an instrument to further deregulate transport sectors in a ‘race to the bottom’ on terms and conditions of employment.

Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) In response to the same secretive negotiation processes, the ITF has raised the following demands regarding the TTIP: • Conduct the TTIP negotiations with total transparency • Exclude any ISDS mechanism (Investor State Dispute Settlement) • Exclude public services, including public transport • Include a strong, binding labour chapter that will strengthen and in no way weaken labour rights, with a view to bringing effective improvements to the citizens and workers’ living and working conditions • Safeguard the highest environmental and consumer protection standards Canadian/European Trade Agreement This is a bi-lateral agreement that poses significant threats to Canadian maritime activities.

Some of these threats are: • The repositioning of empty containers between ports in Canada, on a non-revenue basis by using vessels of any registry • Provision of feeder services for cargo between the Ports of Halifax and Montreal on board EU registered vessels - both bulk www.mua.org.au

and containerised cargo for continuous service using vessels on EU first registries; and, containerised on a single voyage where it is part of an international leg using vessels on EU first or second registries •C ommercial dredging services contracted by private entities using vessels of any registry.

Additionally, for federally-procured dredging contracts, EU enterprises, using EUregistered (and built/modified) vessels, will be permitted to bid on contracts exceeding the procurement thresholds for construction services. These thresholds are the same as those currently bound in the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Government Procurement (C$7.8 million).

Outcomes Of Workshops: National Cabotage Issues This group examined the basis of cabotage issues and suggested actions arising from the meeting. We firstly considered what cabotage is and identified the difficulty of our aim in achieving protectionist laws in an environment of rampant neo-liberalism. We mapped out our potential allies and our biggest threats, identifying various actions that could be taken in a campaign to protect cabotage. The group’s

recommendations were as follows: • Th at an international cabotage campaign be undertaken • Th e ITF should assist those affiliates who will resource and develop campaigns around cabotage •L ink FOC campaign to development of cabotage and national seafarers •T raining and skills development to be considered as part of campaign • I nformation database to be developed containing cabotage facts/data and campaigns •F orm an ITF Cabotage Task Force CETA (group 2) This group recommended: •A publication on CETA •A public launch of such a publication •C ampaign around cabotage issues •H old a day/week of action around CETA TTIP/TISA (group 3) This group recommended: •C omprehensive research •P roduce information regarding TISA for affiliates •T arget weakest link countries

•P ick next country to target and soon: This was timelined for the end of 2015 Recommendations of meeting to be formulated by SSC Secretariat The main points were: •D ecisions/recommendations are to be compiled and distributed by the SSC secretariat •L aunch a cabotage campaign •H old an international cabotage conference.

•F ormation of a Cabotage Task Force similar to Offshore Task Force • S eek resources from the General Secretary regarding a person with specific responsibilities in identifying issues and information arising from various FTAs for campaigning purposes.

• I dentify and develop broad alliances with all groups that have a vested interest in seeing FTAs defeated.

The meeting was positive and upbeat, with a broad commitment to ongoing campaigning around cabotage. There were very similar views expressed by a number of unions regarding ongoing cabotage work and there is a strong likelihood of the MUA developing international alliances in this area of work.

Surprise Celebration For Doleman On Iron Boat Day

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he sun shone down on those who attended this year’s Iron Boat Day held at Gladstone Park Bowling Club in Balmain.

It was Sydney’s turn to host the event held each year to remember the iron ships which many Australian seafarers worked aboard, transporting iron ore to steel mills.

Former seafarer and outgoing Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman was also commemorated this year, in a surprise event organised by the Sydney Branch.

To help celebrate Mick becoming the recipient of a Legends Medal, the branch flew his mum Irene, daughter Stacey and son Diesel up from Melbourne for the occasion.

Sydney Branch Assistant Secretary Joe Deakin said Mick’s work for the union could not be understated.

“Mick is not only a good union official, he’s also a decent human being who looks after people regardless of whether they’re white, black, brindle, male or female,” Deakin declared. “I’ve known him for 40 years, we were both militants. He went on to becoming a teacher and I continued to be a listener.”

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Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer expressed his reluctance to label Mick a ‘legend’. He noted: “To me, a legend is a myth, and what Mick has done for the union is anything but legendary - it’s tangible, it’s real.”

Other speakers commending Mick for his 45 years of service to the union included:

ALP Shadow Minister Brendon O’Connor; Sydney Branch Assistant Secretary Paul Garrett; former SUA National Secretary Pat Geraghty; and current National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. Federal Parliament’s Member for Kingsford Smith Matt Thistlethwaite was also in attendance.

After being showered with praise for over 11

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MUA Welcomes Boost For Tas Freight Subsidies

two hours, Mick took the microphone to thank those who had come before, including Geraghty and late Victorian Branch Seaman’s Secretary Bert Nolan whom he had thought of as father figures.

Mick also made special mention of Paddy Crumlin, who he said he considered a great friend.

“I know people say I will be missed, but I simply think that’s not true, no matter how well-intentioned people are when they tell me this,” Mick said.

“I look around the current and upcoming leaders of this, the greatest union in the country, and I know the MUA is in good hands.”

Shadow Federal Workplace Relations Minister Brendan O’Connor recalled working with Mick in his role as President of the Victorian Trades Hall Council when Jeff Kennett was State Premier.

“Not only has he done a remarkable thing over many decades for this union, being in it for 45 years,” O’Connor said. “But the fact is, he’s looked to do more - and it is typical of Mick, in that he doesn’t want to see his wisdom, his experience, his industry stop now.

“And that’s why it’s a great thing that he will be taking up an international role,” O’Connor said, referring to Mick’s next appointment as coordinator of the Maritime International Federation (MIF).

O’Connor also spoke about the need to vote out the Abbott Federal Government at the next election, emphasising he was certain that the current Government wanted to destroy the union movement.

“This Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment Eric Abetz and the front bench hate the union movement and hate unions,” O’Connor said. “They hate union officials, they hate union delegates and, I’m afraid to say this, it’s even got to the point where they hate workers who happen to be members of a union.”

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It was Sydney’s turn to host Iron Boat Day and more than one hundred people turned out to celebrate.

In regard to the maritime industry, O’Connor said protecting Cabotage would be at the forefront of ALP policy.

“What is the difference between a truck driving from here down to Melbourne or a truck carrying freight?” O’Connor asked.

“If you suggested they could actually pay Taiwanese wages to get to Melbourne and it would be okay, the public would think it was an outrage. Why would it be okay, therefore, to have freight by sea paid under different conditions?

“If elected, we will continue working with this union to fight for your industry.”

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin restated this sentiment in talking about Governments truly investing in their own societies and people.

He pointed to Norway and its large sovereign wealth fund. “You have to remember that iron ore, that oil and gas off the northwest, it’s not Gina’s (Rinehart) or Twiggy Forrest’s,” Crumlin said. “ It’s ours. They lease it off us at a price and part of that price should be investing in jobs, investing in manufacturing and investing in shipping.”

www.mua.org.au

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he Maritime Union of Australia has welcomed the $203 million expansion of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, which was announced by the Commonwealth Government in March.

The Government said that from next year, the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme would be expanded and that Tasmanian businesses would be able to claim $700 per shipping container.

The Abbott Government’s Commission of Audit report included abolishing the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation and Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Schemes, while the Productivity Commission has for years wanted to abolish subsidies on the Bass Strait run.

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said the aim of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme has always been to try to remove the obvious impediment of dealing with freight from an island state.

“We support the Government’s further investment in helping create a level playing field in Australia’s sea freight transport system,” Crumlin said.

“The decision brings into question, however, the advice the Government received on Bass Strait shipping through the Productivity Commission, which wants to deregulate the Australian shipping industry.

“We hope the Government will equally reject the Productivity Commission’s poor advice on Bass Strait shipping, where it advocates entry of foreign seafarers on foreign ships at foreign rates of pay. Such a policy would be a disaster for Australian freight transport.

“All we ask is that the Government www.mua.org.au

maintains a level playing field for domestic shipping, which will enable Australian ships and Australian seafarers the opportunity to compete on fair terms in the Australian domestic sea freight industry.”

Crumlin said the 2012 changes to the Navigation Act and introduction of the Coastal Trading Act were the biggest maritime reforms since the passing of the Navigation Act 100 years ago.

“The reforms have the potential to create employment, sustain business opportunities and productivity and build the national interest, through an industry that is critical to the quality of Australia’s economy, environment and way of life,” Crumlin said.

“We need to maintain a regulatory framework that provides an access regime built on the principle of fair competition, which provides for both Australian ships and foreign ships to meet the coastal freight needs of shippers.

“What we don’t want to see is more Flag of Convenience (FOC) ships, with their poor standards and exploited crews, take over our ports and displace Australian vessels.

“We call on Mr Truss (Federal Minister for Infrastructure & Regional Development Warren Truss) to reject the deregulation route for Australian shipping, and sit down with unions and the industry to develop a package that protects Australian jobs, maritime skills and the environment.”

Crumlin said changes to coastal shipping could mean the loss of 10,000 Australian jobs – many of these in north-west Tasmania.

“Australia is the fourth largest user of ships in the world. The industry employs thousands of Australians and cannot be allowed to fail,” Crumlin said.

The Spirit of Tasmania is one service that will benefit from expansion of the TFES scheme.

“The reforms have the potential to create employment, sustain business opportunities and productivity and build the national interest, through an industry that is critical to the quality of Australia’s economy, environment and way of life” paddy crumlin

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C A M PA I G N

FOC Vessels Not The Answer To LNG Trade The MUA has ramped up its campaign to employ Australian seafarers on ships transporting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) out of the Central Queensland port of Gladstone.

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he first consignment of LNG was transported out of Gladstone aboard a BG Group tanker bound for China without a single Australian seafarer on board, despite a looming local unemployment crisis in the wake of the construction phase on Curtis Island slowing down.

Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith said it was a “disgrace and an insult to outof-work Australians” that no local seafarers, officers or engineers are engaged on the Methane Rita Andrea gas tanker, chartered by the UK-based, multi-billion dollar BG Group.

“Company projections show there is a potential for 250 jobs on BG vessels shipping out of Gladstone alone,” Smith said.

“There are another 600 up for grabs once the other production facilities come online.

“These are good, skilled, long-term job opportunities for the people of Gladstone - in contrast to the boom-bust, temporary jobs that were on offer during the construction phase of Curtis Island.

“It’s just not acceptable that Australia’s natural resources are taken in such a way. But then to deny any seafarer a job in the process is an absolute disgrace that demonstrates the power that corporations have over governments. The situation must be changed.

This unbridled corporate power is no good for the Australian people - that’s what our campaign is about.”

“We are fighting for, and demanding, that BG Group and the other multi-nationals offer jobs to the people of Queensland in return for profiting off the back of the resources all Australians own.”

Local Organiser Jason Miners said the Gladstone community was worried about future employment once the construction boom came to an end.

“I have spoken to a wide cross-section of the community, including local Government, local business and the Aboriginal community.

Members from each of the groups have raised concerns about the creeping unemployment rate,” Miners said.

“A potential 800 direct jobs could mitigate a future job and economic crisis, as well as provide training opportunities for the region’s young people.”

Unemployment is not the only risk to Australia in using FOC ships. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is at risk, with a higher number 14

of vessels with spurious safety records traversing the Australian natural wonder.

In January a Chinese ship the Thor Commander came into strife close to the reef, after it lost power and was drifting uncontrollably.

In February a Chinese coal ship captain was arrested upon arrival in Newcastle, after it was found he had sailed through the reef himself, without a pilot as required under Australian shipping laws.

Warren Smith said these were the kinds of risks posed by allowing FOC ships open access to Australia’s ports and waters.

“FOC ships are dangerous to our environment. Australian-crewed ships are proven to be safe. The protection of the Great Barrier Reef should be on everyone’s minds,” Smith emphasised.

“In September last year alone, AMSA inspected 351 foreign ships and found 1030 deficiencies.

negotiate the Great Barrier Reef. Yet we entrust this task to ships flagged in places like Liberia.

“National flagged ships are inherently safer than FOCs, particularly in a place like Australia where regulation is generally good and there is an onus on the ship’s owner to employ skilled and highly-qualified local labour.

“It makes added sense to have an Australian-crewed fleet with LNG, because the cargoes are extremely profitable and therefore labour costs are negligible as a percentage.”

In response to these concerns, the MUA has embarked upon a campaign to get Australian crews working on the ships.

Queensland Branch Secretary Mick Carr said the campaign was centred around ensuring the local community does not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Some of the campaign elements have

“FOC ships are dangerous to our environment. Australiancrewed ships are proven to be safe. The protection of the Great Barrier Reef should be on everyone’s minds” ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY WARREN SMITH

“Thirty-one ships were detained because the deficiencies were so bad, in comparison to zero Australian ships being detained.”

International Transport Worker’s Federation Australia Coordinator Dean Summers also joined the chorus in pointing to two recent serious shipping incidents that occurred off the coast of the United Kingdom.

“The Cemjford, a concrete carrier, sunk of the Scottish coast with all eight crew presumed dead. Meanwhile 25 crew members had a lucky escape when the FOC car carrier they were sailing on, the Hoegh Osaka, run aground between Southampton and the Isle of Wight. Both these incidents occurred within days of each other in January,” Summers said.

“FOC ships are notorious for breaching safety and environmental codes internationally, and are utilised by companies in an attempt to flout environmental, safety, labour and tax regulations worldwide.

“LNG is possibly one of the most volatile substances that can be shipped. And to ship gas out of Gladstone these vessels have to

included activating and joining with the local Gladstone community plus a significant input from the local Aboriginal community, the Gurang-Gurang.

A media campaign has also began, and will be shortly full steam ahead, with television and billboard adverts complemented by a social media and internet bombardment asking Gladstone locals to put the pressure on the gas companies shipping out of Curtis Island.

“We’re trying to convince the gas companies that it’s not just in our interest, it’s also in their interest in the long-term,’ Carr said. “For instance Australian-crewed vessels have less turnover of staff, the workers are more reliable and Australian seafarers are the most qualified in the world. Therefore their cargo will be better looked after.

“In employing local people, it gives these gas giants an opportunity to put back into the local community in terms of providing longterm, skilled employment. After all, it’s the gas that’s come out of our land, our country and belongs to us.” www.mua.org.au

3 There are more than 800 jobs up for grabs on vessels shipping LNG out of Gladstone 3 Currently, these jobs are manned by low-wage foreign seafarers 3 Gladstone faces a potential unemployment crisis when the construction phase dies down 3 Manning LNG vessels could offset some of those job losses and curtail a local economic downturn 3 Seafaring jobs on LNG ships are good, long-term jobs that will provide training and opportunities for Gladstone’s young people 3 LNG is owned by us and should benefit us To find out more and get involved with the campaign go to: www.jobs4gladstone.com

Something Stinks At Chevron

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he Maritime Union of Australia and the International Transport Workers’ Federation have questioned Chevron’s safety procedures, after thousands of workers were left stranded in the path of Cyclone Olwyn.

More than 1,000 workers were stranded on Barrow Island, off the north-west coast of Australia, after Chevron stuffed up plans to evacuate its workforce ahead of the arrival of the Category Three Cyclone, which made landfall ironically on Friday the 13th of March.

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said many of these workers were expected to sleep on blow-up mattresses on floors and in corridors, in what appeared to be substandard conditions.

“Chevron missed its window in evacuating workers, who are now unnecessarily stranded on Barrow Island in the midst of a severe tropical cyclone,” Crumlin said at the time of the cyclone approaching.

“You’ve got to wonder why Chevron kept people working until it was unsafe to evacuate them.

“There needs to be a proper investigation into why this has happened, because it is Chevron’s fault that the workers are still there.”

A support vessel for the Gorgon Project, The Europa, did its best to avoid the cyclone, but the union wastold the vessel had been battling eight-metre swells.

An email from a Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) member said many onboard were sea sick and unable to leave their rooms.

“Half the staff are sick to their stomachs due to the outrageous weather conditions, the 16

Youth and other attendees of the WA Branch Conference took part in an action in Perth and Fremantle handing out little soaps emblazoned with ‘Something stinks at Chevron’.

glass window shattered on the galley near the dining room, and the waves are nearly as big as half the boat,” the email said.

“People are just getting weaker/sicker by the day and don’t know how to react!”

MUA WA Branch Secretary Christy Cain noted the horror scenario raised more questions than answers.

“Workers are scared and confused and you really have to question Chevron’s management of this entire episode,” Cain said.

“Gorgon is a multi-billion dollar project, requiring thousands of workers on Barrow Island, yet there is not enough accommodation to house the workers adequately in an emergency.

“The union is being told the operation to evacuate workers was left until too late for it to happen safely. Why was it left too late?

Why did the company keep people working

until it was unsafe to evacuate them?”

The MUA backed the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union’s call for the Western Australian Department of Commerce’s WorkSafe division to investigate.

Crumlin said Chevron has mismanaged the Gorgon project since its inception.

“Gorgon is a multi-billion dollar project requiring thousands of workers on Barrow Island, yet there is not enough accommodation to house the workers adequately in an emergency.

“Workers were left scared and confused and you really have to question Chevron’s management of this entire episode.

“It’s not the first time Chevron’s management has been called into question.

After all, the Gorgon project is already 18 months late and more than $17 billion over budget.” www.mua.org.au

Crumlin, who is also ITF President, recently wrote a joint letter with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) to Chevron Chief Executive John Watson. An excerpt reads: We are writing to you directly because we are concerned about Chevron’s Gorgon LNG Project in Western Australia. As you know, this project is of high importance to our unions because it is a significant employer of our members who work in Western Australia.

In your recent earnings conference call with analysts (30 January 2015) Ed Westlake, an analyst from Credit Suisse, asked you: “And then specifically Gorgon, you’ve kind of reiterated the timetable. I mean can you give us any nuggets to give confidence that we will get that first gas in Gorgon mid-year and the first LNG cargo this year?”

Mr Watson replied: “We’re monitoring very closely contractor performance and productivity on the Island. We’re working with the unions on contracts and industrial relations. We’ve been able to manage through those things fairly well and we’re planning for a flawless start-up commissioning and start-up process.”

As unions covering both the construction and maritime workers on the project, we don’t believe that the response that you provided to Mr Westlake is correct.

In fact our members are telling us that the ongoing industrial issues on the site are having an impact on the start-up process.

We do not believe that Chevron’s local managers and contractors are managing these issues effectively, nor are they reporting them accurately to you.

We understand that senior Chevron managers are expected to visit the project in the next month and we would like to make a formal offer to you for them to meet with us to discuss the outstanding industrial and project management issues on the project.

The letter was sent on 6 February 2015 and the union is yet to receive a reply. www.mua.org.au

Cartoon by Steve Panozzo

C A M PA I G N

The MUA Youth Committee has been integral in campaigning against Chevron, particularly in WA where the Gorgon project is located.

After it was revealed that workers aboard the floatel, the Europa, were exposed to more than 40 degrees everyday without air-conditioning, and were forced to sleep on wet towels to remain cool, the MUA Youth Committee took to the streets to spread this information.

On the Wednesday of the WA Branch conference the youth were joined by other rank-and-filers in handing out information leaflets and individually-wrapped soaps emblazoned with the words: ‘Something Stinks at Chevron’.

Spreading out along the Murray Street Mall and hitting morning commuters at both the Perth Underground and Fremantle Train Stations, the group was able to spread the message that Chevron is using anti-worker tactics on its Gorgon project.

So successful was their campaign, even some who worked in Chevron’s corporate offices in Perth were convinced of Chevron’s wrongdoing.

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c a m pa i g n

Federal Court Rules in MUA’s Favour Over Offshore Visas

MUA Welcomes Senate Inquiry Into Temporary Visas CFMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor laments visa rorts at the most recent National Council.

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he Maritime Union of Australia has joined the chorus of unions welcoming the long overdue Senate Inquiry into temporary work visa schemes such as 457s.

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said the Inquiry would undoubtedly uncover widespread rorting by companies trying to undercut acceptable pay, safety and conditions in an attempt to boost profits.

“I’m all for a temporary migration program that genuinely fills a gap in skills, that properly engages in market testing,” Crumlin said.

“However what we’ve seen is hugely profitable companies operating in the offshore looking to import overseas workers, when we have hundreds of ready-to-work seafarers sitting on the beach without income for months, sometimes years, on end.

“That tells me the system is broken and all of this talk about a skills shortage, particularly in the maritime industry, is a myth.”

The MUA has worked closely with other offshore unions such as the CFMEU, AMWU and the AWU, as well as the ACTU, to push for an inquiry into the visa scheme.

CFMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor said the current system was failing job seekers, particularly unemployed youth.

“There are 1.1 million temporary overseas work visa holders in Australia. In a period of high unemployment, it is time for a rethink of this system, particularly the impacts on young people,” O’Connor said.

“Most temporary work visa classes stop young Australians from being able to get a start and receive vital training, as employers hire foreign labour instead.

“With youth unemployment at crisis levels – for example one-in-five unemployed

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National Secretary Paddy Crumlin and ACTU President Ged Kearney are worried some employers are exploiting visa loopholes to engage in social dumping.

Australians are teenaged - this is simply unacceptable.”

O’Connor said the overseas working visa system was rife with problems, including lax regulation and monitoring, insufficient requirements for employers to look for local jobseekers first, exploitation of overseas workers and lack of controls over migration agents.

“The Government’s response to a review of one visa subclass, the 457 Visa, does not rule out getting rid of labour market testing - the requirement for bosses to first look for a local qualified candidate before filling a vacancy from overseas,” O’Connor noted.

“Currently, labour market testing only applies to around a third of job categories.

In the current climate of very high unemployment and entire sectors contracting, labour market testing should be extended to all occupations.

“Furthermore, the requirement under labour market testing for employers to advertise locally to fill vacancies needs to be tightened.

“Employers can currently meet the requirement to advertise a job locally by putting an advertisement on Gumtree or Facebook for a few hours. We hope the inquiry takes a good long look at this issue.”

ACTU President Ged Kearney said: “The Senate Inquiry is a positive step towards ensuring foreign workers are not being exploited and that employers are genuinely trying to hire Australian workers first.

“With unemployment sitting above 6 per cent, and youth unemployment at around 14 per cent, the government should be strengthening the rules for employers to hire local workers and investing in skills and training.

“Across the country we are seeing employers cutting apprentice numbers and graduate nurse positions, as well as their investment in training, then complaining they are unable to find skilled workers as a justification for bringing in workers on 457 visas.

“Australia’s migration program should not be at the beck and call of big business.”

The Senate Inquiry will investigate a wide range of issues including: • The extent of exploitation and mistreatment of temporary work visa holders • The impact of the temporary visa program on employment opportunities for Australians • The impact of the temporary visa program on skills and training development in Australia • The role and effect of English language requirements in work visa programs Key facts • There are around 1.1 million people in Australia on a range of temporary work visas • The majority of 457 visa applications are exempt from labour market testing • Up to 350,000 qualified Australians are searching for work in the same occupational groups where employers use the most 457 visa workers • Since the 457 visa program came into place, there have been 12 reported deaths of 457 visa workers - all but one of these deaths occurred when lower English language standards were in place prior to 2009.

www.mua.org.au

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he Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) had a big win when the Federal Court rejected the Abbott Government’s underhand means of deploying visas for foreign workers.

The Full Court of the Federal Court declared on March 26 that the Ministerial Determination (‘Immi 14/077’) introduced by Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash on July 17, 2014 “is not authorised ... and is invalid”.

“The Parliament’s intention was to confer upon the Minister a power to except or exempt particular activities or operations carried out under the Offshore Petroleum Act or Offshore Minerals Act, not to reverse the Parliament’s desire and intention to bring within the [Migration] Act non-citizens who are engaged in operations and activities under the Offshore Petroleum Act or the Offshore Minerals Act.” : see Judgment at [73].

The Abbott Government has taken three significant steps to undermine Australian participation in offshore oil and gas projects.

It has: • introduced a Bill to repeal the Migration Amendment (Offshore Resources Activity) Act 2013 (ORA ACT) that was passed by the Parliament in 2013 to address a flaw in Australia’s migration law following a Federal Court judgment in the Allseas case that found certain groups of workers were not within the migration zone and did not require visas to work in Australia.

• introduced a Regulation under the ORA Act that specified an inappropriate visa class as a work visa to conform with the ORA Act (the Maritime Crew Visa, which is a transit visa for visiting international seafarers, not a work visa) and; • when the Senate rightly disallowed the regulation specifying that visa, introduced a Ministerial Determination (‘Immi 14/077’) effectively making the ORA Act null and void in complete disregard to the wishes of the Parliament.

Following the decision of Justice Buchanan of the Federal Court on 15 September 2014 which validated the use by the Government of Ministerial Determination ‘Immi 14/077’, the MUA and AMOU appealed the decision to the Full Court of the Federal Court.

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said the decision in the Federal Court meant that hundreds of jobs in the offshore oil and gas sector are in doubt and it was squarely the Abbott Government’s fault.

“The Abbott Government has clearly outlined www.mua.org.au

Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash was found to be acting unlawfully by the Federal Court.

their agenda for employment in this important segment of our economy without regard to existing employment law or consequence,” Mr Crumlin said.

“Firstly they ignored the intention of the Offshore Resources Act which offers labour market testing and appropriate protections for Australian workers, then they overrode the Senate when it offered a view they didn’t like.

“At no stage have they tried to sit down with unions or Senators to try to find a way through they simply acted in accordance with the wishes of the big business interests dominating the leasing of our national hydrocarbon assets .

They were fully prepared to have taxpayers foot the bill for the incompetence that cloaked their political sycophancy and prejudice.

“The Federal Court restored faith and most importantly, stability in the employment laws protecting ordinary Australians. This entire episode merely adds to the appearance to our international markets of a chaotic, dysfunctional Government in what is an essential and highly efficient and productive Australian workforce and industry.”

The Abbott Government has an election commitment to repeal the Offshore Resources Act, which was introduced by the former Gillard Government.

“The MUA does not have a problem with a temporary migration program that genuinely fills a gap in skills, that properly engages in market testing,” Mr Crumlin said.

“This has clearly not been about skills shortages - what we’ve seen is hugely profitable companies operating in the offshore looking to import overseas workers on cheap rates of

pay, who don’t have to pay tax in Australia and with no security checks or Australian-approved skills sets when we have hundreds of highly qualified and experienced seafarers who are ready to work and pay their taxes instead on unemployment benefits.

“It is a politically motivated policy suckingup to some entrenched areas of commercial indulgence that amounts to a form of self harm against the national interests and the laws that defend Australians seeking to work in their own country.

Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) President Wayne Moore said this was merely another case of the Abbott Government’s ideological crusade to bust unions and bring in foreign workers to undermine Australian jobs in the offshore oil and gas sector.

“The Senate made the right decision in the middle of last year to protect Australian jobs by blocking the Abbott Government’s attempts to flood the offshore oil and gas sector with cheap foreign labour,” Mr Moore said.

“The Australian people know that opening the back door to cheap foreign labour isn’t the answer. We need to maintain our maritime skills base and ensure the viability of Australian jobs in the offshore sector.

“The only reason the Abbott Government won’t put the ORA Appeal Act to the Senate is because they don’t think they can get it through the Parliament.”

Update: The MUA is considering its next step after Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash again overruled the Senate to give work rights to cheap foreign labour on rates of pay and conditions less than their Australian counterparts.

Minister Cash put forward another determination, with a narrower class of workers, to allow special purpose visas - which are granted automatically on entry to Australia to overseas crew.

MUA Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman said:”It feels like Groundhog Day with Senator Cash making yet another ministerial determination to look after her mates in big business at the expense of Australian jobs and the collective will of the Senate.

“Instead of circumventing the Senate, we challenge Senator Cash to sit down with unions, employers and the Parliament to find a way through this visa mess the Government has created.”

The MUA is looking into potential legal appeals.

For the reaction, see p79 19

c ampaign

c ampaign

MUA Strongly Defending Seacare Scheme The union is continuing to mount a strong defence to save the Seacare scheme of workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety (OHS) for seafarers against concerted Government and employer attacks.

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he Seacare scheme is under attack from all angles. In December 2014 the Abbott Government announced - as part of the midyear budget forecasts, in a complementary report entitled Smaller Government, Towards a Sustainable Future - that the Seacare Authority’s functions would be transferred to the Safety Rehabilitation & Compensation Commission; ie.to Comcare (a merger) with alleged savings of a miniscule $95,000.

This announcement followed the May 2014 Commission of Audit Report recommendation that the Seacare Authority be absorbed into the functions of the Department of Employment, which would presumably result in abolition of the tripartite governance arrangements for Seacare.

Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman, National Secretary Paddy Crumlin and other officials have represented the union on the Seacare Authority for many years. South Australia Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn is currently a Deputy to John Wydell (AMOU), while the other union representative is Martin Byrne (AIMPE), following Employment Minister Eric Abetz’s decision not to reappoint Doleman.

More recently, Abetz has introduced the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 into the Federal Parliament. This Bill purports to restore the coverage arrangements to the situation that existed before a landmark decision of the Full Federal Court in December 2014, which determined that the Seafarers Act - and by implication, the OHS (MI) Act - has a much wider coverage than had previously been understood.

Notwithstanding that the union is not pushing for the full scope of the Federal Court decision on coverage to remain in the long term, the Abetz Bill is designed to significantly reduce the size of the Seacare scheme - thus denying thousands of seafarers the benefits of the Seafarers Act and pushing them back into inferior State schemes.

It could have the effect of destroying the viability of the Seacare scheme if allowed to pass the Parliament.

The union is lobbying hard to have the Bill defeated in the Senate. We have proposed to the Government and to the ship-owners that the Bill be held back, to enable the parties to resolve the coverage issue which has resulted 20

in much litigation over the years - and then introduce a Bill that could attract bipartisan support. The Government and the employers have rejected the union proposal on purely ideological grounds.

Meanwhile the Seacare Authority is pushing ahead - despite opposition from the union members on the Authority - with a multiple exemption from the Seafarers Act covering some 50,000 ships, allegedly as an interim measure to address the Federal Court decision pending passage of amending legislation. The union will continue to fight this exemption decision, and we are considering our legal options.

The AMOU is standing by the MUA in this fight, and AIMPE is playing a strong role also.

These attacks on the Seacare scheme should be seen in the context of a decade of neglect of the Seacare scheme and its legislation. The facts are: • There was no response to the recommendations of the 2005 Ernst & Young review of Seacare scheme legislation.

• There has been no response to the recommendations of the 2012 Robin Stewart-Crompton review of Seacare, though Eric Abetz has suddenly decided that he should consult the unions and other stakeholders on the review recommendations, and we are advised those consultations will begin soon.

• The Seacare scheme legislation has fallen behind the standards in the Comcare legislation, notwithstanding the historical nexus between that set of Commonwealth legislation and the Seacare scheme legislation.

• The Seacare OHS legislation has not been harmonised to ensure consistency with the Commonwealth’s model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and associated Regulations.

• The interface issues between the OHS(MI) Act and Schedule 3 (OHS) of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGS Act) remain unresolved.

• There has been no actuarial or other analysis of the impact of the Ministerial Direction issued by the Howard Government that remains in the Seafarers Act s20A Exemption Guidelines - allowing ‘opting-out’ of the Seafarers Act on the basis of cost; thus forcing hundreds of seafarers who were intended to be covered by Commonwealth legislation into inferior State schemes.

Regrettably Labor when last in power did not overturn that Ministerial Direction, despite repeated union representations.

The Seacare scheme nevertheless remains an effective framework for addressing injured and diseased workers and for managing their OHS, notwithstanding that we think the scheme requires considerable improvement which we have pointed out in submission after submission to Governments of all colours. The union position is to retain and improve the scheme. Seafarers will be worse off under State schemes.

A lot of work is required to fix the scheme.

For example, the Government’s submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Abetz Bill identified the following deficiencies in the scheme: • The Seacare scheme has the highest rate of serious injury of any Australian work health and safety jurisdiction. In the 2011-12 period, the Seacare scheme had a serious injury rate of 36.6 serious injuries per 1000 employees. While this was a reduction on previous years, it is still markedly higher than the national rate of 11.1 serious injuries per 1000 employees, or when compared to the performance of other dangerous industries, such as agriculture, mining and construction (respectively, 20.9, 19.1 and 17.5 serious injuries per 100 employees).

• The Seacare scheme’s rehabilitation and return-to-work performance is substantially worse than other Australian workers’ compensation schemes. The average durable return-to-work rate across all Australian workers’ compensation schemes for 2013-14 period was 79 per cent, while for the Seacare scheme it was only 64 per cent.

• Premium rates under the Seacare scheme are some of the highest of any workers’ compensation scheme in Australia.

• AMSA is funded via appropriations and levies imposed in relation to its broader functions relatying to the maritime industry.

However, AMSA does not receive any additional appropriations to carry out its functions under the OHS(MI) Act and there is no levy on Seacare scheme employers to pay for regulatory administration.

The union strategy is to defend and improve the Seacare scheme and to ensure the relatively poor performance of the scheme is improved, in the interests of the health and safety of Australian seafarers. www.mua.org.au

Seafarer Tax Offset Saved The MUA is celebrating an important victory - retaining the Seafarer Tax Offset, which was set to be repealed by the Abbott Government.

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fter a concerted lobbying effort

by National Secretary Paddy Crumlin and Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman, the incentive to hire Australian seafarers on foreign-going vessels will remain.

Although repeal of the Seafarer Tax Offset was never put to a vote, the union believes it was able to retain this important part of the shipping reform package because of the opposition in Federal Parliament by Labor, the Greens and other crossbenchers.

As a result Crumlin said he would like to thank Senators from the ALP, the Greens, the Palmer United Party, in addition to Senator Jacqui Lambie, Senator John Madigan, Senator Ricky Muir and Senator Nick Xenophon for taking the time to meet with union representatives.

Unions more generally also had a win on the same day, after the Senate voted down anti-worker amendments to the Fair Work Bill.

Doleman spent almost six months trawling the corridors of Parliament House in Canberra, bending the ear of anyone who would listen about how important this issue, and other issues such as fuel security and offshore visas, were to supporting Australia’s shipping task and Australian jobs.

“The AMOU has also stood shoulder-toshoulder with us on these issues and should be congratulated for seeing the bigger picture and joining us on our campaign to try and save Australian shipping,” Doleman said.

“I would also like to make special mention of Anthony Albanese, who has been a champion of these reforms since the beginning and has continued to advocate for a vibrant Australian shipping industry in the face of opposition from outside and within.”

In September last year the Albanese stood up in Federal Parliament in defence of the Seafarer Tax Offset and noted: “We want to see Australian shipping companies that are successful. But if you have an Australian shipping company and a foreign shipping company attempting to ply the same route, www.mua.org.au

Above: Independent Senator John Madigan (centre) was one of the many politicians the MUA met with. Here he is pictured with NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor and Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman.

Below: Senator Glenn Sterle with Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman and the AMOU’s Dan Pearson on one of Doleman’s many Parliament House lobbying efforts

and the foreign shipping company can do it cheaper because of the policies put in place by this government, then we have to address that and try to get a genuinely level playing field.

“That is what this policy did. I want to see Australia, an island continent, as a shipping nation with a thriving local maritime industry. Those opposite see that as a provocative statement that is about trade unionism.

“It is an extraordinary position that they have. The long-term effect of these sorts of changes, and the failure to defend Australia’s

maritime industry, will mean a loss of jobs.

“They want to talk a lot about borders and security and boats. But they do not want to talk about the Australian flag being on the back of Australian ships with Australian seafarers. If some of those opposite think that the maritime sector has no relationship at all with Australia’s national security or with protection of the Australian environment, depending upon which ships go through the Great Barrier Reef, then I am afraid that does show their ignorance about what is good policy.”

21

C A M PA I G N

Union Joins Logistics Companies Opposing Port Privatisation

The super journey

T

he MUA has demanded that Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles release a secret consultant’s report into the privatisation of Darwin Port.

Melbourne-based consulting firm Flagstaff Partners has been advising Giles on the privatization. But the chief minister refuses to share this information with the people of the Northern Territory.

Flagstaff Partners has been connected to the controversial East-West link in Victoria and the privatisation of the Port of Melbourne - which was lambasted in the media recently for increasing the rents of stevedores by 800 per cent.

Flagstaff is dominated by bankers and accountants from ANZ, Deutsche Bank, KPMG and Ernst & Young. These types of companies profit directly from privatisations: Reuters predicted in February that upcoming Australian privatisations could generate a $1 billion ‘bonanza’ in bank fees.

MUA Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor said: “Territorians deserve to know who will benefit from this move. The Flagstaff report must be released. So far it looks like Giles is more interested in having secret discussions with Melbourne bankers and accountants than listening to Territorians.”

A Senate Committee recently heard that banks, accountants and consultants make at least 5-6 per cent from Australian privatisation transactions.

Unions were not the only group calling on Governments to be careful about privatising assets such as ports, because it would create a monopoly situation whereby port fees would substantially increase.

Asciano chief executive John Mullen has long been opposed to port privatisations - and has weighed in on the public debate for at least three years since it was announced Sydney and Port Kembla would be sold.

Mullen was quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald as saying that privatisation and the related price hikes would cause long-term harm.

“It’s a golden gravy train for state governments, investment banks and consultants. But ultimately it’s local industry and consumers that are left to pay the bill,” Mullen told the SMH. 22

Privatisation at other Australian ports has seen a blow-out in fees. This is exhibited in this graph by the dramatic increase in lease cost at the Port of Brisbane, which was privatised in 2010, in comparison to the publicly owned port of Melbourne

“Territorians deserve to know who will benefit from this move. The Flagstaff report must be released.”

MUA BRANCH SECRETARY THOMAS MAYOR

Angered by rent hikes at the Port of Melbourne, DP World chief executive Paul Scurrah warned that consumers would eventually pay higher prices for products if state gov- ernments took a “short-term money grab” by pushing for excessive sale prices in the privatisation of port assets, according to a report in The Australian.

Meanwhile Ken Fitzpatrick, chair of shipping peak body Shipping Australia Limited, was quoted in Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News as declaring that port privatisation was not good for shipping companies.

“Whenever we have privatised ports, we find that price increases happen.

When we look at our figures, we see that there are price rises of CPI [Consumer Price Index] plus. Whereas that’s not the same with the government ports,” Fitzpatrick was reported as saying.

Mayor said the port of Darwin substantially increased its fees for ships in March, in a move that will undoubtedly be passed onto exporters and importers and then consumers.

“Based on the results of privatisations in other ports, rent increases for stevedores are likely to follow. It will also

have a detrimental effect on the remote communities that rely on the port for their goods and essentials,” Mayor said.

He noted the cost of living in the Northern Territory was already substantially higher than the rest of the country, and an added burden would be unsustainable for many families.

“We know that the privatisation of Australia’s other ports has left Australians short-changed. South Australia sold their ports on a 99-year lease for $186 million in 2001. Last year those ports turned a profit of $22 million and paid out dividends of $25 million,” he said.

“It’s obvious that in the long term, South Australians will miss out on millions of dollars of public revenue a year. In addition, new infrastructure investment by the leaseholder has been directed to benefit its own subsidiaries that are now in competition with existing stevedores.”

The MUA has entered submissions into both the Senate Inquiry on Port Privatisation and the Northern Territory Government’s Inquiry into the privatisation of the port.

Both can be read in full at www.mua.org.au. www.mua.org.au

Super is the start of a long journey, with many milestones along the way.

At each turn, you should check how you’re travelling.

Depending on where you’re at in your journey, you may wish to consider various tips and strategies that can help you make the most of your situation. As a general guide: in your 20s, it’s all about getting off to a good start – your investment strategy is key in your 30s-50s, it’s all about building momentum with savings – your contribution strategy is key in your 50s and beyond, it’s all about gearing up for retirement – know your retirement timeframe and expected lifestyle and plan your next steps with savings and pension options The super journey is unique for each of us, so it’s important that you consider your financial goals and set strategies that are right for you.

Helping you along the way We’re here to help - just call us on 1800 757 607. Our Member Services consultants can provide general advice on super and your benefits in the Fund.

If you need more extensive or personal advice, our financial planners are on hand to help.

Our planners are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle. If you can’t make it into one of our offices, no need to worry; our financial planners regularly travel around Australia and can come to you.

Issued by Maritime Financial Services Pty Limited ABN 16 105 319 202 AFS Licence No. 241735.

1800 757 607 www.maritimesuper.com.au

C A M PA I G N

Business Lobby Aided By Abbott Govt In Penalty Rates Attack

Wharfies in particular are finding their penalty rates under attack.

Workers’ Rights Under Attack Make no mistake: the bosses are after your penalty rates and conditions and want to increase your hours of work for less money.

Employers and their advocates say it’s necessary strive for greater flexibility and productivity in order to maintain competitiveness. But we know it’s code for trashing your rights and conditions and reducing safety on the job.

In concert with the Abbott Government, employers and key industry groups and employers have forced a Productivity Commission inquiry into the Australian workplace relations framework, alongside the current four-yearly review of the Stevedoring Award.

But the union has a strong record in standing up for the rights of workers and protecting their take home pay and we’ll continue to do that job.

Stevedoring Award In January, DP World and Qube tried to use the current 4-yearly review of the Stevedoring Award to increase the weekly hours of work and reduce penalty rates.

The employers made a claim to strip the award of penalties and to increase normal hours from 35 to 38 hours per week.

The Union opposed the employer claim and applied to increase the coverage of Stevedoring workers in planning and administration roles, as well as the jobs affected by technological change.

The MUA claim was opposed by Qube, DP World, Toll, AiGroup, AFEI, ABI/NSWBC, CSL, Inco Ships and others.

The MUA has also made submissions to improve the definition of the stevedoring industry and job classifications that relate to automation.

Assistant National Secretary Warren 24

Smith reports that the MUA filed its evidence to oppose the employers on 28 January.

“The employers argued that stevedoring work was essentially the same as many other industries, and therefore there was no justification for the shorter working week and higher penalty rates,” Smith said.

“The MUA’s submission demonstrated that stevedoring workers are required to be significantly more flexible than workers in other industries.

“There is a growing level of casualisation.

But even permanent stevedoring workers are required to be far more flexible than workers in other industries.

“We calculated that less than 20 per cent of stevedoring workers have rosters in which more than 50 per cent of their shifts are predictable.

“We know that the 35-hour week was won through struggle in 1972, not long after the miners won a 35-hour week.

“There are only about five Awards in Australia that include a 35-hour week, and employers are keen to knock off these examples of better working conditions.

“Current penalty rates have been in place since at least the 1950s.”

The AWU and the TWU also registered their opposition to the employers’ proposals.

The hearing into the Award review took place on February 4-6.

At these hearings, the employers, the AWU and the TWU all vigorously opposed the MUA proposals with regards to the definition of the industry.

The outcome of the four-yearly review will come in a judgment from Commissioners, and will be reported in the NOR. In the meantime, the Union will continue to campaign against attacks on penalty rates in the maritime industry, and with comrades in other industries through its

participation in a recently established ACTU penalty rates working group.

Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Framework National Secretary Paddy Crumlin reports that the initial submission of the MUA to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Australian Workplace Relations Framework was filed with the Commission on 13 March 2015 and is available on the MUA website.

The submission addresses the following key topics: ■ Safety Net and Low Paid Workers; ■ Employment Protections; ■ Private Sector Enterprise Bargaining; ■ Fair Work Commission; Fair Work Ombudsman; and workplace relations institutions.

The MUA Legal team represented the Union at a public roundtable with the Productivity Commission on 23 March 2015.

At the roundtable, the following topics were discussed: ■ Bargaining and Modern Award System – the Commission was focused on the fact that many employees are not covered by an Award or Agreement. In response the Unions said that although some employees were not directly covered by a modern award or collective agreement, the rates of pay and conditions in these instruments had flow-on effects to other employees who had a connection to employees covered by agreements or awards, and the pay and conditions of those employees were higher as a result.

■ Consultation and Disputes – the Commission was focused on the effectiveness of consultation clauses in the context of implementation of change.

The Unions said that the concept of consultation had been in place since about www.mua.org.au

1983, and absolute managerial prerogative went out the window when the workplace relations system was first introduced. The Unions also explained that some consultative provisions in collective agreements allowed for disputes to be filed at the Fair Work Commission as part of the consultation process. There were also discussions regarding whether or not consultative provisions should have steps that provide for consultation prior to the decision begin made. It was the Unions’ view that it made real sense for employers to consult with unions and employees prior to making a decision to implement change, particularly where employees were able to say that the proposed change is a bad idea and/or just isn’t going to work.

■ Unfair Dismissal – the Commission was focused on the concept of “go away money”, settlement offers made prior to an unfair dismissal case being heard and determined.

The Unions expressed a strong view that this term was offensive. It was always the preference of employees to not be dismissed and lose their job; however, an employee had to weigh up whether they would settle their claim and move on, or take the matter further. This choice also applied to employers who agreed to settle on a commercial basis rather than battling it out at the Commission.

■ General Protections/Adverse Action – the Commission was critical of the role that the Fair Work Commission played in general protections applications, and the ‘reverse onus’ provisions in the Fair Work Act, and believed that the Federal Court was better equipped to determine these applications.

However once the process was explained by the Unions in full, there was less criticism from the Commission.

■ Safety Net for Employees – the Commission was focused on the determination of the minimum wage and how the Fair Work Commission set minimum rates of pay. The Union informed the Commission that Stevedoring employers had made submissions at the Fair Work Commission, seeking to reduce and/or remove penalty rates in the Stevedoring Award as part of the Award Modernisation case. The Union informed the Productivity Commission that the Union opposed the application by employers and explained the background of how penalty rates had been introduced in the stevedoring industry during the 1970s, due to the industry demands that required employees to be available at short notice and work shifts that impacted on them and their families. The Union also said that it was not the role of the Productivity Commission to determine penalty rates; that was a role for the Fair Work Commission. www.mua.org.au

BOSSES’ BRIGHT IDEAS FOR SCREWING YOU AT WORK First published by the ACTU’s news website Working Life at www.workinglife.org.au BE alert and alarmed. Very alarmed.

Working Life has read the fine print in the employer submissions to the Productivity Commission Workplace Relations Review, and what we have found will send a chill up the spine of every worker in Australia.

Powerful business and employer lobbyists are using the Productivity Commission inquiry to pressure the Abbott Government into introducing a raft of draconian measures affecting workplaces across the country.

Unions have been warning for a long time that the Productivity Commission review was a Trojan horse to bring back elements of WorkChoices, and here is the proof.

Some ideas are mad, bad and others would be just plain laughable . . . if the Government wasn’t in the habit of pandering to their business mates.

So what exactly are the employer bosses’ bright ideas?

1

Shifting responsibility for safety from management to worker.

Spotted something dangerous at work? Well, if the Australian Industry Group gets their way, workers who speak up about health and safety hazards should have to prove to their boss afterwards that those dangers exist. AiGroup calls this a “reverse onus of proof” to stop “bogus” claims. In reality it would force safety conscious workers to question their future employment before speaking up about a dangerous workplace. Horrific.

2

Banning union safety inspectors for a whole day after workers raise concerns.

Workplace safety is urgent. But the AiGroup also wants to ban union safety inspectors from entering worksites for 24 hours after receiving a health and safety complaint. Again, they say it’ll stop those “bogus” claims, but in reality this would endanger workers and let unscrupulous or incompetent bosses off the hook. Oddly, AIG also has a bee in its bonnet over unions being able to hold meetings in lunchrooms.

3

Scrapping a dignified minimum wage for the nation’s most deserving workers.

The Institute of Public Affairs had a simple

request: get rid of the minimum wage, and deny dignified employment to people such as carers, farmers, cleaners and childcare workers. In arguing their case, the IPA said: “Abolishing the minimum wage would enable the poor in this country to build their human capital base by acquiring economically desirable aptitudes . . .”

In other words: you’re more likely to do anything when you’re paid peanuts. Awful.

4

Redefining what “unsociable hours” means for you.

The Business Council of Australia wants to get rid of the current penalty rates system. The BCA says they want “unsociable hours” redefined – especially for retail and hospitality workers. What this actually means is having your boss define what unsociable hours is for you.

5

Scrapping the watchdog ensuring safety and fairness for truckies.

In 2012, the Gillard Government introduced the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal to ensure truck drivers are not overworked and boosting safety on our roads. But the AIG wants to get rid of this world-first initiative, disbanding the tribunal and ripping up legislation protecting truck drivers and road users.

Coincidentally major retailers such as Coles also want the tribunal gone.

6

Bringing back the draconian ABCC for construction workers.

Both the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AIG think it’s too easy for construction workers to stand up for their safety and rights at work. Both groups want to reinstate the draconian ABCC (Australian Building and Construction Commission), complete with its powers of “compulsory interrogation”.

7

Making it harder to bargain collectively.

Individual contracts. WorkChoices. Dead, buried, cremated. Call it what you like, but the business lobby wants to make it harder to bargain collectively. Other items on the ‘wish list’ include making it harder to take industrial action and making it cheaper and easier for management to terminate workers.

25

safety Members occupied Toll to protest the company’s poor safety after Anthony Attard died at work.

Nine Things You Can Do To Fight For Better Safety

Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith

Fighting For Safety Ever since it was elected, the Abbott Federal Government has been dismantling safety protections for workers.

The Government says safety laws for the protection of workers are ‘red tape’. They have blocked the National Stevedoring Code of Practice, and 12 other safety codes.

Now, Marine Order 32 is on the chopping block.

These are attacks on our living standards - no different to the attacks on our jobs in the offshore, the unfair budget, the GP tax, or $100,000 tertiary degrees for our kids.

workplace, in our communities and on the streets to make sure every member goes home safe to their families.

What You Can Do No issue is more important than our safety at work.

We need to take action in every

2

26

Here are 9 things you can do right now to fight for better safety.

1

Get Organised: Do you have a strong HSR structure? Does your health and safety committee meet regularly?

Trained HSRs have extensive rights and powers. Let’s get more health and safety representatives elected and trained in every workplace and on every vessel. Ask your branch for support to do this.

Demand Consultation On Every Issue That Affects Safety: Employers are obliged

under health and safety laws to consult workers and their representatives about any issues that affect health and safety. Do the bosses at your workplace consult? MUA members have seen firsthand the tragic consequences. We must insist on genuine consultation on every issue.

3

Never Hesitate To Cease Work When There Is A Serious Safety Issue: All workers have the right to cease work in unsafe areas when there is a serious risk that is immediate or imminent. This right is protected in legislation. Make sure you inform your immediate supervisor of the serious issue, and make yourself available for alternate duties. www.mua.org.au

4

Use PIN Notices To Help Resolve Issues: Trained HSRs can issue a PIN notice – which is a legally binding direction requiring an employer to fix a health and safety breach. Raise the issue first. Give them a chance to fix it. If the company refuses to address a legitimate issue, a PIN notice will get their attention. Make sure you get collective support or pass a resolution from members.

32? If the ship is not up to scratch, take action. You can report defective vessels on the MUA website.

5

Bargain For Safety: We need to get strong safety clauses in all EBAs - and enforce the rights we have already.

Insect Every Ship. Report Defective Vessels On The MUA Website. Every vessel must be inspected, even if we have worked on it many times before. HSRs have the right to be involved. Are there health and safety issues? Does it comply with Marine Order www.mua.org.au

6

Seafarers On International Vessels Must Not Perform Lashing: It is an offence under the Navigation Act and a breach of ITF agreements. Report any instances to AMSA and your branch immediately.

7 8

Adopt A Collective Approach: As workers, we can achieve anything when we act together. HSRs and

delegates should work hand-in-hand. We need to be vigilant. We need to look after our mates and comrades, and at all times act in the safest manner possible.

9

Get Involved In Our Political Campaigns: The Abbott Government is attacking our safety. To change these policies we need to change the government. Tony Abbott is on the ropes. We need more members to get active, join a political party, help knock on doors, make phone calls, attend rallies and actions. People power can make a difference.

For more information contact MUA National Education and Safety Officer Matt Goodwin.

27

SAFETY

INSPECT EVERY SHIP

Standards Australia Reviews Occupational Diving

example of published industry field-verified guidelines in the Tasmanian Bounce Diving Tables.

4

Sur-D or In-water Oxygen Use remains a component that is not incorporated in the Standard; therefore guidance for the pearling industry is still not included.

5

Maximum partial pressure of oxygen to be breathed by a diver has been introduced, and the allowable error to the calibration of depth gauges will be expressed differently to allow for greater ease of reference.

M

UA member and experienced diver Sarah Jane Pell and safety expert Margot Hoyte have been representing divers in a review of the current Australian Standard related to Diving Operations.

The review has delivered significant changes, of which diving members should be aware.

1

Defence and Civil institute of Environmental Medicine (DCIEM) tables will no longer be the standard, as copyright could not be obtained from Table owners, the Canadian Armed Forces, without also requiring conditions - including payment of royalties, acceptance of no liability and insurance against indemnity. Additionally that Force no longer uses the Tables, as it considers them out of date.

However the current Standard will remain 28

available on the Standards Australia website should people wish to continue to access DCIEM Tables.

The committee reviewing the Standard will also be maintaining an active global watch for any revised Tables, or advanced digital algorithms opted by industry.

2

Standards Australia has also introduced a section on the specific requirements for Enriched Air Nitrox or EAN diving, which includes: equipment requirements, breathing gas supplies for SCUBA and SSBA and EAN procedures

3

A warning has also been added regarding repetitive bounce diving.

The warning alerts divers to the increased risk of decompression illness, and warns against mixing practices with multilevel diving. The Standard also provides an

There is still room for improvement in the Standard, but as a result of the process we were able to achieve an upgrade on what previously existed.

The committee will also maintain a ‘watching brief’, which means that when new developments in Diver Safety become available the committee can reconvene to consider it in relation to the Standard.

This is happening at a time when the Abbott Government is throwing out and downgrading Standards and Codes of Practice under the guise of ‘cutting red tape’.

The Standard remains preserved and is still referenced in the Work Health & Safety Diving Regulations.

The MUA would like to thank all diving members who provided feedback and assistance on this latest review. Many of the comments were used in the drafting process.

Further comments and feedback are welcomed from the diving membership and can be directed to National Education and Safety Officer Matt Goodwin. www.mua.org.au

TAKE ACTION • Every vessel must be inspected, even if • Assess the risks. Workers can refuse we have worked it many times before. to work unsafe areas if there is a • HSRs have the right to be involved. reasonable concern of a serious risk.

• Areas of the ship which do not • Trained HSRs can issue a PIN notice. comply with Marine Orders must not • Seafarers must not perform lashing – be worked. it is an offence.

Authorised by Maritime Union of Australia Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith, 365 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.

SAFE • RESPECTED • ORGANISED

TRAINING

Upcoming training course dates & locations

MUA training program MUA approach to training and development The MUA training program helps delegates, HSRs and active members develop skills, knowledge and strategies to improve the working lives of all our members.

Courses are held in all branches and major ports. Training is delivered by delegates and includes presentations from MUA veterans on MUA history and culture.

To register, contact your local MUA branch. Courses are open to delegates, health and safety representatives and any active members. Get involved!

Level 1 (2 days) This two-day course provides delegates with essential information about performing their role in the workplace.

It can be undertaken by newer delegates in their first 6-12 months of involvement, or as a refresher for delegates who have not attended union training for some time. It is also open to active members who would like to become more involved.

The course covers the following topics: ■ building a strong and effective union at work ■ role and rights of MUA delegates ■ the structure and democracy of the union ■ our history and culture ■ solving problems in the workplace ■ essential legal and technical information, including key aspects of the Fair Work Act ■ communication skills ■ introduction to the ITF: MUA members in a global context

Level 2 (2 days) This two-day course is for delegates with 12 months or more experience. It consolidates and extends skills covered in the Level 1 course.

Topics include: ■ advanced communication strategies ■ in-depth discussion of the Fair Work Act ■ public speaking skills ■ leading and organising union activities in the workplace ■ workplace committees ■ identifying and mentoring delegates ■ ITF workshop ■ negotiation skills

Level 3 Delegates - Leadership Development Program (4 days) This advanced courses is aimed at MUA experienced delegates, workplace leaders and up-and-coming new delegates. This course goes beyond the level 1 or 2 programs. There is a youth-focus, but it is not limited to young workers. Admission is by expression of interest. Two three-day workshops will be held during 2014.

Mat Jackaman, 32, is an integrated rating (IR) with Mermaid Marine and last year he undertook the Train the Trainer course in Perth. As a Mat Jackaman qualified trainer, Mat will be delivering Delegates 1 & 2 to participants in Fremantle. These are his thoughts on union training:

Right: National Education and Safety Officer Matt Goodwin delivering training

Skills Development Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Delegates & Members MUA has held a dedicated three-day development program to help equip our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates to play a vocal and active role in the representative structures of our union, and in the industry more broadly.

The content and location of this program was developed with the MUA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee and key ATSI leaders within our union. Contact your branch for more information.

Seagoing Delegates (3 days) This new course is for MUA delegates at sea. It deals with the specific challenges and issues faced by delegates in this unique environment. The training has been developed in conjunction with experienced seafaring delegates and covers topics such as: ■ effective on-board union organisation ■ problem solving and negotiation skills ■ history of the union at sea ■ safety in the marine/offshore jurisdiction ■ political awareness

Skills Development Program for Women Members & Delegates This initiative aims to equip women delegates with the skills, knowledge and confidence to play an active role in the union, both at a local and national level.

Contact your branch for more information.

9-10 February

Level 1

Brisbane

20 February

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee Training

Fremantle

22 February

Women’s Committee Training

Fremantle

23-25 February

Levels 1 & 2

Darwin

11-12 March

Level 1

Melbourne

12-13 March

Level 1

Port Adelaide

17-18 March

Level 1

Sydney for combined NSW branches

23-24 March

Level 1

Fremantle

24-25 March

Levels 1 & 2

Gladstone

25-26 March

Level 2

Fremantle

20-23 April

Train the Trainer Part 2

St Georges Basin

28-29 April

Levels 1 & 2

Townsville

6-7 May

Levels 1 & 2

Devonport

19-22 May

Level 3 Delegates, a national leadership development program for experienced and up-and-coming delegates

St Georges Basin, for participants from all branches

23-24 June

Level 1

Karratha

30-31 July

Level 2

Sydney for combined NSW branches

3-4 August

Level 2

Brisbane

4-5 August

Level 2

Melbourne

5-6 August

Level 2

Port Adelaide

17-18 August

Level 1

Fremantle

19-20 August

Level 2

Fremantle

15-17 September

Levels 1 & 2

Darwin

4-6 November

Level 2

St Georges Basin

17-18 November

Level 2

Devonport

1-4 December

Level 3 Delegates, a national leadership development program for experienced and upand-coming delegates

St Georges Basin, for participants from all branches

MUA Trainer Kieran Crumlin leading training at St Georges Basin

30

Training: a delegate’s insight

www.mua.org.au

www.mua.org.au

Why did you decide to take part in MUA Training?

MJ: To help pass on any skills that I have. Any kind of training and education is valuable but in terms of MUA training specifically, I wanted share and grow my knowledge of unionism as well as the ideals and policies that I have learnt not only from the workplace front but also from a social front. Unionbased training provides a deeper, intense and productive way of learning. You also get to meet a few new comrades and hear other people’s stories. Any training is good training there is no limit to learning.

What were some of the most important things you took away from the training?

New ways of learning and a different approach to learning.

Proper engagement means you’re able to get out as much as you want if you’re willing. I’ll say to other participants; Don’t be afraid to ask, it’s better to be temporarily uncomfortable than be comfortable and disengaged.

What would you say to encourage others to take MUA training?

You get to learn the other side of the story. Union-based training for all courses provides an insight not offered through other registered training organisations (RTOs). It also gives you an opportunity to meet other members, which hopefully encourages tem to engage in other activities of the union and become more involved.

MUA members sharpen their negotiation skills in Port Adelaide

31

how can we help you ?

training

IF YOU COUNT ON YOUR UNION, YOU CAN COUNT ON US, TOO.

Big Agenda Around Marine Qualifications & Licensing

T

he union’s Crewing & Qualifications Working Group, chaired by Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray, is leading and overseeing a big body of work seeking improvements to marine qualifications and occupational licensing across all aspect of seafaring.

There are many strands to the work. They include reviewing the Integrated Rating Certificate Level III qualification, as part of the process underway in the national Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) which is required to review all Training Package qualifications and skills sets to ensure they are consistent with the standards for Training Packages.

The end process will be a transfer of the IR Certificate Level III qualification from the MAR13 to the MAR Training Package.

The process is being overseen by a TLISC IR Steering Committee on which Newcastle Branch Secretary Glen Williams is the union representative. TLISC has recently conducted a series of three Focus Group meetings in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth where MUA officials and rank-andfile seafarer members reviewed the full range of functions performed by IRs across all facets of the industry. In addition to the actual job roles performed, the Focus Groups reviewed the STCW Code to ensure all the regulatory requirements are properly reflected in the IR qualification.

A mapping exercise is now underway in TLISC, to be considered by the next Steering Committee meeting in late April.

Paralleling that work was a review of the Certificate Level I Linesperson qualification. Again TLISC convened a Technical Reference Group comprising experienced MUA Linespersons, led by Jason Gough. TLISC has prepared a draft of a new Linesperson qualification, and it is being examined to identify if it remains a level I qualification or is upgraded to a Level II qualification.

TLISC has also undertaken to establish an industry led process to ascertain if there is support for a new Ratings qualification for towage and another for dredging. Officials are currently discussing the concept with towage and dredging employers, some of which have already advised TLISC they support development of a new tailor made qualification for seafarers working in these sectors. That work will continue through 2015.

32

Your union exists to take care of you, and they’ve chosen rt health fund as the preferred health fund for MUA members.

Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman on one of his lobbying missions here he is with the ALP’s Sue Lines

ARE YOU ON BOARD?

The union is continuing to promote improved career pathways for Ratings. Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman was instrumental in having the global CEO of OPITO visit Australia in February to discuss a role for OPITO as a de facto occupational licensing body.

Other matters the Working Group has been considering revolve around new AMSA requirements for seafarers set out in Marine Orders 70 to 73 (made under the Navigation Act 2012) and Marine Order 505 [for GPH] (made under the Domestic Commercial Vessels ((Marine Safety) National Law Act 2012, (of which MO70 and MO73 have most relevance to MUA seafaring members. These include: ■ Revalidation for Ratings ■ The new watch-keeping requirements set out in section 11 of MO73 and the impact of AMSAs Navigation Act Qualifications (Ratings) Exemption 2014, which exempts seafarers who do not hold the necessary watch-keeping competencies from attaining the necessary endorsement until 31 March 2016 (to provide time for obtaining the training and sea-time) ■ The requirements to obtain a Steering Certificate ■ The crewing and marine qualifications for seafarers on FPSOs ■ The qualifications of maritime crew on vessels supporting offshore oil and gas operations such as the ESS Europa and the ESS Castoreone

The union is continuing to promote improved career pathways for Ratings.

Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman was instrumental in having the global CEO of OPITO visit Australia in February to discuss a role for OPITO as a de facto occupational licensing body, by adoption of OPITI standards as the benchmark for determining the competency of works to undertake high risk work in the absence of occupational licensing for offshore work in Australia.

A productive meeting was held with NOPSEMA, and follow-up meetings with OPITO and organisations like APPEA, AMSA, TLISC and the ACTU with all offshore unions are planned for July 2015.

The union is also active in seeking to ensure that TLISC is retained as the body with responsibility for Training Package development for both seafarers and dock workers. Doleman, who is on the TLISC Board, is working closely with the other unions on the Board (TWU and RTBU) to ensure that the Government’s proposal to tender out Training Package development under a “contestability” model, aimed at removing union participation in the work of Skills Councils, fails. www.mua.org.au

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TRAINING

TIR Blake Sayer took this shot of Mawson Station when he was sailing on the Aurora Australis

METL Program Steams Ahead Trainee IR Program METL commenced the employment and training of TIRs in March 2011. This was in response to an identified shortage of skilled seafarers - largely driven by growth in the oil and gas sector and lack of investment in training by employers.

Since that time METL has played a part in the employment and training of 161 TIRs - resulting in 109 qualifications issued to date, with roughly half completing the entire traineeship with METL and half going on to complete with another employer.

At the time of writing, METL had 27 TIRs on the books, with another 4 former TIRs being picked up by other companies. Through training initiatives agreed with contributors and the MUA, 8 members were put through the course only (not sea-time) and then returned to project work.

METL’s attrition rate (7.5%) is very low when compared with industry trainee averages and overall averages for apprentices and trainees.

In total, only 12 of the 161 TIRs engaged did not complete, either due to termination or resignation.

“It’s our job to make sure that Trainees complete and get qualified,” Operations Officer Kevin Hunt said.

“We spend a lot of time getting in touch with them, monitoring and mentoring, to make sure they’re on track and reach all the milestones.”

This training was essential for the industry in times of critical skills shortages and to ensure opportunities continue for Australian seafarers.

For METL’s contribution to the industry, we were awarded the 2014 Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council Award for Excellence and Innovation: Maritime.

However, as the industry changes, METL 34

The new WA MELT training facility

■ 25%: were referred by an industry stakeholder (e.g. MUA Branch); ■ 13%: were the sons or daughters of workers in the industry, including seafarers and stevedores; ■ 19% were direct applicants to METL.

TIR Gabi Winding with the British Fidelity crew

Plenty of space for training

needs to change with it. METL will continue to provide TIRs for industry, but under a slightly different model.

■ Employers: one-off payments negotiated primarily by the WA Branch from offshore companies

Funding To date, the bulk of METL’s expenditure has been on the TIR program, with significant funds quarantined for future projects.

“We have been seeing a slowing in the industry, and have accordingly reduced the numbers of Trainees we’re putting through,” METL chief executive Simon Earle said.

“This has enabled us to build some financial reserves and shift our focus to ensure we stay relevant.”

METL receives funding and contributions from a number of sources: ■ GTO: direct payment from employers to METL for TIR services provided; and some small government payments or one-off grants ■ Employees (MUA members): as a result of PAB payments in the offshore; and training contribution clauses in dredging EBAs ■ Seafarers Promotion Fund (SPF): funds of US$1 million per year from Japanese Shipowners negotiated by the National Secretary/ITF President

Last financial year, 2013-14, the breakdown of income was: METL GTO: 37%; Employees: 33%; SPF: 23%; and Employers: 7%

New Focus At the last METL Board Meeting in March, a number of key decisions were made in response to current industry trends that will fundamentally change the way METL utilises the contributions made by members and where METL sources its Trainees.

Note that the Board currently comprises Paddy Crumlin (MUA), Chris Cain (MUA) and Phil Jones (ASP). A vacancy exists for an additional employer director.

■ Utilisation of MUA member contributions The contributions made by members were previously utilised to fund the costs associated with doing the Integrated Rating Course at Hunter TAFE, Challenger TAFE or the Australian Maritime College. These costs include: medical examinations, MSICs, PPE, course fees, trainee wages, accommodation www.mua.org.au

and meals, travel and issue of certificates. Cost of this college component alone is around $30,000. (For the entire program, including sea-service, the cost is around $80,000 per trainee.)

As the need for new seafarers in the industry has decreased, and the number of IRs and TIRs on the EAS database has increased, member contributions will not be used to train new TIRs. METL will monitor the situation and recommence the engagement of new TIRs if required to sustain the industry.

The funds contributed by members will now be directed to the expansion of METL’s RTO (Registered Training Organisation). The MUA has already invested $3.8 million in a property at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, WA. METL will lease and develop the property into a centre providing training and a range of allied health-related services.

This will include activities such as: purchasing www.mua.org.au

and building infrastructure; developing and sourcing training materials; registering courses under the METL RTO; establishing the processes, systems and compliance regimes required as an RTO; and engaging suitably qualified and experienced staff. METL plans to invest $2-3 million in this over the next 12 months.

While there will be a physical location in WA, METL will build the capacity to deliver and provide services nationally, and potentially develop additional sites in other states. This is a long-term project and will also utilise significant funds from SPF and future employer contributions.

■ Source of METL TIRs To date, of all TIRs employed by METL since 2011 ■ 44%: were in the industry or had worked in the industry before;

Going forward, all TIRs engaged by METL will be sourced from the EAS database where it is possible to do so. METL will only engage TIRs when they are required by a host employer (shipping company) and that host employer is paying the wages plus an administration fee to METL. This means we will not be oversupplying the industry and no member contributions (or other funds held by METL) will be used to train any new or existing TIRs. This should provide a more effective use of METL funds and assist with reducing the number of TIRs on the database.

Again, METL will continue to monitor seafarer supply and demand and adjust the strategy if necessary.

“These are significant changes for MET Limited and the Board is confident this is where we need to go,” chair Paddy Crumlin said.

“The plan was always to move into delivery through the RTO, and now those plans are coming to fruition; but it takes time and it takes meticulous planning. This is something that union members will have a stake in and we want them to be proud of it.”

Simon Earle added: “As we move into this phase. I’d like to acknowledge the massive support we’ve had from the membership of the MUA. “The financial contributions and the on-board training and mentoring of our TIRs have been a key part of our success.

Going forward, we are confident that more members will be able to be part of what we are doing and benefit from the new initiatives.”

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c am pa i g n

Abbott Extremism Reinvigorates Unions For ‘Team One Term’ Campaign March 4 marked ‘Fight For Our Rights’ Day across the country - and the union movement is now gearing up to get behind a community campaign reminiscent of 2007’s ‘Your Rights At Work’ Originally published by Workinglife.org.au

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he Abbott Government’s extremism through the 2014 Budget, across a range of policy areas, has annoyed the community and breathed new life into the campaign capacity of the trade union movement.

Fears about industrial relations reform, a largely non-eventful royal commission into trade unions, and cuts to health and education funding are seen as the decisions of a Government which is ideologically-driven and out-of-touch.

The pivot is fairness - and unions remain the most important handbrake on the excesses of Abbott and company.

The union movement’s push back against WorkChoices played an enormous role in the ‘Ruddslide’ federal election result of 2007 - and the ACTU is once again dealing itself back into the game.

If Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s first Budget wasn’t seen as so desperately unfair, any union campaign would have far less leverage.

At the Government’s behest, the Productivity Commission is now preparing to consider the minimum wage, penalty rates and workplace flexibility.

This is fertile ground for the ACTU and its affiliate unions. Government ministers are on the back foot, particularly as the spectre of WorkChoices still hangs over their head.

So as the nation grapples with the modern political phenomenon of FIFO Governments – one-term-in, one-term-out – the union movement is getting behind a campaign reminiscent of 2007’s ‘Your Rights At Work’.

‘Team One Term’ aims to use activist networks to perform one task each week until the next federal election.

The campaign’s mission statement says: “We are united in the view that we want to see the Federal Coalition government gone after one term.

“We are so committed to this end that we are prepared to undertake one mission each week, between now and the next election, for the sole purpose of achieving our goal.

“We have different views on lots of issues, but we share one thing in common.

“Many of us are doing much more than this. But many of us live busy lives and want to know the most effective thing we can do each week, knowing that we are part of a group of people

36

Members around the country activated on March 4 to protest an erosion of work rights and conditions.

doing the same, knowing our task is meaningful and informed by research and on the ground, nationwide resources of the union movement.

“Each week we receive instructions on our mission. This mission is decided based on one criterion only – what is the most effective thing we can do this week to bring us closer to our goal?”

The campaign was launched after close to 100,000 workers marched through Australian city centres on March 4, as the union movement ramps up its attack on the Abbott government’s industrial relations agenda.

Last year’s ‘March In March’ was followed

by ‘Bust The Budget’ and others - for which the intent was obvious, after the unforeseen announcements of a GP co-payment, deregulation of university fees and substantial changes to welfare and pensions.

The ACTU marches this time around, tapped into the on-going resentment and discontent with the Abbott Government. But the focus is clearly on the next federal election and 32 key marginal seats.

ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver and President Ged Kearney said: “Together we will fight for a country where workers’ rights are protected, where there is universal healthcare and education, where everyone enjoys a secure retirement and where everyone gets a fair go. We will not accept Governments - State or Federal - attacking the living standards that were built by generations of union members.”

Federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz is, unsurprisingly, not a fan.

“The ACTU should engage responsibly with these inquiries and not engage in campaigns of distraction,” he huffed.

What he misses is that, despite his views of union motives, the fact is they are tapping into fundamental concerns in the population.

When your take home pay is threatened, in www.mua.org.au

an era of stagnant wage growth and increasing unemployment, this is the kind of thing that motivates people to become active.

The problem for Abetz and Prime Minister Tony Abbott is that few people believe them on jobs and industrial relations.

WorkChoices aside, there was also the fact that Abetz’s office last year was revealed to be ‘cooking the books’ on jobs figures, in trying to match Tony Abbott’s vow to create one million jobs over the next five years.

And most recently, Abbott’s “absolutely crystal clear” guarantee (made in June last year) that contracted cleaners at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection would not lose any take-home pay, after the scrapping of guidelines, was proven to be false.

The low-paid workers are reportedly receiving $2-an-hour less, even though both Abbott and Abetz said this would not happen.

The thing the conservatives should fear most from a union campaign is its capacity to tap into very genuine ‘people power’, and the fact they have money at their disposal.

You hear a lot about union membership declining in this country over recent decades; but there are still nearly two million members across the country.

That’s a lot of people to mobilise in a campaign. And they’re devastatingly effective in persuading if they are a paramedic, a fire www.mua.org.au

fighter or a nurse.

So when the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation calls on its members to turn up in force to a public rally, this should send a shiver down LNP spines.

The ANMF is arguing hospital nurses generally work about 50 per cent of shifts as penalty shifts, and that a Grade 2 nurse stands to lose $380 a week if the existing penalty rate system is scrapped.

Nurses plan to revive powerful tactics used in the run-up to last year’s Victorian state election - saturating marginal seats with frontline service union members, who talk directly to voters about political issues affecting their workplaces.

New Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is on-board the penalty rates campaign and you’d expect the same will be true for Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Australia’s newest premier received a rock star welcome when she appeared at an Australian Workers’ Union conference recently.

“What we have seen at a federal level is a national Prime Minister who is not listening to the will of the people. That will be his downfall,” she predicted.

Thirteen Coalition seats in Queensland would be lost if the recent state election results were replicated at a federal election – not just in and around Brisbane, but also regional seats such as Capricornia, Leichhardt and Flynn.

Add to that a concerted effort by unions in: the Victorian target seats of Deakin, Corangamite, La Trobe and Dunkley; several seats in Western Sydney; Eden Monaro, Dobell, Robertson and Page in NSW; Hindmarsh and Boothby in South Australia; and Braddon and Lyons in Tasmania. If these change hands, you’re talking about a change of Federal Government.

No doubt the conservatives will fight back.

They will continue to paint a picture of the ugly face of unionism – through both the royal commission and the reintroduction of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).

But the current Senate knocked off the Government’s Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill, which would have added layers of complexity for ordinary people who choose to volunteer their time to their union or employer association.

Cross-bench Senators Lambie, Lazarus, Muir and Wang - as well as Labor and the Greens - all voted against the bill.

We have the beginnings of another gargantuan battle of values – red vs blue, unions vs big business.

If it comes out the loser, the Abbott Government will only have itself to blame for ignoring unions.

Sign up to ‘Team One Term’ at http:// www.teamoneterm.org.au/about 37

dispute

industry // negotiations

Svitzer Towage Does The Dirty On MUA

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he union has traditionally had a good relationship with Maerskowned Svitzer, however that relationship is now on the rocks with Svitzer denying the union a chance to negotiate an agreement for the Gorgon project while leaked company documents show there is asbestos on board several of their tugs.

Svitzer won the 25-year contract for four tugs on the Chevron-run Gorgon project but rather than pursue a union-negotiated, collective agreement the company has opted to go with so-called ‘partnership agreements’.

MUA National Secretary and International Transport Workers’ Federation President Paddy Crumlin said Svitzer had simply not bothered to contact him or the union about the move towards partnership agreements.

Crumlin has since met with Vice President of AP Moller-Maersk, Henrik Sloth in Singapore while the ITF is in dialogue with the company at its European headquarters in Copenhagen, with Jacqueline Smith making a strong formal complaint over an abrogation of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

A newsletter from the WA Branch of the MUA to members on January 31 said the move to union bust had been on the cards for some time.

“The offer of partnership agreements at Gorgon is simply the culmination of plans that have been in place for quite some time,” it says.

“What wasn’t clear was the timing and Chevron’s aggressive union busting campaign on the Gorgon Project provided the perfect cover and timing to roll this strategy out.

“In Chevron they had engaged Australia’s most aggressive anti-union company who would provide the authority, money and resources to roll out this long term plan.

“Svitzer sought to opportunistically exploit Chevron’s union busting agenda to run out their long term campaign plan to introduce non-union partnership agreements, especially given that they had the added benefits of being able to do so under the cover of a Greenfields agreement – the perfect storm you might say.

“And they deceitfully blame the Union for doing so. The problem is though that the stated position of Svitzer simply does not add up or make sense and once we see through the shallow attempts to blame the Union and various officials it all becomes very transparent.

38

MUA Welcomes CSL Move To Directly Employ Workers Left: Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith has carriage of CSL negotiations.

Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray at the 2014 Towage Conference in St Georges Basin

Below: The CSL Thevenard.

Credit: Fred J Carrs

A

The Warrego: one of the tugs found with ACM

fter detailed discussions the MUA has secured a deed with one of Australia’s biggest seafaring employers CSL. In transferring all INCO and V-ships labour back to CSL direct ownership, the company has agreed to all of the demands of the union regarding the process, according to Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith.

Matters will be captured in a deed, Smith said, which covers all of the MUA’s concerns regarding entitlements and ongoing conditions.

“We’re looking forward to being able to negotiate with one group, rather than having to go through a middle-man, who more often than not is antagonistic towards the union because they feel they need to protect the person who signs their pay check,” he said.

The Warunda was cleared by an audit for asbestos, despite having more than 900 parts on board.

Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray said that Svitzer had further “thumbed their nose” at the MUA by enlisting skippers and engineers to do the work of deckhands.

“Unfortunately we don’t have much legal recourse when it comes to the Gorgon project but rest assured we will run a campaign to defend our member’s rights and jobs and will fight Svitzer’s union-busting agenda for as long as it takes, “ Bray said.

“On top of that we’ll be pushing hard to ensure that any Svitzer tugs on the soon-tobe-operational Wheatstone project will be the subject of a collective agreement.

“I’m also really interested to see whether or not Svitzer will maintain their indigenous employment component.”

He said Svitzer had made promises as part of being awarded the contract to train and employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of their crewing.

“We’re yet to see any of those promises

materialise,” he added.

Further to the disputation around the Gorgon contract, Svitzer has been embroiled in controversy regrading exposing its current employees to disease causing substances.

Bray said Legionella, which has the potential to cause the serious Legionnaire’s Disease, has been detected on more than 70 per cent of the Svitzer fleet Australia-wide and more seriously, asbestos containing material (ACM) has been found on a third of their tugs nationwide.

Leaked internal documents show that in September 2013, the company was conducting due diligence about purchasing three tugs from China, built in 2007/08, onboard which there was found to be approximately 900-950 items of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).

“The importation of vessels over 15 150 gross tonnage to Australia which contain ACM installed/fixed within the vessel/equipment www.mua.org.au

www.mua.org.au

“This way any grievances or issues with a ship or a crew can be taken straight to the person who can make changes. Further we will now negotiate directly with the company controlling the situation.

“We’re now talking to the butcher not the block.

“As a gesture of good faith and commitment to replacing the CSL Pacific, CSL has agreed to transfer all of CSL Pacific crew too.”

The MUA is engaged in continuing discussions with CSL to try and achieve a single fleet-wide EBA, instead of the current practice of single EBAs for each ship. A single agreement would be good for everyone involved and would ensure a consistency of working conditions throughout the company.

39

INDUSTRY

DP World EBA Moving Closer To Resolution

A

fter more than a year of negotiations and considerable struggle at DP World, there’s possibly a light at the end of

the tunnel.

In early February, the union sent the company an offer of settlement on the national Part A of the negotiations which was rejected by DP World, and there were still some outstanding issues in local negotiations.

At MWJ deadline, Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith said DP World had moved on some important issues. We still have some big issues to resolve, but in recent meetings with the company the direction has seemed positive.

“Automation issues are still being tackled in both Sydney and Brisbane,” Smith said.

“Brisbane is more about mopping-up effects of the implementation of automation over the last 18 months, plus other local issues. And a separate agreement is being developed to deal with the automation of the Sydney terminal. ”We are still a fair way off with automation issues in Sydney, and it is vital that we resolve the fundamental issues surrounding automation – the branch and national office are determined to ensure this occurs.”

40

Meanwhile in Fremantle we need to see the return of the workers unjustly made redundant. And in Melbourne public holiday arrangements and an overly harsh approach to managing internal workforce problems were causing some problems.

“So far, many of the excessive claims of the company have been repelled by the union’s industrial activity,” Smith said.

“Company claims to remove penalty rates, smash permanency and undo many hard won conditions have been defeated through our willingness and capacity to fight and take action.

“The company, spurred on by Abbott Government conservatism, has made this EBA a very hard fought battle, with delegates commenting that the approach of the company this time around is unprecedented in its scope.

“Members and delegates should be commended for their efforts, having fought hard now for so long with considerable strike action taking place in that period.”

“Now however is no time to celebrate. The struggle continues, until we can deliver an agreement that protects our rights and is acceptable to the membership.” www.mua.org.au

DP World members around the country took part in protected strike action in December.

www.mua.org.au

41

N e g o t i at i o n s

xxxxxxxxx

Patrick EBA Negotiations Continue

N

Botany Automation Fight Far From Over

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s this issue of the MWJ goes out, 88 workers from Patrick Port Botany have forcibly been made redundant.

On Sunday, March 27 one of the busiest container terminals in the country came grinding to a halt to make way for automation.

In addition to the 88, a further 80 workers took voluntary redundancies - effectively cutting the workforce in half.

Patrick members at Maroubra Sports Club

42

Gangs have been slashed - and staunch unionists, more often than not, have been the target of the axe.

But the MUA has not taken this offense lightly, and has fought in every way possible since Asciano first made the automation announcement.

The union did not find any friends in the Fair Work Commission, when the union originally argued that the company had not

egotiations for the upcoming Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for Patrick Bulk and General Ports commenced at the end of last year, with most current agreements expiring later this year.

In November Patrick flew delegates and management into Sydney for a three-day workshop.

Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray said the discussions revolved around the company’s business structure and reviewed options for making improvements on complex issues such as Occupational Health & Safety, Drug & Alcohol policy, Hours, and Order of Pick.

“Further discussion was held at the

bargained ‘in good faith’ by not disclosing the plans for automation in the last round of EBAs, according to Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman.

“However, we have persevered in maintaining that the 210 remaining jobs – a total which that they have insisted upon - was too low and we’ll continue to run that line” Doleman said.

“We’ve managed to install a moratorium, in that in the first year, if more labour is needed it will be picked up from those 88 workers who want to go back.”

The union has also filed a number of grievances in the FWC pertaining to the selection criteria, and it is likely the grievances will be determined at the FWC. To mark the solemn occasion, the Sydney Branch put on a Picnic Day at the Maroubra Sports Club to allow people to come together in solidarity.

Deputy Branch Secretary Paul Keating said although the day was a sombre one, it was also a celebration of mateship and unionism.

“The fight is not over by any means, and we will fight tooth and nail to try and reinstall every single member who has been unfairly pushed out by a company infamous for its ultra-capitalist views,” Keating said.

“We fought in 1998 and we will continue to fight.” www.mua.org.au

www.mua.org.au

November forum regarding an improved structure to deal with dispute resolution,” Bray said.

“At this point it had become apparent that both the union and company had engaged multiple litigation cases that were not advancing the interests of either parties, in terms of an industrial relations process.

“It was generally agreed that enabling open frank discussions around disputes could avoid unnecessary escalation, as it was proving to be a costly exercise that should be avoided or minimised at the least.”

It was agreed that further discussions arising from the workshop would take place in the Fair Work Commission.

Bray said this decision was endorsed by delegates from around the country.

Following this, the MUA met with Patrick again in March - with the union being represented by Bray, SNSW Branch Secretary Garry Keane, WA Branch Deputy Secretary Adrian Evans, Newcastle Delegate Scott Carter and Brisbane Delegate Brett Membrey.

Discussions were held over five days on a vast array of important matters, including a handful of current disputes.

“There are a lot of unresolved issues still on the table, but I think we’re making inroads to having productive negotiations with the upcoming EBA,” Bray said.

“We will continue to report back to the rank-and-file regarding this important EBA, which covers a big chunk of the membership and has representation in almost every Australian port.”

As the MWJ is being distributed, the next round of discussions will be underway.

43

C A M PA I G N

INDUSTRY // DISPUTE

AML Aided By Murdoch Media To Spread Untruths

Court Victory For Casual Worker Long Service Leave

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C

he previous edition of the MWJ reported that the MUA successfully opposed the approval of an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement which was unfair to its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers – and the Agreement was dumped by the Fair Work Commission.

The company Aboriginal Maritime Pty Limited (AML) subsequently made revisions to the agreement later in the year and re-lodged it for approval at the Fair Work Commission; and the revised Agreement was not opposed by the MUA. However the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) attempted to block the new agreement in the FWC. It was unsuccessful in its attempt.

These are the facts of the matter. But this has not stopped the managing director of the company

LETTER 1 The news report (“Aboriginal employer’s EBA win over union”, 20/1) contains some factual inaccuracies.

Firstly, the Maritime Union of Australia supported the latest agreement put forward by Aboriginal Maritime (AML).

The MUA successfully opposed AML’s original agreement in late 2014, a position vindicated by the full bench of the Fair Work Commission.

The company then rightly went away and made vast improvements to the terms and conditions of employment, before conducting a second ballot of it workforce.

Due to the improvements, the MUA did not oppose the latest version and in fact supported it by seeking to be covered by the agreement.

As such, it is inaccurate to describe it as a win over the union.

Regards, Ian Bray, Assistant National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia

44

Wayne Bergmann from continuing to whinge about the MUA, and having his opinion continually printed verbatim in the Murdoch-owned The Australian newspaper.

Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray said the behaviour by Bergmann at a recent Australasian Oil and Gas conference was inexcusable.

Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray

LETTER 2 Dear Editor, I am writing to you again on behalf of the Maritime Union of Australia to point out some factual inaccuracies reported by Andrew Burrell in yesterday’s report: “Kimberley gas plant protesters ‘left nothing’ for people”. This is the second time The Australian has printed these falsehoods. The MUA previously outlined these inaccuracies in a letter to the editor submitted on January 22, 2015, which did not make it to publication. This time, I must insist on a retraction, or the union will be forced to make an official complaint to the Australian Press Council. Below are the actual facts surrounding the Aboriginal Maritime Pty Ltd (AML) Agreement, all of which can be easily substantiated via Fair Work Commission public records: August 5, 2014 the Fair Work Commission (FWC) approved the AML Enterprise Agreement (EA); following this the MUA appealed the decision October 29, 2014 the appeal was heard by the full bench of the FWC

“He reportedly said he was offended that we’d accused him of underpaying his workforce,” Bray noted. “Well I’m very sorry he was offended. But the reality is, he had originally intended to pay his workforce considerably lower wages than unionised workplaces offer.

“Now he’s going around to sympathetic audiences, like players in the oil and gas industry, and crying foul. And unsurprisingly The Australian has run with it like a puppy with a bone.”

Each time The Australian printed the inaccuracies, Bray wrote a letter to the editor asking for a retraction. On the first occasion the newspaper did not even print the letter; and on the second occasion the letter was partially printed, but no retraction was offered.

The union will now make an official complaint to the Australian Press Council.

October 30, 2014 the full bench reversed its approval of the EA, after it found the company had failed to comply with the approval steps required to make such an agreement AML withdrew their application to make the agreement on this occasion and revised the EA AML then made another application to the FWC and, given the substantial improvements made to the EA after the MUA had successfully challenged the former agreement, the union decided to support AML’s new EA However, a completely separate union – the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers – challenged this new agreement.

Commissioner Lee found against AIMPE, not the MUA, and approved the new agreement Therefore, the assertion that has been made, twice now, that the MUA challenged and failed in the FWC regarding AML’s newest agreement is simply not true.

asual workers can celebrate a significant victory, after a court reinforced that non-permanent employees could be entitled to long service leave.

In setting an important precedent, the Supreme Court of South Australia squashed an appeal by Flinders Ports, which wa fighting the Industrial Magistrate’s decision that found a casual harbour worker was eligible for long service entitlements.

Unfortunately Desmond Woolford, the worker who originally took up the fight in 2012, died before finding out the result.

Woolford worked general duties at Port Lincoln Harbour for 18 years until he suffered a work-related injury in 2008. In that time the port had changed hands from the State Government to Flinders Ports.

In the wake of his death the Maritime Union of Australia took up the Supreme Court case on his behalf.

Justice Stanley, one of the three Supreme Court Judges on the panel, found it was irrelevant that the worker was on a casual contract.

“The fundamental question is whether there was continuous service for the specified number of years,” Justice Stanley said in his judgment.

“It does not matter for the purposes of the LSL (Long Service Leave) Act whether the [employer] rostered the deceased for work in a particular week or not. The fact is that the deceased was obliged to be available for work when required by the [employer].”

MUA SA Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn, who was in the court when the judgment was handed down, said it was a great result for casual employees.

“It’s a shame Mr Woolford wasn’t able to be here, because he’s started something that will have huge implications for everyone employed on casual contracts,” Newlyn said.

“The judgment sends a strong message to

SA Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn attended the court case

all those employers who over-utilise casual workers as a way to diminish worker’s rights and conditions.

“Hopefully this will be the end of the road and Flinders Ports will concede the loss. But I am not overly optimistic.

“I am sure the cabal of peak bodies and their anti-worker mates will be strategising their next move to stamp out this win for workers.”

“The fundamental question is whether there was continuous service for the specified number of years” JUSTICE STANLEY IN HIS JUDGMENT

Maritime Union of Australia Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray.

www.mua.org.au

www.mua.org.au

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C A M PA I G N

AC T I V I S M

ACCC’s Toll Sale Concerns Well Founded

MUA Members Politically Activated In QLD & NT

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Q

he Maritime Union of Australia is monitoring the findings of the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission’s interim report on the proposed take over of Toll’s Northern Territory and Far North Queensland services by Sea Swift.

On 25 November 2014 Toll Group and Sea Swift announced the sale of $45 million worth of Toll Marine Logistics assets to Sea Swift Pty Ltd, with the Toll Group taking 20 per cent as part of the deal.

In February, the ACCC released its Statement of Issues on the proposed sale, highlighting some of the commission’s concerns.

The ACCC is expected to release its final position shortly.

Sea Swift is a small vessel company servicing communities in the Torres Straits, Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York in Queensland, as well as in the NT. However with a fleet of 27 vessels, the company markets itself as Australia’s largest privatelyowned shipping company, with more than 250 employees.

The MUA has long argued that the sale would be detrimental for the remote communities in NT currently serviced by Toll.

MUA NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor highlighted the concerns outlined by the ACCC. “This issue is very close to my heart, and not just for the 140 jobs that are hanging in the balance,” Mayor said.

“Toll Marine, which was formerly Perkins, was a locally-run company that has provided an essential and reliable service for the communities in the NT for many years. And the MUA has negotiated a new agreement

ueensland and the Northern Territory have followed the good work of MUA members in Tasmania and Western Australia by forming Australian Labor Party SubBranches.

In Queensland a maritime sub-branch, the Port of Brisbane branch, was approved in March after seven years in the planning.

MUA Branch Secretary and also ALP Branch President Mick Carr said when the initial groundwork was done, there was not enough interest from the membership.

However, disenfranchisement with the Abbott Government has created a groundswell of support for the ALP from the membership.

“We attempted to reignite the process by getting activists involved in a more political way,” Carr said. “With the win by Terri Butler in Kevin Rudd’s old seat of Griffith - a

NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor is fearful of local job losses in the Territory

that would provide training and ongoing employment for ATSI people.

“At this point, Sea Swift has not made a similar written agreement. If Sea Swift is successful in its bid to take over Toll, all of those opportunities for indigenous people could be lost.

“Sea Swift has consistently refused to communicate its intentions to the current Toll Perkins workforce. There has been no commitment to local employment.

“Without any commitments from Sea Swift, we can only speculate on its intentions.”

Meanwhile the National Office is leading negotiations on behalf of the branches to secure an agreement to cover the marine employees working across the company’s operations in both Queensland and the NT. Talks with company management have been progressing slowly, with only two meetings occurring at April this year.

As a result of a long campaign, the MUA represents a significant proportion of the seagoing workforce as financial members.

The MUA will continue to push for an EBA in conjunction with the AMOU and AIMPE, TWU and AWU.

NT Branch Conference

17-18 September, 2015 • Stokes Hill Wharf Function Centre, Darwin

46

MUA Labor members upon finding out their branch was approved by NT Conference

www.mua.org.au

A Port of Brisbane branch meeting

campaign the Branch was heavily involved in we started to get traction.

“We ramped it up again in Redcliffe and Stafford State by-elections, both as wins for the ALP. “Then we started to promote more heavily to members through meetings, and commenced formal activists’ meetings promoting the concept of a United Front, given we are such a small union.”

As well as Mick Carr as President, the executive is made up of two Vice Presidents Trevor Munday (MUA Deputy Branch Secretary) and Steve Cumberlidge. Meanwhile Lyza Rooks (MUA Branch Office Manager) serves as Treasurer and Paul Gallagher serves as secretary.

Further to Carr and Gallagher, Mark Maguire, Sarah Maguire and Dave Perry are on the Steering Committee.

Secretary Paul Gallagher said the formation www.mua.org.au

of a branch was a logical decision given the problems MUA members face, such as job security.

“Our solution was to set up our own branch of the ALP, and fight our fight from within the political system, instead of continuing to throw rocks from the outside while the party moved further to the right and continued to let the working class down,” Gallagher said.

“Members right through North Queensland are joining local branches in numbers. So now with over 150 members, we have formed a functioning working class movement, with the aim of eventually holding five branches in the state and having a better say on who represents us in parliament.”

In the Northern Territory, maritime workers led by NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor, took a huge step towards implementing a Maritime Sub-Branch of the NT Labor Party.

At the NT ALP Conference in Darwin, the sub-branch proposal was voted up.

The formation of the sub branch came from a resolution moved at the NT MUA Branch conference in 2012, as an initiative to get members and maritime workers more engaged with the political system - to achieve positive legislative change for job security, opportunity and safety.

Since then delegates and activists have actively worked to get the initiative off the ground Mayor said since the conference, maritime workers now made up approximately 10 per cent of the NT Labor Party.

“Their activism in the past 24 months at rallies, elections and working in solidarity with other community groups was reflected at the conference, with many ALP and other union members wearing MUA shirts throughout the day of conference,” he said.

The vote was passed 41 to 36 and was only achieved following inspirational speeches by Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor and delegate Shane Jones from the MV Aburri in Bing Bong/Borroloola .

“I’d like to thank the membership for their hard work in ensuring this momentous occasion came about,’ Mayor said. “And I’d like to extend a particular thanks to Shane Jones and Chrissy Von Wooten for their dedication and hard work.

“This is not just a win for the MUA. It’s a win for all maritime workers to have a say in the direction of their industry, country and Territory.”

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L S O L I D A R I T Y

MUA & MIF Solidarity With Workers Affected By Cyclone Pam

International Unions Respond To IS-Triggered Humanitarian Crisis

T Some of the devastation from the Category Five Cyclone

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he Maritime Union of Australia has set up a dedicated fund for members and supporters to donate to those whose lives have been devastated by a Category Five cyclone that swept through the Pacific Islands in late March.

Vanuatu bore the majority of the brunt of Cyclone Pam, where more than 20 people have been confirmed dead and the toll is expected to rise. Seventy per cent of people living on the archipelago are now homeless.

The union has a long-standing history of co-operation with the Ni-Vanuatu, particularly the nation’s seafaring union, and National Secretary Paddy Crumlin

“It’s like the old union saying, ‘an injury to one, is an injury to all’. We’re feeling the pain of our NiVan brothers and sisters and, as a result, donating to help them get back on their feet is a no-brainer.”

JOE FLEETWOOD

encouraged members and rolling fund administrators to dig deep for the worthy cause.

Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman said the union had already pledged $2000 and the Maritime Union of New Zealand had pledged the same, as part of a Maritime International Federation initiative.

“We haven’t decided at this point in time 48

where exactly we’ll direct the funds, but it will be a collaborative decision with MUNZ and other members of the MIF,” Doleman said.

“The suffering of our neighbouring comrades is very close to our hearts. We’ve had a good long-standing relationship with the almost 1000 unionised Vanuatu seafarers, who will likely be suffering along with their fellow country men and women.”

MUNZ General Secretary Joe Fleetwood said seeing the pictures coming out of Vanuatu had been upsetting and he had received a number of phone calls from members asking how they could contribute.

“New Zealand has a profound connection with other the other Pacific Islands and the union will do what it can to help its neighbor get back on its feet,” Fleetwood said.

“It’s like the old union saying, ‘an injury to one, is an injury to all’. We’re feeling the pain of our Ni-Van brothers and sisters and, as a result, donating to help them get back on their feet is a no-brainer.”

Papua New Guinea Maritime Transport Worker’s Union Secretary Reg McAllister said his union would join in helping one of its closest neighbours.

“We also saw some damage and flooding in the wake of Pam and there was one death in West New Britain,” McAllister said. “But having seen the damage in Vanuatu, we won’t hesitate to help where we can.”

Bank details below: Bank: MMPCU BSB: 802-884 Account number 4626 (S5) for internal transfer Name: MUA Vanuatu Relief Fund

he ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the march of Islamic State has drawn a response from both the Maritime Union of Australia and International Transport Workers’ Federation.

Saadet Ozdemir from the MUA National Office will shortly head to the Kurdish frontline to help support refugees for a period of 12 months.

In addition, MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin’s sister Erin has been working with Syrian refugees in Jordan, in her capacity as a medical doctor.

“We travel to outlying areas of great need, where refugees have left the Zaatari camp and moved to live with their communities all over Jordan,” Dr Crumlin wrote during her eightday mission.

“The main problem I am finding is that, with complicated medical cases like paediatric congenital heart disease, cases requiring urgent surgical review, suffering the burden of psychological trauma or requiring radiology services, there is nowhere we can send these people for specialist referral.

“They are not covered by the WHO or the Jordanian health system. The situation in Irbid today was particularly bad: we saw over 700 people and there were hundreds more queuing to be seen, who we couldn’t get to in the time.”

Dr Crumlin is now working with ITF Regional Secretary Bilal Malkawi to see what support can be provided.

Ozdemir, who is Kurdish, will be working with the ACTU’s overseas aid agency Australian People for Health, Education and

Erin Crumlin in Jordan

www.mua.org.au

ITF Hails Historic Day For Myanmar Labour Movement Ashley Johnston’s Funeral in Sydney

Development Abroad (APHEDA) to set up a non-denominational refuge for women and their children at refugee camps on the Turkish/ Syrian border.

Ozdemir, in her role as a spokesperson for the Australian Kurdish Association, has been urging the Abbott Government to pressure their Turkish counterparts to re-open border crossings with Syria.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is visiting Turkey as part of the centenary remembrance of the Gallipoli landing by Australian and New Zealand forces on ANZAC Day. The Turkish Government on March 9 decided to close its two remaining border crossings with war-torn Syria - the Oncupinar and Cilvegozu border gates in Hatay Province.

This means that even those with a passport cannot cross the border, let alone the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing the conflict with Islamic State.

Turkey has taken in almost two million refugees from Syria - making it the country hosting the most refugees in the world, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Ozdemir said this was a humanitarian crisis and Australia could play a role.

“We urge the Australian Government to encourage the Turkish Government to re-open the border crossings as quickly as possible,” Ozdemir said.

“The war against Islamic State is showing no sign of abating, and the Kurdish people didn’t ask to fight in this conflict.”

Hundreds of Kurds attended the recent funeral of Australian war hero Ashley Johnston, who was killed fighting Islamic State in Syria in late February.

Johnston, 28, was killed in an IS assault against the YPG near Tal Hamis in Hasakeh province in north-east Syria.

Johnston’s coffin was subsequently transported out of Kurdish-controlled Syria, following a funeral march attended by tens of thousands of people through the streets of Darbasiye.

“The Australian Kurdish Association again passes on its sincere condolences to Ashley’s family,” Ozdemir said. “He fought alongside the Kurds for humanity and will always be a hero to us.” www.mua.org.au

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he International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has welcomed its latest affiliate, the newly-formed Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers (IFOMS) at their inaugural congress on March 31 in Yangon.

Burmese Seafarers have long suffered the tyranny of merciless military government and a chain of corrupt ship-owners along with cruel manning agents.

The ITF recently responded to accusations of corruption and criminality within the existing Seamen’s Union of Burma by voting to suspend it from ITF affiliation.

Subsequently a new union has emerged with the capacity to cover up to 20,000 seagoing members.

“I would like to congratulate you and the rest of the IFOMS Executive Committee on the creation of your new union to represent Burmese International seafarers, the Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers (IFOMS),” ITF President and MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said.

“Immediately following their congress and launch, the ITF Steering Group unanimously accepted IFOMS’ application to join the ITF. “This sends a clear message to the international maritime community and everyone involved in Myanmar, including the Government.

“It is expected that IFOMS will lead their

ITF Australia Coordinator Dean Summers with new IFOMS President

seafarers out of the industrial dark ages, through the help of the ITF and the regional support of like-minded unions.”

To assist in this, Crumlin said the ITF is supporting a recruitment strategy over the next two months by leveraging the full capacity of the ITF Flag of Convenience (FOC) inspectorate.

ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton, who attended to congress, congratulated the delegates, newly-elected Executive Committee and officers of the IFOMS. Cotton told the delegates that “as Myanmar undergoes a transition towards a more democratic form of government, independent labour unions will be crucial in building a new Myanmar”.

“IFOMS has demonstrated its capacity to represent its members, but this federation will have an impact far beyond the confines of its growing membership base.

“Our new affiliate IFOMS is the best possible example to workers in Myanmar on how to build a strong, democratic and effective labour organisation.”

IFOMS’ General Secretary Aung Kyaw Linn told delegates: “The ITF has given our activists tremendous support and encouragement, and has backed our federation despite so much opposition. This really is a fantastic day for all Myanmar seafarers”.

ITF Australia coordinator Dean Summers was instrumental in setting up IFOMS.

The new General Secretary of IFOMS Aung Kyaw Linn

49

CONFERENCE

Constitutional Change & Social Compacts Hot Topics At ATSI Conference

3.

4.

5.

1: Delegates listen intently to discussion 2: The full delegation out the front of the Tradewinds Hotel 3: A TSI Organiser & MUA Veteran Terry O’Shane, NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor and union activist Kevin Tory lead a panel session 4: T alking circles gave conference delegates a chance to discuss matters important to them 5: N T Branch member Eric Fejo multi-tasking in producing amazing Aboriginal art during the conference 6: Keynote speaker Professor Pat Dodson told delegates about the Recognise Campaign 1.

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“

e’re making history here today,” Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray exclaimed as he opened the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conference in Perth.

ATSI delegates from every major port were joined by a variety of guest speakers and officials in a four-day conference, with the stated intention of reviewing the relationship the union has, not just with its ATSI membership, but with the wider indigenous community around Australia.

Delegates were treated to an intimate Welcome to Country by Nyungar elder Barry McGuire, who has a connection to the union through his nephew Roger Pickett, an ATSI Committee member and Australian Marine Complex wharfie.

McGuire outlined in his Welcome that it was about “making the country safe for visitors”, at which Bray pointed out that was also the intention of the trade union movement.

“Unions are about making the country safe, making our people safe,” Bray emphasised.

“The Aboriginal struggle is similar to the worker’s struggle – it’s about dignity, it’s about equality, it’s about fighting for basic human rights.”

Bray said the conference was partly a celebration of the union’s achievements and he was proud of the MUA’s track record; but he added there was always room for improvement.

“The whole point of this conference is to pave a way forward and to build upon the work that’s already been done,” he noted.

50

6.

2.

Bray gave an emotional special mention to Terry O’Shane, who had been integral in developing ATSI policy and organising the conference.

“I knew when we wanted to fix ATSI engagement and activism I had to bring Terry back,” he said.

“This conference wouldn’t have happened without Terry. We sent him around the country doing this incredible work.”

CFMEU State Assistant Secretary Joe McDonald gave a brief impromptu speech and introduced Dorcas Colburg, a young Nyungar woman who had recently been unfairly sacked from construction company John Holland.

He said Dorcas’s story in particular had resonated with him and was symbolic of the problem between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and business.

Following McDonald, WA Deputy Branch Secretary Adrian Evans took to the podium, talking about the relationship ATSI people

have with the Labor Party.

“The importance is to ensure the ALP doesn’t take for granted the ATSI vote, and that ATSI people have a say in ATSI policy that truly delivers for Aboriginal people, rather than self-interested business owners such as ‘Twiggy’ Forrest,” Evans said.

He countenanced this with a reminder that, despite some of the problems with the ALP, the party still delivered more for Aboriginal people than the Liberal National Party.

“You have to remember the ‘Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs’, the bloke who promised the world to Aboriginal people before the last election – Tony Abbott – has delivered next to nothing for Australia’s first people and has ripped $500 million from Indigenous programs,” Evans said.

On the second day, delegates were treated to a keynote speech from Professor Pat Dodson, one of the architects from the Recognise Campaign. www.mua.org.au

Armed with notes written on the back of his Qantas napkin, Dodson spoke about his past struggles and hopes for the future.

“There are two stories,” he said. “The Aboriginal story and the non-indigenous, the story of colonisation and settlement.

Those two stories have never really met in a way to resolve fundamental issues - in any meaningful, lasting and secure way.”

He talked about how optimistic he was with the cultural shift and subsequent referendum in 1967. But he said change, since then, has been slower than he would like.

“We’re like rats in a cage and we rarely break through,” he said.

“The next logical step is Constitutional change. Anything other than that is not enough; a statement outside of the Constitution means nothing.”

Dodson expressed his displeasure at the likes of Tony Abbott using the term ‘reconciliation’ when he actually meant ‘assimilation’. www.mua.org.au

“The policy settings are not right, they’re not involving indigenous people,” Dodson explained.

However he stated the only way to agitate for change was to work within some of the existing structures. “If you constantly butt up against it, it just entrenches itself,” he said.

Ryan Cobb, a second mate from Fartsad, was invited to tell his story of how he rose through the ranks from a trainee IR up to now studying to become Australia’s first Aboriginal Master Mariner. His message was so motivational that he received messages of congratulations from the floor.

National Secretary CPSU Nadine Flood also addressed the conference.

Flood spoke about the destructive nature of the Abbot Government, saying it heightened the conflict that is created between Centrelink staff and clients when a government has bad policies.

She also told the conference about her

union’s ATSI committee and how they were intending to get ATSI People into leadership positions.

The conference moved a motion of support for the CPSU and sought to bring their ATSI Committee to join with the MUA’s ATSI Committee for a national conference at some future date. The conference also moved motions condemning the Abbott Government.

Other guest speakers included AMWU WA Branch Secretary Steve McCartney, Violet Pickett, ASU WA Branch Secretary Wayne Wood, METL chief executive Simon Earle, MUA QLD Deputy Branch Secretary Trevor Munday, GCC Managing Director Gordon Cole, Senator Glen Sterle and WA MP Roger Cook.

At the end of the first two days, delegates were divided into three groups in ‘Talking Circles’ - and after each session a leader was elected to report back to the room. This report back formed parts of the work plan that lead discussion on the final day; but not before National Training and Education Officer Matt Goodwin gave delegates a short union education course.

NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor led the group in the final day on formulating the work plan that would lay the stepping stones for continuing momentum for the ATSI committee.

The conference also moved a motion and called on ATSI committee and members to recognise Terry O’Shane and Kevin Tory as the Senior MUA ATSI Elders. The conference acknowledged their combined work within MUA structures and the trade union movement.

51

WA BRANCH CONFERENCE

Internationalism & Solidarity Take WA Branch Forward

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he Biennial WA Branch conference has drawn to a close after a five-day extravaganza that saw thousands of people from all over the country and world descend on the port town of Fremantle.

Monday February 23 was dedicated to Women and Youth committees and the day closed with a rally outside of the office of Assistant Minister for Immigration Michaelia Cash.

On the Tuesday the official opening of the conference at Fremantle Oval began with an explosive start when National Secretary Paddy Crumlin delivered an emotional speech in remembering his recently deceased father-in-law.

It didn’t take long for Crumlin to get fired up when he started talking about the impotence of the Abbott Government and the neo-liberal bosses.

He said it was more important than ever for workers and unions to stick together.

“If we don’t stick together, we end up in casualised work, with no redundancy, getting the sack at whatever the current whim of the day the boss has,” he declared.

“We’re going to have to fight for things like proper worker’s compensation, redundancy and superannuation.”

Crumlin touched on Chevron and its intentional anti-union stance on the Gorgon project.

He also talked about the intricacies of the offshore visa challenge and how Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash had contravened the will of the Senate - and ergo the voting public - by using an obscure “legislative instrument” to eliminate the need for visas in the offshore.

“You have to remember those are our resource projects. It’s our gas - not Chevron’s or Shell’s,” he emphasised. “They just lease it from us and should be, as a result, obliged to provide employment and training for local workers.”

Workchoices By Stealth ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver followed Crumlin by aiming his criticism straight at employment Minister Eric Abetz.

“Abetz has come out today and said he won’t go after penalty rates or minimum wage.

Well excuse my skepticism, but I am not likely to believe anything from what is the most 52

anti-worker Government in recent history,” Oliver said.

“This is the Government that said Workchoices was ‘dead, buried, cremated’. Yet what they have and are implementing is just Workchoices by stealth.”

Apathy Killing Unions WA Branch Secretary Christy Cain took his turn in his usual firebrand style by telling delegates that it was not only the employers and the Government that were killing the union movement, it was the workers themselves through apathy.

“Apathy and lack of engagement are the single biggest threats to our wages and conditions,” Cain said.

Following a DVD on the life of the late RMT Secretary Bob Crow, current RMT Secretary Steve Todd read out a message from Crow’s wife Nicki.

Both Cain and Crumlin gave impassioned speeches about Bob Crow and his legacy left for the working classes around the world.

“He was a true champion of the working class,” Crumlin said. “In our heart we love Bob Crow and he will never be forgotten.”

Interspersed between the speeches delegates were shown videos that had been produced by the branch. The one in particular that resonated with the crowd was the touching tale told by Warren Nugent, a Melbourne wharfie who was there when his comrade Anthony Attard died on-the-job. The video can be viewed on the MUA’s Youtube.

International Union Links In addition to domestic issues, internationalism was ‘front and centre’ for much of the discussion.

Dean McGrath from the ILWU talked about what he had learned so far in his visit and what he was going to take home with him.

He talked about how impressed he was with the Women and Youth committee in organising the rally that was held outside of Michaelia Cash’s office on Monday.

Maritime Union of New Zealand Secretary Joe Fleetwood used his speech to talk about the need for internationalism, having recently secured an agreement after a long battle with the Port of Auckland.

“Getting the agreement up was partly because of the pressure put on by ITF

1.

“Apathy and lack of engagement are the single biggest threats to our wages and conditions” CHRISTY CAIN

2.

1. Packed to the rafters on Day One, 2. W A Assistant Branch Secretary Will Tracey talking about Chevron.

3. O utgoing Assistant Branch Secretary Doug Heath,

3.

4.

www.mua.org.au

4. National Secretary Paddy Crumlin

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53

WA BRANCH CONFERENCE

6.

7.

5.

Little bars of soap with the words “something stinks at Chevron” emblazoned on them were handed to morning commuters at train stations

5. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver with the WA Branch Executive 6. MUNZ Secretary Joe Fleetwood shows his appreciation to WA Branch Secretary Christy Cain 7. Deputy Branch Secretary Adrian Evans, Branch Organiser Danny Cain, Assistant Branch Secretaries Will Tracey and Doug Heath all applaud Christy Cain

54

affiliates, particularly the ILWU and MUA,” Fleetwood said.

He used this to segue into talking about the Maritime International Federation between Indonesia’s KPI, Papua New Guinea’s Maritime and Transport Worker’s Union, the MUA and MUNZ. “We’ve been around for 150 years and with the MIF we’ll be there for another 150 years,” he said.

Christy Cain joined Fleetwood in spruiking the Maritime International Federation as an example of how working together with international unions was mutually beneficial.

He called on Hanafi Rustandi, Indonesia’s KPI Executive President, who had helped lock in an agreement that would ensure Australians would work on the Northern Territory’s Inpex project.

“We sat in a room with executives in an office Perth and it wasn’t me or Paddy who had them scared. It was the little fella from Indonesia who had them worried,” he said.

Rustandi was just one of many international guests who graced the stage of the Bulldog’s Football Club at South Fremantle Oval.

Barrow Island Apology Other guests came from a whole host of different Australian unions, with one of the more heated sessions coming when AWU National Secretary Scott McDine was up the front.

A number of questions came from the floor regarding an AWU agreement on the Barrow Island Floatel, the Europa.

Members were obviously frustrated that the agreement had seen an undermining of accepted marine wages and conditions.

McDine apologised and said it was a mistake, not a deliberate attempt to push coverage boundaries. He said he had written to the ITF explaining that the AWU would not be covering the catering work aboard the vessel.

Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman who was chairing the session said the MUA would learn from the Europa.

“Don’t forget the company that’s strongarming companies into agreeing to these attacks – it’s Chevron,” Doleman said.

Chevron ‘Hot Topic’ Chevron was a hot topic of conversation throughout the week. Assistant Branch www.mua.org.au

Secretary Will Tracey invited others such as the AMWU’s Steve McCartney, Californian United Steelworks official Mike Smith, and ITF Regional Campaigns Director Shannon O’Keeffe to talk about campaigning against the oil and gas giant.

It was a difficult campaign, O’Keeffe explained, but insisted there was a “need to get it right and win”.

She reported that Chevron was active throughout the region – in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Burma – and that if the union could not get a result for workers in the face of Chevron’s opposition In WA, it would be impossible to secure anything for workers in the developing, less organised world.

Tracey praised the Youth members for their Wednesday action, whereby little bars of soap with the words “something stinks at Chevron” emblazoned on them were handed to morning commuters at train stations in Fremantle and in Perth city.

He also mentioned the special relationship the union had made with the USW during the Chevron campaign.

“Mike Smith from the Richmond refinery in San Francisco hit the nail on the head www.mua.org.au

when he spoke of the need for labour to form global relationships if we are to defeat global capital,” Tracey said.

ALP Membership Drive The Australian Labor Party was also a recurring theme.

Deputy Branch Secretary Adrian Evans talked about how the campaign to get MUA members to become ALP members had progressed since the last conference.

“No matter your frustrations with the ALP, it is the only party in the country where we can agitate for change. No more have we proven that than over here in WA, where the maritime branch is now the biggest branch in the State” Evans said.

“They might not like to, but now they have to take notice of us.”

Evan’s words were echoed by the CFMEU’s Dave Noonan, who spoke extensively on the matter on the final day.

The CFMEU had a strong showing at the conference, with National Secretary Michael O’Connor and Victorian Branch Secretary John Setka also making the trip to join his WA comrades Joe McDoland and Mick Buchan.

Constant Attack By Bosses On the Thursday it was a day for the rankand-file, with delegates taking to the stage to deliver their individual reports from their respective worksites. A representative from almost every MUA site and port in Australia was covered.

A general sentiment of being under constant attack by bosses and Government was prevalent.

Increased casualisation, reduction in work and an increase in safety issues were common themes.

There was a lot of praise, from both the floor and the stage, for outgoing official Doug Heath. Despite Heath’s obvious embarrassment, he was forced to accept a large leaving ceremony after it was moved from the floor. In doubling his luck, he won the major raffle prize on the final day.

The week was wrapped up with the spectacular Gala Ball at Crown Grand Ballroom, where delegates were unrecognisable in their tuxedos and gowns.

A magic show was accompanied by an inspirational closing speech by Christy Cain, who had the crowd chanting “MUA, here to stay” before the dance floor was taken over.

55

CONFERENCE

FPSO Members Regroup In Two-Day Conference

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embers from the Floating Petroleum Storage Offtake vessels gathered over two days in the WA Branch union rooms to review the last two years of the industry.

Usually working in isolated conditions, the conference affords delegates from across the industry an opportunity to regroup and discuss how they can contribute as an industry workforce to the future of their industry.

The conference was held under the Offshore Alliance banner, with AWU Assistant National Secretary Dan Walton attending and giving an industry report from the AWU nationally.

MUA WA Branch Secretary Chris Cain opened the conference with a report on the various struggles being experienced by members in WA. Cain emphasised the need for all members to attend meetings and become active in the various campaigns around protecting members’ jobs.

MUA Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray told the conference that marine qualifications on Woodside FPSOs continued to be undermined by the company ‘training up’ production crews with what the union regards as substandard training as opposed to the level of qualifications IRs hold.

The most robust session came during a panel session on offshore safety, which was

attended by a representative of NOPSEMA. Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman headed the panel, with HSRs Gerry Fagan and Scott Henderson as well as AWU Victorian Safety Officer/Organiser Jim Ward.

Unfortunately the AMSA representative was a late apology. Members and officials were able to air their grievances with the regulator on the oft-inefficient Offshore Petroleum Greenhouse Gas Storage Act (OPGGSA) on matters that included a lack of consultation for HRSs and issues with Right of Entry.

The members were updated on campaigns being driven by the union, while members from each vessel delivered their reports.

In general FPSO workers hold similar

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1: Delegates listening intently

Usually working in isolated conditions, the conference affords delegates an opportunity to regroup and discuss how they can contribute as a workforce to the future of their industry. concerns to workers throughout Australia concerns about future job security.

There was also considerable time dedicated to the AWU/MUA Offshore Alliance, and in attendance was AWU WA organiser Matt Dixon who joined Walton and Ward in making up the AWU contingent.

MUA National Lead Organiser Bernie Farrelly said the two days were very productive and he was satisfied members were substantially informed to take back comprehensive reports to their respective vessels.

“It was a short but sweet conference, whereby the delegates were able to engage with officials such as Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman, Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray, WA Branch Secretary Christy Cain, ITF Australia Coordinator Dean Summers and National Women’s Liaison

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Officer Mich-Elle Myers - all available to report on the state of the union and take questions from the floor,” Farrelly said.

“From the feedback I have already received, members were happy with the conference.

MUA members have a high level of pride and professionalism in the work they do.

These conferences are so important to the membership, because they give members on different vessels and swings the opportunity to meet and develop a collective plan going forward.”

This was the second FPSO conference which was fully funded by MUA membership in the industry, after MUA members decided at the 2012 FPSO conference to develop and contribute to a National FPSO Rolling Fund. The purpose of the fund, as determined by the conference, is to finance future conferences as well as contribute

2: The heated session with the NOPSEMA representative.

3: Talking all things fuel security 4: FPSO attendees outside the WA Branch union rooms 5: MUA Lead Organiser Bernie Farrelly with AWU WA Organiser Matt Dixon 6: FPSO Delegate John ‘Madge’ Mcgartland poses a question from the floor

to the union’s campaign to retain marine qualifications on FPSOs. The 2015 conference adopted a number of resolutions, including one to hold future conferences biennially. Other resolutions determined by the conference revolved around the need to have more focus on job security in EA negotiations and the importance of building joint union delegate structures on vessels to deal with issues and protect members’ positions in the industry.

A special message from the floor moved for a collective appreciation to Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman for his dedication over a long period to seafarers and maritime workers. The conference congratulated Doleman and his family on his retirement.

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CONFERENCE// WOMEN

Women Refocus On Future Goals MUA Women Mission Statement To ENGAGE MUA Women in activism and participation.

To EDUCATE MUA Women in the core values of the MUA, its history and culture.

To EMPOWER MUA women through this engagement and education to grow in strength and unity within our workplaces.

To ENSURE that while we serve the unique needs of MUA women, we also work to strengthen and support the whole MUA community.

To ENGENDER and nurture relationships with our broader union and non-union community.

National Women’s Committee Refocus Meeting The majority of the National Women’s Committee met over the weekend before the WA branch conference. National Women’s Liaison Officer MICH-ELLE MYERS reports: The key priority of this meeting was to refocus our vision for the work of the committee and update the ‘work plan’ and goals.

We heard the history of the Women’s Committee from former Women’s Liaison Officers Sue Virago and Karen Wheatland, right from the first Women’s Conference in 1995 when there were only 2.63% of women in the union. Our work to ensure women have a voice in the union and increase representation in all aspects has been a success, with EBA negotiating teams, delegations and events having women as delegates.

One of the biggest projects of the committee has been to establish a Bullying and Harassment Policy for the union and to create a member booklet to educate workers on the issues faced.

Pushing for domestic violence clauses in EBAs has been successful too, with officials and delegates around the country achieving 20 EBAs with the clause in it.

The Women’s Committee reaffirmed its commitment to WIMDOI – Women In Male Dominated Occupations & Industries conference - with the next one coming up this May in Sydney.

Throughout the two days, the committee discussed and debated issues and campaigns that will form the work plan for the committee going forward. Returning to the roots of the committee, and in light of the decimation of the budget for women’s shelters by the Federal Liberal Government, the committee will campaign around an organisation called Assist A Sista (a support group for victims of domestic violence) by way of providing household items and clothing that are required.

The Women’s Committee has committed to continue to be a strong, hard-working force within the MUA and in the community.

Any women who wish to become involved should contact their State Representatives the details can be found on the Women’s page on the MUA website.

The contingent of the National Women’s Committee Refocus Meeting held at Fremantle’s Tradewinds Hotel prior to the WA Branch Conference.

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WA Branch Conference Day One Following the National Women’s Committee meeting, Women, Youth and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members from across the state, country and overseas joined together for a one-day conference. WA Committee Chair Karen Wheatland chaired the day, before the group jumped on buses to rally outside Federal Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash’s office in Subiaco. This is an excerpt from WA Committee member MARY PROUT’s speech on the day: A warm welcome to our Women, Youth ATSI, Vets State and International visitors.

Governments are supposed to build universal systems of protection and advancement. This is being smashed by neoliberal supremacy.

Ladies and gentlemen, Tony Abbott is taking us back to the days of Kings and Queens.

There is no difference when someone keeps taking from the poor to empower the rich, to have subservient countrymen who are too frightened to stand up for what is rightfully theirs.

We have a voice!

We have a right!

This is our future!

Back in history our fore-sisters, the suffragettes, fought and struggled for women’s rights.

That is why we have what we have today.

Our Mission Statement of today is to: Empower, Engage, Educate.

The strong women who came before us suffered greatly for the words written in this mission statement.

But they kept fighting; they changed women’s lives forever; they fought for better conditions, equal pay for equal work, the right to have a say, the right to vote, the right to work after marriage and be educated.

Today, we are fighting for the same things.

But today we have different enemies at our doors.

This Federal Government wants to take us back to the dark ages. We won’t let that happen.

This is Our Country. Our Land. Our Families. Our Union.

What does our Mission statement mean to us?

EMPOWER: To mentor our sisters by teaching and educating them. Showing them how to lead.

We celebrate International Women’s Day. www.mua.org.au

A day of recognition for women all around the country.

WIMDOI: Women In Male Dominated Industries: Standing strong and tall amongst our peers.

May Day: Where families and all unions come together to share a common cause.

ENGAGE: Be part of our meetings and help to organise, participate in your future, get off the fence and join in. Engage in your union to understand about activism, campaigns and rallies.

Keeping our sisters around the country upto-date with what is going on; communicate with them and build strong alliances.

We have a Women’s Events Calendar to keep you up-to-date with all meetings and events.

Strong issues that will affect every one of our lives: Curbing workplace rights, superannuation changes, penalty rates and allowance cuts, health care cuts.

EDUCATE: One of our committee members Vicki has initiated a CV writing workshop, where participants, after two days, leave with a CV and cover letter and much needed knowledge about the work place. After a lot of ground work, Vicki has secured facilitators to get a tailor-made programme that could become part of the MUA National training program.

A great incentive for all.

Tam Stubbs and Rachael Carter were key players in negations over the EBA with Mermaid Marine from Nov 13-14.

They held a picket line for a week, where everyone was doing it hard. The local truckies showed their support by staying away.

A key point they managed to maintain was an 80 per cent permanent and 20 per cent casual labour hire; with this they maintained their rosters and conditions. New clauses won included a domestic violence clause and maternity leave clause. www.mua.org.au

All of the women who attended the first day of the WA Branch conference, which was dedicated to Youth, Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.

Rachel Carter from Dampier Mermaid Marine was one of the vocal crowd that took part in a rally in opposition to Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash.

Congratulations to all of our hard working women.

Many of our female delegates have attended: • International Women’s Conferences in India • The ALP Conference in Canberra • The ACTU Women’s Conference in Melbourne • ITF Congress in Sofia Spreading the word and educating our sisters no matter where they go.

We are all hard working women, and if you

want a place at the table then you need to step up.

A community-based fight is where we need to start, and each and every one of you needs to be a part of it to make it happen.

Why? Because the companies that we all work for today are working even harder and smarter to weaken and undermine us in any way they can.

So sisters today we stand and today we fight for our future.

Thank you to all the wonderful people in the union.

The Victorian Branch Women’s Committee hosted a special meeting with ACTU President Ged Kearney and Jennifer O’Donnell Pirisi from Victorian Trades Hall Council.

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YOUTH

MUA Youth getting involved in different events

MUA Youth Active In Campaigns

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he MUA Youth committee members are as active as ever, having regular phone hookups in ports around the country.

At the recent WA Branch Conference, they showed just how involved they are in the union by taking a leading role on a number of actions.

On day one of the conference, which was dedicated to Youth, Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, youth discussed taking the union forward.

Following this, two buses headed down to Federal Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash’s office in Subiaco with a chant borne out of the youth’s creativity: We’re gonna scream and were gonna shout Michaelia Cash just sold us out Taking our jobs by changing our laws First they’ll take ours, then they’ll take yours There’s no skill shortage show us your proof Drop the act now and TRAIN OUR YOUTH! We won’t bow down to corporate theft We’re here for a blue and we’ll fight to the death!

The action was part of the Youth’s initiative: the Ready-To-Work Campaign.

National Youth Committee Chair Sarah Maguire said the youth were still in full force with their Ready-To-Work Now campaign.

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“Please attend your stop-work meetings, if you are out-of-work, and participate in our campaign,” Maguire urged.

“We want to show this government that we have skilled maritime workers ready and available. Also there is a Facebook page called Ready-To-Work Now; we encourage you all to ‘like’ the page.”

She wanted to remind people about the upcoming Annual MUA Youth, Education and Solidarity Trip, which takes young members on a trip from Brisbane to Barcaldine.

“The aim is to teach up-and-coming trade unionists about the struggles that unions have faced over the last 150 years,” Maguire said.

“The trip has proven a huge success and the Queensland youth committee decided they would hold this trip every year.

“Last May Day we had MUA committees from around the country and youth members from the Queensland and Northern Territory ETU branch joined us.

“This trip was a success again and our youth members learned that the root of trade unionism was about sticking together and looking at the big picture. We would like to extend a formal invitation to your youth members to join us again in 2015. We will organise everything on behalf of your committee; all we ask is that you arrange

travel to and from Brisbane.”

She said she would also like to encourage all members under 35 to get active within their branches.

“Times are tough and attacks are strong,” Maguire declared. “Please contact your Youth representatives and find out more.

They will be more than happy to encourage your participation - and always remember, just because you are new does not mean you cannot speak up.”

Meanwhile the ACTU Youth committee, on which Queensland Organiser Jason Miners is a representative, is meeting in Sydney in April.

Miners said discussion would revolve around the roll out of the ACTU Secure Living Standards campaign.

“My role over the past month has been working with the committee to secure maximum participation and attendance for the Youth section of ACTU Congress and Youth Conference that are running concurrently,” he said.

“This involves talking to state Trade Labour Councils, in particular Queensland, which is lagging on the ACTU youth agenda and program.”

He added that the Youth Committees around the country were instrumental in taking part in the March 4 rallies organised by the ACTU. www.mua.org.au

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conference // Youth Rally Against Cash

MUA Youth & Women Demand Jobs

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obody from Michaelia Cash’s office would front the crowd that descended on the Perth suburb of Subiaco, demanding that Australians should work in Australia’s offshore industry.

The Assistant Minister for Immigration was unsurprisingly absent, as approximately 80 MUA Youth and Women members rallied outside her office chanting on day one of the WA Branch Conference.

MUA WA Branch Organiser and Youth Committee Chair Danny Cain said he was happy with the turnout and hoped the union could use the momentum to overturn the “legislative instrument” to return certainty to Australia’s offshore industry.

“Michaelia Cash and her cronies in the Abbott Government have gone against the will of the workers and the will of the voting public by using an obscure tactic to undermine the Senate,” Cain declared.

“Unemployment is high and constantly climbing. Youth unemployment is even worse. And Cash and company want to open up the floodgates to foreign workers as a solution.

“Well it’s not on and we won’t give up our jobs without a fight.”

MUA WA Women’s Committee Chair Karen Wheatland said it was a disgrace that the Federal Government would allow

companies to exploit low-paid workers on Australian resource projects.

“You know the companies that are pushing this constant undercutting are some of the most profitable in the world.

Yet they want to squeeze every penny to bring in people who will be working for as little as $2 an hour,” Wheatland noted.

MUA Organiser George Gakis said the rally would hopefully be the first of many actions that would unite the union and the community against the Abbott Government.

“The Government, through Michaelia Cash, has sold Australian workers down the river in allowing overseas workers to come in and work our jobs on our resource projects,” Gakis said.

“The gas in the offshore belongs to the Australian people and should provide Australian employment.

“The youth are ready to work now; they’re trained and willing. The skills shortage is a myth.”

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“They want to squeeze every penny to bring in people who will be working for as little as $2 an hour” karen wheatland Youth and others celebrated at a local bowling club after the rally

1. W A Organiser George Gakis led the chants on the bus en route to Michaelia Cash’s office 2. W A Organiser Danny Cain beating the drum

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YO U T H

S O L I DA R I T Y

Aarin Moon Cuba Report The Newcastle Branch funded linesman Aarin Moon, a member of the MUA’s Youth Committee, to attend the workers’ brigade in Cuba organised by the Cuban Institute of Friendship (ICAP). This is his report.

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n the 57th year of economic and financial blockade by the USA, the brigade ran from the 28 December 2014 to 24 January 2015 and featured an extensive program of events and activities.

There were 18 brigade members, aged between 24 and 77, from a diverse range of backgrounds and many different parts of Australia and New Zealand. At the Julio Antonio Mella camp the group participated in voluntary work, both at the camp and at a nearby farmers’ co-operative where we planted a field of tomatoes.

In the days leading up to the arrival of the brigade in Cuba, US President Barack Obama announced on December 17 that America was changing its course on Cuba and there was an exchange of prisoners between the USA and Cuba. This resulted in the release of the last three of the ‘Cuban 5’ - Gerardo, Antonio and Ramon - in exchange for Allan Gross and another Cuban-American spy. The release of the ‘Cuban 5’ followed a persistent and sustained campaign of international solidarity with Cuba. Australia and New Zealand friendship associations contributed

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by publishing their story, organising petitions and functions, writing letters to the five and protesting outside the US consulate offices (since their imprisonment and subsequent trial in Miami) from 1998 to 2014.

With the release of the ‘Cuban 5’, the brigade celebrated their freedom and we had the privilege to hear an address by Fernando Gonzalez when he spoke of his experience.

We were all inspired by his great courage throughout his 16-year ordeal. However with the ‘iron fist in the velvet glove’ approach foreshadowed by the speech from the US president, Cuba and its friends globally know their work is not over. The first talks between Cuba and the US government officials took place on 21 January 21 2015 and it is important that the examples of the Cuban revolution and Cuban socialism continue to shine brightly as a beacon of peace, justice and freedom throughout the world.

The 32nd brigade Cruz del Sur was able to acquire an appreciation of Cuban culture, society and its economy through the excellent programme organised by ICAP, via its main office in Havana. A special ‘thank you’ must

be extended to the ICAP office in Cienfuegos, lead by Eugenio and by Reynaldo and their provincial government. In Cienfuegos we had comprehensive and extensive access to the Cuban way of life. We met with senior officials of the Cienfuegos Provincial Assembly Of People Power and we also visited a meeting of the “committee for the defence of the revolution”. We then attended a street party, and visited both the refinery “Camilo Cienfuegos” and the “Uihria - Escula especial de Ateucias al autismo” - one of five special schools in the country. At the polyclinic, we learned not only about the excellent health system, but also the effects of the US blockade and how cruel it can be - for instance children dying unnecessarily of cancer because of a lack of access to certain treatments.

The brigade also had a conference with the General Secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women whilst in Cienfuegos. One of the major achievements of the ‘revolution’ has been overcoming sexism. We also met with the Federation Of University Students and the Young Communist League.

We were treated to a memorable expression of Cuban art, culture and entertainment from the Cuban ballet (with a special appearance from director Alicia Alonso), Club Tropicana and a performance by the Cuban youth from the Benny More art school in Cienfuegos.

At Santa Clara ICAP, Miguel and Iris organised a visit by foreign students from the medical and engineering universities from countries including Sri Lanka, Angola, South Africa, Palestine and Nicaragua. We also visited the Che Guevara memorial and individually laid a floral offering; it was here we were afforded the amazing opportunity to meet combatants of the Cuban Revolution who shared their experiences about fighting alongside Che and Fidel Castro.

Importantly, the brigade had the unique opportunity to learn about the electoral process and democracy in Cuba from one of the elected members to the national assembly, Professor Miguel Enrique Charoat of Caimito.

Cuba is a special country on the world stage which boasts a socialist system where human well-being is put before profit. It is a shining example for the rest of the world.

Myself, along with every member of the 32nd brigade Cruz del Sur, add our voices to demand the following: the end of the US blockade; the closure of the Guantanamo base; the return of the occupied land to Cuba; and the removal of Cuba from the list of terrorist sponsors. www.mua.org.au

Residents-Unions Unite Against Millers Point Sell-Off

Former Painter & Docker and Millers Point resident Barney Gardner read the letter addressed to Mike Baird

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o mark one year since the NSW Government announced the sale of public housing at Sydney’s Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks, residents and supporters met at NSW Parliament House for a preview screening of a documentary telling their story.

The NSW Government last year announced its intention to sell-off 293 properties in a two-year timeframe, in what is reputed to be the longest inhabited suburban area since European settlement.

The area has long been a home for working men and women – in particular Waterside Workers’ Federation (WWF) and Seamen’s Union of Australia (SUA) members and their descendants.

The Rocks area was famously saved by the Green Bans of the 1970s, led by Jack Mundey from the Builders’ Labourers Federation (BLF), who features in the documentary.

After paying his respects to traditional owners, resident Barney Gardner read from a letter sent to NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Gardner, a former Painter & Docker, has been living in Millers Point for 65 years - long before the public housing was transferred to Housing NSW from the Maritime Services Board in the 1980s.

“One suspects Premier Baird that you and your minister Gabrielle Upton will not talk to us because you are both afraid to look into the tear-filled eyes of the elderly, the pain on the faces of the disabled and the despair in the www.mua.org.au

Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer addressed the crowd

hearts of our most vulnerable,” he said.

“The feeling is that you and your Government have abandoned us, making us feel sub-human, past our use-by-date, if you must, with little conscience as to how you are mistreating us. Shame!

“Your Government and previous Governments have placed many disadvantaged and vulnerable people within our community whom we have welcomed, nurtured and protected because you will not.

“You seem to have forgotten the multitude of public and social housing tenants who have

been law-abiding citizens and have served this community, this city, this state and this country so well for many years.”

The documentary was followed by a question-and-answer panel with academics, activists and experts discussing the plans for Millers Point, Dawes Point and Sirius building at The Rocks.

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer said the selloff was an act of ‘social cleansing’ by trying to exclude those who aren’t well-off from the city and its surrounds.

“This is social and political Darwinism – survival of the wealthiest,” he declared. “Houses have no value, but homes are priceless.

“Long live Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks as a community - not as a rich enclave of thieves.”

The film, which can be viewed on the MUA website, features Graham Quint (director of advocacy, The National Trust), Tanya Plibersek (Federal Member for Sydney), Jack Mundey (unionist and environmentalist), Paul Vevers (executive director of housing services, NSW Department of Family and Community Services), Gabrielle Upton (NSW Minister for Family and Community Services), Professor Peter Phibbs (Professor of Urban Planning, University of Sydney), Bob Flood (lifetime resident and retired wharf worker) and Barney Gardner (lifetime resident and retired wharf worker).

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campaign

‘Ships Of Shame’ On Rise In Aust Waters

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ince the beginning of the year, there has been a spike in incidents aboard Flag-of-Convenience and foreign ships trading in Australian ports.

In January the operators of a general cargo ship, the Orient Becux, made the crew unlash cargo at sea, in contravention of not just Australian labour and safety laws, but in direct contravention of the International Convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS).

The ship was subsequently detained in the Port of Newcastle.

Pacific Basin, the company that operated the ship, denied ordering the crew to conduct the highly dangerous task. However the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) obtained an email sent to the ship’s captain, offering a bonus for himself and the crew for doing the unlashing to avoid having to pay qualified Australian wharfies to do the work.

Australian Health and Safety law dictates that cargo should only be unlashed by qualified Australian stevedores while the ship is berthed.

The ITF believed that some of the cargo included 300 rail cars and other general bulk.

ITF Australia Co-ordinator Dean Summers said unlashing at sea was an “egregious breach of safety” by Pacific Basin shipping that had put the whole crew’s life at risk. “In this instance, they were lucky there was no major incident,” Summers emphasised.

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cargo could have caused the ship to sink by compromising its stability.

“This is money grubbing of the worst kind, whereby in order to save a few dollars you get an already exploited workforce to do work they’re not qualified to do and risk everyone’s life in the process.”

The very next day, the ITF was made aware of a coal carrier berthed in Port Kembla that had been found to have not paid its crew for months and had not properly stocked its stores for the long voyage to the UK. AMSA detained the Panamanian-flagged ship, the Bulk Brasil, for serious breaches of

the Maritime Labor Convention.

The vessel was run by Japanese-based multinational Keymax and was a repeat offender, in that it had been found to have deficiencies in 12 ports worldwide.

An AMSA inspection at Queensland’s Hay Point last year found the vessel had deficiencies in pollution prevention, working and living conditions, safety of navigation and fire safety.

“Ironically, the Keymax website claims that the company ‘promises to deliver the finest in crewing services’. Am I wrong in thinking that the ‘finest in crewing services’ means that the crew will be fed and paid?”

Summers asked.

“There are four maritime conventions determining conduct of the international shipping fleet and this ship has managed to have breached, on a number of occasions, three of these conventions: Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS), the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) and the Prevention Of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL).

“Australian exporters have to be held responsible for the ships they charter. They must not be permitted to vicariously exploit and abuse seafarers.”

Just two week’s later, wharfies in Fremantle caught a lucky break when no one was seriously injured or killed while a crane was dropped in a loading accident.

Aboard the Stevns Trader, a crane weighing approximately 100 tonnes and worth more www.mua.org.au

than $3 million was dropped into the hold by two seafarers operating the ship’s cranes.

Only one seafarer reported minor injuries; but the accident could have been prevented had properly trained stevedores been operating the cranes, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

ITF Inspector Keith McCorriston said seafarers were not qualified to operate such a technical lift and the vessel’s operator was breaching the safety laws under the Navigation Act by allowing the seafarers to operate the cranes.

“This whole incident could have been avoided if the wharf work had been left to the wharfies,” McCorriston said.

“In fact, everyone was very lucky the crane was dropped where it was; because had it fallen onto the wharf, and not into the hold, we would be counting a dozen fatalities.

“This is another case of a shipping company cutting corners, squeezing every penny and risking the lives of their already low-paid workers and the Australian wharfies at the same time.”

Meanwhile in Victoria’s Port of Portland, the ITF celebrated a victory after it was able to secure back-pay of more than $400,000 after painstaking negotiations with a Taiwanese shipping operator.

Shih Wei Navigation said it will meet the claim made by ITF Assistant Coordinator Matt Purcell on the Panamanian Flagged vessel MV Blessing SW for US$404,000 payable and owing to 48 Chinese seafarers who had served on the vessel last year.

The ITF became aware of the underpayment after originally inspecting the vessel in November 2013 and a follow-up in January this year.

“This is not the first time these owners have been caught with double books,” Purcell noted, “as they were also detected last year on the MV Stamina SW, whereby the same operators eventually owned up and paid out US$187,000 to the crews serving on that vessel.

“ITF Australia, in conjunction with London Office, is now supervising the payment method for the 48 Chinese Seafarers in order to ensure they actually receive the money they are owed.

“This result goes down to the effective work of the ITF inspectorate in Australia, but also would not be possible without the assistance of our volunteer network within the Maritime Union of Australia.”

The spate of events was rounded-out when a Chinese coal ship captain was arrested in Newcastle for sailing through the Great Barrier Reef without a pilot, as is required by Australian law.

The Taiwanese national appeared in Court was fined $8,000 after pleading guilty. www.mua.org.au

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1. T he Bulk Brasil unbelievably battered for a seven-year-old ship 2. T he Stevens Trader with the dropped crane 3. ITF National Coordinator Dean Summers talks to the Bulk Brasil crew 4. The tattered FOC Panamanian Flag 5. The Bulk Brasil tied up at Port Kembla

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A R T & C U LT U R E

H I S TO RY

Evocative Image Wins Human Justice Blake Prize

Shoddy, Anti-Union Fiction Won PM’s Top History Award

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Commentator, naval historian and former Fairfax columnist Mike Carlton has sledged the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for handing the history prize to Hal Colebatch for his flawed, error-riddled, right-wing revisionist book called Australia’s Secret War. Carlton penned this piece for Crikey the day after the award was handed out in December.

n December, National Secretary Paddy Crumlin congratulated Melbourne-based artist Hedy Ritterman for winning the $5,000 MUA Human Justice Award component of the Blake Prize.

Ritterman’s work was a photograph of a concentration camp survivor with his only pre-Holocaust possession: a leather belt featuring notches showing his increasing emaciation.

The Blake Society described the winning entry as an “evocative and moving image of Richard, which frames a 96-year-old man whose life has been held together by a nowancient belt, a tangible constant in a life of both suffering and joy. His hands hold the belt like a museum object, clearly revealing the tattooed numbers of his internment in concentration camps during World War 2.”

Crumlin said Ritterman’s photograph was “a moving work, articulated with artistic clarity around the theme of a life’s perspective of accumulated experience and personal ownership.

“The veil of time separates the subject from the coincidence of many of those times and places finding focus in his belt, that has proven to have been a constant of support on one hand and a reminder of the binding and inexorable effect of cruel circumstance on the other.

“The belt is a material object but more. It is a simple and constant thread of support and duration. It could also be a metaphor for the constriction of external binding that limits and impedes. Loosely bound and supportive, it leads him perhaps to a reflection that time and duration have imbued it with special significance.

“It is reflective and empathetic of the engagement of the material and deeply emotional interpolation that can provide a sense of depth to a lifetime of struggle and ultimately optimism. We have made it this far and some things provide a continuous thread of meaning and relevance. The numbered tattoo on the forearm is another constant reminder of vicissitudes of circumstance and place and a determination to not only survive but thrive and grow. Age is the ultimate achievement, rewarding courage and affirmation in the face of adversity.”

The 63rd Blake Prize ($25,000) was won

by Melbourne-based artist Richard Lewer for his moving digital work ‘Worse luck I am still here’ - a video animation of delicate black and white drawings, which tells the tragic love story of a Perth pensioner who 68

Artist Hedy Ritterman with her winning image

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His hands hold the belt like a museum object, clearly revealing the tattooed numbers of his internment in concentration camps during World War 2. survived a failed assisted-suicide pact with his chronically ill wife. The work questions our approach to euthanasia and challenges our faith and belief systems.

The 2014 Blake Poetry Prize ($5000) was won by Dave Drayton for his poem Threnodials. The judges said of his poem that it “uses the device of the anagram in an imaginative and compelling way to evoke a connectedness between earth, death, tradition, ritual and religion”. The Blake Poetry Prize is run by the NSW Writers’ Centre in collaboration with the Blake Society and with financial support from Leichhardt Council.

The John Coburn Emerging Artist Award ($5000) was won by Sydney-based Emily

Sandrussi, for ‘Untitled (no.7)’ from the series ‘Domino Theory’. Sandrussi’s work involves a sensitive re-working of archival photos taken by her step-father as a soldier in Vietnam. Her work deals with issues of mortality, memory and suffering.

Blake Prize chairperson Rod Pattenden said: “This is a diverse, challenging and deeply moving exhibition of words and images that helps us see what matters most to those who carry the imagination of our culture. It is sad to note that due to lack of sponsorship it may be the last Blake.”

The winners of the Blake Prize were announced to the public at the opening ceremony at the UNSW Galleries on December 13. www.mua.org.au

he infamous culture wars sank to a sorry new low last night. At the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, handed out in Melbourne, the prize for history went to a right-wing rant against Australian trade unions - an ideological tract that includes errors, hearsay, exaggeration and, in some cases, sheer fiction and fantasy. History it is not.

The book is Australia’s Secret War, subtitled How Unionists Sabotaged Our Troops in World War II, by Western Australian writer Hal G.P. Colebatch and published -- no surprise here -- by the right-wing Quadrant magazine. It was a joint-winner of the history award with Broken Nation, Professor Joan Beaumont’s splendid book about Australia in World War I. Prize: $40,000 each.

It’s hard to know where to begin on this travesty, but here are two examples.

In his introduction, Colebatch claims that a strike by wharf labourers in Sydney kept soldiers returning from Japanese prisoner-of-war camps away from their families. In October 1945, he says, these men were held penned-up on a British aircraft carrier HMS Speaker, which had brought them home. The wharfies would not allow them ashore to meet their loved ones for 36 hours.

This is untrue. It simply did not happen.

Newspaper accounts of their return report the men were greeted by cheering crowds the day they arrived. The history of HMS Speaker, written by one of the ship’s officers and available online, makes no mention of this supposed scandal. There was no wharfies strike that day. Colebatch gives his only source for this nonsense as a letter from one W.S. Monks, dated 1995, 50 years after the event and 20 years ago.

He does not reveal who this Monks might be; but there was no soldier or POW of that name in WWII. The second example is worse, if anything. Colebatch alleges that a flight of 16 American Vultee Vengeance dive bombers returning from a raid on Rabaul crashed into the sea off New Britain because the radar station at their base on www.mua.org.au

Mike Carlton

Colebatch is entitled to his own opinions, but not his own facts. Australia’s Secret War is a farrago.

Green Island was not working. He claimed - with no evidence at all - that the valves for the radar had been stolen by wharfies.

This is sheer fiction. The Americans did not fly the Vultee Vengeance in combat, so they made no raid on Rabaul. Significantly, Colebatch doesn’t give a date. But there is no American record, official or unofficial, of 16 of these aircraft and their 32 crew members lost in this way at any time, as there surely would be had it happened.

He also gets the number of the Green Island radar unit wrong. Again, he relies on rumour and hearsay for this nonsense.

No official documents, nothing; just two individual reminiscences by old soldiers decades ago.

The only vaguely comparable incident in the area was the crash of seven Royal New Zealand Air Force Corsair fighters different air force, different aircraft - in 1945. But that was nothing to do with faulty radar. They simply ran out of fuel when they were caught in a sudden tropical storm.

I could go on, but you get the picture.

Page after page, chapter after chapter, the book is an egregious exercise in unionbashing with little or no display of original research or historical scholarship.

Colebatch, a Perth lawyer and selfstyled poet, has long been a spear carrier for the hard Right. His publisher Quadrant magazine is holy writ for that ever-diminishing band of geriatric selfstyled culture warriors still bewailing the departure of the late B.A. Santamaria.

Naturally, when the book came out, it was ballyhooed to the skies by Quadrant’s editor, the ever-contentious Keith Windschuttle, and the usual Tory gaggle of Alan Jones, Andrew Bolt and Miranda Devine et al. Writing as if she actually knew what she was talking about, Devine banged on in the Sydney Daily Telegraph about “union bastardry”, branding the non-existent HMS Speaker strike as an “obscene act”.

“You will read this book with mounting fury,” she huffed.

Indeed you might, but only because it is so downright awful.

Which might lead you, gentle reader, to ask: how on earth it got the gong? No surprises there either. The chief judge of the non-fiction and history awards for this year was none other than our old friend Gerard “Gollum” Henderson, ringmaster of the right-wing Sydney Institute, longtime culture impresario and an Abbott confidante. His right-hand man on the judging panel was former Quadrant editor and Liberal MP Peter Coleman. Ho hum.

Nuff said.

Naturally I’ll be accused of sour grapes. My book First Victory, about the Australian navy in WWI, was a short-listed finalist in the same category. (In fact, it won this year’s NSW Premier’s Prize for military history.)

But I don’t care. Colebatch is entitled to his own opinions, but not his own facts. Australia’s Secret War is a farrago.

Perhaps worst of all, it’s badly written too.

Cliche piled upon cliche. Its selection as a co-winner devalues the Prime Minister’s history award, leaving it a bloodied casualty on this ideological battlefield.

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L

CHARITY

Hunterlink Paves Way For International Program ITF Australia coordinator Dean Summers talks about the Hunterlink program

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ewcastle’s Hunterlink Headquarters was packed to the rafters in early February, as the red carpet was rolled out to welcome two special visitors from Londonbased charity, the ITF Seafarers’ Trust.

Outgoing manager of the International Transport Workers’ Federation charity arm John McLeod and current head of the trust Kimberly Karlshoej were in Australia to meet with Hunterlink - the successful recipient of funding from the charity to continue its service to visiting international seafarers.

Impressed by the services on offer, Karlshoej said she hoped mental health services similar to the Hunterlink program could be rolled out throughout all international ports.

“It’s heartening to see the mental health of seafarers visiting Australian ports being

70

New head of ITF Seafarer’s Trust Kimberly Karlshoej was impressed with the services on offer

catered for,” Karlshoej said.

“It’s also great to see a cross-section of the community here; from industry, from Government, from the Maritime Union, from other service providers, all working together in common interest to provide assistance to the world’s invisible workers – seafarers.

“One of the Seafarers’ Trust’s goals is to work collaboratively with industry and other maritime stakeholders - and I can see that is happening in this instance.”

Hunterlink chief executive Paul Karras welcomed Karlshoej and McLeod and thanked them for their ongoing support of the organisation.

“The support of the ITF has meant we can work on implementing programs, which we know from our experience work,” Karras said.

He spoke about the services international

seafarers were able to access upon visiting Australian ports, such as the 24-hour helpline manned with experienced counselors, who were able to provide mental health assistance and appropriate referrals.

“Often seafarers are faced with long periods away from their family and friends while they are at sea,” Karras noted. “Some seafarers feel alone and depressed, while others struggle with financial or addiction problems.

“We’re able to corral the services an individual requires, with a short turn-around period to ensure the necessary assistance is provided immediately, no matter which Australian port the seafarer is in.”

Hunterlink chief executive Paul Karras has subsequently passed away after a short battle with illness. His obituary can be read in the Vale section of the journal.

www.mua.org.au

ITF National Coordinator Dean Summers will swim the English Channel later this year.

Channel Swim For Seafarers

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n August this year, Australian seafarer Dean Summers will brave the cold temperatures, icy winds and jellyfishfilled waters of the English Channel to raise money and awareness for the Hunterlink Recovery Services.

The current ITF National Coordinator has dual passions for his family and the seafaring tradition, which has been in his paternal family for four generations. His grandfather, father, uncles and both of his children have all gone to sea.

“It’s this strong emotional link to the seafaring fraternity that drives me in my career and my personal life,” Summers explained. “It’s a very natural fit to dedicate the efforts of the Channel swim towards the world’s 1.3 million seafarers, many of whom will traverse the Channel at some point in their lives.”

One of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, the English Channel is approximately 32 kilometres across; but the strong tidal flows can add significant extra distance and time to the swim. It takes swimmers, on average, more than 13 hours to cross the Channel. The wind can reach a ‘Force 6’, while waves can reach in excess of 2 metres.

Jellyfish, seaweed and regular debris, even planks of wood, lurk in the waters, and summer temperatures range from 15-18 degrees Celsius. www.mua.org.au

Since training started in August 2013, it will have taken Summers two years to fully prepare for the Channel challenge, by the time he plunges into the cold English waters. Preparation includes: swimming in the pool four mornings a week and ocean swims on the weekends; 5am starts and very early nights; competing in longdistance ocean swims; and grueling cold water training.

From barely being able to swim a kilometre starting out, Dean is now

The wind can reach a ‘Force 6’, while waves can reach in excess of 2 metres. averaging 42 kilometres per week. Despite being pushed to his limits, mentally and physically, week after week, he has taken it all in stride. “Pain hurts, but it won’t kill you,” he declared.

The next five months of training will be relentless - with cold water acclimatisation, increasingly longer distances, and night swims. “This last chapter will be very tough,” he said. “It takes a swimmer’s entire focus. But I find it very exciting.”

Although more than 90 per cent of the

world’s trade is carried by sea, seafarers are not recognised for their contributions, and they have largely become an invisible workforce.

“They have very few support systems in place, especially in the developing world,” Summers noted, “and particularly when they’re in a deregulated shipping market, living under the flag-of-convenience system, often with ruthless ship owners and operators.”

Despite being an Australian-based organisation that helps all transport workers and their families, Hunterlink Recovery Services also has a parallel focus on providing support for visiting international seafarers.

“I chose Hunterlink because they have helped my family out in difficult times and I feel I owe them gratitude,” Summers said.

“But their work also comes at a very important time for the industry, with a huge spike in mental health issues and huge demands on the seafarers.

“These demands include longer time at sea coupled with shorter time in ports, and smaller crews and bigger ships. All these elements conspire against seafarers, making it a tougher environment to work in.

“Theirs is a hard, lonely and thankless job, and they deserve more from a world which relies completely on their work.”

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AWA R D

C A M PA I G N

GOOD CAUSE

MUA & ITF Congratulate Sister Mary CLOSE SHAVE FOR CHARITY

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he tireless work of Sister Mary Leahy has been recognised in the form of a Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News Award that was handed to her in mid-November.

Usually one to shy from the attention, Sister Mary - who has worked with visiting seafarers for more than 20 years at Port Botany - attended a ceremony at Doltone House in Sydney, where she was bestowed with an accolade called the Seafarers’ Welfare Award.

Sydney Branch Deputy Secretary Paul Keating, who worked alongside Sister Mary at the terminals, said she was a saint and unsung hero.

“She’d probably be embarrassed by all of the attention, but the work she does needs to be highlighted,” Keating said.

“Without fanfare, Sister Mary looks after the welfare of some of the world’s most exploited seafarers who visit the coast.

“Some of these seafarers are very young and find themselves separated from their families for months, sometimes years at a time, for less than $2-an-hour. But while they’re in Sydney, Sister Mary ensures they are well supported and looked after.

“For this, she asks for nothing in return.”

The International Transport Workers’ Federation has also extended its congratulations to Sister Mary Leahy of the Sydney Seafarer’s Centre.

“There is no one more deserving of such high recognition than Sister Mary, who is known to everyone in the maritime community for her tenacious and passionate pursuit of welfare to visiting international Seafarers,” ITF Australia Coordinator Dean Summers said.

“Keep up the great work Comrade Sister.”

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veryday 36 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer with more than 13,600 new cases are diagnosed each year. With approximately 28% of all cancer cases diagnosed in Australian women being breast cancer, Tasmanian Branch member Janet Harris, (Union No.9004196) decided to sacrifice her lovely locks in the name of medical research.

Janet is Workplace Support for the MUA and TT Line and is a tireless worker for women’s workplace rights in Tassie, raised over $3000 from MUA members for the Australian Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Janet is also an active member of the Tasmanian Wing Chun Academy and her close shave contributed the lion’s share of the Academy’s annual fund-raising drive, which raised $4788 all up for the to the ABCRF. Fantastic effort, Janet, you’re a legend!

Sister Mary at the most recent World Maritime Day march in Sydney

Call For Inquiry Into Disability Sector Abuse

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W.G. McNally Jones Staff LAWYERS

Tattersalls Building, Level 10, 179 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Phone: (02) 9233 4744 Fax: 02 9223 7859 Offices also in Perth & Fremantle PERTH: (08) 6142 6200 FREMANTLE: (08) 6420 9580 Email: law@mcnally.com.au We have accredited specialists in Employment and Industrial Law & Personal Injury. We can also provide legal advice andrepresentation to all MUA members on: Litigation I Free Wills I Family Law including De Facto Relationships I Police Matters I Discrimination I Conveyancing Deceased Estates I Superannuation & Disability Claims I General Legal Advice As members of the MUA you are entitled to free Wills and the first consultation is free of charge upon presentation of a referral letter from the MUA.

Proud to be the lawyers for the MUA for over 40 years 72

www.mua.org.au

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin with proponent of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten

www.mua.org.au 47

UA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin called for a national inquiry into abuse in the disability sector, following a string of disturbing media reports, including those relating to Yooralla, whereby it was alleged that carers had been sexually abusing clients.

Crumlin, who served on the federal government’s National Disability Advisory Council from 2007-2013, said the reports reveal systemic failure in the disability care sector and underlined the urgent need for greatly tightened accreditation.

“It is crucial that our most potentially vulnerable Australians are being cared for by people who are registered, accredited and appropriately trained,” Crumlin said.

“Of course the vast majority of workers in the disability sector are doing an amazing job in a challenging field. But that only underscores the need to get this right.

The terrific work of the many shouldn’t be www.mua.org.au

undermined by a handful of bad apples who - under the current system - are able to slip through the cracks.

“Australians with disabilities deserve safety, dignity and respect. We can only ensure this if their carers are consistently up to scratch.

“We should also acknowledged that it is as much about protecting the reputation and standards of disability care workers as it is about Australians with disabilities. Workers are saying loud and clear that they want clear guidelines, and stringent training and accreditation processes so that the kind of horrors that have occurred at Yooralla never happen again.

“How we look after those who need help is how we can rate ourselves as a society.

Reform in this area is a simple step we can take right now to ensure the horrific abuses we have heard about through the media are not repeated.

“The federal government has a responsibility to act swiftly and decisively.”

“Australians with disabilities deserve safety, dignity and respect. We can only ensure this if their carers are consistently up to scratch” PADDY CRUMLIN

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C A M PA I G N

C A M PA I G N

MUA & ITF Take Leadership Role In Global Workers’ Capital Agenda

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n an important development both globally and regionally, National Secretary Paddy Crumlin has been appointed as Vice Chair of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Committee on Workers’ Capital (CWC).

The appointment demonstrates the important new cooperation between the global union federations, like the ITF and UNI represented through the Council of Global Unions (CGU) and the ITUC, made up of the national peak union councils of each affiliated nation.

This follows the appointment by the ITF of Tom Powdrill as a full time Responsible Investment Coordinator in May 2014.

Powdrill is working across the European trade union movement and among ITF affiliates on key workers’ capital priorities, such as infrastructure investment. It also follows reinvigoration of the CWC by Sharan Burrow as General Secretary of the ITUC. The union’s Chevron campaign has involved an important workers’ capital component, with a lot of work being put in by Crumlin, Campaigns Director from the ITF Sydney Office Shannon O’Keeffe and WA Assistant Branch Secretary Will Tracey to put pressure on Chevron through engagement with institutional investors in the Chevron corporation and use of the corporate regulatory system in the USA. The ITF and MUA are continuing that aspect of the campaign, with Crumlin and O’Keefe attending the US Council of Institutional Investors (CII) Conference in March/April where Crumlin addressed the CII Labour Caucus. The union delegation also arranged to meet Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO, to discuss implementation of the global workers’ capital agenda and to extend it into the policy, strategy and campaigning work of unions in both the US and Australia.

The MUA and ITF played an active role in development of the Labour 20 (L20) position on infrastructure investment in the lead up to the G20 meeting in Brisbane last November, and that work is ongoing.

MUA Policy Adviser Rod Pickette recently gave a presentation on behalf of the ACTU at the Industry Super Australia Symposium on Innovations in Infrastructure: Beyond the G20 in early March, which outlined the trade union movement’s position on super fund investment in infrastructure.

At the National level, the long campaign 74

by the MUA, TWU and CFMEU to have the ACTU allocate more resources and policy advocacy to workers’ capital has paid off under Secretary Dave Oliver’s leadership, with the recent decision to appoint a full time Capital Strategy Coordinator to the ACTU. The priority work to be undertaken in Australia revolves around defending the notfor-profit industry super funds from attacks by the Government.

The Coalition Federal Government has taken - or has foreshadowed - a number of steps that, if successfully implemented, will almost inevitably reduce trade union influence in NFP industry and disadvantage members of industry super funds. Key decisions of the Coalition include: • Release of a discussion paper in November 2013 entitled Better regulation and governance, enhanced transparency and improved competition in superannuation which proposed an end to the equal representation model for employee and employer trustee directors and an increase in the number of independent directors on industry super fund boards.

The priority work to be undertaken in Australia revolves around defending the not-forprofit industry super funds from attacks by the Government.

• The Royal Commission into Trade Unions which sought to discredit the NFP super funds and, in particular, the activities of union-nominated trustees.

• Freezing at 9.5% (from 1 July 2014 until 2018) employer compulsory contributions to super under the Superannuation Guarantee Act. It had been due to rise to 12% by 2019 under legislation actioned

by Labor.

• Supporting calls by the big four banks (represented by the Financial Services Council) and comments made by Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission for legislative change that would prevent unions and employers agreeing on nomination of the default fund in EBAs, and where there are limits on an employee’s right to switch fund. The Royal Commission wants to see a change in the law to remove the power of a union, as a bargaining representative, to nominate a choice of fund on behalf of the

employees it represents. Already, from 1 January 2014, the rules changed slightly - and all employers must now ensure that their default fund is a MySuper product.

• An attempt to wind back the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms passed

by Labor (which Labor, the Greens and the cross bench Senators successfully rejected).

More recently, the Murray Financial System Inquiry made a number of recommendations on superannuation which need to be resisted by the union movement. These include replacing the industrial relations system in selecting default superannuation funds for workers with an open market process, and requiring NFP super boards to comprise a majority of independent directors.

More broadly the worker’s capital agenda needs to focus on ensuring the trade union voice on superannuation is restored and to ensure that trustees are better equipped to be more influential in the governance of super funds - and in particular have information and risk management tools at their fingertips to assess the full spectrum of environmental, social and governance (ESG) features of a prospective investment, including the entity’s labour relations performance. Australian trustees are currently seeking funding to develop a ‘risk assessment tool’ for trustees to asses labour standards, as part of improving risk management of superannuation accumulations held in their trust.

The MUA remains active in working with super fund bidders for infrastructure assets that State Governments have privatised to ensure that labour interests are given consideration in their bids, and if successful, in the operating companies that run those assets post-sale or lease. The union is in dialogue with NSW Ports, which now owns Port Botany and Port Kembla, on improved governance arrangements that provide a workforce voice in the new arrangements.

Similarly, the union is advising potential bidders for the Port of Melbourne what its expectations are if the bidder is successful.

The MUA and many other unions involved in Australian NFP pension funds are now lifting their involvement and interest in this important policy, strategy and campaigning work. The power of workers’ capital provides considerable leverage for union members and needs to be strategically managed. www.mua.org.au

Maritime Workers & Asylum Seekers In Same Boat At the end of last year, the MUA added its voice to the growing opposition to the Abbott Government’s Migration & Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment Bill.

Unfortunately, after Immigration Minister Scott Morrison made a deal with the cross-benchers, the Bill was passed. National Secretary Paddy Crumlin commented on the matter when the Bill was being debated in the Senate.

I

t was with profound shock that we learned the Abbott Government’s new Bill would allow the Immigration Minister to decide in secret whether the Navigation Act 2012, the Shipping Registration Act 1981, the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law and Australia’s other international maritime obligations would apply to any particular vessel.

Federal Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has failed to grasp that these laws and conventions exist to save lives at sea, to protect fragile marine environments and to ensure proper standards in shipping.

Time and time again, MUA members have been proud to be in the front line of search and rescue operations, including for asylum seekers fleeing desperate circumstances, and to bring them to a safe port and landing.

But this Bill undermines maritime workers’ ability to offer that helping hand - by removing a layer of accountability in a dangerous, unpredictable industry.

Moreover, it allows Australian ships to secretly take people to any part of the world, and exempts them from any other law in the process.

The MUA and its members strongly believe that genuine asylum seekers deserve a fair go.

Asylum seekers deserve to be treated with dignity when they arrive, to have their cases heard fairly and expeditiously, and to have an opportunity to make Australia their home if they meet the appropriate internationally accepted criteria.

The MUA represents maritime workers from all parts of the world, doing the hard and dangerous work of keeping ships moving and cargo loading and discharging.

Many Australian workers and their families over generations arrived here by boat one way or another.

The MUA has a proud history of taking stands against injustice and persecution. It is a matter of historical record that when governments attack the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, workers and their rights are inevitably also in the firing line.

The tools of this type of marginalisation www.mua.org.au

are fear and prejudice, designed as diversions and distractions for short term political gain and opportunism or more pervasive ideological agendas.

This is an international phenomenon and can only be objectively combated by maintaining the highest regard for international law and defined rights, particularly human and civil rights.

Scott Morrison’s Bill demonstrably reflects a complete lack of regard for those internationally accepted standards of treatment in this area of distressed humanity.

The Bill, with its negative and obsessive focus against asylum seekers, also undermines governance within the maritime industry and the rights and protections of maritime workers.

Australia is quickly developing a reputation for recklessness verging on absurdity in international maritime policy and governance Seafarers work in an often shadowy and dangerous industry, where some multinational corporations have perfected the art of taxdodging, and safety and labour regulation evasion, in a race to the bottom.

It is a difficult industry to regulate tax and labour rights - and it is even more difficult to maintain decent safety standards, resulting in a long and inglorious history of loss of human life, often compounded by massive environmental damage.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and its affiliated unions have come together with responsible ship-owners and proactive governments to defend and improve standards.

Financially devastating maritime disasters and systemic failures have resulted in new international conventions from the United Nations’ International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a new ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and reform of the UN

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin

Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Australia generally and historically has played a leading role in these reforms by adding accountabilities, developing conventions and leading the world in many aspects of their implementation.

The MUA and ITF are deeply concerned that this Bill undermines the maritime safety framework that maritime workers across the world rely upon.

The Bill is the latest in a long line of examples whereby the Abbott Government has shown its inability to come to terms with the essential importance of shipping and maritime policy to Australia’s current and future growth and stability.

The Abbott Government recently rode roughshod over the Upper House regarding visas in the offshore oil and gas industry, simply because they didn’t like the Senate’s decision.

Now they want to take things one step further and legislate to put decisions solely in the hands of the Minister - without any form of administrative review.

Australia has the fourth largest shipping task in the world. We are surrounded by the equivalent of an 8-lane super highway of the sea - with human flotsam and jetsam bobbing around in desperate straits and leaky boats in the centre lanes.

Yet Minister Morrison wants to make up the traffic rules as he goes and not tell anyone?

Australia is quickly developing a reputation for recklessness verging on absurdity in international maritime policy and governance.

The MUA urges Senators to reject this Bill.

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Rank and File

va l e

Former Official Celebrates 50 years In MUA

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nce hailed in a previous edition of the MWJ as an ‘unsung hero’, former North Queensland Secretary Laurie Horgan has clocked up his 50 years in the union.

Horgan, who went to sea at a young age, will be remembered for his tireless efforts as a voluntary International Transport Workers’ Federation inspector in his home port of MacKay, where he was also a long-serving delegate on the tugs.

In his role as inspector, he was likened to Robin Hood for his efforts in trying to get greedy ship owners and operators to fork over the cash they owed underpaid, foreign seafarers.

Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman recalled his time with Laurie when he went to Cuba in in 1978, where Horgan was leader of the SUA delegation and Mick was a young ruffian.

“He is a serious, professional man. I’d be out all night acting up and he would give me a stern talking to the day after,” Doleman said.

Laurie also played an integral role in taking on mining firm Utah Development Company, which refused to use SUA seafarers on its ships carrying coal out of Hay Point. As a result, industrial action was taken by tug members including Laurie to ensure those ships were not towed into port.

Those members all took those steps despite huge writs hanging over their heads, according to Doleman, who noted Horgan’s determination was integral to the dispute.

Mick Carr, Queensland Branch Secretary and close friend of Horgan, said his

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Vale Paul Karras

He was likened to Robin Hood for his efforts in trying to get greedy ship owners and operators to fork over the cash they owed underpaid, foreign seafarers.

Above: Horgan is second from right Below: Horgan picture out the front of the tugs at MacKay

contribution to the union could not be understated.

On top of working as a delegate for more than 40 years, Horgan was hugely respected by the international seafaring community, Carr said.

“He has been, in many respects, the backbone of the ITF inspectorate in Queensland and Australia for many years,” Carr emphasised.

“He’s that well-known he has strong ties to the Philippines, due to him being highly respected for looking after visiting seafarers.”

In addition to the voluntary work for the ITF and his day job on the tugs, Horgan was also an Honorary Branch Secretary - and as such a National Councillor for approximately 12 years when Queensland was split into two branches up until 2011.

Carr said Horgan’s input was greatly missed when he ceased to sit on Council.

“His role in the union has been gold. He is someone you can always go to for advice,” Carr said.

Horgan’s position as a delegate also earned him a lot of respect with his fellow union members and he always achieved great outcomes on EBAs, to the point where to date towage members in North Queensland are some of the highest paid in the country.

He has since retired from his role as a delegate, but still works as a deckhand today.

“Laurie is a great human being, a great family man and a classic example of a true seafarer,” Carr said. www.mua.org.au

The domestic and international maritime community is in mourning following the death of the manager and founder of Hunterlink Recovery Services Paul Karras.

Paul, 63, passed away on Good Friday April 3, after recently being diagnosed with liver disease.

Tributes from across the nation and around the world are now pouring in for a man greatly admired for his compassion, professionalism and selfless commitment to others.

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) National Secretary and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) President Paddy Crumlin said he had passed on his deepest sympathies and condolences to Paul’s wife Lorraine and family.

“Vale Paul Karras. A man of deep compassion and humility, who dedicated his life tirelessly to the assistance and welfare of others. Now at peace,” Crumlin said.

“Paul was the much admired and respected Manager of Hunterlink, who was recently diagnosed with a liver disease. Although the prognosis was not good, the expectation was that he would be with us for longer.

“Regrettably, it was more aggressive than predicted and Paul’s life has been tragically cut short.”

Crumlin said Paul had been ringing him regularly to plan his return to work, notwithstanding the gravity of his medical condition.

Hunterlink Recovery Services was established as a response to the need for support, recovery and welfare within the maritime industry.

Through the support of union, employers and community, Hunterlink expanded since its inception in 2010 to become a 24-hour provider of services - not just for local seafarers but also international seafarers visiting Australian waters.

Hunterlink Recovery Services won the Seafarers Welfare Award at the Lloyd’s List Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards in 2013 and had been repeatedly praised for its work by the ITF - including when it took a leading role in counselling the seafarers who were caught up in a string of suspicious deaths aboard the infamous ‘Murder Ship’ the Sage of Sagittarius.

“I have known Paul for many years through his long and dedicated career of helping www.mua.org.au

people with mental illness, disabilities and with addiction issues in the Newcastle region,” Crumlin said.

“He was the logical choice for inaugural Manager when the union, in partnership with the CFMEU (Mining and Energy Division), decided to pilot the establishment of a workers’ rehabilitation and counselling service, based in Newcastle, in 2010.

“That program focused on providing counselling, early intervention, housing and other support for many of our and other union members, international seafarers and others seeking a way through enormous difficulties in their lives.

“Through the network of superannuation funds, particularly Maritime Super and the MMPCU, together with some employers through the EAS program, along with the ITF and ITF Seafarers’ Trust, many lives have been reclaimed and saved.

“Over the past 4-5 years Paul’s professionalism, his dedication to helping workers and their families and his personal charm have seen Hunterlink grow from a small operation in Newcastle, to a national organisation that has commanded respect across all industry stakeholders and government, and which is now on the cusp of further international expansion.

“Paul will be sadly missed by not only the union and its officials and members, and others in our industry, but particularly by the thousands of people he and Hunterlink have counselled and assisted.

“His personal touch will resonate and remain with them and us for many years to come.

“Paul’s greatest wish, he told me recently, was that his and Hunterlink’s work continues.”

ITF Australia Coordinator Dean Summers said Paul would be remembered by transport workers the world over.

Paul will be sadly missed, but his legacy for transport workers and in particular seafarers will be realised for a very long time,” Summers said.

MUA Victorian Branch Assistant Secretary Bob Patchett paid tribute to Paul’s work with workmates, following the workplace death of Anthony Attard in Melbourne in mid 2014.

“I am gutted and deeply saddened to hear about the passing of such a great man,” Patchett said “All of us in Victoria continue to try to live and work as best we can as a result of our loss of highly respected and loved member Anthony Attard.

“Without Paul’s professionalism and his great personal caring nature to all of us, I doubt whether we would be where we are today, because of what he did for all of us.

“Sincere condolences to his wife and family from all of us in Victoria.”

MUA National Safety Officer Matt Goodwin

said Paul’s work at Hunterlink had changed how we deal with workplace tragedy in the maritime industry.

“Paul was one of the first responders when Anthony Attard was killed in May last year,” Goodwin said.

“The workers at Toll were shell-shocked by what had happened. I was very proud of the role Hunterlink played and Paul in particular.”

MUA Southern NSW Branch Secretary Garry Keane also passed on condolences on behalf of the branch.

“This is terrible news, Paul was really one of the good guys,” Keane said.

“We shall do all that we can to ensure that his outstanding work will carry on through our continued support for Hunterlink.”

Queensland Branch Secretary Mick Carr said this was “the sad loss of a great bloke. Paul’s commitment to such an important cause was resolute, carried out consistently, professionally and without fuss.

“The world will be a poorer place with his passing.”

MUA Western Australian Branch Secretary Chris Cain said it was a very sad day.

“Paul was a good bloke who would go out of his way to help people,” Cain said.

METL chief executive Simon Earle described Paul as a quality person.

“Paul played a massive role in supporting many of our trainees through some serious issues and I know he saved the lives of a few,” Earle said.

MUA Newcastle Branch Secretary Glen Williams said this was very sad news and that Paul had been taken away too quickly.

“I developed a very close relationship with Paul over the past few years and will miss him dearly,” Williams said.

“He was a decent human and a quality person.”

Vale Sam Evans Same Evans died at the age of 81 on 11 March 11 2015 Aged 81: born 21 October 1933; passed away 11 March 2015.

He was a member of the Sydney Branch. He was in the Sydney First Aid after many years as a wharfie. He retired in 1991.

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Letters

va l e

Vale Henry “Mick” Pilton Mick was a member of the SUA for many years and served in New Guinea at the age of 15 with the US Army Small Ships. He shipped out of Sydney and Brisbane and sailed the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean in Ships of various nationalities.

Mick ended his career as a Ship’s Watchman in Port Kembla, where he was well-known and respected.

Roy Vardy MUA Veteran

Vale Peter Close The Maritime Union of Australia is in mourning for a wonderful comrade and former SUA and subsequently lifelong MUA member Peter Close.

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said Peter’s was a great union story.

“Like many of his generation, Peter as a young seafarer witnessed first-hand the oppression that existed in many countries he traveled to and that helped politicise and shape his very progressive views and lifelong activity,” Crumlin said. “He was a barnacled-on internationalist and had a deep understanding of class struggle “He never lost that energy and that passion for the rest of his long years with the union.

He was a strong advocate for a democratic and representative union and rank-and-file action.

“Peter was a staunch unionist, but just as universally respected for his commitment and consistency including as a delegate on the job and in wider union structures. His loss is extremely sad for all his comrades within the union. He didn’t miss many monthly meetings and I was fortunate to have a long talk with him at the last AGM in Melbourne, and in our own way on reflection say our farewells, something I’m deeply appreciative of now.”

Peter was also an organiser for the 26 rebel unions in Melbourne in the 1960s that played a critical role in the successful 1968 Clarrie O’Shea strike.

He was also a strong supporter of many causes in Melbourne: the rights of first nations people, 3CR, international solidarity, refugees, and many more.

MUA Deputy National Secretary Mick 78

Doleman said Peter was indefatigable.

“When it came to backing the MUA and the Australian Labour Movement more broadly, Peter would never fail to put his hand up,” Doleman said.

“He could be relied upon to be there at every protest, every fundraiser, every meeting and every campaign event.

“Even more impressively, Peter was never motivated by self-aggrandisement. He was always wholeheartedly of the belief that the point of unions was to be bigger than individuals, and that unity meant pushing for the support of all members.

“Peter was a true Australian unionist. He will be sorely missed.”

on board this vessel.

Farewell Allan. I will have a cold one with you one day in the “Pumpman’s Arms” Gypsy and the MUA Crew British Loyalty

Vale Ernest Gordon Standen

Vale John Walter Hadley

It is with much sadness that we advise that Ernest Gordon Standen of 5 Tower Court Caboolture, retired seaman, passed away on 13 January 2015 at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane.

Ernie is survived by his wife of over 50 years Mary.

I wish to inform you that my husband John Walter Hadley has passed away on the 26 October 2013. He was a life member of the waterside workers at Geraldton WA Port.

John commenced work on the Geraldton Wharf on Thursday 14 April 1966 and had to retire in 2001 because of ill health, which slowly deteriorated over the next 13 years until he had a bad stroke on the 27 Sept 2013 and was paralysed on his right-side, couldn’t swallow and his speech was badly affected.

He passed away on the 25 October just I hour before his 76th birthday.

I am still a member of the Maritime Mining Power Credit Union No 30611.

Yours Sincerely, Mrs Laurel Elizabeth Hadley.

Vale Harold Sims Vale Allan Baker It is with great sadness that we say farewell to Allan Baker, one of the “old school” seaman who passed away in Fremantle WA at the age of 80.

Allan went to sea at the age of 25 on the Kooringa and worked on many ships including Dorrigo, Kangaroo, Koolama Delamere.

I first meet Allan on the BP Enterprise as the Pumpman and later worked with Allan as my bosun on the Australian Spirit where he retired at the age of 62.

I loved hearing of Allan and his son Brett’s stories prospecting in Meekatharra on leave.

Allan’s fishing trips in the ship’s lifeboat with Brett were also legendary.

Allan will always be remembered as a hardworking seaman, who would always help and teach someone along the way.

Allan was born on the 1/11/33 and passed away 30/10/14. The crew of the British Loyalty would like to pass on their deepest sympathies to the Baker family and Brett, who is the CIR

Harold Frederick Sims (better known as ‘Harry’ to his old shipmates and comrades) died on 19 November 2014 aged 75 years, after a two-year battle with prostate cancer.

Born in Port Kembla, he came to live in Balmain from a very early age. Harry went to sea at the age of 15 on the Iron King. He was the youngest seafarer to have obtained his Able Seamans’ certificateat age 18. The Rona, Empress of Australia & William Dampier were just some of the ships on which Harry sailed.

Having finished his sea-going career as Bosun, he then joined the Maritime Services Board in 1982 as Boating Service Officer in Sydney Harbour, and later Brisbane Waters on the NSW Central Coast where he remained for 14 years, retiring in late 1999.

He was a Seamans’ Maritime Union member for 46 years and was made a Life Member of the MUA in February 2000.

Harry was regularly on duty as a Labor party volunteer at all of the state and federal elections in his local area over many years.

He was forever a working class man and Balmain Boy. Harry was well respected and highly regarded within the Maritime www.mua.org.au

community, not only for his length of service in the industry but the unselfish and untiring work as a volunteer for a number of charity and voluntary organisations and trainer for the Terrigal Marine Search & Rescue crew. He was a wonderful mentor and loyal comrade to all his workmates and friends.

Harry will be sadly and deeply missed by all of his many loved ones and friends.

“Rest in Peace” dearest comrade.

Stepson Mark Christie. Union no. 5609.

Vale Jack Verrills St David’s Anglican Church was left over-flowing on 6 March when well in excess of 1000 local residents, cherished family and friends and maritime workers came together to reflect and mourn the loss of our comrade Jackson Verrills.

Suffering from depression and leaving the world far too young at 20 years of age, his passing hit so many terribly hard, as it simply was not expected.

Jackson was one of those good characters who was well loved by all those who met him.

In following the Verrills family tradition and possessing a strong passion for the maritime industry, he started out working at Palm Beach ferries when at school, as well as following his dad to work driving the ferries as opposed to focusing on his school work, getting his wheel time in at a young age!

Following high school, Jackson grabbed his chance to move into the maritime industry and joined Harbour City Ferries, proving himself to be a cheeky and very well-liked General Purpose Hand. After getting his Master 5 tickets, he moved back into the charter boat industry to gain further driving experience to help progress tickets and his career.

Jackson loved his job, love his friends, loved his union and was well loved by all those met him. A young and great personality has been lost and the Sydney Branch mourns the passing of Jackson.

It once again serves as a timely and devastating reminder of asking each other, RUOK? In passing, the family has asked that support be given to the group “Headspace” which gives assistance and counselling to young people on the Northern Beaches.

Vale Jackson.

Shane Maley (#4001988) and Paul Garrett (#4000084) www.mua.org.au

Don’t Throw Butts Overboard Fellow MUA members, I’ve written this letter, probably after too long, to address an issue I’ve seen on nearly all ships I’ve worked on.

Many of you may consider this small - or even a non-issue - but it has given me great frustration over the few years I’ve been at sea.

The problem is with crew members of all ranks throwing cigarette butts and rubbish over the side of ships. Before I continue I should probably note that I myself am a smoker, so will not lament on the well-weathered lecture of how bad it is for your personal health.

Cigarette butts are the number one littered item on the planet.

In many cases, an ashtray or rubbish bin is within spitting distance, where I’ve seen people throwing out their butts into the water. This is just not good enough.

One only has to sail up through the tropics of Asia, and especially to China, to see how trashed the ocean has become. When you litter, the rubbish doesn’t just “go away”.

Below are some statistics from cigwaste.org: • 376 billion cigarettes were consumed in the US in 2005, 98% are filtered • 5.5 trillion cigarettes are consumed globally every year (and increasing) • Of these, 4.95 trillion are filters, deposited somewhere in the environment worldwide • 141 million lbs of filters (188 million liters) were dumped into the US environment in 2005 Experiments using Daphnia (water fleas) and other microorganisms have shown cigarette butt leachates to be lethal.

What is most frustrating to me is when confronting the culprits I’m usually either scoffed at or completely ignored.

“It’s only a cigarette butt”, “the ocean’s my ashtray” and “we used to throw everything over the side back in the good old days” are absolutely bullshit excuses.

I wish there was some other in-house way of addressing the issue and encouraging people to stop this disgusting, lazy behaviour.

From now on I will be bringing the issue up in all on-board meetings, regardless of the majority attitude, because I’ve had enough of seeing the ocean being trashed by people who make their living from it.

I encourage other members to do the same. Do not ‘shit where you lay’ is a code even dogs teach their young. We as Australian seamen should be leading by example and doing our best to protect the place that provides our livelihood.

This is not just a matter of opinion, and certainly not just me “being a greeny” - and to think otherwise is plainly ignorant and would say a lot about your character, especially seeing as you may be too lazy to even take two steps to the left to put your butt in a bloody ashtray.

MARPOL exists for a reason. Everyone needs to do their part to minimise our impact on the ocean. YOUR litter IS HARMFUL to marine life and the overall environment.

The sea is not a trashcan. Clean up your bloody act.

Alex Gard

Highland Navigator crew celebrate Federal Court win over Michaelia Cash The crew of the Highland Navigator would like to thank everyone involved with the great historic win in the courts on the 26/3/2015, on what was achieved in the campaign against the attack on the Australian fabric and its workforce of honest men and women.

It is with great pleasure and pride that we write this email to show our support and our appreciation for all the tireless hours, struggle and integrity that has been displayed in the face of adversity.

While it is hard to believe that the Government elect should be putting the interests of the people at the fore, obviously the noise from the extreme right overshadows any thought of fairness for those of the working class of Australia rather putting profit and greed front centre.

The MUA and AMOU have once again stood up to the challenge with, not only, its rank and file members in mind, but effectively for the whole of the Australian working class.

We know all too well if we were unsuccessful with this victory that the cancer the Abbott government wished upon its people would have spread to every industry without discrimination.

So we would like to say a big thank you and all the hard work is very much appreciated.

Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win! IU, The Crew of The Highland Navigator.

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charity

Maritime Workers Dig Deep For Sick Kids Maritime Union of Australia Newcastle Branch members pulled together and raised $10,000 for the Starlight Foundation just in time for Christmas.

Unionists and workers from four different maritime industries – the tug boats, the lines crew, the coal terminals and Newcastle Stevedores – contributed to the donation according to Newcastle Branch Secretary Glenn Williams.

“Throughout the year most worksites with MUA members contribute to a fund and will donate the raised money to a worthy cause. For Christmas 2014 it was decided to pull four sites together, so a significant lump sum could be donated to

MUA Newcastle Youth Committee Member Aarin Moon hands over the novelty cheque on behalf of members.

a charity,” Williams said.

“I congratulate the members for their generosity of spirit and for being charitable, despite the tough year most maritime workers have endured.

“But unionists, by their very nature, are

a generous bunch and looking after the most vulnerable is in our blood.”

Geoff Dunne, an MUA delegate from the lines crew, was instrumental in choosing the Starlight Foundation to be the recipient of the $10,000.

“We got in touch with John Hunter Hospital and asked where our money would be most effective. They told us the Starlight Foundation would be the best option,” Dunne said.

“It was a bit of a no-brainer to donate our hard-earned to a charity which aims to help seriously ill kids.”

Delegate and Honorary Branch Secretary Dennis Outram said 2014 had been a hard year, with most maritime industries seeing a downturn.

“We’ve seen redundancies pretty much across the board, and yet workers have still put others before themselves and managed to dig deep for charity.”

Occupational Diver On Unique Everest Trip

By the of publication diving member Dr Sarah Jane Pell will be somewhere between Kathmandu and the summit of Mount Everest, undertaking an art project named Bending Horizons.

Bending Horizons is a documentary of interactive art and performance to capture the journey to the top of Mt Everest from new and interesting angles at various altitudes en route.

In doing so she will become the 12th Australian women to reach Everest’s summit.

To find out more about her journey go to: http://www.bendinghorizons.com/

Port Kembla Team Tackles Great Illawarra Walk

Nude DP Nuts Take Part In World’s Greatest Shave Just in time for winter, seven wharfies from DP World Botany have voluntarily gone bald. But it was all for a good cause.

Joining them in their fundraising efforts, which saw them bag more than $7000 for the Leukemia Foundation, was Belinda Koleski who dyed her long dark locks a variety of colours as part of the World’s Greatest Shave.

Darren Stedman, spiritual leader of the group known as Nude DP Nuts, said he was overwhelmed that they managed to smash their goal of $2000 by 300 per cent.

80

Joining Stedman and Koleski were Dave “Macca” McElhinney, Mike Barnett, Luke Hall, Jamie McMechan, Justin Timmins and Nate Ford.

Two-at-a-time, they took their turns being ‘razored’ by hairdressers from Our Hair Studio, who kindly donated their time and tools to the effort.

Timmins, who had already undergone a Great Shave a couple of years ago, said leukemia was a horrible, indiscriminate disease that could affect anyone at any age - and therefore a worthy charity to support.

South New South Wales Branch Office Manager Carol Chalker was joined by the Credit Union’s Luke Miller and Renee Cross in undertaking this year’s Great Illawarra Walk.

Chalker committed to 75km and managed to complete the length in a record time over two days in March, while Miller completed 50km and Cross bounded a full 100km.

This year’s charity was the Southern Youth and Family Services (www.syfs.org. au/) and more than $100,000 was raised by 643 walkers.

According to the Leukemia Foundation’s website: “Today, 31 Australians will get the news they have blood cancer.

“That’s another 31 reasons to support the Leukaemia Foundation’s work – providing practical and emotional support to people facing the challenge of blood cancer, as well as investing in vital research to find better treatments and cures.

“60,000 people are going through this in Australia right now - please sponsor us and help us reach our team goal.” www.mua.org.au

www.mua.org.au

Chalker, who is now a veteran of the Walk, said the Saturday was a hard slog but the Sunday was torture.

“We had sore feet and muscles and it rained most of the day. But we soldiered on in record time, arriving at Shellharbour at 3.40pm after starting at Coalcliff at 7am and 50kms away,” she said.

“I like to do the walk every year, because it is raising money for a good cause. Also it’s a challenge for everyone that enters this was my fifth year walking and I’m very happy to advise that I don’t have blisters this year, woo hoo!”

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S O L I DA R I T Y

‘Reclaim Aust’ Is A Nazi Breeding Ground Activists for peace, democracy and anti-racism rallied to oppose the ‘Reclaim Australia’ rallies on Saturday April 4. The ‘Reclaim Australia’ movement attempts to hide its neo-Nazi motivations and policies, but the truth is to be seen in the publications and utterings of leading ‘Reclaim Australia’ activists - and in the types of supporters this movement brings to the fore. The main organisers are the Australian Defence League and the Australia First Party, notes Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith.

National Research Officer Penny Howard spoke in opposition to the ‘Reclaim Australia’ rallies

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auline Hanson on the stump in Brisbane proclaiming she is not a racist. Nice one. Pauline is one of the very public faces of the far right. Other less well-known speakers of the far right attended and addressed ‘Reclaim Australia’ rallies pushing a message of hate and exclusion in our communities.

The real forces behind ‘Reclaim Australia’ must be opposed at all costs. At best we have forces on the ‘right track’ to Nazism.

The Australian Defence League organised for these ‘Reclaim Australia’ rallies. What we are dealing with is extreme right wing neoNazis: racist and rotten to the core.

An example of the intent behind ‘Reclaim Australia’ comes from a quote from an American White Nationalist site, which encouraged “White Australian men” to attend, saying “the people that you’ll find at Reclaim Australia are very valuable to us in the long term.

“They’re on the right track and, with our guidance, they can be turned into hardcore Nazis,” Historically there is little difference between Hitler’s hatred and scape-goating of the Jewish people, and the current scapegoating of Muslim people. It is racist and nationalistic and uses the same old catchcries that the far right has sought to use as a lever to manipulate ordinary people with unjustified and illogical fears.

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Back in the 1980s, when the fascist neoNazi organisation National Action existed, it was led by a particularly horrible man by the name of Jim Saleam. This group used to prance around Sydney with a 6 ft 6in goon called the ‘Skull’ who dressed in a Gestapo uniform. Saleam was also a leader of the National Socialist Party of Australia, named in honour of the Nazi Party. The ‘Skull’ decided better of exiting the Sydney train at Wollongong station one time back in the 80s as miners and other unionists gathered to greet him - demonstrating that organising is the best way to deal with fascism.

The group was widely held to be responsible for the shooting of the house of ANC representative in Australia Eddie Funde.

They of course supported apartheid in South Africa.

To tidy up the image of fascism in Australia, Jim Saleam donned a suit and set up the Australia First Party. Back in 2006 the St George & Sutherland Leader quoted the Australia First Party after a demonstration against refugees and asylum seekers at MP Bruce Baird’s office in Cronulla. At that time, they claimed it was the start of a campaign to “reclaim Australia and defend people’s rights”.

Sound familiar?

An online video of one of the ‘Reclaim Australia’ organisers has also revealed a disgraceful position towards Australia’s traditional owners. Shermon Burgess says:

“I’ve met some nice Aboriginal people, I really have. But they’re few and far between, really.

So many of them are just dickheads man.

You see ‘em on metho, passed out, bludging cigarettes and still blaming the modern generation for what happened 200 years ago, which wasn’t even this modern generation that did anything to them,” Lovely bloke.

Around the country there were counter rallies to ‘Reclaim Australia’.

The difference in the narrative between the right wing hate rants and the anti-fascist forces is enormous and worthy of attention for all working people. Neo-Nazis target workers. They need their ‘bovver boys’ to instil fear and hatred of Muslims; then they move on to any opponents including socialists, communists and trade unionists.

Boat people were the first to feel these attacks.

The ‘Reclaim Australia’ supporters on the far right have made it clear they would love to be attacking the Left. Like fascism does, it spreads its hatred till all we have left is the pure race. Everyone else apparently does not matter.

We must be ideologically aware and prepared to counter this hatred and division.

Muslims are a mere two per cent of our society. We are not being over-run by Muslims. Many Muslims arrived because of Australia’s complicity in wars in Afghanistan www.mua.org.au

and Iraq, driving innocent people out of their homelands. Many arrived because of our complicity with Israel and its occupation of Palestine.

The real problems we face within society can be directly attributed to the nature of the profit-driven system of capitalism. Where by 2016 half of the world’s wealth will be owned by just one per cent of the population. Where workers rights, like attacks on penalty rates and hours of work, are happening all over the world – including right now in Australian.

Of course employers don’t mind the distractions where working people blame each other for the problems of the bosses’ system.

Racism and religious intolerance have always suited the bosses and are tools used to divide the working class. The workers are the main potential class enemy of the bosses, and if they are distracted into fighting each other, then the only people it suits are the employers.

It is also historically proven that fascism helps increase profits for business. The bosses will assist these people.

German priest Father Niomoller made a famous quote about the tactics of fascists. His famous saying goes: First they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.

Let’s make sure we don’t tumble into the ‘Reclaim Australia’ movement. The racist and imbecilic rantings on their website do everything to distort the real beliefs of Muslims and create hatred. It is the same mindlessness that boat people are treated with. About one per cent of refugees arrive by boat. No one talks of the other 99 per cent. It is nothing but a whipped up campaign (by the Liberals), unfortunately broadly supported, because of the success of a campaign of misinformation.

The hatred spread by the Liberals about boat people in many ways lies behind this new wave of hate.

Maybe we could say: First they came for the boat people, and I did not speak out — Because I was not boat person.

Then they came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Muslim.

The question is when will they come for you? www.mua.org.au

Beware The Summer Snake Oil Salesmen The Abbott Government is treading carefully on the GST debate because the history books don’t lie.

T

he Goods and Services Tax (GST) is to the Coalition in many ways what action on climate change is to Labor – that is, the electorate won’t accept what a majority of the party thinks is the best way forward for the nation.

The GST has form. It famously sunk the hopes of John Hewson when he lost the so-called “unloseable election” in 1993, and it pushed John Howard’s political acumen to the limit when he lost the popular vote but gathered enough marginal seats to hold office in 1998.

Certainly, former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman realised that the GST was political poison, actively using it as a point of difference between him and Prime Minister Tony Abbott in his unsuccessful campaign to remain in Government.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten cashed in: “Tony Abbott – you might hide from Queenslanders – but you can’t hide the GST policies,’’ Shorten said during Abbott’s absence from the Queensland election campaign.

Abbott has welcomed a debate on the GST but for a government battling perceptions of fairness, he needs to tread carefully.

The GST is considered a regressive tax because the lower your income, the higher the percentage of that income you spend on the goods and services covered by the tax.

Yet the hardheads of the Coalition are coming out of the woodwork one-by-one and musing on whether the GST should be extended to fresh food, education, financial services, healthcare and online purchases, and whether the rate and base should be broadened beyond the current 10 per cent.

Then there is also the debate about the carve-up of the GST, with some Western Australian Coalition MPs wanting a bigger slice of the pie, while other states such as Tasmania and South Australia would lose out.

The most significant entrant to the debate is Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who said the GST should be extended to products like fresh food and education.

Robb, federal director of the Liberal Party from 1990-97, knows only too well the pitfalls of a GST election as does Abbott, who worked for Hewson in the lead-up to the 1993 poll.

Abbott has said changing the GST would be “a big thing to do” and “the short answer is no”. He has also ruled out any changes in this term of Parliament.

Yet Abbott continues to hide behind a political fig-leaf which was discredited by fact

checkers in the lead-up to the last federal election, in that “I certainly don’t mind members of parliament discussing the GST, but the GST simply can’t be changed unless all of the states and territories agree.” The statement simply isn’t true.

Abbott’s lack of repudiation of Robb, a senior cabinet minister, signals either tacit approval or far worse - that he has lost control of his party room.

And regardless of Abbott’s comments, the debate is being pushed along by the right wing press, with headlines such as this in the Australian Financial Review: Momentum Builds for GST Reform.

Not surprisingly, the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) think the rate should go up from 10 per cent.

On the other side of the equation, the Australia Institute says the GST base could be widened in a way that would not hurt the poor, by applying it to private school fees and health insurance.

Add to this the fact that health groups - including the Heart Foundation, Obesity Policy Coalition and Public Health Association of Australia – have slammed any proposal to extend the GST to fresh produce, saying such a move would have a negative impact on chronic disease and obesity.

Researchers from the University of Queensland in 2013 estimated that applying the 10 per cent GST to fresh food would reduce fruit and vegetable consumption by about 5 per cent, and would produce an additional 90,000 cases of heart disease, stroke and cancer in the Australian adult population.

So what we have brewing is a right political mess.

Abbott’s caution could be due to the Hewson experience, or the fact he realises this will straight away become a debate about truth and fairness rather than a way to strengthen the economy.

The debate, as it stands, raises more questions than answers.

What has the prime minister learned since his disastrous first budget?

Does he have control over his own party room?

Beware any information tested during a long, hot Australian summer, because you might just get burned.

This article first appeared at https:// newmatilda.com/2015/01/15/bewaresummer-snake-oil-salesmen 83

ART & CULTURE

ART & CULTURE

MUA Supports Blue Angel Theatre

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he MUA is proud to be supporting the Blue Angel theatre production by the highly acclaimed Big hART, which premiered at the 2015 Tasmanian International Arts Festival in Hobart in March.

The show explores stories of the sea, the global push for an end to exploitation of seafarers and Flag-of-Convenience shipping.

The Sydney Branch and many other branches around the country, plus current and retired seafarers, helped with the production.

MUA Sydney Branch Assistant Secretary Joe Deakin and Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer attended the official opening, along with current and retired seafarers.

“Ninety per cent of everything we use comes to us with the help of over a million seafarers working around the globe and around the clock in harsh conditions. Yet they are mostly invisible to us, their epic stories almost unknown. Blue Angel tells these stories,” Big hART said.

“Every night there is a city of workers afloat on our oceans, delivering our consumer goods along a liquid highway to our doors. Blue Angel explores the

Message from MUA National Secretary and International Transport Workers’ Federation President Paddy Crumlin

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he Maritime Union of Australia and its predecessor unions – the Seamen’s Union of Australia and Waterside Workers’ Federation – have a long and proud history.

This history isn’t just about representing the rights and conditions of workers, but also about continuing to realise an Australian society that “holds fast” as seafarers say, to a strong sense of, and commitment to, social justice.

Part of this is the telling of stories, which are passed down through generations of seafarers by their raconteurs and storytellers.

There are more than one million seafarers across the globe. And it is a little-known fact that Australia has the fourth largest shipping task in the world. Hardly anyone else needs ships more than us, even though many 84

A re-enactment at Port Kembla

Sell Out Preview For Dalfram Dispute Doco

T “Out in the blue, without your mates, y’ dead” JOE MILLER, RETIRED AUSTRALIAN SEAFARER, 101 YEARS OLD.

Australians - particularly politicians - believe our nation ends at the low tide mark.

Unfortunately, laws are being proposed to be brought before the Federal Parliament by the Abbott Government which would bring an end to this tradition, by opening up our coast to cheap flag-of-convenience shipping - a mechanism for tax avoidance and labour and safety deregulation.

Why else would anyone register a ship in Liberia, for example, one of the largest ship registries in the world? Would you go there as a tourist, or for health care?

Australian workers cannot compete in this environment of policy neglect.

So it’s vitally important that the show you are about to see inspires you regarding the importance of ships and seafarers to a sustainable economic, political and functional Australian community, and the society of an island nation about as far away from our trading partners as you could get (unless you are in New Zealand).

The current Federal Government’s abandonment of manufacturing, and the many service and support industries that support it, including shipping, is painting a grim and forlorn future for Australian working men and women - and

experiences of real seafarers, from foreign shores and our very own. Ordinary people whose lives are some of the most extraordinary; filled with tales of adventure, solidarity, danger, love, loneliness, laughter, sex, death and the urgency of contemporary experiences of exploitation.”

our communities that have been ironically blessed by owning some of the greatest commodity wealth in oil and minerals in the world.

Is it political ignorance based on the intellectual isolation of elitism or just arrogance and hubris? Or both?

You make your mind up as we see this wonderful industry, which is essential and populated with innovative, courageous, colourful and highly skilled women and men that are as much about the real future of the Australia we want as they have been of the Australia that has been and is today.

In the 1950s and 60s, the Fighting Films Unit of our union built up an archive of material which is, to this day, used by documentary makers and curators everywhere to chronicle a working class history of Australia.

Some of these films, such as The Hungry Mile, have become documentary classics.

The MUA remains a strong and constant supporter of the arts as essential to the quality of our lives as a job, a livable wage, a home or our health. I’m extraordinarily proud that Big hART has chosen to tell the story of seafarers through its Blue Angel production. www.mua.org.au

he launch of a new documentary The Dalfram Dispute 1938 – Pig Iron Bob sold out its preview screening at Wollongong Town Hall in March, due to the strong local interest in the landmark dispute.

On 15 November 1938, 180 men on the Port Kembla Wharf stopped loading pig iron for one ship. The ship was the Dalfram, which was taking pig iron to Japan to be used as bullets and bombs in the takeover of China.

The men stopped loading for 11 weeks.

This was not an industrial issue, it was a moral issue. Bob Menzies, the Federal Attorney General and Minister for Trade, tried everything to get the men to load. He was branded ‘Pin Iron Bob’ by leader of the housewives association Ma Croft – and it’s a nickname that lasted his lifetime.

Interviewees in the documentary include Nanjing Massacre survivors, a Japanese teacher, historians Stuart Macyntire and Glenn Mitchell, Japanese prisoner-of-war Tom Uren (in one of his last interviews before his death), Bob

Message from MUA National Secretary and International Transport Workers’ Federation President Paddy Crumlin

bulk barrier, when they realised cargo being loaded was ammunition for the troops in Vietnam.

They had already reluctantly sailed the ship a year earlier, after taking industrial action and hanging a banner over the side of the ship declaring their opposition to the war, signaling that it was sailing as a peace ship.

At stop-work meetings throughout Australia, an overwhelming majority of members decided on a policy of noncooperation in the manning of ships with cargoes of bombs, armaments and ammunitions to Vietnam.

From March 1967, no more SUA members crewed ships to Vietnam. The navy took over.

The SUA also played an important role in the campaign to end apartheid, by refusing to allow South African goods and produce to be imported into Australia, or served on ships. The union sent nine containers of medical supplies, clothing and food that were shipped out to refugees and fighters of apartheid inside South Africa.

And the WWF refused to unload South African fish from a cargo vessel in 1964, in the first act of industrial action on the issue.

These were principled stands. It wasn’t obstruction for its own sake. We need to remember that one in eight Australian

T

he Seamen’s Union of Australia and the Waterside Workers’ Federation have a long history of supporting peace, maintaining a strong social conscience and standing up for what’s right.

The Dalfram Dispute wasn’t about pay or conditions. This was about workers and their families showing great courage to do the right thing and the MUA is deeply proud of its history.

Rupert Lockwood wrote in his book War On The Waterfront: “180 men in sweaty singlets and hob-nailed boots sacrificed pay packets in favour of conscience, rather than become unwilling providers of munitions metal for Japan.”

The workers were supported by people all over Australia, and we should remember them. In that instance, we extended the hand of friendship to China.

Elsewhere, during the Vietnam War, SUA members walked off the Boonaroo, an old www.mua.org.au

Menzies’ daughter Heather Henderson, David Kemp MP, Suzanne Roach and family members of the men who stopped the war materials being sent.

The message of this film is peace.

Although we hear the horrendous stories of the Nanjing Massacre by the survivors, at the end they send messages of forgiveness towards the Japanese people.

The film explores left and right-wing ideologies before the outbreak of World War II; and through interviews with the two main characters’ daughters Menzies and Communist Party leader and Waterside Workers federation South Coast secretary Ted Roach – we hear that both men were doing what they believed to be the best thing for Australia.

The MUA has been proud to support the making of this documentary by Sandra Pires, and the launch was attended by MUA South Coast Branch Secretary Garry Keane and several members from the branch.

Further Screenings Brisbane - 17 April, venue tbc Sydney - May, venue tbc China – September, venue tbc

merchant seamen went down in World War Two. This is something we should be reminded of in the current environment, as neo-liberals look to open up Australia’s coast to foreign shipping and severely limited background and visa checks for international seafarers.

In the modern era, we turn our focus to flags of convenience – or FOC. Cheap registration fees, low or no taxes and freedom to employ cheap labour are the motivating factors behind a ship-owner’s decision to fly the flag of a country other than the country of ownership.

Once a ship is registered under an FOC, many ship-owners then recruit the cheapest labour they can find, pay minimal wages and cut costs by lowering standards of living and working conditions for the crew.

As well as National Secretary of the MUA, I am also President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation.

The ITF’s role is to try to stamp out the use of FOC, and ensure decent pay and conditions for seafarers and dockworkers the world over.

The MUA is a proud supporter of this documentary and the people of Port Kembla, who supported waterside workers on this important moral and political issue.

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