Maritime Unity (Official Publication of the Maritime Union of Australia Sydney Branch)

Maritime UNITY

2016 ANOTHER YEAR OF The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

Edition: December 2016

STRUGGLE INSIDE: UNION NEWS, INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY, WOMEN, YOUTH, ATSI & MORE!

BRANCH SECRETARY’S EDITORIAL

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MUA SYDNEY BRANCH CONTACTS Located:

Level 1, 365 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9264 5024 Fax: (02) 9261 4548

Email: muasyd@mua.org.au Web: www.mua.org.au

Paul McAleer Branch Secretary

Paul Keating Deputy Branch Secretary

Mobile: 0417 468 424 Email: paul.mcaleer@mua.org.au

Mobile: 0434 290 443 Email: paul.keating@mua.org.au

Paul Garrett Assistant Branch Secretary

Joe Deakin Assistant Branch Secretary

Mobile: 0418 422 589 Email: paul.garrett@mua.org.au

Mobile: 0439 411 056 Email: joe.deakin@mua.org.au

MUA SYDNEY BRANCH COMMITTEE The Branch Committee is the committee of management for the Sydney Branch. It consists of representatives from all the areas of operation of the Branch. Its role is to assist determination and implementation of the policy and direction of the Sydney Branch.

The Branch Committee consists of the following members from the various areas:

Paul McAleer Branch Secretary

YEAR IN REVIEW

The last twelve months have been very interesting times for our Union. It may well be the last year that the Maritime Bunkering Dale Duckworth Union of Australia stands on its own as an independent Maritime Union. We have DP World Brad Dunn amalgamated many previous once proud

Sue Virago unions into the MUA throughout 145 years and our next one pending endorsement from Hutchison Craig Hancock the membership will be with the powerful Sydney Ferries Steve Husband

Holly Mathewson CFMEU. We will create a new magnificent

Steve Staines union that has the capacity to continue

Aimee Russell Kalmar Josh Teale fighting for maritime workers in a way that will continue the legacies built up over Sydney Large Tugs John Anderson NMS Botany Dave Fishwick generations.

The assaults by the ruling class have been Veterans Jim Donovan so crushing that it is impossible for the NMS Kurnell Nathan Donato MUA to continue to service and campaign locally, nationally and internationally in Women Mich-Elle Myers Patrick’s Matt Bonner a meaningful way by staying on our own.

Aimee Russell

Matt Freestone The level of servicing that is necessary

Sue Virago under the enterprise bargaining system, the Port Authority Kieran Crumlin diminishing opportunities as a consequence Youth Ryan McGibbon-Thompson of ideological destruction of manufacturing

Justin Halwagy RMS Fiona Thomson and the shipping that supports it is making it increasingly difficult to continue providing Maritime UNIT Y the resources essential in representing maritime workers in the way we deserve. The Editor: Paul McAleer new Union which is feared by the ruling class Contributors: Jamie Armstrong, Nathan Colombo to the extent that multiple stories have arose

Mahla Conomos, Dan Crumlin, and press conference speeches declaring

Joe Deakin, Jim Donovan this shouldn’t go ahead, and Michaelia

Paul Garrett, Stuart Holt Cash wants a public interest test before it is

Paul Keating, Ryan McGibbon - passed. This is the greatest advertisement Thompson, Mich-Elle Myers, for the new merged union. The Union

Sue Virago, Kevin Tory movement needs stronger more powerful unions that have the ability to take on the bosses and politicians and beat them and our new Union will put us in the best possible Submissions and Letters to Maritime Unity may be made to position to do it. mahla.conomos@mua.org.au The Hutchison dispute was an incredible victory, 136 days of struggle on a roundabout at the entrance to the Port Botany site which had a police and security guard cordon Ausport

Jamie Armstrong

Seafarers

Jeff Carroll Dan Crumlin Jed Crumlin Matt Lawrence Glen Mallon Mark Palmer Gary Tearle

preventing access to the terminal within a few short hours of workers receiving text messages that they had been sacked. The fury that was felt in the community at this was reinforced by their support from fellow wharfies, maritime workers, trade unionists, Unions NSW, ACTU, federal politicians from the ALP and the Greens, the Communist Party of Australia, and numerous socialist and anarchist parties, members of the local community, activists, and maritime workers around the world through the support of the ITF and the IDC. What was amazing was the sheer tenacity of the whole Hutchison workforce who determined democratically all decisions related to the dispute. There were days of pure excitement, days of pain and seeming defeat, days of courage of standing up against all our opponents, cold nights around the fire, warm days, massive storms that nearly tore to pieces our little tent city. Our roundabout embassy was visited by everyone important to us and they made the journey that little bit easier by their companionship and solidarity. We had musicians, face painters, bands, entertainers, to go with our own fully functioning entertainment centre, with TV, movies, darts, card table, lounge and dining room. We had comrades bring us beautifully prepared food, buy us supplies and provisions. We had art on display throughout the dispute, presentations, solidarity events, the veterans and youth spending enormous time down there. It was a buzz and was like a miniscule Paris commune for four and a half months.

There were times when there were only a few of us during the cold nights, sleeping on the lounge wondering if we were ever going to get everyone back in, but in the morning when the barbies were starting up and cooking breakfast for the maritime workers who were coming in before their shifts on the waterfront or the activists popped down for a coffee before work that you realised that this was absolutely essential to win and would be won, it was inevitable. The win was not just for the Hutchison workers but also for all the wharfies around the coast.

If Hutchison could get away with contracting their work out to their competitors casualising the workforce, stripping away hard fought for conditions, why wouldn’t DP World and Patrick’s do it.

So it was a fight that was necessary, which made the victory all the more sweeter.

Many of those activists who spent their time down there have been employed at Hutchison, because of the willingness of the membership to struggle for agreed labour pools and increased female and Aboriginal presence on the Sydney waterfront.

We took on the bosses who tried to take the water away, the power away, the tents

Disclaimer: Articles and opinions in the newspaper reflect the thoughts of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Maritime Union of Australia

The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

away, all of us away, but we stood solid and defied everyone up against us. The delegates were amazing, the membership were forthright in their concerns, and steadfast in their support for their union, maintaining their position that everything must be resolved before finalising the dispute. One of the great victories in the history of our union.

National Conference was a reflection of the Unions past, present and future.

From the opening to the closing, rankand-file democracy discussed, debated and deliberated the strategies and policies that would be necessary to secure the task of representing maritime workers and the broader working class in a militant, united and fighting way. There were many resolutions from the MUA Sydney Branch that dealt with all aspects of the Union, from the industrial standpoint the introduction of industry commissions is to attempt to smash the system of competition between workers for the lowest common denominator, we must fight as industry workers for industry outcomes and the Commissions will give this an opportunity. The Branch also sought support for a MUA charter of Principles which was also endorsed. I would ask all members to take the time to read the comprehensive resolutions from Conference.

The Branch also had numerous political and community based resolutions that was passed by conference, continuing the tradition of supporting social justice and solidarity initiatives not just in Australia but around the world to ensure we are fighting for not just better workplaces but better communities and a sustainable justice based world free from the tyranny of exploitation and environmental destruction. The Sydney Branch delegation did an amazing job representing all areas of coverage and their participation and involvement was first rate.

We really do have wonderful delegates and workplace activists who are the backbone of the Branch.

We have seen the continuing diminishing of security of employment in many areas, none greater than in blue water shipping and the offshore oil and gas industry. There has been a significant decrease in work for members, coupled with a year of revalidation of certificates which many members have found difficulty in completing because of cost pressures and unemployment. The impact on the membership far exceeds that of decreasing membership for the union.

Comrades who have spent their careers at sea in service to this country and the economy are thrown on the scrapheap by this rotten Government being replaced by

some of the most exploited formal workers in the world. The Union is continuing to devote resources to campaigns and lobbying efforts to increase security of work in this industry and it all came together in the form of the Jobs Embassy on the lawns of Parliament. A great demonstration of the capacity of the Union to take the fight right up to the steps of parliament and all the way into offices of senators and politicians and into the house of representatives.

Towage is also being continuously effected by misplaced competition policy, misplaced business acumen and increased technology and containership tonnage, resulting in fewer ship movements and insecurity for our linesmen, port workers and tug workers.

The Sydney Branch have been able to secure the large tugs and the membership, even after the collapse of one company, there were no forced redundancies. The Government is attempting to remove the fire tugs at NSW Ports which will be opposed completely and we will fight them, and it appears they are attempting to weaken the Port Safety Operating Licence. Ausport is largely secure and we are attempting to resolve the NMS and Ausbarge Enterprise Agreements. The efforts of the wharfies to secure lines work for the linesmen has been secured to the extent possible with clauses in all three agreements restricting lines work to linesmen. The bunker barge dispute is still not resolved despite twelve months of negotiations, this is an area that needs to be addressed and resolved, with an outcome in sight. We are close to settling the matter, however no settlement will occur without the previous bunker barge crew walking up the gangway.

RMS members have had their conditions secured via the Enterprise Agreement negotiations which were painful however

resulted in certainty, and a continued presence on our waterways despite concerns regarding shared resources across multiple agencies, the Governments wages policy and HR attempts to wipe out many long held conditions of employment.

Our ferry workers have been relatively stable at Harbour City Ferries this year, with a number of disputes resolved and others leaving a feeling of scepticism. The members throughout the ferry network have

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than the attacks attempted by Hutchison, in fact it is probably the agreement that we would have had had we lost the dispute.

The shamelessness and capitulation of the AMOU in their dealings with ICTSI will not be rewarded by the Sydney Branch’s support for them in any way whatsoever. We will do everything we can to expose this rotten filthy mob ICTSI to every wharfie on the planet and will involve ourselves in any campaign to smash this Company until they have industry standard outcomes and are not jeopardising the entire waterfront in their desire for profits.

There were huge numbers of activities throughout the year and we lost some of our greats. The Unity will attempt to outline many of these. World Maritime Day was particularly important because of the attacks on our seafarers and we had our first without Pat Geraghty, a giant of our Union and broader working class community. We once more marched across the bridge to the National Maritime Museum to hold the world’s leaders to account over the exploitation of seafarers, our own Governments neglect of supporting cabotage, to reflect on the enormous contribution of the Merchant Navy of this country made up of SUA members who ensured compliance with the Enterprise when they went to work they went to war, Agreement and magnificent service to reflect on the dead and wounded wharfies the travelling public under the increased who were bombed in Darwin and the 1 in 8 certainty that further runs will be franchised seafarers losing their lives during the second out or overtaken by tourist boats. The world war to defeat fascism and reflect upon announcement by the State Government the contribution that all maritime workers that it is going to have Uber ferries was taken make to the global economy, transportation with a great deal of frustration and surprise, and trade. It is a great day for our Branch, particularly the vets and it is something that however the continuing trend towards dismantling of public assets and cost cutting all members should do better in supporting. will obviously result in less certainty for We started the year off at war with commuters and tourists. Manly Fast Ferries Hutchison’s and Patrick’s, and ended up with outcomes in both workplaces that will have an agreement shortly that does has resulted in significant more certainty not match industry standards however an and security for both workforces, the year EA will assist members there with increased certainty and more job security as permanent ends for those members in triumph, yet the employment is established and an uplift in drumbeats of conflict are increasing and marching towards DP World who have kicked conditions, the fight continues to unionise numerous own goals and look likely to and organise the harbour to rid it of the exploitation that exists for many deckhands. significantly hurt their interests through poor decisions, inconsistent policy application, Down at Circular Quay we have secured outcomes for the wharfies servicing the having their head up their arse and pushing their managers over to their competition. passenger ships, however we are still to Silly disputes over mooring, swearing policy, conclude the Qube EA and we will be perverted surveillance policies, archaic time battling this mob until we get the right outcome. The fact that one of the passenger consuming non-productive application ships chopped its lines as a result of of personal leave policy amongst other maritime workers struggling against an anti- stupidities has meant the workforce have lost significant confidence in the management union agenda demonstrates the lengths the Sydney Branch will go to ensure all harbour at a local and national level, particularly corporate who seem intent on filling in workers get justice and job security.

Our wire drawn ferry members have had resumes for their next jobs rather than doing the right thing for their current employer. to put up with corrupt operators who have DP World have an opportunity for peace profited from the underpayment of wages via a comprehensive reorganisation of the and standover tactics. The Branch has been waging a case for a number of years now for VSE category into permanent rostered and wage justice and repayment of outstanding salaried jobs. We fought extraordinarily hard at both Hutchison’s and Patrick’s to secure owed monies. We will continue to organise full time permanent rostered jobs, the in this area to ensure members and nonmembers are protected and to build strength membership determined that this fight must in the workplace to achieve justice in this be fought and carried it through. The DP dysfunctionally managed area.

World workforce will be fully supported in any claim to maximise rostered salaried jobs.

The treacherous former National Official The year ends with some controversy, of the MUA Michael O’Leary has stamped his authority on any scheme that attacks MUA however I fundamentally believe that the members, being involved in the organising Branch has achieved great results almost of the Hutchison illegal sackings to the ICTSI everywhere, whilst there is still tremendous room for advancement and improvement.

Melbourne terminal whose substandard conditions of employment are no different The work of the MUA Sydney Branch will

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never be concluded until we have eliminated exploitation and injustice for all workers - not just our own members, this task will never likely cease, so there will remain tough hard work for us all for eternity unless we overthrow capitalism itself. On behalf of the Branch Executive I would like to thank the delegates throughout the Branch, they are tireless in their service to the membership and without them the Branch simply wouldn’t function. I would also like to thank everyone who supports our efforts particularly the legal team who have been inundated with work for the Branch over the last twelve months, in fact last five years. We are grateful to all acts of solidarity shown by people throughout the movement locally, nationally and internationally and we thank them. To everyone and those that you love, it is an important time of the year, many of us will enjoy it and many others will be anxious as a result of family break ups or relationship dramas, it is not a happy time for all but we can do our best to put our arms around our loved ones, our mates and neighbours, and wish them a good time and brighten up their days. Look out for one another, our new year’s resolution should be to build a wall of solidarity against hate, poverty, exploitation, war and all things that divide us, if we achieved this there would be no more resolutions required other than its maintenance. All the best everyone.

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two cannibals with ADHD and working out which one has the sharper teeth to get it over and done with quicker. The USA is a 24 hour 7 days a week anxiety attack, where any mechanism to continue the brutal class oppression is wielded and fought against in a relentless struggle for power.

The ruling class continue the hateful rhetoric that has inspired wars of conquest, annihilation, plunder and destruction in which the rectification profits are swept up by the establishment in a continuous cycle of destruction and construction. Destroying the working class and building profits for the ultra rich, with the trickle down piss on our heads never quite angering us enough as those dirty raping Mexicans, or the terrorist Muslims or the global Jewish conspiracy or the property thieving satanic communists or whoever our little ignorant minds can become fascinated by as our current enemies instead of realising it is Uncle Sam and always has been.

It is almost impossible to dissect the election of Trump, there is no homogeneous

the globe in the 30’s and 40’s. Pretending to look after the interests of the scaredy cat toilers through systematic opportunist nationalistic flag waving demagoguery has always been a disaster and will always continue to be. The trick is to smash the ruling class so completely their filthy little grubby hands can never steer the course of human and planetary advancement.

I think the Trump election is symptomatic of not white supremacism or male supremacism but wealth supremacism. The Black Lives Matter movement was about generating greater understanding of the terrorism inflicted upon the African American community by police beatings and murders, by government and institutionalised neglect amongst a sea of crimes of impoverishment.

There should be a celebration via a big ticket tape parade paid for by the “Wealth Supremacist Lives Matter” movement, who are funded by the masters of the universe, criminal CEO’s, supported by the “Nothing Matters” movement by all the armchair critics and cynics blaming everyone else for their

group in society. In a country like America, there may never have been, maybe there is no such thing at all. We were once more loyalist in our belief systems, we were either one thing or another and largely stayed within our packs, that mentality is gone and for many good reasons, we have been able to smash previously conceived notions that discriminated on the basis of difference which should be applauded.

The problem with the neoliberal project is its sophistication. Its ability to turn us against each other so easily and to their sick perverted advantage that is so worrisome.

Trumps dissatisfaction is the worst in US history, which demonstrates the electorates disgust at their options, so they look for differences that lift them out of their depression, instead of eliminating it, it is only building the antagonisms with the establishment and political elite that will never be addressed by the election of this orange headed corporafascist.

We are now run by a capitalist dictatorship, gold-pot despots, whose division of the working class has been applied so effectively they can do as they please by our own vote. Imagine that, the democratic project, free from the tyranny of monarchy, would result in the pussy grabbing sexual predator becoming commander in chief of the worlds largest nuclear power and warmongering army. The neoliberal neoconservative revolution is continuing in the same way that the fascists swept to power in many parts of

self induced capitulation into slavery in a self constructed worldly hell by waving their made in China flags.

Make America great again? What a meaningless slogan, when was it ever great?

When it was terrorising native Americans?

When it was terrorising slaves? When it was terrorising every wave of immigrants? When it was terrorising workers? When it was terrorising every corner of the world? When it was terrorising the people of Dresden, Nagasaki, or Hiroshima through fire bombing or the use of genocidal atomic bombs on civilian populations?

There have been a billion trees cut down and a billion terabytes of data devoted to figuring out how the fuck we ended up in the fucked up situation humanity and the ecosystem finds itself it. All of it not worth a cupful of warm piss compared to the action taken by the progressive and radical revolutionaries throughout history that have actually delivered change. The liberals not Liberals (too intellectual for social democracy, too gutless and weak to be socialists) have been Trumpeting Trumps comments as being a reflection of the American people and must be respected!!!!

Respected, what a farce. This guy is an animal, he is a consciously depraved neofascist whose views of the world are all too understood, yet because the American people, a whole quarter of them thought the idea of another Democratic President in the form of an evil, corporate, murderous, sell

US ELECTION. FASCISM CEO STYLE. EVIL VS EVIL The recent election of Donald ‘Your Fired’ Trump was hardly predicted by anyone, a few hotshots have come out saying they knew this would happen, when the position can be won by one of two people the likelihood of some of the tens of millions of intellectual genius commentators getting it right are quite high. All of the pundits came out after saying well if you look at all the key indicators it couldn’t have been any other result. Bureaucrats explaining away the election result is another sick consequence of the entertainment news industry, an endless line of self proclaimed political masterminds selling their knowledge and arse to the eternal news channels to the detriment of genuine political movements for social change.

The American tragedy is reflected in most corners of the world and is not just a United States phenomenon. Having a racist, sexist, fascist fuckwit in the white house is nothing new either. The American oligarchy represents a capitalist dictatorship which can only continue to thrive on the backs of the working class. A working class fully represented in the United States or any country for that matter would overwhelmingly vote in representatives of the working class. Because there are only two political parties with the billions of dollars of funding that is necessary to mount an effective tilt at the White House, we swap between two leaders of parties that destroy everything we fight for because there is no alternative voice. We are picking between

out was something they couldn’t celebrate for another four or eight years. One quarter, a whole 27% of the voting population actually voted for Trump, 73% didn’t vote or didn’t vote Trump, and this dessicated mandarin believes he has a mandate, and employed billionaires, sexists, racists, neoliberal conservative ideologues and other scumbags in the highest offices in the land, not one of them elected into that position.

We cant dismiss the ideas that have got him elected, this is all the rage now, as is the alt-right. Too bloody right we can’t dismiss the ideas that got him elected, they were instituted by years of social democrats, neo conservatives and neoliberals standing up for the wealth supremacists, whether they be Black, White, Christian, Muslim or Jewish, Male, Female or any other of their selfdefined divisions of what we all are which is human, it doesn’t matter what you are as long as you are rich, and as long as you fight actively or passively for the status quo you will be rewarded.

We must implement a revolutionary program, this will be difficult and there will be obvious sacrifices and losses, however anyone informing you that the way out is a meme campaign to elect the next generation of degenerates are the ones denying “hope”.

The President of “Hope” Barack Obama was an abject failure as President, so much so that the Democrats couldn’t replace him with someone more progressive, Americans lost all Hope and resorted to “desperation and fear” President Trump. We must work with the courageous working class of the United States, the trade unions, the socially progressive community campaigners to ensure they are not destroyed in the fight for justice for all. They are our comrades, and we need to support their brave struggle, losing this battle will resign the rest of the working class across the planet to new episodes of slavery, environmental destruction and a slide into fascist terrorism of the working class.

OUR LAND IS GIRT BY SEA The recent High Court victory that the MUA along with the AMOU achieved has been a significant victory in many ways.

Ruling Class hatred of our Union is not a new phenomenon, it has been the overwhelming goal of multiple governments throughout our 145 years in existence. The Offshore Oil and Gas industry has created tremendous wealth, the great majority for major shareholders around the world and in a few places around the world short term prosperous workforces, including Australia. But many have missed out, and it appears most of the wealth is locked up in generational tax cuts which the privileged one percenters benefit by most.

The problem with this equation is that the owners of this wealth in a legal sense are the Australian people not the monopoly pirates. The resource mafia simply rent the lands and waters to fulfil their pillaging and fly first class back to their boardrooms with vaults of cash to launder the next project of environmental destruction and human slavery. We are left with holes to fill, environments to rejuvenate, boom

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The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

towns that have become ghost towns and FIFO workers recovery to normality with little support. We should be in control of the entire industry start to finish so that everyone is collectively rewarded for the asset. Even the ex-Vikings have worked out that a sovereign wealth fund for your country is a far better approach to economic wealth creation than shovelling gold bars into the offshore bank accounts of the uber-wealthy parasites.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were robbed of their culture and lives through the genocidal invasion of this country, they were also robbed of the lands and waters that no government no matter how corrupt can deny, and the economic power that has been derived from their ownership of these assets is lost to them forever. The reason for 60,000 years of sustainable use of this great country was not ripping the heart and soul out of the land and water to feed our insatiable selfinterest; sustainable living by respecting nature and the ecosystem gave rise to the most successful civilisation in world history and that is what we should be trying to get back to instead of worshipping the liars and criminals whose message is one of hope and faith in an imaginary never to be fulfilled supernatural paradise.

Twiggy Forrest pretends to give full time work to Aboriginals and is feted at celebrity dinners, Gina Rhinehart buys the media, wears cocktail sheets at cocktail parties and tells her servant Barnaby and Malcolm what to do, by slipping bundles of cash into their golden frankfurters. A few ALP rats will go and work in the mega businesses to show what workers can strive to do if they would only sell their arse. The mineral wealth of this country is worth trillions of dollars, and undoubtedly there has been billions of dollars realised through investment, construction, employment, taxation etc, but it is a microscopic contribution compared to the Australian public realising its full value through the public ownership of all industry and means of production, but this is socialism and fighting for it means giving up a few games of Friday night football, Masterchef and the Block.

However, given the working class of this country have not the courage or confidence (whether in themselves or their leadership) as a whole to overthrow the capitalist despots, we have to live with the consequences of our apathy and inaction, which is that the ruling class control our lives start to finish, and we rely on the ruling class to sometimes give us legal judgements that keep us alive that bit longer. And that’s what this judgement ultimately means, we remain in the game, until legislative change makes us extinct or protects our right to work into the future.

The sheer bastardry of this dispute is available for all to see. The legislation that the ALP put in place offered some protection for not as exploited crews (Australian) to work along our coast in one of the most lucrative industries there is. It attempted to ensure that sovereign seafarers would be given opportunities to work in the industry and not for it to be opened to the peasants of the sea (most international seafarers). The Abbott and then the Turnbull Government attempted to remove some of these protections to allow cartels worth hundreds

of billions of dollars to open the industry up to hyper exploitation. Visa’s that were supposed to be used for celebrity Royals gallivanting in war machines were being used by criminals to employ exploited workers.

The effort was not just about greater profitability, it was about smashing Unions, in particular ours.

Our Union, whilst not revolutionary has engaged in intense struggle against capital since the early 1870’s. We have defied governments and businesses and have

entertainment junkies we really are.

Back to the Offshore. I don’t like the slogans that we are using on occasion, placing nationalistic fervour above the collective rights of working class people has resulted in fascism, and working class people have suffered incredibly as a consequence; it has not enhanced the position of workers.

The elimination of exploitation and sovereign employment opportunities matters most, which doesn’t haven’t the same ring to it. Quite significantly with the advent of

benefits all maritime workers not only in this country but around the world. The National Office of the Union should be praised for their handling of this dispute, they have strategically delivered a significant blow against a rotten filthy Government in the highest court in this country. No matter how perverted your views on our Union are, no one can suggest that this is not a victory for seafarers in this country. A loss would have seen the destruction of thousands of MUA jobs, which would have been a travesty.

The outcome is tremendously welcomed by workers in the Offshore who have been holding out for some good news since the destruction of jobs in the industry over the last couple of years. Utilising the collective resources of the Union, industrial action, solidarity, global union infrastructure, political lobbying, campaigning, communications and our internal and external legal team proved to be bigger and better than the Federal Government of this country.

MEDIA ASSAULT secured rights and conditions at work that have given us dignity, reduced deaths and injuries and extracted relatively reasonable amounts off the bosses for our members.

But politically we have the ability to change governments, to change policies to fight against the excesses of capitalism, this they hate. They would have loved the North Vietnamese to be agent oranged to death, the white supremacist apartheid rule to still enjoy the sun under Rhodesia, the Brisbane line being the border between Australia and Japan and all the rest of their adventurist neoliberal imperialist wet dreams coming true.

Not being able to get the changes they wanted forced through the parliament Michaelia “fuck asbestos victims” Cash and Potato head Dutton supported the use of sneaky legislative instruments to get their needs met. The ministerial determinations created to sidestep the Senate which refused to accept the demands of the reactionary Liberal-National Coalition Government was wholly an undemocratic play that ultimately was found to be unconstitutional by five High Court Judges to zero. A comprehensive victory in which the MUA were awarded costs, to be paid for largely by the Australian working class through their taxes, because the Government was using workers money to appeal the decisions of judges on behalf of their lords and masters in big business.

That is the corruption of capitalism, and it is why the only justice we will ever receive as workers is by the overthrow of the system itself. No amount of renovation by the social democrats will make this house attractive enough to hide its ultimate decay. The ruling class renovate the house of capitalism relentlessly, in our faces, “take this with the nice bathroom and kitchen” they say to us, and we lap it up not realising that the termites are marching throughout the whole structure eating it to pieces but the advertising on The Block makes us watch it and actually enjoy it, what a bunch of

Recently the MUA has had to deal with a number of usual happenings that have global economic infrastructure workers are occurred previously throughout the history easily transported to any suburb on earth of the Union and the broader labour movement. to carry out our worker bee jobs, wherever their labour is more advantageous to the These relate to the attacks by the Ruling capitalists, the removal of the local workforce Class on our institutions, on our democratic is a mere formality, except where there is functions, on our solidarity through assaults organised labour. The only bulwark against on our workplaces and our communities as well attacking the leadership of the MUA destitution and poverty. Transportable technological change has delivered as industrial thugs, mercenaries and in a telemarketing jobs in the subcontinent number of cases terrorists. where the next generation of crane operators The Ruling Class is the group of forces will likely be having their smoko if we allow who employ labour, own the means of production, create the laws, those who them.

We will be getting legal advice from basically run the show along with their paid cheaper legal practitioners in whereverland stooges in management and parliament. over the internet, medical advice off the The working class is made up of all the great internet doctor who will prescribe you individuals who sell their labour, who don’t medications from whereverland, millions of own the means of production and who get jobs will be outsourced to nonconsuming stood over to live in a compliant way. robots, and all the while the one percenters We are no longer just employees of a are shovelling money out of wheelbarrows company, those who sell their labour can into their designer automated mansions be casuals, contractors, sub contractors, in police patrolled enclaves of wealth precarious workers, piecemeal workers, and supremacists. all the various other categories of labour that Sovereign jobs will not just be lost in aren’t employees. We have been so fractured, blue collar, the way we are going we will from industry employment, to Enterprise be purchasing professional services, if Employment to individual contract not already off the internet from foreign employment, and don’t believe the hype that shores, doctors, architects, lawyers, judges there isn’t individual contracts, ask a dozen everybody is replaceable and the lowest mates and at least one of them will be paid bidder will be the winner in this upside cash in hand, as well as by contract or by any down world that we live in. other precarious means.

The International Transport Workers Our Union for most of the second part of Federation (ITF) recognised in 2012 when our history has been based on rank-and-file this blue started that it was absolutely democracy. The communists were largely necessary for the MUA to win, and showed instrumental in overthrowing reformist their support financially and practically via Officials who would not challenge the numerous campaigns waged in this country status quo of 24 hour shifts, begging for and globally. If sovereign workers organised work, no leave, no workers compensation, in one of the strongest unions in this country poverty in retirement etc. From the 30s, could be beaten, then what is left for other 40s, and 50s, the communist leadership developed economies around the world. not only throughout the maritime industry but in many industries fought a disciplined The Union achieved a great outcome which would have been more deeply felt if campaign to extract everything we could we lost the case. National Secretary Paddy from the ruling class in order to deliver us Crumlin used the resources of the entire decency and justice.

Union to achieve this outcome which

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Maritime UNITY

incompetents, ideologically constrained by megalomania and hatred. The unity of the workforce was no better displayed then when we collectively turned our backs and walked out of the meetings where Wicks and Co. attempted to lie their way through a communication meeting, and when we collectively determined our log of claims to automate via negotiation prior to the announcement of those who would be made redundant whether by choice or compulsorily.

The unity and purpose of the rank-andfile throughout the term of the last EA was tested on multiple occasions, for many reasons, the fear and insecurity of the fascist like selection criteria resulting in dozens of unnecessary compulsory redundancies, the shameful and wilful adventurism of O’Leary’s refusal to apply the PIR category as it was negotiated, the removal of the allocator throwing our workplace upside down, satans little helper in the FWC informing us that refusing to drive through an emergency services created obstacle course or die a slow chemically induced death was illegal industrial action, having no facts to rely membership, do not deserve office. We are on he also asserted that because there was representative, first, second and everything, no evidence it demonstrated that it was a until we are replaced in office at the mercy of conspiracy of the Branch and Membership the membership.

The latest round of Enterprise Agreement to engage in campaigns of illegal industrial The parasites in the Ruling Class are there negotiations at Patrick’s has concluded. action in a playbook out of the Illuminati because they are the chosen ones, irrationally The process was substantive and has been or deeply covert CIA plot of subterfuge believing that they will get their reward, ongoing for almost two years with the last and clandestine operations. What a joke. just like the poor peasants who were told document expiring in July 2015. Given the Anyway that light at the end of tunnel that by their priests that the reward of heaven we were going to collide with was either a disgusting assault led by John Mullen, ably would await those who understood their meteorite of destruction or resurgent rays assisted by Ben Wicks, Jamie Wardley and providence and complied with their masters arch traitor Mick O’Leary, the Port Botany of a new workplace. Thankfully because of in this life. workforce has had to navigate an incredibly the incompetence and continued bastardry If the peasants of the past refused to difficult pathway to success over the last five of management, the membership through sacrifice, break the law, overthrow their united class struggle fought back with a log years or so. The decision to automate Port masters, we wouldn’t have modern society, of claims that attempted to remove as much Botany two months after the certification of purely and simply, there is nothing in the the last Enterprise Agreement was an openly inequality and division as possible. history books which could say anything The Part A negotiations led by Will Tracey arrogant affront to good faith bargaining, different. History has only changed via the Patrick’s were exposed not only as lying and Dave Cushion along with Sydney class struggle, and it will only ever change as throughout the EA process but also having to Branch Deputy Secretary Paul Keating and a consequence of it. inform us from the unFair Work Commission workplace delegates Matt Freestone and We have only ever achieved great outcomes box that Asciano had been conspiratorially Matt Bonner, were able to deliver a Deed by our willingness to engage in the class of Agreement protecting our job security designing the system as far back as 14 struggle. In our early history, strikes were months prior to the conclusion of the EA. to the extent possible and outcomes defeated often after weeks of incredible including Company paid income protection, The laws of this country are so geared sacrifice. Imagine weeks on strike, they additional superannuation, a sign on bonus, towards corporate criminals and industrial had far less than us, those members set up improved safety and selection criterias, a new mercenaries that it was impossible not to soup kitchens so they and their families employee classification of G2P and removing win the moral war against these jackals could eat, they often starved. They weren’t and just as impossible to win the legal war.

Supplementaries and PGE categories of fighting for themselves or their families, they However, automation has been an abject employment, improved dispute resolution, were fighting for us. We fight not only for and other outcomes. failure, with plummeting productivity, a ourselves but for future generations.

Part B negotiations were fractious right workplace managerially led by a team of from the beginning when Jamie Wardley, 2.9 Timmy and their mate Mick O’Leary overruled two years of their own lies by informing the MUA that the companys claim was to remove the operations roster, significantly increase weekend allocation to achieve four gangs a shift across the week. The MUA responded with a 30 hour week across the entire terminal, removal of the PIR classification, elimination of all categories except permanent fixed roster.

The membership moved away from the 30 hour week claim and maintained the position of the entire terminal being fixed roster permanents. This outcome was achieved and is a watershed moment in Australian stevedoring. A tremendous outcome overturning over two decades of irregular and casual employment in Australia’s ports.

The attacks by the Company provided opportunities, this is often the case in all The bosses fight against us, because they are selfish psychopaths who want to transfer our wealth and our dignity and our justice to their masters, so they can keep their blood money for themselves and the cages they live in.

We can choose cages, or we can choose freedom, we can choose bribes or we can choose freedom. Freedom from chains, freedom from wage slavery, freedom from capitalist propaganda, freedom from exploitation, freedom from discrimination.

We have it all in us. We are the same human beings made up of the same organs, the same blood, the same muscles, the same senses as all those warriors in the past and present. We have everything we need within us to change the world.

All we have to do is say yes to a simple question.

Do you want to fight for everything we deserve with everything we have?

Yes or no. Very simple. The more times we say no, the closer we get to slavery, the more times we say yes to this question, the closer we get to freedom.

Rank-and-file maritime workers struck against more arcane legislation than we have now, struck when there was no welfare state, struck when it meant blacklisting or beatings by the police force and hired company thugs.

We come from a history of class struggle.

We as workers fighting the employers, the judges and courts, the police, the politicians, the billionaire media conglomerates calling us everything from extremists, to industrial terrorists, to traitorous communists, to bludgers, and everything else to discredit our fight.

During these periods you had members that refused to fight, who would rather curry favour with the managers and bosses than sacrifice the little they had for the dignity that those around them were fighting for, members were exposed as opportunists, as collaborators, and everything in between.

We have had scabs on our wharves and on our ships. We have never been a union that is incapable of improving ourselves.

Our lives are hard, not because it has to be but because that is the legacy that we have agreed to, it will become our destiny unless we dramatically change the course of our Union, the labour movement and the political direction of this country.

And what is our fight, we want the world.

The current Sydney Branch Executive is a united front leadership of Communists and ALP members. We are at the democratic mercy of the membership, and well that must stay. How many bosses are elected by their workforce? We will hear from them well it is all merit based. Ha! Most bosses are there because they are either psychopaths, or selfish narcissists who believe that their dedication and hard work has put them there rather than what we know as true and that is they justify in their own minds that they are the greatest humans that have ever lived.

They are filth and scum who have no social value whatsoever. All they are is the thin white collar line between the dignity of the working class and the fascism of their puppet masters.

The Branch leadership have been denigrated in the media lately which we wear with a badge of honour, Officials who do not carry out the collective wishes of the

PATRICK’S

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The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

walks of life, the membership determined that for every attack there would be two claims to ensure it never happened again.

Our willingness to defend these claims despite losing money through industrial action is the reason why we can go to work with a relatively high level of dignity compared to our comrades in many other workplaces. The lesson for every Company in the maritime industry must be, if you want to play tough guy with us, we will smash you until we win.

The outcomes in Port Botany have been quite incredible given the Company sponsored media rhetoric which sought to demonise us in the community, and divide the workforce into two camps of anxiousness, they all failed. Port Botany undoubtedly has secured the best improvements in a wharfies enterprise agreement since enterprise employment commenced in the early 1990s. We have secured as a result of the above: • First time that we have a position of no extra claims relating to remuneration or conditions of employment through the life of the Agreement.

• A meeting between the parties to consider the EA in full and for an explanation to ensure it is implemented within the parameters of the EA. • 72 hour cooling off period when a manager/supervisor tries to start a blue with us by changing accepted practices or a suspected breach of the EA where the conditions prior to the dispute being put in place for 72 hours and a discussion has taken place between the Branch Secretary and the Terminal Manager.

• No manager will perform any task Grade 1 to 6 of the 1999 Award – not the 2010 Award, a significant win when considering managements moves into our work. It is also being a breach of the EA for managers to perform our work in any circumstances, including when we are not there.

• Increases in labour only by agreement.

Ensuring that the workplace cannot be flooded.

• All new entrants will commence work as a permanent on the 31.5 hour week unless otherwise agreed. Great win for the next generation of workers.

• Brought back the latest finish on a midnighter from 8am to 7am in the document.

• No continuous operations unless by agreement.

• The only categories at Port Botany are full time permanent salaried and fixed roster workers. No other wharfie has this anywhere in the country.

• Never since the introduction of casuals in the early 1990s have we rid a stevedoring workplace completely of casual and part time permanent employment and replaced irregular or indicative rosters with fixed rosters and salaries.

• Gradings – Minimum Grade 3 Straddle Rate for all employees. We needed to ensure that those positions not in Part A salaries structure were nominated in part b, including the Tower Clerk at Grade 6 • Ensuring the company exhaust return to work opportunities • Introduction of safe manning clause, no other wharfie has such a prescriptive clause in the country. We are aware of the attacks

and disputes that are started by the Company regarding this and it is essential that it is in the Agreement.

• Rosters cannot change unless by agreement between the parties.

• Six midnighters maximum or 7 Day/ Evening shifts, Employees can make themselves voluntarily available up to 14 d/e shifts.

• Members cant be allocated from Evening shift to day shift unless requested by the member.

• Members can request not to come back first shift Monday after leave, accruals will be adjusted accordingly.

• A training coordinator and four trainers will work the D/E roster.

• Secured the first aid/bus roster • Requirement to work a black day if 24 hours in debit up from zero.

• Maintained limit of 15 cancellations • Removed reference to 10% limit on availability around protected days, and working up credit bank.

• Reintroduction of MUA allocator, who will be responsible for coordination in the area.

• Selection Criteria – will be agreed prior to any selection process, pretty significant clause • New points systems to establish equity, particular crane allocation will be based on cascading system, providing a far more equal access to better jobs • Representational rights clause to stop Company from determining who can represent a worker in any issue • Access to terminal – if you cant get in because of a safety hazard you cant get disciplined • Mooring – secures mooring for linesmen • An agreed amenity for teleoperators

me from start to finish and many others in between, and will continue throughout my life as a consequence of this awakening.

The struggle of the Gurindji people fifty years ago was decades in the making. The invasion of this many nationed continent in the eighteenth century would bring with it, genocide, murder, rape and pillage by one of the grandmasters of these unashamed war crimes, the British empire. The Aboriginal people were supposed to fade into the history books as yet another colonised indigenous people gone the way of previous lost civilisations. But they haven’t gone, not only are they are a constant reminder of why we must value the natural environment and Aboriginal culture but also a reminder of the complicity of the Australian people in electing Governments that have sponsored these war crimes.

Most of my understanding of the Gurindji struggle unfortunately has been through the song by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody ‘From Little Things, Big Things Grow’. It is a wonderful song, however the strike and its aftermath should be part of the education of every Australian, it has shaped this country in positive and negative ways since its launch and is far more complicated than the song.

The trip north to Darwin and onto The walk-off of 200 Aboriginal people, Kalkarinji in the lands of the Gurindji including the stockmen and their families people from Sydney for the Freedom Day occurred as a consequence of the celebrations was filled with many emotions, Conciliation and Arbitration Commission ranging from excitement to trepidation. failing to immediately address the issue of Excitement, that we will be participating in slavery in remote aboriginal communities by an incredible 50th anniversary of perhaps the the cattle barons. Lord Vestey, a slave master greatest industrial struggle in this country’s and tax dodger extraordinaire, celebrated history, and trepidation as to the conditions by having a beach in Darwin named after that these victorious people will be living him, bitterly oppressed the Gurindji in as a consequence of our continuous people, paying them at best a quarter of the Governments racist violent policies of minimum wage and mostly paying them apartheid. Both emotions were carried with rations of flour and tea, salt-beef and tobacco

FREEDOM DAY

instead of wages. Conservative elements within the trade union movement and Labor Party ensured that this struggle wouldn’t be a short term victory, after eight bitter years of class struggle and sacrifice, finally some justice was delivered through a few measly grains of sand poured through the hands of Vincent Lingiari, a tacit reminder that it would only be through the charitable hands of the occupier, that justice would be delivered.

Lingiari spoke to Frank Hardy, a renowned author and activist, about ensuring broader mass support, without it he wouldn’t sacrifice the little earthly possessions his people had for nothing. It was fundamental to the strikes success to broaden the understanding to communities throughout the entire country.

Hardy ensured the Gurindji that there would be support and thus the heroic struggle of the Gurindji people began. Throughout the eight or nine years of the struggle, Gurindji people including Vincent Lingiari travelled to many communities including the waterfront in many parts of the country to educate maritime workers and the broader working class of the objectives of the blue.

Vincent Lingiari was an infant when the Communist Party of Australia began agitating for justice for Aboriginal people in the early 1920’s, a policy position that continues to this day and often bitterly opposed, obviously by the conservatives but also by the Australian Labor Party. He grew sick and tired of the slavery, which grew into opposition to the continued theft of his culture and lands, and gave rise to his quote: “we want to live on our land, our way”.

Lingiari died a few days short of the bicentenary commemorations on Australia Day 1988, a day celebrating the commencement of the atrocities committed by the ruling class of another country on this country’s first peoples. Sure, many of us have filled the esky full of beers and counted down the hottest 100 on Australia Day with our thongs, boardies and zinc cream, but how many of us appreciate whilst this country has plenty of things to celebrate, why do it on a day of such destruction.

Would we celebrate the day, each and every year, reminding us about the criminals who moved into the house we built, stole everything, raped our sisters and daughters and murdered the men and women who fought the thieves?

The connection to land that Aboriginal people across this country have is awe inspiring, from the moment you are ***The report continues of page 34.

DEPUTY SECRETARY’S REPORT Maritime UNITY

8

Lock-Out. It’s the Liverpool Dockers themselves, that inspired the very beginnings of the IDC, along with other dockers and their Unions, including the MUA Sydney Branch, with the leadership of Jim Donovan in those early days.

SISTER PORT Maritime Workers of Unite the Union in Liverpool, and the Sydney Branch of the MUA stand united in a Sister Port compact. This strengthens our already close bond, which Paul Keating goes back generations between our two Deputy Branch Secretary maritime cities. The compact enables our working-class organisations to better fulfil the legacy left to us by previous generations of workers.

We seek to build together community unionism and militant trade unionism and strengthen our internationalism across waters. We seek to develop joint work plans and to regularly communicate through It’s been a year of fighting the rank-and-file committees and pledge to build establishment for maritime workers by the international peace, justice and equality. At MUA Sydney Branch. a rank-and-file level, there will be sharing During this time, we have seen significant of information between our Unions, which campaigns waged on behalf of the rank-and- includes cultural and historical exchange. rile members. It’s important to note that This will only help empower the workers the recent High Court decision on Offshore both locally and internationally.

Visas has been one of the most significant The last forty years across the world outcomes in recent times for the Union, has seen the most exploitative and toxic giving seafarers the right to work in their environment for the working classes own industry; a war waged by the Abbottbecause of the chaos capitalism brings with Turnbull Governments & big business against neoliberal agendas set by the Thatchers, unionised workers in the Offshore. We saw Reagans, Trumps and Turnbulls of the at the end of 2015, the longest running world. It delivers weaker social democratic waterfront dispute in Australia’s history come parties, with even weaker leaders. Strong to an end. The Hutchison lock-out lasted 136 international organisations like our two great days, and the rank-and-file members stuck sister ports builds radical political thinking together throughout this long struggle and and even stronger militant union activities. won the right to go back to the job on their This is the only way for real change to occur. terms.

This is what the Liverpool Sydney Sister Port This dispute led by the rank-and-file compact represents. members and their Union inspired the It was this Sister Port which found the broader community, the Australian Trade Sydney Branch of the MUA also affiliate with Union movement and dockers from across the left progressive James Larkin Society. Its the world. It was the international solidarity affiliates are international; boasting societies and support given by the ITF and the IDC, in Spain, America, Ireland, England, Wales, and their affiliates that helped us achieve Scotland and now Australia. justice and a significant win for the 97 workers sacked via text.

All Hutchison workers were victims of a vicious anti-worker, anti-union campaign. But through their sheer determination, they took on a brutal employer and won not only for themselves but for every MUA member across James Larkin, a Liverpool Docker himself, the country. a committed socialist who inspired a nation, Out of this struggle, the Sydney and was instrumental in the Dublin lock-out QLD Branch of the MUA affiliated with in 1913, along with James Connolly. He the International Dockworkers Council founded the Irish Transport and General (IDC). As a global organisation, the IDC has Workers Union, The Workers Union of more than 100,000 rank-and-file members Ireland, and the Irish Labour Party. across the globe and growing. A militant, Big Jim holds a significant place in Dublin’s international organisation prepared to fight collective memory, especially for the Dublin the establishment, as well as any employer lock-out. He was a revolutionary. After the in defence of dockers and the working class Dublin lock-out, Larkin left for the United across the world.

States where he became a member of the It was because of the Hutchison struggle a Socialist Party in America and was involved delegation from the Sydney Branch including in the Wobblies (Industrial Workers of the rank-and -file members from Hutchison, as World). He was a great and enthusiastic well as myself, convened last September in supporter of the Soviet Union. His Liverpool, England to commemorate the association with the American Communist 20th Anniversary of the Liverpool Dockers Party and his radical publications made him a

target for the first Red Scare. He was gaoled in the 1920’s for what was termed criminal anarchy and sentenced to five to ten years in Sing Sing prison. In 1923 he was pardoned and later deported. He returned to Ireland and to Communist activism.

His lifelong commitment to the working class, inspired workers across the world and continues to do so today.

which we know was Mullen’s real agenda.

Automation has provided no efficiencies in the industry and across the transport chain.

Automation was merely the excuse Patrick’s used to unleash their war on workers, coupled with the most ideologically driven, anti-union team of managers this Union has seen. What Patrick’s didn’t count on, was the resilience of the rank-and-file members and

FIGHTING FROM THE FIGHT

BIG JIM LARKIN

PATRICK’S WAR ON WORKERS

the Unions determination to fight and never ever give up; and we’ve never stopped fighting.

All the rotten bosses from Mullen, Field, Badenoch, Wicks to Wardley, O’Leary and the rest, too many to name; are gone.

Good riddance to the rotten bastards. The Back in 2012, the current agreement last 24 months has seen another long and was registered. Shortly after this time (just protracted period of Enterprise Bargaining four weeks later to be precise), Patrick’s with 28 stoppages and bans on overtime and announced that the company was to shift extensions throughout. This time it was automate Port Botany. about seeking justice for all the workers at This was after 20 months of denials during Port Botany and their families. the long and protracted negotiation period, In mid-November, the rank-and-file whereby Patrick’s at every meeting stipulated members overwhelmingly voted in favour there would be no automation during the life of the Enterprise Agreement. The Union of this new agreement. This was a blatant lie, has won in this round of negotiations: 100% which started with CEO John Mullen, as well permanency across all four terminals, Income as all the managers that sat across the table Protection Insurance at 2% of income for all during the 20 months negotiating period.

Employees, wage increases of 2.5% a year, The managers were headed by Mick O’Leary, as well as full back pay to 1 July 2015, a sign another rotten boss and turncoat. on bonus, Employer Super Contribution Automation continues to be a failure increase to 12% from 11.5%, new selection and was an excuse for the ‘union-busting’ criteria in terms of promotion and training,

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The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

with the total removal of subjective scoring from supervisors, automation and a technology clause which includes reduced hours per week, transfers to other terminals and workplaces, training into all new jobs, and that redundancies are to be considered as a last resort (when automation and technology changes are introduced).

This agreement also includes: an enhanced redundancy clause that gives an extra 12 weeks in redundancy through automation/technological changes, and a step by step approach starting with voluntary redundancies, redeployment, retraining, and transfers to other ports if available. A dispute resolution procedure which includes status quo provisions and allows all issues to be arbitrated in the Fair Work Commission which for the first time includes policy changes, a new occupational health and safety clause which guarantees compliance for all relevant acts and orders, a new and improved consultation and change clause, purchasing of additional annual leave of up to 5 weeks per year, an additional 2 hour stop work meeting in a 12 month period, a deed enforceable in the Supreme Court, preventing the contracting out of any jobs that are currently carried out by MUA members in all 4 terminals.

For a full report on Part B – Port Botany, please refer to Paul McAleer’s report on page 6.

This could not have been delivered without the commitment and principles of the delegates who represented the members throughout this difficult two-year period, a campaign that tests even the strongest of Comrades.

• Domestic Violence Leave clause.

• MUA model selection criteria.

• 6 monthly labour review provisions.

• MUA Consultation clause.

• Delegate charter.

This Agreement establishes for the industry stability.

I want to recognise the hard work by both delegates Peter O’Toole and Doug Algie for their dedication in delivering a very good Agreement for the members.

It’s recognised by the Branch - the company’s commitment in building a working relationship with the Union.

AUSPORT MARINE SERVICES

The members at Ausport always fight from the front and the last 12 months was no exception.

We look back on the past year in mooring when DPW announced their intention to direct DPW wharfies to undertake this work.

The members had something to say and say something they did.

A call to action from the rank-and-file went across the country with the announcement from DPW. “We won’t scab on workers” said the wharfies, “No mooring by wharfies where permanent linesmen do the work”.

These acts of solidarity won this fight against DPW. The delegates and members in Ausport were also at the forefront of some of the Branch’s big disputes this year.

Their right to work was under threat again, when a company in Sydney Harbour refused to negotiate a Collective Agreement with the Union.

Jamie Armstrong and Jon Elliot took the fight to the bosses and organised support from across the Branch.

The Sydney Harbour Stevedores This got Port Jackson Holdings to sit down Agreement has been endorsed by the rankwith the Union to negotiate a MUA Collective Agreement. Negotiations are still ongoing. and-file and is now in the process of being This is a big win for workers in mooring. registered.

This Agreement sets the benchmark and The current agreement for Ausport is two years in and again, it’s another model standard for wages and conditions for wharfies working on cruise ships in Sydney. agreement for the industry.

The main features of the agreement are: The below outlines some of those wins: • 20% pay increase over 5 years.

• Two-year Agreement delivering a 2% and • And extra four weeks leave a year.

2.5% wage increase.

• No more call outs for Permanents.

• Sydney Harbour Stevedores first Collective Agreement.

• Company provided training for all • The agreement covers grade 1 – 7 of the employees who elect to upgrade their skills from a GPH to a driver.

Stevedoring Industry Award.

• One paid week of paternity leave.

• A comprehensive clause definition of • Order of pick includes EAS, the Union Stevedore operations. database.

• Employment diversity clause.

• Recruitment clause outlines EAS in • Recruitment clause includes first employment option in the employment the first instance for the recruitment of employees. assistance scheme Union database.

• Transfer of business clause.

• Order of pick clause ‘agreed labour • Dispute resolution procedure clause pool’ outlining displaced wharfies, unemployed seafarers and port workers. which includes a status quo provision.

• Anti-discrimination clause.

• Dispute resolution clause with the status quo provisions.

All credit goes to the delegates Jamie Armstrong, Jon Elliot and Ryan Armstrong.

• Company policies clause outlining Their leadership and militancy continues policies will not be changed unless agreed by the parties for the life of the agreement. to produce an active and fighting workplace • Superannuation Employer Contribution dedicated to the Union and the workers. of 12%.

The Branch can always count on the workers at Ausport for their continued • Employer paid Income Protection support.

Insurance.

SYDNEY HARBOUR STEVEDORES

HUTCHISON It’s been about a year since the rankand-file, who were locked out walked back through the gates. And the Union and workers got back to the business of organising the workplace, starting with the election of the new Committee. The Branch would firstly like to thank the previous Committee for their dedication to the collective and their loyalty to their Union.

Without this Committee and the great courage shown by them (and all the rankand file members at Hutchison) this dispute would never have been won.

To the new Committee, the Branch Executive congratulate each and every one of you.

From January of this year, the two elected Maintenance delegates got to work to establish permanent rosters and salaries with outstanding results. The outcomes of this was endorsed unanimously by the rank-andfile on July 1 2016. This was after six months of difficult negotiations and bargaining.

The outcomes saw a fixed maintenance roster and fixed salaries, a 33.6 hour week, five weeks’ annual leave, 12 hour shifts, four weeks on and one week off roster structure, 1.3 weeks per year long service leave, 13 personal leave days, all accrued leave which was at ordinary time now valued to the salary rate, all closed port days, public holidays worked to be paid on top of the salary.

Then the Branch set out with the Committee to pursue for the wharfies to establish a permanent roster and salaries for the approximately 100 wharfies at Botany.

This was a difficult period for the Committee and frustrating for the Branch, as it was a period when the relationship between the employer and the workers had soured even further than the dispute itself. There were significant matters that the Branch had put in dispute as the Union fought the company regarding compliance of the Enterprise Agreement and other matters throughout this period. The rank-and-file stuck together united in their cause

By August this year it would be fair to say the relationship was at an all-time low and this continued through to October. By this stage the company announced a major contract had been awarded. As is the case with the delegates there, they showed great restraint and discipline and set about with the Sydney Branch Officials to get down to the business of establishing a permanent

roster and salaries for the workforce. A SubCommittee was formed and over the course of the next two months, we established a 31 hour per week roster, on a 7 and 1 structure.

This agreement sets benchmarks yet again for the waterfront, with a terminal rate as outlined in the Enterprise Agreement Level 2; equivalent of Grade 4 in the award.

After the 16-week probation period of the shipping contract there will be an appointment to further high grades as set out in the SIA from Grade 4 to Grade 7.

The names of those workers and the appointment of their grades have been outlined in the MOU Agreement. The total upgrades amount to 93 wharfies (the whole workforce) to levels 2 to level 5 of the SICTL Agreement. The equivalent grading set out in the SIA of Grades 4 to Grade 7.

The Memorandum of Agreement sets out roster rules, point systems for equity, equity of job placement, equity of extensions, equity of pick up and making the work force permanent.

Further to this Agreement, the Parties have agreed to a casual labour pool which consists of displaced and unemployed wharfies, displaced and unemployed seafarers, displaced and unemployed and underemployed port workers, an agreed recruitment drive of workplace diversity inclusive of women and Indigenous Australians.

This position was driven by the Union with an unwavering commitment to reverse significant discrimination and injustice that pervades workplaces across Australia.

An achievement made possible during the negotiating period in last year’s lockout. This extraordinary achievement comes from the comrades on the bargaining team; Warren Smith, Paul McAleer, Bob Carnegie, Craig Hancock, Tony Cakarun, Damien McGarry, Martin O’Daly, Holly Matthewson and Joe Johnson and the rank-and-file members who stuck it out until they won.

KALMAR We’re at the tail end of this three-year agreement with Kalmar, and although there is a decent relationship with the company, it’s been a rocky road because of the chaos and mismanagement of the Port Botany terminals by the previous Patrick’s management team. ***This report continues of page 35.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY’S REPORT Maritime UNITY

10

Joe Deakin Assistant Branch Secretary

PORT AUTHORITY OF NSW EBA Although the EBA with the Port Authority was finally ratified late last year, it took 20 months to finally get there. The PA of NSW have joined a long list of recalcitrant employers who know nothing better than to derail the bargaining process at every turn. The Sydney Port Authority (SPA) was swallowed up by the PA of NSW, this is when the slippery slide to nowhere began. The Baird Government semi-privatised the SPC releasing themselves from the funding stream normally channelled into the corporation.

As is case in all transitions to privatisation, funding cuts appear. The first casualty of this shift was the ‘Bulk Liquid Berth’ (BLB).

When it was clear that the BLB was to be farmed out to a private concern, the Branch immediately organised a meeting with the Premiers Department to discuss the position.

At the time, Michael Baird was the Treasurer of the state. When we met him, Baird gave an undertaking that there would be a transfer payment to those workers who chose to stay at the BLB when the private company took over and that they would be given a transfer payment based on shift. In fact, Baird said it would be no different to the transfer over conditions the Ferry workers went through when Sydney Ferries was privatised back in 2012. The history books tell us though that you can never trust a Politician, particularly a conservative one. The NSW Government reneged on the deal, which saw the original BLB workers dissolved into the mainstream PA of NSW workforce, leaving the door swinging wide open for the newly appointed private operator OPEC Systems to play up big time (OPEC Systems will feature in a separate EBA report within my industrial round up). The PA of NSW are not finished by a long shot re pruning back the tree, and like always with these misfits, the workforce are the ones who suffer most by way of outsourcing jobs completely, or turning two job descriptions into one. The biggest single threat however is the underhanded way the Port Authority is trying to get rid of the two emergency response fire tugs, Shirley Smith and Ted Noffs, and it’s all being rolled out without the slightest bit of

consultation with the Maritime Unions. A letter sent to the NSW Ports Minister by PA of NSW CEO Gilfillan dated the 10th of August 2015 mentioned above other things, that the two fire tug vessels would be replaced by a single smaller craft. The Maritime Unions were never copied into any dialogue re the fire tug replacements and it took 11 months for us to find out about Gilfillan’s letter to the Ports Minister. This action by Gilfillan completely ignores the consultation clause of the current EBA which clearly states that the two Maritime Unions will be consulted on any major change that takes place. There will be further reports about the position with the fire tugs, the information the Union has received is that the PA of NSW intend acquiring one single smaller vessel to handle both Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay which will be fought vigorously by the MUA. The current EBA expires next year and new negotiations will commence around Christmas time, which should be interesting!

OFFSHORE OIL & GAS INDUSTRY

Offshore operators because the Union has been successful in driving a wedge between them and the boat operators. This time two years ago, because of the collusion between AMMA, Michaelia Cash representing the Abbott Government, the Offshore boat operators, along with Allseas & Chevron, the MUA and the AMOU were not in a good position, in fact the position was near on hopeless. How things can change rapidly though with a little bit of fighting spirit, coupled with a good legal strategy. These people are no longer holding the whip firmly in their hands, its true we’re still struggling, but we are in a much better position as a result of the High Court win.

To all the comrades who have kept the fight up to these ruthless anti worker bastards, congratulations, the Union cannot win such battles without you by our side, just keep believing in yourself and believing in your Union and we will prevail in the end.

OPEC SYSTEMS EBA

As I indicated in my industrial report regarding the PA of NSW, OPEC Systems is the company that won the tender to Negotiations for an Offshore agreement the #1 Bulk Liquid Berth’ (BLB) at Port have reached mammoth proportions.

Botany. Two years ago, Paul McAleer and The Union negotiators have steadfastly myself went out to Botany to talk to this maintained a position that job security has employer about negotiating a collective to be the most important aspect of any agreement for their newly started BLB discussions with the employers. Simply workforce. From the moment, we spoke put, if you haven’t got the right to work in to the employer’s representative that day, the Offshore industry, what’s the good of it was made abundantly clear to us that bargaining wage claims? Getting Farstad over they were not having a bar of dealing with the line was a big achievement, but I can the Maritime Union regarding a collective tell you it wasn’t any cakewalk. Being able agreement. What the Branch then set out to to direct Farstad away from the influence of do was talk to the workers at BLB 1 about the ‘Australian Mines & Metals Association’ joining the Union, and this was achieved (AMMA) had a big baring in the signing of some months later. A letter was immediately a collective agreement with the company. sent to OPEC Systems requesting a meeting Locking Farstad into an agreement gave the to discuss putting a collective agreement Union the scope to move ahead, by having in place for their workforce. This again was an existing agreement in place with a job met with a flat no. Three more letters were security clause in the document. We still sent to the company with the same result. have a way to go but we are wearing these In consultation with our legal representative parasites down slowly. Programme Marine Kristian Bolwell, the Branch filed a majority was the next tall poppy to cave in when they support determination in the Fair Work contacted the Union seeking agreement Commission. Kristian appeared as the for its MUA workforce, and the members at Union’s council in the commission almost Programme Marine overwhelmingly voted 14 months after our initial attempts to in favour of accepting the EBA. Although strike up an agreement. Armed with witness the bureaucracy within the walls of the statements from the BLB #1 workers ‘Fair Work Commission’ have said the vote and myself, Kristian commenced with our must be done all over again because of a submissions. Throughout the hearing, ‘Representational Rights’ problem, however OPEC ran the line that its workforce were the members will not let this deter them security guards and not Maritime workers. and will vote accordingly once again. This Four weeks after the hearing had finished, was fought and won over a lengthy period Commissioner Ian Cambridge ruled in the of time, members will recall that Programme Union’s favour and EBA discussions soon Marine were part of the AMMA led gang we followed. The workers at BLB #1 should referred to as the ‘Offshore 5’ now this is have their agreement ratified in the Fair narrowed down to the Offshore 3. Every Work Commission before Christmas after comrade needs to have a clear understanding a sticking point regarding D&A testing was as to why these companies eventually cave resolved. These workers will see a significant in and sign off on agreements. Programme pay uplift, plus additional conditions of work Marine are showing a willingness to sign that they never had previously. However, on the dotted line because of the pressure the Branch has a lot more work to do with the Union has applied to them. AMMA the non-Union agreement in existence at is slowly but surely losing its grip on the BLB #2. The Branch intends having further

discussions with OPEC over this position once the BLB 1 agreement is certified.

DEFENCE MARITIME SERVICES / SERCO EBA Again, the three Maritime Unions had and continue to have massive issues with this aggressive employer. The company in the early stages of the EBA discussions, sent letters out to all its workforce urging them to sign non-union agreements. Thankfully this was totally rejected by our members around the country who work for DMS/ SERCO. The negotiations dragged on for nearly 20 months, the collective agreement was voted up earlier this year, but not before the members threatened the company with protected action because of their deliberate stalling tactics. DMS/SERCO are no different to any other employer, if you don’t show them that you are willing to defend your position by taking action, they will tramp all over you. We now have issue with the company trying to reclassify its Seagoing workforce, something that needs addressing immediately. When the negotiations open for a new collective agreement in the early part of 2017, the Maritime Unions will need to be right on their toes, issues around classification needs to be high on our prior list of claims for the 2017 EBA discussions.

DMS/SERCO make no secret of the fact that they want to move into shipping in a big way. The Maritime Union has no issue with the company expanding, in fact, given the alarming trend in Australian shipping, we welcome it, so long as they get a firm understanding that Integrated Rating & Marine Caterer classifications will apply to their vessels. There are other matters re local DMS/SERCO managers trying to cut permanent workers out of overtime to accommodate their favourites amongst the casuals but this again needs to be sorted out at the EBA negotiating table early next year.

INCO BUNKER BARGE / VESSELS ICS RELIANCE & ICS ALLEGIANCE 11 and 12 months ago, ‘Inco Ships Australia’ brought two bunker barges into Australia from Vietnam. The ICS Reliance arrived in Sydney on December 23, with the ICS Allegiance arriving in Melbourne about a month later. Inco never informed the Union that they were bringing these vessels into the country, this is despite Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith and myself

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making several phone calls to the CEO of the company after receiving strong rumours that the first of the two vessels had left Vietnam bound for Sydney.

The EBA negotiations with Inco have been extremely difficult to say the least.

Because the ICS Reliance is replacing the displaced bunker barge Destine in Sydney, the Union has run the line that the crew for the Reliance has to be the people who lost their jobs when the Destine was decommissioned. Viva Energy (the client) are also involved in the EBA discussions.

Although these negotiations have been trying at times, the Union is confident of getting an outcome. The complex nature of the negotiations is that we are dealing with two vessels in two separate ports under the one agreement. The Union has made significant progress regarding the sticking points around manning of both the ICS Allegiance in Melbourne, and the ICS Reliance in Sydney. Three months ago, Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith negotiated a ‘Heads of Agreement’ document with Viva Energy that will see the Melbourne vessel maintain its manning of 16 based on 24/7 operations, while the Sydney vessel has a manning of 8 based on daylight operations.

The significant achievement here is that Viva Energy will bring a small tanker on to the coast to ply the trade between Geelong and Sydney carrying bunker fuel. However, the discussions have ground to a halt because comrade Warren Smith has been out of play for near on two months owing to illness.

The Union’s position around the ex-Destine crew transferring over to the ICS Reliance has not changed, one IR from the Destine transferred over 5 months ago, and the Union is adamant the other 7 will follow. Yes, it is frustrating to think that this has been dragging on for nearly 12 months. People that have had the unfortunate experience of having to deal with Inco can testify that they scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes to ethics and telling the truth.

However, the agreed position between the Union negotiators, Inco, and Viva Energy is, when the collective agreement is drawn up and ratified, the remaining Destine crew will transfer over to the Reliance. National Assistant Secretary Ian Bray is now heading the discussions with Inco & Viva Energy until Warren Smith has made a full recovery.

of John Flood to do their hired gun work for them and very soon after an MOU was drawn up between the French company and the two Maritime Unions (MUNZ & the MUA) - two Kiwi’s and two Australians were engaged for the job. The wages negotiated were based on Offshore supply/support vessel level 1, with a 3% additional wage uplift, plus 20% casual loading, as well as all travel expenses incurred paid in the hand. Although the MOU was not the ‘be all that ends all’ , it was always intended to be a starting point.

This French outfit have been told that if they come back down to this part the world again, they will be employing our members. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Dean Summers for his great work in chasing up the French company and getting me the contacts, just proves yet again what the power of the International can do when we look after one another’s back.

EAS / SEAFARER REVALIDATION ISSUES

The data base is still a major concern to the Branch. At the time of writing, there are 63 unemployed Sydney Seafarers on EAS. Although the numbers have dropped slightly, it is still 63 more than we care to have. There have been significant numbers of unemployed Seafarers off the data base getting a start with Hutchinson’s stevedores at Botany container terminal, and this has been a great shot in the arm for the comrades who were doing it extremely tough, some were seriously close to losing their homes. The tremendous work by done by comrades Paul Keating and Paul McAleer in securing work for these unemployed workers at Hutchinson’s is something the Branch is very proud of.

There is speculation that the Offshore may pick up into the new year, this of course was touted at about the same time last year but unfortunately it didn’t materialise. For those comrades who are on the data base, and have still not revalidated, this needs to be addressed now. The deadline is December 31 2016, if you haven’t done this by the due date, you cannot ship out until you do.

The Union has put an information survey out for all Seafarers to fill in, even if you’ve revalidated, please fill the survey in so the Union can ascertain how many still need to revalidate. I have also put a call out to all unemployed Sydney Seafarers on the data base to call me if they believe they’re in a positon of not being able to afford the Some months ago, ITF Australian revalidation, the Branch is prepared to help Coordinator Dean Summers received comrades out, but we need to have this information from our French Maritime Union information quickly so we can action it asap. comrades that a French registered cable laying company, Alda Marine was bringing the vessel ILE DE REI to Australia to lay cable from Narrabeen in Sydney, across to Raglan, just outside Auckland NZ. Initially Dean and the Branch’s efforts to talk to the company was proving somewhat difficult, finally after a couple of letters were dispatched to the French company spelling out our intentions The EBA for the CSL vessel Goliath has to them what might happen if they didn’t been ongoing for the last 8 months, the talk to us. Alda Marine engaged the services initial discussions seemed like they were

MOU FOR CABLE LAYING VESSEL ILE DE REI

CSL VESSELS / CSL BRISBANE

going somewhere but suddenly, the wheel fell off the wagon. When CSL Australia made the announcement two years ago that they were no longer using Inco as their Australian fleet operations managers, some of us with area of responsibility with CSL vessels thought this may well be a plus, how wrong you can be. At the last two EBA meetings with the Goliath, the company’s mood changed dramatically. Positions where it seemed we had ‘In-principal’ agreement at previous meetings was suddenly thrown out the window by the company. This is despite the rank-and-file negotiators adopting a realistic approach to their wage claim by paring it down to 2% for each year of the agreement, along with a proposal to rope in all other CSL Australia vessels into the 2% wage package, and in turn roll all other vessel agreements over. This meant that apart from the agreed position between the Union and the company regarding training, all agreements would be signed off forthwith.

The proposal by the Union negotiators however was rejected by CSL, and in fact they put a zero wage offer on the table. This was 5 months ago, and the Union has been trying to get the company back to the table ever since.

The sacking of the entire CSL Brisbane crew in Sembawang ship yard in Singapore.

Late last year the crew of the CSL Brisbane heard rumours aboard that when it goes to dry dock in Singapore next year, the Australian crew will be dismissed and the vessel will be flagged out. Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith immediately sought urgent discussions with CSL Australia CEO Bill Bisset about the rumour. Bisset claimed that the rumour had no substance, assuring Smith that the CSL Brisbane would be returning to Australia and would continue to trade as a General Licence Vessel. A deed of agreement was written up between the company and the Union which it seemed would effectively ensure the vessels return to the Australian coast. In late August this year, the CSL Brisbane sailed from Australia bound for the Sembawang dock yard.

When the vessel arrived in the dock around the first week in September, most of the Australian crew were repatriated home and a skeleton crew remained aboard the vessel.

On September 27, CEO Bisset came aboard the vessel in the dock. He personally handed to the remaining crew members a letter effectively telling them that the CSL Brisbane was being flagged out and their position on the vessel was redundant. When asked about the deed of agreement the company and the Maritime Union had struck up guaranteeing the vessels return to the Australian coast, Bisset’s answer was CSL Canada had overrode the deed of agreement between the parties. What a slap in the face to these Seafarers, one lie compounded into another.

24 hours later, the sacked crew were back in Australia minus their job. It’s worth noting that the Ukrainian officers and engineers got the chop as well, including the Master & Chief engineer. Further discussion with CSL Australia since the sacking of the crew of the Brisbane has revealed just how willing this company is to concealing the truth. For the last 12 months or more, the Union has had dialogue with CSL regarding their vessel the Donnacona trading on the Australian coast as a general licence vessel. The stock

standard answer to the Union’s question re the Donnacona has been that the vessel will be manned up with a full Australian crew. At a meeting convened by the Union with the company shortly after the CSL Brisbane sackings, I asked a fairly straight forward question to Bill Bisset: “When the Donnacona comes on the Australian coast after it’s dry docking in Singapore, will it be on a collective agreement?” His answer: “The company is not sure about that at this stage”.

Second question: “Will the vessel be manned up with MUA members?” He said that the vessel will be manned by Australians. 4 weeks ago, Garry Keane and I met with company reps David Fethers and Seta Samimi. At this meeting the same question was put to Fethers: “Will MUA members be manning the Donnacona?” Answer: “The company is committed to having Australians aboard the vessel”. It must be noted that there are quite a few CSL Australia 457 visa holders residing in Australia. Further to the above, Garry Keane put the Unions position to CSL that the sacked crew off the CSL Brisbane must be given priory of work within the Australian fleet operations ahead of the 457 visa holders. David Fethers dismissed the Unions demands outright, declaring that the company’s 457 visa employees working within Australia were on equal footing with the Australian ratings & caterers. Clearly CSL again persist, in concealing its true intentions. Right now, the Union is having discussions with the company to ascertain their true position re a commitment to Australian shipping. The Union has organised a Seafaring members commission set down for the December 11-14 in the Melbourne Union rooms, two nominated shipboard delegates from each vessel will attend the commission, as well as three unemployed Seafarers off the data base from each Branch.

At the commissions conclusion, there will be a National report back to all members.

JOE’S POLITICAL TRIVIA 1. Who is the leader of the Federal Labor Party in Australia?

2. Who coined the phrase: “Life wasn’t meant to be easy”?

3. Who is the President of the ACTU? 4. Who said: “If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine”?

5. What is the world famous slogan by Karl Marx & Fredrick Engels referring to working people?

6. What is the name of the former Federal Secretary of the Seaman’s Union of Australia who passed away early this year?

7. What does FWC abbreviate for?

8.Who led the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in 1917?

9. In what year did the WWF & the SUA amalgamate to become the Maritime Union of Australia?

10. Who was the National Secretary of the MUA when the 1998 Patrick lockout occurred? *** For the above answers, please refer to page 27.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY’S REPORT Maritime UNITY

12

Safety Act 2011 (NSW) to be consulted on safety matters and under Regulation 23 Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (NSW) to call the union in as part of the issue resolution procedure.

We see regularly where companies merely provide lip service to safety, promising the world, but barely delivering an atlas. Again, WHS legislation is clear that when a matter has been raised and not dealt with, the HSR can issue a PIN notice and give the company seven days to rectify the issue. Further, if the matter is serious enough Section 85 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) allows the Paul Garrett HSR to issue a cease work notice.

Assistant Branch Secretary The important thing that the course identified was that our own individual education is key. There are laws there to support workers being in a safe workplace.

We simply need to back ourselves and hold employers to account.

Some discussions in the course focussed on I recently completed a Certificate IV in Work managers who manage WHS by monitoring Health & Safety through the ACTU Education the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), Centre. Having been a safety delegate back on which is the number of accidents per million the job and despite the fact that MUA Officials hours worked. Most companies ideally deal with safety issues nearly every day, I felt it prefer the LTIFR number to be less than five. important to refresh my understanding of the The discussions in the course reminded legislation, making sure I was up with current participants that reducing the LTIFR rate may contemporary thinking on WHS. And I have be good statistically speaking, but may not to say I am very glad I did. It highlighted the address serious systemic safety issues. The value of ongoing education. example was given where employees seek Generally speaking, the course didn’t to address WHS through reducing the LTIFR identify any new points to me in WHS and that is normally done by attending to legislation. However, the ACTU educator slips, trips and falls. There is no doubt this is went to great lengths to pull that knowledge positive and any reduction in injuries is a good together and demonstrate workers have key reduction. But the issue remains that the usual powers when dealing with safety matters. He course of action for companies wanting to give outlined a way to take WHS matters forward the illusion of reducing LTIFRs is to attend to and deal with them, building further strength the low-impact high-frequency injuries. This in the workplace. is opposed to dealing with systemic safety Members would remember that issues which when they happen, happen big. harmonisation of WHS legislation around The result of these high-impact low-frequency the country had its issues, and the eventual injuries have the potential to see workers implementation in NSW in 2010 came with out of work, or far worse. It was just another some controversy as the union movement reminder that we have an obligation to ensure was concerned with what rights workers had that the employer is dealing with all WHS lost. The course, as well as the actions of the issues, not just the easy ones, but the ones MUA Sydney Branch since the implementation that have a complicated fix. of the 2011 WHS legislation reminds us of If you are a HSR and haven’t done the fivethe importance of also focusing on rights day course, contact an Official in the Sydney workers have won under the new legislation Branch and we will help you organise it. and the capacity we have to organise around If you are a HSR and have done the fivesafety issues. The largest gain arguably was day course, but need further guidance or the introduction of the Health and Safety information, again contact an Official in the Representative model and the powers that Sydney Branch, come in for a meeting or ask they have been afforded. the Official to come out and meet with the The Sydney Branch has worked tirelessly to workers to go through WHS legislation. ensure that workplaces have Health & Safety There is no excuse in 2016 for unsafe Representatives which are functional and workplaces and we all have a responsibility attending to safety issues on the job. in holding employers to account in their The WHS Act was clear that workers are responsibility to provide a safe workplace entitled to be trained, but equally also as clear where workers can go home, free of injury. that they are entitled to choose the training which they are to receive. This gives HSRs the option to reject the corporate style of training that many companies seek to employ.

This is about empowering HSRs to act in the best interest of their fellow workmates in improving safety without hinderance from the Cash ticketing at Sydney Ferries officially boss. ceased on 1 August 2016. With the increasing The important thing identified with the popularity of Opal ticket cards, the inevitable training is that HSRs have key rights to deal decision was made to stop ticket sales by the with safety issues on the job. HSRs have a right NSW Government Agency, Transport for NSW, under Sections 47-49 of the Work Health and and instead move the ticketing to the Opal

WORK HEALTH & SAFETY

SYDNEY FERRIES

card.

For the MUA, this change had the obvious ramifications of job losses. However, through what become swift and intense negotiations, we saw ten members accept voluntary redundancy which was funded by the NSW Government and furthermore saw the remaining seven members involved in tickets sales, who wanted to stay employed at the ferries, transfer in to operations and continue their employment working on deck.

The change of ticket obviously reduces employment opportunities, however, automated ticketing was due to be in place in 1999 before the Sydney Olympics, so arguably we achieved another 17 years of employment since the original announcement date. That’s basically a further generation of employment.

The change is significant, no doubt, but also demonstrates the correct path taken in the last EBA in ensuring a career path for members who sell tickets to be able to transition to work on deck.

On a positive note, Catherine Hamlin, the first of six new ferries arrived in late November to join the fleet. This represents the first new bit of tonnage in 15 years for Sydney Ferries.

A further four new vessels are planned to join after the six have arrived bringing the total number of new vessels to ten.

MUA Delegates are sitting on a committee to oversee the design and delivery of the new vessels with members from the AMOU and AIMPE and will continue working to ensure that all safety and operational issues are dealt with in the lead up to the vessels becoming operational.

SVITZER TUGS Following several months of negotiations, on 10 February 2016, Vice President Watson of the Fair Work Commission handed down his decision to certify the Svitzer Australia Pty Limited National Towage Enterprise Agreement 2016 covering all classifications of tugboat workers. This represented the first time that many tug ports around Australia saw all tugboat workers on the same industrial instrument since workers were employed

under the Federal Award.

The certification of the 2016 EBA had been contested, however the FWC considered those objections and came to the conclusion that the EBA was in order. The concerns raised by AIMPE regarding a single agreement were considered but dismissed by the Vice President when he stated that he was “… not satisfied that the perceived problems of a single enterprise agreement are likely to be real or substantiated.” Furthermore, it was noted that a joint EBA would be “… conducive to cooperation…” amongst the three departments.

The MUA has undertaken to keep working in the best interest of the towage industry and will continue to liaise with the leadership of the AMOU and AIMPE to address common matters which impact our collective membership.

One of the major outcomes of the 2016 Agreement was the training fund that has been delivered. The EBA facilitated a training fund that would compromise 1% of the salary bill. Across the life of the Agreement, this means an estimated $1.7m in money that we be allocated exclusively to training of MUA members. This figure was only recently confirmed in the training committee meeting in September.

The Masters and Engineers will also have a training budget for their respective department.

TRIDENT LNG The four gas ships are still going strong.

This is despite some interesting tactics by certain managers towards closing out the outstanding Enterprise Agreement. As per what has become usual in many companies in the maritime industry, we have seen a new set of management negotiate the proposed EBA who were not employed when the previous agreement was negotiated. The issue of continuity is a real problem and the MUA have had to deal with some managers who are determined to reinvent the wheel, despite knowing full well that it is certainly round and has been for a long time.

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The negotiations have taken a moderate position on wage increases for this EBA of CPI per annum. This has to be read in with the previous wage outcomes in the last two EBAs where in 2007 we achieved 12% (9% to wages and 3% to super) + 5% + 5% and then in the 2010 EBA where the MUA achieved 5% + 5% + 5% + 5% salary increase. With the CPI increase, the MUA has also put a forward a caveat that if CPI should dip below 1.5%, then a minimum of 1.5% should be paid regardless.

This is a good outcome, particularly noting that CPI for the twelve months to June 2016 is running at 1.0%.

The larger issue has been the company seeking to re-write the EBA during the drafting sessions on points that were not negotiated, or negotiated and resolved differently.

Another issue has been the insistent demand from the company to give management the unilateral right to transfer workers from ship to ship, at their discretion.

The EBA has always facilitated mutual transfers by agreement. Whilst it doesn’t seem a big matter at first, the fact is that it would be used to discipline active members by breaking up ships crewed deemed to be a problem to the company and used as a means to keep the crew “in order”. The issue has also been widely rejected by the members in the 2004, 2007 and 2010 EBAs. The MUA took the matter to North West Shelf Arbitrator Brian Lacy on 23 September 2016 where, after some months of back and forth with the company, he issued a recommendation and wording in the favour of the MUA, rejecting the company having the right to force transfers. The company was given until 28 September 2016 to indicate whether they would agree to the recommendation with the Arbitrator advising if they didn’t, he would arbitrate the matter.

Fortunately, as well as finally, a bit of common sense prevailed with Trident LNG writing through and confirming that they would accept the position, thus putting that matter finally to bed.

The Union and the company finally resolved the outstanding drafting matters with the EBA now expected to go to the members for endorsement in December / January.

TOWAGE PARTNERSHIPS We are now seeing a growing epidemic in the maritime towage sector through the introduction of “Partnership Agreements” in different ports, particularly RivTow, in Port Hedland and Hay Point as well as Svitzer in the Gorgon Project.

Essentially, these partnerships are introduced by companies to directly attack the employer-employee relationship and allow companies to essentially bring in sub-contractors to avoid the Award and EBAs which normally apply. Through creative manipulation of legislation that was developed in the 1890s to cover doctors and lawyers, partnerships are used to diminish workers conditions such as superannuation, workers compensation as well as preventing workers from taking protected industrial action to support claims during EBA negotiations.

The MUA across several Branches and National Office are working to call out the partnership agreements for the sham work

arrangement which they are and lobbying State Governments to address this issue, changing the State-based legislation to prevent the use partnerships to contract out of the requirements of the Fair Work Act. The MUA is actively lobbying all State Governments to enact similar changes to their respective legislation which cover partnerships and will seek Labor Party support in each state and territory to achieve this.

TEEKAY The MUA has now had three meetings with Teekay to deliver an EBA covering the remaining vessels in their fleet. The position of the company has been a wage freeze across their fleet for two years as well as a cut in conditions for the members working aboard the Dampier Spirit. That has been rejected by the union with a moderate claim in the EBA put forward and we are still awaiting a finalised position from the company.

The next EBA for Teekay will likely only cover three ships being the Mariloula, Lowlands Brilliance and Dampier Spirit. The Ocean Shield will have crewing transferred to Australian Border Force.

The ownership of the Stag field which the Dampier Spirit works has changed from Quadrant Energy to Mitra. The field produces 3750 barrels of oil per day and was bought for USD $10m. Quadrant were adamant with the sale of the field to review the conditions of employment on the Dampier Spirit. We are yet to see if Mitra will go down the same path.

NMS KURNELL

technicality, which was defeated twice through the Fair Work Commission.

Following that win (and the company losing the contract to operate), Ferrymen went down on a path of claiming that they did not have the money to pay the wages and sued their previous lawyers that gave them initial advice.

The money which they would sue for was to pay the underpayment of workers. This took some years to resolve.

In that time, the MUA had serious issue in engaging with the new solicitors for the Ferrymen, who opportunistically refused to liaise with the MUA Sydney Branch with any seriousness and furthermore creatively tried to reduce the amount of money owed to the workforce, again through another ridiculous technicality which cannot be substantiated.

This manipulation of technicalities had the potential to take an estimated $200,000 out of the collective pockets of our members.

Noting that there certainly has been enough time to close this matter out, the MUA has lodged an underpayment claim through the Federal Circuit Court and will seek to recover money through that process. Again, it will take some time, but is definitely now moving towards conclusion and further updates will be reported as this matter develops.

Thanks to the MUA legal team and particularly Aaron Neal, who has provided ongoing support with this matter.

MARITIME SUPER

dignity in retirement after giving a lifetime of supplying their labour to the maritime industry.

I look forward to working with the Board as well as the staff of Maritime Super in the best interest of members, dealing with the tasks and challenges that this new role will bring.

ARE YOU OK? Whether it is R U OK, Beyond Blue, Lifeline, Hunterlink or a number of other initiatives set up to deal with depression, anxiety and generally not coping, we are seeing a greater number of workers reaching out when they need help.

What is encouraging is that we are also seeing more members reaching out to give help to those in need, whether by having a critical conversation when a person is showing obvious warning signs, or the endless campaigns and social activities like the 24-hour treadmill run or the walk from Gold Coast to Sydney in October to raise both money as well as awareness. Events like these and numerous others supported by the MUA Sydney Branch and the membership help to raise the awareness of this important social issue.

The vital thing is having a conversation with someone who needs a chat. It can be that conversation that helps someone who might be a bit off course, right up to intervening and saving someones life. There is no shame for asking for help and should be no issue in supporting members who are in need.

If you find yourself in either situation and need help, talk to someone, another Member, Delegate, Official or the Branch.

Or give the Hunterlink Assistance Helpline a call on 1800 554 654. They are an employee assistance company set up and supported by the MUA with counsellors available to helping with the following issues:

Mick Carr, former Secretary of the Queensland Branch and National Presiding Officer of the MUA tendered his resignation The MUA has been involved in negotiating as a Director of Maritime Super in September. the EBA for NMS Kurnell to cover the workers Mick has served as a Director on Maritime who moor tanks and do connections of Super since January 2010 and following nine tankers for Caltex at their Kurnell wharf. years as an Alternate Director on predecessor After being just about ready to go for a Seafarers Retirement Fund. Mick has joined vote in April, the company came back to the in with fellow Directors in playing a key • Stress and pressure at work members to change the classification for one role to ensuring strong returns for working • Bullying of the eleven permanent positions. Since • Depression and anxiety men and women to benefit them in their then, the position from the company has retirement and also served on the Audit & Risk • Anger management had several positions and gone from eleven Committee in what has become a constantly • Grief permanents, to six permanents, to seven and challenging and changing regulatory and • Substance abuse then eight permanents. This was further to the legislative environment.

• Relationship issues changing or more so reduced workload due to • Problem gambling With that change and following nomination a reduction of tankers calling into Kurnell. from the MUA, I have been honoured to be • Financial issues The matter was being heard before Deputy appointed by the MUA to replace Mick and • Social isolation President Booth in the Fair Work Commission, serve as a Director on Maritime Super and when the company arbitrarily decided to stop commence with my first Board Meeting in Remember, there is never any shame in consultation before the Commission and asking for help or asking a workmate if they December. forcibly make two members redundant on 2 Maritime Super plays an ongoing important need help. Supporting each other is what September 2016, one of which coincidently role in ensuring that workers have a level of maritime workers do. being the Delegate.

The MUA is dealing with this poor act and the matter has been listed before the Fair Work Commission for arbitration.

FERRYMEN The MUA won a decision handed down by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission back in 2013, regarding the rate of pay being paid to wire-drawn ferry workers in and around Wisemens Ferry. The employer at the time, Ferrymen, lost the contract to operate, but were still in negotiations with the MUA to correct an outstanding underpayment. In short, Ferrymen were trying to pay workers less than the Award through a ridiculous

POLITICS 14

Maritime UNITY

UNION BUSTING TURNBULL: ANTI-UNION, ANTI-WORKER BILLS PASS After over two years of failing to force it through the Senate the Turnbull Government has secured passage of the Registered Organisations Bill, the little-known piece of legislation attacking workers and their unions that was used as a trigger for this year’s double dissolution election.

At a time when we face stagnating wages, increasing job insecurity, and uncertainty about where the jobs of the future will come from the Turnbull Government has dedicated the time and resources of the Government to attacking working people and their representatives.

ACTU Secretary, Dave Oliver said “The Registered Organisations Bill is nothing more than an attempt by this Government to hobble the union movement with red tape and discourage people from volunteering as delegates and representatives to help their colleagues”.

“We have seen similar attempts made in the past that have also failed, just as this will, to diminish the passion and commitment of our hard working delegates and volunteers”.

It is disappointing that instead of supporting working people’s attempts to increase wages and improve working conditions the Turnbull Government has instead decided to burden them with a disproportionate and manifestly inappropriate regulatory regime.

The union movement is predominately governed by volunteers. Everyday people who give of their time to help their fellow workers run our movement and the Turnbull Government has now chosen to subject them to the same penalties that apply to highly paid corporate boards.

“This law does nothing to address declining wages. It does nothing to create new jobs. It does nothing to secure the employment of the more than 1 million underemployed Australian workers in this country. It does nothing to prepare young people for the rapidly changing nature of work. It just continues an ideological attack on unions driven by Prime Minister Turnbull’s rank politics,” Oliver said.

“This is yet another demonstration of the Turnbull Government’s contempt for working people and the issues that are of concern to them; fair pay, good conditions, workplace safety and proper treatment of all people in the workplace. The people of the union movement work every day on these issues and deserve the support, not the condemnation, of their Government.”

These people are the backbone of the union movement and have done nothing to deserve the demonisation that has been heaped upon them by this Government.

The passing of the bill to bring back the ABCC by the Senate on Wednesday November 30, through a backdoor deal with One Nation, Senators Nick Xenophon and Derryn Hinch has sold out the civil and industrial rights of 1 million Australian workers.

CFMEU National Construction Secretary

Dave Noonan said that the rights of 1 million construction workers have been sold down the river by cross bench senators to horse trade with the Government on other issues.

“These are laws that will take away rights, will endanger safety and conditions for ordinary workers in the industry. We know this because we’ve been here before and that’s what happened.”

“These laws destroy important protections,” he said.

The ABCC bill: •Removes the right of silence for construction workers •Bans workers, unions and employers agreeing to limit casualisation •Prohibits workers, unions and employers from promoting the employment of apprentices •Bans unions and employers agreeing to safe hours of work or any limitation at all on excessive overtime •Prohibits employees seeking the assistance of their union on safety issues on building sites •Bans measures that give workers job security Mr Noonan said the union will continue to stand up for its members, fight for safety on sites and bargain for better conditions for workers in the industry.

“We will also continue to fight for an end to bad and discriminatory laws that favours the interests of big property developers and multinational construction companies over the interests of ordinary working Australians.

“These are bad laws and that’s why it has taken the Government three years to pass them.”

Mr Noonan thanked Senator Jacqui Lambie and former Senators John Madigan, Ricky

Muir and Glenn Lazarus for withstanding pressure from the Government to pass the bill.

“They deserve to be congratulated for staying true to their principles and for voting down laws that are essentially an ideological attack on construction workers.

program is fundamentally flawed; it allows employers to force people to work for subpar wages and conditions, which undermine local wages, conditions and employment.

“Temporary visa arrangements, whether 457, backpacker or student visas, open the door to exploitation, with the fear of deportation or being exposed to visa violation charges being a constant threat.”

ACTU President, Ged Kearney, said.

The list currently includes 651 occupations and the ACTU believes it bears little resemblance to areas of genuine skills shortage.

“The current temporary occupation list has numerous occupations which are being rorted and used for low skilled professions.

457 visas are meant to fill genuine skills gap with specialised workers. Instead, workers are coming in and doing entry level jobs like retail shop assistants and kitchenhands. And the current list includes nurses, engineers, electricians, motor mechanics and joiners.”

Young Australians are finding The Australian Council of Trade Unions it increasingly difficult to find an (ACTU) welcomes the introduction of Labor apprenticeship, yet employers continue to leader Bill Shorten’s private member’s bill to sponsor temporary foreign workers rather review the 457 visa system. than train our kids.

The Migration Amendment (Putting Local The ACTU also has serious concerns about Workers First) Bill 2016 calls for stronger systemic exploitation of temporary workers, labour market testing, stricter licensing as highlighted in the 7 Eleven scandal and criteria for 457 workers and more restrictions outlined in the Senate report A National for employers.

Disgrace: The Exploitation of Temporary The ACTU believes the 457 visa system is Work Visa Holders. The exploitation of broken; the occupation list for temporary temporary visa workers has been happening workers continues to be rorted and needs a far too often and for far too long for it to complete review. be dismissed as a few isolated cases in an “The ACTU believes it is time for a otherwise well-functioning program. complete revision of the skilled migration “Australia also has double digit youth program. The current skilled migrant visa unemployment and more than one million underemployed people who need more work. Employers who employ skilled migrants must be obliged to train and hire locally before employing temporary visa holders.”

“The ACTU is calling for a complete review of the list — from the bottom up. We do not want to see tinkering of the list with useless caveats. The program must have a full proper tripartite review mechanism and substantial rigorous labour market testing should be broadened out to cover all occupations under the 457 temporary worker list.”

457 VISA SYSTEM IS BROKEN: ACTU CALLS FOR MAJOR REFORM OF OCCUPATION LIST

The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

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THE RISE OF RACISM & NATIONALISM = HANSON Bob Briton & Anna Pha via The Guardian (The Worker’s Weekly) The election of Pauline Hanson and other One Nation candidates to the Senate is just one indicator of an alarming trend. Hanson has ridden a wave of racism, nationalism and anti-scientific attitudes into Parliament.

These sentiments had already been stirred up by major conservative parties and by hate-mongers in the corporate media. The resuscitated career of the anti-intellectual icon from Queensland and the emergence of a brace of other extreme right political forces are not an exclusively Australian phenomenon.

Similar scenarios are playing out across the capitalist world as economic crisis bites hard, Governments make savage cuts to social spending, corporate taxes are cut and working people are expected to foot the bill for massive military budgets. Racism and other scapegoats and distractions are trotted out to divert attention fromthe real causes of the crises facing the workingclass.

The left has a mighty challenge on its hands to defeat these enemies of reason and humanity. Hanson knows how to play the populist, to instil fear in an environment where people are already feeling insecure over their jobs, wages, the future of Medicare, housing and what future her children have.

It should not come as a surprise that One Nation had its best results in working class suburban and rural electorates where discontent with the major parties is the greatest. Hanson and her ilk fuel hatred and division. They know how to tap into people’s fears and ignorance. The corporate media play a key role in keeping people in the dark with a constant stream of non-news and outright lies about the economy, government policy, Australia’s involvement in US wars, the so-called “illegal” asylum seekers and other important issues.

A massive operation is also underway in the media and elsewhere in the ideological apparatus to trivialise the left and other progressive forces that embrace concepts of equality, collectivity and multi-culturalism.

Indulgence is being encouraged for ideas once correctly identified as ignorant and harmful, as fuelling hatred, division and even violence.

Not a day goes by where there is not some beat-up about the threat of terrorism, of Muslims as terrorists, of Halal food being forced on an unwitting public, that Islam is not a religion and so on. All concepts taken up and exploited by Hanson and other ultraright outfits.

“Australia is a country built on Christian values,” Hanson claims. In the next breath, she says Australia is a secular society, that she supports secularism. “Secularism is asserting the right to be free from religious rule and teachings or, in a state declared to be neutral on matters of belief, from the imposition by government or religion or religious practices upon the people,” Hanson says.

Her election material also played on the fears whipped up by “stop the boats” sloganising and policies on asylum seekers of

said on air that she wants a halt to Muslim immigration so she can feel safe. She said, with total disregard for glaring facts, that Japan has no history of terrorism because it has no Muslim population – wrong on both counts.

Ignorant attitudes and anecdotes that until recently were the preserve of Reclaim Australia, the United Patriots Front and social media trolls are moving to centre stage and even being touted on the public broadcaster, the ABC Rightward drift.

The challenge from the right is racist, xenophobic and religiously intolerant but is also anti-science. Hanson wants zero net immigration, a ban on Muslim migration, the installation of closed circuit TV to monitor mosques and Islamic schools and a Royal Commission into Islam itself.

She also wants to investigate the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for involvement in what she believes is a conspiracy to favour the international consensus around the Abbott/Turnbull Government. The fear of their homes today than in 1997 when the climate change. One Nation Senate colleague Australia being swamped by Muslim asylum Bringing them Home Report was handed Malcolm Roberts wants “climate scepticism” seekers landing on Australia’s shores and down. That document led to former Prime taught in schools. posing a threat to Australia’s, read Christian, Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Despite the dramatic swing to the right “values”and way of life.

Generations. Authorities, including the in the recent period, disaffected Liberal Today it is the Muslim community that Australian Human Rights Commission, that Senator Cori Bernardi is annoyed at the is scapegoated. When Hanson was elected highlight the suffering of Aboriginal people, presence of voices for moderation on some to the Senate in 2001 she targeted Asians refugees and other minorities are dismissed issues within his Party. He has been rallying as the threat to “Australian values”. “I and as “activist organisations” and should be “conservatives” (extreme right-wingers) into various well resourced organisations to most Australians want our immigration abolished. advance his agenda. policy radically reviewed and that of Hanson has some strong support within Bernadi has a string of these initiatives multiculturalism abolished,” she told the Liberal Party ranks on this question. Former to his name; the latest being the Australian Senate in her first speech in 2001. “I believe conservative Prime Minister John Howard Conservatives, which he is building with we are in danger of being swamped by is full of advice for Prime Minister Malcolm fellow Coalition MP George Christensen.

Asians. Between 1984 and 1995, 40% of all Turnbull in this connection.

They feel the need to counter the influence migrants coming into this country were of During the election campaign, Turnbull Asian origin. They have their own culture and said he would not welcome Pauline Hanson’s of unions and progressive community groups! The right is networking and religion, form ghettos and do not assimilate”. presence in the Parliament. Howard “A truly multicultural country can never thinks that attitude is ill-advised Hanson building. Years of persistent work, supported by major institutions of the capitalist state, be strong or united. The world is full of for paving the way for the “Tampa” and are advancing their reactionary political failed and tragic examples, ranging from “children overboard” election of 2001. One agenda. The left, i.e. the forces wishing to Ireland to Bosnia to Africa and, closer to Nation was destroyed at the polls when the home, Papua New Guinea. America and Coalition essentially stole the upstart party’s move Australia to a socialist future with a Great Britain are currently paying the price,” immigration and refugee policies. “I didn’t culture genuinely reflecting the multicultural Hanson said. The latter remark reveals agree with her when she said we were being nature of Australian society, won’t have that sort of backing. But it will have to unite as her ignorance regarding the history of flooded by Asians because we weren’t,” colonialisation and foreign occupations.

Howard said in the media. “And I didn’t agree never before and gather the support of the Yet, Australia is a nation of migrants, with her when she said the Aboriginal people decisive force for progressive change, for a highly successful society built on weren’t among the most disadvantaged in workers and other exploited people. The alternative, anti-human right-wing agenda is multiculturalism with people of many our community because those things were races, cultures, and religions living in manifestly wrong. But I understand that she becoming clearer. It must not pass! harmony. Every family, apart from those of was articulating the concerns of people who the Indigenous Australians, are migrants or felt left out and I was very critical of people refugees or their descendants. who branded everybody who supported her The real threat to this harmony is the as a racist because that is nonsense. We are ultraright politics of One Nation, Reclaim not a racist country and I wish people would Australia and other extremist right-wing stop reaching for the adjective whenever they groups. want to isolate somebody who they don’t Hanson’s election also arises from a agree with.” spike in institutional racism. Right-wing Howard’s anti-racist credentials are commentators like the Australian’s Jennifer not strong and his claim that Australia Oriel alleges that the “left” has successfully is not a racist country won’t fly. But substituted“minority rights” for the inclusive his encouragement and that of other values of what she refers to as “western “conservative” spokespersons to those who civilisation”. want to put their “concerns” out there is defi The facts tell a different story. Aboriginal nitely cutting through. Nine TV presenter deaths in custody are on the rise again. More Sonia Kruger got some criticism but a lot Aboriginal children are being removed from of sympathetic reinforcement when she

16

Maritime UNITY

THE 13 IMPOSSIBLE CRISES THAT HUMANITY NOW FACE George Monbiot, via The Guardian

In late November, police units arrested the co-mayors of the Kurdish cities of Siirt, Dersim (Tunceli), and Cizre for alleged terrorism crimes. The opposition People's Democatic Party (HDP), was targeted with the arrests of 14 of its 59 parlamentarians.

These included the party's co-leaders Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag.

These latest attacks are on top of the tens of thousands of workers who have been dismissed, the 140 journalists jailed and the numerous media outlets that have been shut down since the failed coup in mid July.

Please don’t read this unless you are feeling strong. This is a list of 13 major crises that, I believe, confront us. There may be more. Please feel free to add to it or to knock it down. I’m sorry to say that it’s not happy reading.

1. Donald Trump The next occupant of the White House will be a man who appears to possess no capacity for restraint, balance or empathy, but a bottomless capacity for revenge and vindictiveness. He has been granted a clean sweep of power, with both houses and the supreme court in his pocket. He is surrounding himself with people whose judgment and knowledge of the world are, to say the least, limited. He will take charge of the world’s biggest nuclear and conventional arsenals, and the most extensive surveillance and security apparatus any state has ever developed.

2. His national security adviser In making strategic military decisions, he has a free hand, with the capacity to act even without the nominal constraint of Congress.

His national security adviser, Michael T Flynn, is a dangerous extremist.

3. The rest of his team Trump’s team is partly composed of professional lobbyists hired by fossil fuel, tobacco, chemical and finance companies and assorted billionaires. Their primary political effort is to avoid regulation and taxation. These people – or rather the interests they represent – are now in charge.

Aside from the implications for the living world, public health, public finance and financial stability, this is a vindication of the political model pioneered by the tobacco companies in the 1960s. It demonstrates that if you spend enough money setting up thinktanks, academic posts and fake grassroots movements, and work with the corporate media to give them a platform, you can buy all the politics you need. Democracy becomes a dead letter. Political alternatives are shut down.

TURKEY TARGETS ACTIVISTS

politically impossible for the Government to pay, leading to a non-negotiated rupture and the hardest imaginable Brexit.

5. Eurozone risks The Italian banking crisis looks big. What impact this might have on the survival of the eurozone is anyone’s guess.

6. … and their global ramifications Whether it is also sufficient to trigger another global financial crisis is again hard to judge. If such a thing were to occur, Governments would not be able to mount a rescue plan of the kind they used in 2007-8.

The coffers are empty.

7. Job-eating automation Automation will destroy jobs on an unprecedented scale, and because the penetration of information technology into every part of the economy is not a passing phase but an escalating trend, it is hard to see how this employment will be replaced.

No Government or major political party anywhere shows any sign of comprehending the scale of this issue.

8. If Marine Le Pen wins French politicians are now marching to Marine Le Pen’s immigration tune As the mood darkens in Europe, French opposition to migration now extends to a 4. The transatlantic backdrop category of EU worker Britain’s attempts to disentangle itself Marine Le Pen has a moderate to fair from the EU are confronted with a level of chance of becoming the French president complexity that may be insuperable in May. Whether this would be sufficient Meanwhile, on this side of the Atlantic, to trigger the collapse of the EU is another Britain’s attempts to disentangle itself from unknown. If this is not a sufficient crisis, the European Union are confronted with a there are several others lining up (especially level of complexity that may be insuperable. the growing nationalist movements across Moreover, there may be no answer to the central and eastern Europe in particular, but political fix in which the government finds to a lesser extent almost everywhere) that itself. This is as follows: a) either it agrees to could catalyse a chain reaction. I believe that the free movement of people in exchange when this begins, it will happen with a speed for access to the single market, in which that will take almost everyone by surprise. case the pro-Brexit camp will have gained From one month to the next, the EU could nothing except massive embarrassment, or b) cease to exist. the EU slams the shutters down. Not only is it likely to reject the terms the Government 9. The UN security council would proposes; but it might also try to impose look like … an exit bill of about 60 billion for the costs If Le Pen wins, the permanent members of incurred by our withdrawal. This would be the UN security council will be represented

by the following people: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Theresa May and Marine Le Pen. It would be a stretch to call that reassuring.

10. The Paris climate agreement trashed National climate change programmes bear no connection to the commitments Governments made at Paris. Even if these programmes are fully implemented (they won’t be), they set us on a climate-change trajectory way beyond that envisaged by the agreement. And this is before we know what Trump will do.

11. … and the effects on migration One of the many impacts of climate breakdown – aside from such minor matters as the inundation of cities, the loss of food production and curtailment of water supplies – will be the mass movement of people, to an extent that dwarfs current migration.

The humanitarian, political and military implications are off the scale.

12. … with just 60 harvests left According to the UN food and agriculture organisation, at current rates of soil loss we have 60 years of harvests left.

13. … an accelerating extinction crisis The extinction crisis appears, if anything, to be accelerating.

Enough already? Sorry, no. One of the peculiarities of this complex, multiheaded crisis is that there appears to be no “other side” on to which we might emerge. It is hard to imagine a realistic scenario in which Governments lose the capacity for total surveillance and drone strikes; in which billionaires forget how to manipulate public opinion; in which a broken EU reconvenes; in which climate breakdown unhappens, species return from extinction and the soil comes back to the land. These are not momentary crises, but appear to presage permanent collapse.

So the key question is not how we weather them but how – if this is possible – we avert them. Can it be done? If so what would it take?

FIRE KILLS MORE GARMENT WORKERS IN INDIA In early November, a fire at an illegally run garment factory in a residential area of Sahibabad, New Delhi, killed 13 workers.

The fire occurred early in the morning and killed the workers as they were asleep in the factory building itself. In India’s rapid industrialisation over the last two decades, it is the workers who are paying the price with many fatal accidents occurring all over India. Amid the carnage, some sections of the workers’ movement like the garment workers around Bangalore, have been able to make improvements through direct action and workplace organising.

INDUSTRIAL ACTION BRAZIL Industrial action occured in ports across brazil on November 30, 2016. IDC supports this industrial action in Brazil, which occured across all ports for 24 hours. This action is in response to the port privatization process, which threatens the welfare of the port workers.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

VICTORY FOR INDONESIAN TRANSPORT WORKERS’ On October 26, the Sydney Branch received an email from the FBTPI (Port and Transport Workers’ Union of Indonesia) seeking support for their struggle against the Indonesian state owned company PERTAMINA PATRA NIAGA (PPN) The Union announced that the Fuel Tanker drivers, members of the FBTPI would commence an indefinite strike on November 1. On October 28, a meeting of members was held at DPW terminal Port Botany to muster support for the striking workers.

A short video was put together where the DPW wharfies chanted slogans of support for the striking workers. The video was then translated to Indonesian and sent off to the FBTPI in Jakarta.

On Wednesday November 16, a demonstration organised by the Branch was held outside the Indonesian Consulate at Maroubra. The rally attracted many Unionist and social justice groups from around the Sydney district. Three letters of condemnation and concern were put together to be delivered to the Consul General in the Maroubra building, two from National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, and the other from the Sydney Branch. The first of Paddy’s letters was addressed to the Indonesian Ambassador in Canberra, calling on the Indonesian Government to intervene and stop all intimidation against the FBTPI workers, and further to grant their reasonable demands forthwith. Paddy outlined that the ITF was firmly behind the striking workers and hoped that there can be a speedy resolution to the dispute.

Paddy’s second letter was addressed to the state-owned company, Pertamina Patra Niage (PPN). Again the National Secretary outlined that the FBTPI workers had the unconditional backing of the ITF in their just struggle for a safer workplace, with improved working conditions and paid overtime, free from the threat of bullying & harassment.

The letter from the Sydney Branch sent off a similar message to the Indonesian Government that we were not going to stand idly by while our kindred Union Sister &

Brothers of the FBTPI were being treated like animals. When it came time to deliver the three letters to the Consul General, we were informed by the Police that this wasn’t happening. But the protesters were not having a bar of this and immediately started to chant, ‘READ THE LETTERS, READ THE LETTERS’. This had a major effect because the Consul General himself came out of his hiding place (he was literally hiding around the corner inside the huge steel gate). At this point the Consul General came forward to the gate and accepted the letters, giving a commitment that they would be delivered to the Ambassador in Canberra.

On November 24, the FBTPI workers agreed to a settlement with PPN and returned to work. Although the workers have had somewhat of a small victory, they told me that their struggle is far from over. It’s interesting to note that the MUA’s training officer Mick Cross, along with Samantha Bond of Apheda and Jacqui Kris from the Victorian Nurses & Midwives Association were in Jakarta at the time of the workers strike. The comrades decided to go down to the picket line to show support. When they returned to their hotel rooms after, the Police were waiting for them and immediately confiscated their passports. The passports were only returned the following day on the proviso they left the country immediately, with strong stipulation that they cannot reapply to return to Indonesia for six months. It must be said however that the Indonesian authorities didn’t ‘all of a sudden’ realise the error of their ways re handing the passports back to the Australians international solidarity yet again came to the rescue. Our great friends of KPI (Maritime Union of Indonesia) applied heavy pressure on the authorities to hand the passports back.

The Sydney Branch remains totally committed to the struggle of our comrades of the FBTPI, they realise that they can rely on us to give them a chop out the moment they put the call out.

‘HIDUP BURUH’

DEWAN EKSEKUTIF NASIONAL

KONFEDERASI PERSATUAN BURUH INDONESIA

Alamat : Jl. Jampea Raya Lorong 20 No. 123D Kel. Koja, Kec. Tanjung Priok, Jakarta Utara – Jakarta (14220). Telp.

021-43935912 Email : konfederasi.kpbi@gmail.com

To : Joe Deakin Assistant Branch Secretary Maritime Union of Australia Greetings, We, the National Executive Council of the Indonesian Confederation of United Workers (KPBI), would like to thank you all in MUA and APHEDA for the supports you have given to our unionist comrades on strike, the Fuel Tank Drivers of Pertamina Patra Niaga.

Fuel tank drivers of Pertamina Patra Niaga are members of the Indonesian Port Transport Workers Federation (FBTPI), an affiliate of KPBI. The video you released via facebook followed by the presence of Mick Cross and a delegation of Apheda (Samantha Bond) and Jacqeline (United Nurse) on November 1, 2016 at the strike location, and the protest action you organized in front of the Indonesian consulate in Sydney on November 18, 2016 have motivated our members. It has been a great support and brought energy for our members.

These also have opened bigger opportunity to organize more AMT in other areas as they witnessed our struggle supported by our international affiliate and networks.

Additionally we deeply regret the problem faced by the three delegates who were summoned and interrogated by the Indonesian Immigration due to their presence at the strike location. In response to the incident, we will send a protest statement against the action of the Indonesian Immigration which we considered to have been exaggerated and make sure this kind of incident will never happen again in the future.

We hope we can continue to work together to build stronger solidarity in the future.

In solidarity,

ILHAMSYAH

DAMAR PANCA MULYA

Chairperson

General Secretary

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Maritime UNITY

18

Family Violence Awareness National Week of Action Family violence is a problem that affects all of us: women, children and men. As a union with many male members, we want to raise awareness and be part of eliminating family violence for our benefit and for the benefit of the community at large.

As a union we strive to improve quality of life for working people. We know that we can drive change that benefits us all. We all need to learn, understand and make a difference individually and collectively. It is up to all of us to oppose violence against women and promote a culture of non-violence and respect in our community.

How common is violence against women?

Women of all ages, cultures, backgrounds and economic situations in Australia can experience violence.

Rates of violence against men and women since the age of 15:

1in 3

1in 22

1in 6

1in 19

1in 4

1in 7

1in 3

1in 2

The vast majority of which is perpetrated by men they know

The vast majority of which is perpetrated by men they know

Australian women had experienced sexual violence

Australian women had experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner

The CFMEU has utilised the material of: Monashlink, VicHealth and City of Monash

Australian women had experienced emotional abuse from a current or former partner

Australian women had experienced physical violence

!

Australian men had experienced sexual violence

Australian men had experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner

Australian men had experienced emotional abuse from a current or former partner

Australian men had experienced physical violence

- Eight out of ten women aged 18 - 24 were harassed on the street in the past year - At least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner in Australia.

- Domestic violence is the leading cause of death and injury in women under 45

!

Every week in Australia a woman is murdered by her partner or expartner.

Violence against women includes...

• Economic, psychological, emotional, physical and sexual abuse • Intimate partner violence is often used to describe violence against a current or previous partner.

• Family violence and domestic violence are broader terms that refer to violence between family members as well as violence between intimate partners.

The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

Who commits violence against women?

Research shows that most violence against women is perpetrated by a man who is known to them, such as a current or former intimate partner, an acquaintance or a relative.

In comparison, men were more likely to be assaulted by a stranger (70% of assaults) and

in the majority of cases by a male perpetrator.

Intimate partner violence is most often confined to the home, ‘unseen’ by others and the community, and can include multiple forms of assault, abuse and threats that can escalate in severity over time.

What causes violence against women?

Violence against women exists due to: • • •

Inequalities between men and women across all levels of society (eg: relationships, workplaces, media, sport) Explicit and subtle power imbalances between women and men Rigid expectations and attitudes (stereotypes) about what it means to be a ‘man’ or a ‘woman’

••• Alcohol, other drugs and mental health issues are not the underlying causes of violence against women, but contribute to the frequency or severity of violence. The use of violence against women is a choice that men make. Men always have a choice.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

While most men do not use violence against women, all men can play a part in preventing it

!

•

We can declare that violence against women is never acceptable.

•

Work alongside women in ending violence against women.

•

We should be talking, with our mates, our sons, our families. Women and girls need respect and need to be treated as equals. We also need to be having the public conversations, using our influence where we can.

•

Men need to help other men understand that violence against women is fuelled by attitudes and beliefs that women are worth less than men, or are the property of men

If you are in need of urgent assistance call ‘000’ The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) - is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

National: Mates in Construction - 1300 MIC 111 In Victoria: Incolink - 03 9668 3061 or 0419 568 605 MUA Contact: Hunterlink - 1800 544 654

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NATIONAL CONFERENCE MEMBER REPORTS 20

“It was positive to see a huge proportion of our members participating in the democratic processes of the union. It was great to see so many young people, especially young women, showing an interest in how things are decided.

I enjoyed listening to the many enthusiastic speakers and seeing how the campaigns have progressed over the last four years of the union. It’s fantastic that we opened the National Conference with the Women, ATSI and Youth Conference. This helped set the tone of what we believe, in terms of fighting for people that are often under-represented in workplaces. This helps us all focus on what the bigger issues are in our communities.”

Sue Virago

Maritime UNITY

“This was an historic conference because of the CFMEU merger. It was of great value to have the merger explained in more detail by the giants of the union movement. To listen to all the discussions about the merger made me feel like we are at the start of something powerful, which will influence the future of the Australian union movement.”

Craig Sheehan

“The resolutions made me realise that the MUA is not only focused on empowering maritime workers, we care about a broad range of social justice issues including Palestinian solidarity, refugees and Indigenous rights. It was powerful to see all the international solidarity shown to the MUA. It reinforced my belief that maritime workers around the globe are united. Willie Adams from the ILWU and Michelle O’Neill from the TCFUA were two of my favourite guest speakers.”

Leyre Diaz

“I am proud to say that I have been attending MUA conferences since the early 2000s and this was the best one I’ve ever attended.

There was such a strong focus on the problems workers face across the different “I have been a delegate for 22 years, and maritime sectors. attending the conference has reinforced As a wharfie, I know all about automation. To “It was a priviledge to attend the national hear our Assistant National Secretary, Ian Bray, conference held on the Gold Coast at speak about sham partnerships on tugs was of Jupiters. The youth organised a rally, which great value. I also appreciated the talks about oil highlighted that Aussie shipping is under and gas.” attack from the Government. That first day set Josh Teale the tone for the whole conference, with the welcome to country given by Uncle Graham “It was great to meet like-minded people Dillon & Kombumerri people second to from our union, as well as others from across none. the globe. The solidarity shown was touching. I All resolutions put forward to conference learnt about the struggles all maritime workers were discussed in the usual comradely face – we are under attack from conservative manner with healthy debate overall. As for the governments and corporations. But as the proposed merger with the CFMEU, I can only conference has shown me, our union is coming see positives for our organisation, with the together to fight back! new proposed division of the merged union The conference motivated me to get back into retaining MUA rules & assets, democratic my workplace and inspire others to get more processes, elections & structures.” involved. We have to stick together to win” Mark Clifton Craig Sheehan

my commitment to the movement. All of the MUA leaders spoke with passion and the way in which they communicate is inspirational. John Setka from the CFMEU was very good, it was a real treat to hear him speak. It was powerful to see all the diversity within our union. There are so many members from a broad range of backgrounds. The Youth, Women’s, and Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Conference was powerful. I am glad we passed resolutions in support of LGBTIQ equality, that’s very important.”

Steve Husband

The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

“The conference was excellent and it was great to see the MUA youth at the forefront.

Seeing young people so involved makes me feel confident that our union is in good hads.”

John Anderson

“There were a couple of things that have really stuck with me. It was great to see international solidarity and the collectiveness of the entire group and their willingness to fight for social justice. The camaraderie was incredible! You might not have known “I have been going to our conferences everyone at the start of the conference, since 1967 and I have never missed one. but by the end we were all family. The I can honestly say that this was our best conference was very well organised, a big to-date. It was well-themed and there was thank you to all the staff members who good debate around the CFMEU merger. helped out. To see all the young MUA members stand up makes me feel confident It was great to see that everyone believes that we are on the right track.” the amalgamation is the way to go. The Justin Halwag y Veterans had their own conference organised

by Freddy Krauset, featuring international guests. We wanted to show everyone that “The conference was a fair and accurate account of where the rank-and-file even though we are retired, we have not membership is at, at this very moment. The retired from the struggle. Overall, the conference showed the great fight the union conference was outstanding and the rankis putting up against those that don’t want and-file members are 100% behind the the MUA to exist at all. All the discussions officials.”

Jim Donovan around the amalgamation with the CFMEU were very relevant.”

Joe McDonald “I found the conference to be very interesting and informative – it was a real eye-opener. It was a great opportunity “I have been in the industry for over to learn more about the particular issues ten years, but this was my first national Indigenous and female workers experience. conference. Attending the conference really I will take all the knowledge I gained into my changed my perspective in terms of how the future endeavours.” union works. It made me realise how unique Jon Eilliott the MUA is – we are a social democracy. It was very interesting to see all the motions

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get voted on. I felt the fact that we passed motions in support of LGBTIQ+ equality truly shows how progressive we are. I first met Brad Parker from the CFMEU over eight years ago and it was great to catch up with him again at our national conference.

The discussions around the merger were excellent and very insightful. The fact that the two most militant unions are coming together can only make us stronger.”

Dane Barringer

The MUA National Conference is always a great event, it’s when the rank-and-file of our union get together to make the decisions to pave the path for the next 4 years. Women were in their highest numbers ever at conference and the way that they embraced the work was commendable. Special mention to those that moved motions to support domestic violence leave, family friendly provisions and issues for the LGBTIQ members of our union.

Mich-Elle Myers

“I found the 2016 National Conference to be outstanding, the unity shown by union members not only from around Australia, but from unions all across the globe, was amazing and very informative. The Welcome to Country was the best I’ve ever seen and was a personal highlight of the conference.”

Warren Dom

“The 2016 National Conference was a great opportunity to meet new people and catch up with some old faces from our great union.”

Adam Lee

“When I was at the conference my grandfather passed away. The union organised for a minute’s silence to be observed in his memory.

It was so moving to see 500 delegates pay their respects to my grandfather. He would have been touched – he was a member of the old Fireman and Deckmans’ union. The whole conference just revamped my commitment to the MUA and has made me even more militant.”

Nathan Colombo

“It was great to see that the MUA Youth Committee’s involvement is so strong. I enjoyed the international and political guests, along with the camaraderie and collective desire to protect the working class and their families. One thing I really took away from this conference was the importance of being politically aligned and making changes within political parties.

It was great to hear about the importance of amalgamation with the CFMEU. The conference made me realise that disputes can be resolved in our favour through international support, unity, solidarity and discipline. The conference has influenced my activism and renewed my passion to stay engaged with the union’s fights and struggles.”

Nathan Donato “It was great to make so many new friends and to meet so many new people.

Connecting with such strong unionists around the world, only helps our ability to organise and fight back.”

Holly Matthewson

COMMUNITY & WORKERS’ SOLIDARITY Maritime UNITY

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CUB 55 - A BATTLE FOR DECENT WAGES

The MUA Sydney Branch stands in solidarity with the 55 maintenance workers who were terminated without notice by Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) in June 2016.

These workers were sacked then invited to reapply for their jobs at a 65 per cent pay decrease on a non-union agreement.

This is a shameful act of corporate greed.

CUB can hardly cry poor – the company dominates the Australian beer market, producing beers like Carlton Draught, Pure Blonde, Crown Lager and VB (among others). CUB is so economically viable that it owns five of the ten biggest Australian beer

directly with the public about the atrocities CUB has committed against hardworking Australians.

A delegation from our Branch visited the community assembly, which is located outside of the Abbotsford brewery in Melbourne, to mark the 9th week of the dispute. Ausport Delegate, Marty Mirabito, brands and its parent company SABMiller did us all proud by addressing the picket, reportedly made $4.4 Billion in profit in which included over 400 unionists and 2016 alone. To make matters worse, last year concerned citizens.

SABMiller generated zero taxable income “This is nothing more than a bastardy act in an attempt to squash decent working in Australia. Once again under the Turnbull conditions won by class struggle,” he said.

Government, big corporations are getting “As MUA members, we vow to stand up and away with tax dodging at the expense of hardworking Australians and the loss of local do everything in our power to protect union jobs and we will help escalate your campaign jobs. for justice. The MUA Sydney Wharfies have Our Branch has been at the forefront of raised $12,000 to support your struggle.” this struggle, boycotting all CUB products.

The Sydney Branch has produced stickers, We have attended numerous rallies and which read: “Boycott CUB” and our members events in support of this dispute. On 12 August, our members leafleted on Pitt Street have been busy distributing them around with Unions NSW and other unions, speaking their workplaces and within the wider

community. Our Branch has created two solidarity videos, where workers are seen chanting, “shame CUB, shame”. These have been shared multiple times across social media platforms. We also discussed this dispute at length during our Stop Work meeting in August 2016.

Our members want to do everything in their power to help these workers. Many joined thousands of other Australians by hosting a CUB-free BBQ / Event to celebrate the AFL and NRL grand finals. MUA members enjoyed the game, while making a stand for union jobs!

Update: At the time this paper went to the printers, there was a victory announced for the CUB55. The workers’ won all of their demands and were fairly re-instated.

This could not have happened without the widespread support of trade unionists, who campaigned fearlessly for justice. When workers’ unite, we win!

WALK IT OFF MUA Sydney Branch members Steven Heighes, David McElhinney and Darren Brown have done our union proud, completing a 14 day walk from the Gold Coast to Sydney on Friday, October 28.

The DP World wharfies walked over 60km a day, challenging themselves both physically and mentally, raising needed funds and awareness for Suicide Prevention Australia.

"Six years ago, I was in a dark place” said Heighes.

“Heaps of people helped me on the road to recovery, so it was time I gave a little back.

“As suicide affects us all, we wanted to stand up and make a real change.”

Visiting major cities and small country towns across QLD and NSW, the MUA wharfies had conversations with community members about mental health – breaking the stigma around suicide which is the biggest killer of Australian men aged 25 – 44 years.

Heighes says the role of education in the fight against depression is crucial, and can start at a young age.

“We walked past a school in Stroud, which is the middle of nowhere,” he said.

“Next thing we know, we are speaking to a school assembly of 20 kids, talking about suicide and mental illness.

"Those kids will go home and tell their parents, and that’s how the message gets out.”

The Sydney Branch sponsored the wharfies who helped raised over $50,000 for this important cause.

Branch Secretary Paul McAleer, Assistant Branch Secretary Paul Garrett, MUA Youth Activist Kerry Farrell and Harbour City Ferries worker Eben Kelk joined the last leg of the trip walking 40km from Avalon to Martin Place on Friday.

"The Sydney Branch has been actively involved in campaigns regarding awareness for suicide prevention for many years now" McAleer said.

"Suicide and mental illness is a scourge negatively impacting our communities and destroying families and the lives of those affected."

"As maritime workers and trade unionists, we recognise and understand the importance of highlighting these often ignored issues and doing what we can to try and overcome them."

The walkers were greeted at the Martin Place finish line by a strong turnout of MUA members.

The walk demonstrates the true spirit of

our union.

“I always maintain that the best thing about being a maritime worker is that we help others because we can, not because we have too,” Garrett said.

“When someone is down on their luck, start a conversation with them and ask them how they are doing and then listen.

“It just might be that conversation saves a

life”.

A big thank you to everyone who donated and attended the event including: MUA Youth, MUA Veterans, Sydney Ferries, Svitzer, DP World and the CFMEU NSW Construction and General Branch.

If you or somebody you know needs help, please contact Hunterlink on (02) 4929 6625.

LET SCA STAY!

The Maritime Union of Australia Sydney Branch stands in solidarity with students from Sydney College of the Arts (SCA), who staged an occupation for 65 days, barricading themselves in their campus building at Callan Park in Rozelle.

The students put themselves on the frontline and took direct action in an attempt to stop the relocation of SCA into the main Sydney University, located in Camperdown.

Relocating the SCA campus will be disastrous and directly puts students at risk. They will no longer have access to the facilities and services currently offered at Rozelle and artistic disciplines such as glassblowing, ceramics and jewellery making will be axed. The Bachelor of Visual Arts will also be removed.

Furthermore, the merger means a 60 per cent staff reduction.

When the occupation was initiated, the Sydney Branch responded quickly, visiting

The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

“The arts is particularly important. The working class needs a progressive arts community to reflect our society. Artists help inform the community about who we are and our environment” the students on August 24. Though it was pouring down with torrential rain, nothing was going to stop our members from showing their support. It was important to get behind the students, as many of them frequented the Hutchinson community assembly throughout the 136-day dispute and raised needed funds for the 97 workers who were notoriously sacked via text message.

Branch Secretary Paul McAleer

addressed the occupiers and the crowd of supporters, highlighting the close relationship between workers and students.

“The very best of our movement has been when students and workers come together to fight against injustice, to fight for a more inclusive and progressive society.

The arts is particularly important. The working class needs a progressive arts

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community to reflect our society. Artists help inform the community about who we are and our environment. We cannot allow conservative governments to shut down and move us from public spaces.

The only way we can ensure that Callan Park remains for the public is through struggle.”

Our Branch donated $1,000 for the students to purchase needed supplies, as well as a further $1,000 to commission an artwork, which will document the occupation. The MUA Youth Committee also gave showers and went to the trouble of setting them up for the occupiers. The Veterans have committed $100, and an additional $1000 has been donated by the Port Authority of NSW. Unions NSW hosted a rally in support of the students on August 29, which was attended by MUA activists as well as members of other unions including the CFMEU, NTEU, PSA and Professionals Australia.

MUA member Warren Dom attended the event.

“I used to walk through these grounds as a kid. These grounds should be kept for the local community and used to educate future generations to come”, Dom said.

One of the original occupiers, Cecilia Castro, visited our Stop Work meeting on August 30. Students have also been invited to workplaces, such as Hutchinson Ports and DP World, escalating the Save SCA campaign further.

The occupation came to a disrupt end on October 25, the students were forced to move by the Police and Sydney University Management.

Despite such an attack, the students are still determined to fight for SCA. The campaign continues, as the students are busy planning activities and rallies for the early new year. We will keep all members updated about their pursuits.

Throughout the whole protest the students have been thrilled with the support provided by our Branch chanting on numerous occasions: “MUA Here to Stay! SCA Here to Stay!”.

MUA WORKERS’ FIGHT BACK Jamie Armstrong Ausport Delegate

stevedores and it would be fully commenced by early August 2016.

DP World Management namely, Max Cruise (Chief Operating Officer) had decided that they were going to put 60 linesman from Port Botany and another 200 linesman around Australia out of work without batting an eyelid.

What they didn't take into account was the Maritime Union of Australia and its rank- andfile completely rejecting and uniting against On the 22nd of April 2016, a letter was these bulling tactics, and that workers will left on all DP World workers lockers. This never scab on fellow workers’ under any letter stated that Management had decided to circumstances. introduce a mooring and unmooring service The absolute sheer arrogance and at all their terminals across the country. dismissive attitude by this multi-national The idea was that they would introduce union busting company was astounding. two hour extensions performed by the The moment this letter was written,

Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith was leading from the front organising and dealing with the issue at hand.

A delegation was sent down to Melbourne from Newcastle, Sydney and Port Kembla.

To stand along side our comrades at the community assembly, to support DP World workers from Melbourne in their efforts to stop DP World changing port practices.

I am pleased to report that after five months of campaigning, militancy and camaraderie from the DP World workers around the country, Management have withdrawn their threat to moor and unmoor vessels around the country.

This is a massive win with so many peoples livelihoods on the line.

I would like to acknowledge and thank

Warren Smith, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Port Kembla, Victoria and WA branches for all their support.

We could not have done anything though without the support of the DP World rankand-file around the country.

Their strong stance from day one was unwavering and this makes me proud to be part of the MUA family. MUA Here to Stay!

SYDNEY BRANCH ACTIVITIES 2017 24

Maritime UNITY

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

The MUA Sydney Branch stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Branch has rallied in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and protested against the abuse Indigenous children suffer in our national institutions. We endorsed and attended a rally on October 11, in support of Dylan Voller who has been locked up and tortured at Don Dale Detention Centre. We donated funds to his family, enabling their travel to Sydney, where they could share their story with the community at large.

Numerous members attended the 50th Wave Hill Anniversary to help raise political awareness about this historic struggle.

Indigenous activists such as Uncle Ken Canning, Jenny Munro and Shaun Harris have spoken at our Stop Work meetings throughout the year, allowing our Branch to learn more about their activism. We have contributed to the Mary Waites ‘Yes I Can’ campaign, promoting adult literacy in the Solomon region.

REFUGEES As the Liberal Government refuses to acknowledge the humanity of asylum seekers, placing them in offshore detention centres, our Branch works actively to promote a more compassionate approach.

This year, we have supported the Palm Sunday rally, which featured a strong MUA contingent (pictured below). We have supported events organised by the Refugee Action Coalition and continue our involvement with Unions For Refugees. Our Branch has contributed to the #LetThemStay and the #BringThemHome campaigns, speaking about these humanitarian issues at various Stop Work meetings. On August 27, members rallied with the CFMEU for refugees rights at the Close the Camps, Bring Them Here rally (pictured below right).

We stood in solidarity with the Banik

family, who were being threatened with deportation by the Immigration Department because their twelve year old son is autistic.

Thanks to the support of our union, as well as others, the deportation was overturned and the entire family won the right to permanent residency!

The Sydney Branch welcomes refugees to Australia and to our workplaces.

SAVE MILLERS POINT The MUA Sydney Branch has an important and longstanding connection to public housing in Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks.

The area is part of our identity – many residents, historically speaking, were members of the Waterside Workers’ Federation (WWF) and Seamen’s Union of Australia (SUA).

Throughout the year, we have attended numerous rallies, protesting against the selling off of public properties under the Baird Government. We believe strongly that this is nothing more than an ideological attack to exclude those who aren’t socioeconomically privileged from the city and its

surrounds. We supported the Public Day of Action for Public Housing on September 14.

Our Branch endorsed and spoke at the Save Our Sirius rally, on September 18 (see picture above). This rally was attended by many MUA members, who have grown up in the area.

The CFMEU have placed a Green Ban on Sirius, which prohibits any unionised work force from working on the site. We strongly support this position, and will continue to work closely with the CFMEU and the community to protect the building and the residents. Our Branch continues our strong relationship with resident of Millers Point, Barney Gardner.

CUBA

are currently working on a joint project to establish a Solidarity Centre in the Cuban capital, Havana.

The aim of this idea is to strengthen the long-standing links between workers’ organisations in our countries and to provide a facility, which might be used for visits, training, mutual events and shared resources. We also continue to show practical solidarity and support for the William Soler Childrens Hospital in Cuba.

PNG SOLIDARITY

Our Branch endorsed a rally outside the Sydney Consulate-General of Papua New Guinea in June 2016. The rally was called The MUA Sydney Branch continues our following brutal clashes between police solidarity with the Cuban revolution and and students in Port Moresby. A total of five its people. In August, we contributed to an students were tragically wounded. We had event commemorating Fidel Castro’s 90th 50 members attend the rally, which also birthday and the 63rd anniversary of the attack on Moncada Barracks on 26 July, 1953. included PNG students, Aboriginal activists MUA members attended, as well as members and the progressive student movement.

Our members were seen holding the PNG from the CFMEU. Maritime and Transport Workers Union flag.

Our Branch continues our relationship with the Cuba Friendship Society, the Cuban We will continue to promote peace and Consulate and various Cuban ministries. We justice throughout the PNG region.

WOMEN’S EQUALITY

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The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

We have an incredible history when it comes to supporting gender equality. The Sydney Ferries was the first workplace in NSW to have equal pay in the state award.

This was achieved in the 1970’s. In August, members participated in the Victorian Woman in Male Dominated Industries ( WIMDOI) Conference. Our Branch spoke at the Domestic Violence Leave rally in October.

This was an important rally for us, as we demand that NSW Premier Michael Baird puts domestic violence leave on the national agenda! At our AGM, Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey spoke to members about the push to make domestic violence leave universal. Our members proudly sported their ‘We Won’t Wait’ armbands in support of this campaign (pictured right).

In November, members attended the Equal Pay Dinner hosted by Unions NSW, as well as the Big Steps Conference.

LGBTIQ The MUA Sydney Branch continues to pursue equality for the LGBTIQ community.

This is an important cause, as studies show the vast majority of workers do not feel safe to openly identify as LGBTIQ among their colleagues and in the workplace. We have campaigned and been present at marriage equality rallies throughout 2016. Our branch endorsed, and was active at, a large community vigil for the victims of the June 2016 mass shootings in Orlando, Florida.

In late August, we publicly welcomed the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ (ACTU) historic position in support of marriage equality and their opposition to the Turnbull Government’s proposed plebiscite. We endorsed a rally in support of the Safe Schools program, which was held on September 18, as well as a rally for marriage equality on October 8. We spoke at a rally on November 26 for marriage equality.

Our Branch is part of the Union Pride commitee and MUA member Sue Virago spoke at the launch (pictured below).

We will continue to pursue activism in this area until our workplaces and communities are safe for all LGBTIQ workers.

IDC DAY OF ACTION MUA wharfies came together on July 7 to support the International Day of Action, which is organised by the International Transport Workers’ Federation and the International Dockworkers’ Council.

The day was a huge success, with 300 members attending the march, which highlighted the issues Australian wharfies face, including: automation, union-busting, casualisation and attacks on safety.

Once again, the International Day of Action shows that we are connected to maritime workers across the globe. Dockers across six continents took part in the IDC.

WORKING WAVES While this day is organised through the Newcastle Branch, we donated funds and many of our members attended. The day was a huge success, with everyone enjoying the surf

competition and free food. Our Branch will support Working Waves on 31 March 2017. This social get-together will be held at Soldier Beach, Norah Head.

ANTI-RACISM On September 30, MUA Youth and MUA Veterans (pictired below) protested against former Prime Minister John Howard as he was given an honorary doctorate from Sydney University Management.

MUA members addressed the crowd which included over 150 people, discussing Howard’s anti-worker and anti-Indigenous agenda. The crowd was chanting: “Racist, sexist and anti-queer - Howard is not welcome here!”

On October 7, our youth movement rallied against Pauline Hanson and xenophobia.

We fight racism with action! Our Branch has a strong history of internationalism and defending the rights of overseas workers exploited on “ships of shame”. Our members are at the forefront of the anti-racist struggle, we support the equal treatment of workers, including ethnic minorities and migrant workers.

APHEDA On numerous occasions we have invited Apheda to our Stop Work meetings. We contributed to its annual dinner in early September and helped to raise much-needed funds for global aid. Our members have been engaged with Apheda’s ‘Asbestos. Not Here. Not Anywhere.’ campaign, attending numerous rallies in support. We had a strong contingent attend a forum Apehda hosted at our 2016 National Conference.

MAY DAY 2016 This year's May Day celebration marked 125 years since Australia's first May Day March, which was held in 1891 by striking shearers at Barcaldine in Queensland.

The march was a huge success and the day included great speeches, rides, bands, food and family activities at Victoria Park.

Branch Secretary Paul McAleer continues to serve as the May Day Committee Secretary.

Our Branch is already busy planning May Day for 2017, which we can guarantee will be bigger and better!

SYDNEY BRANCH ACTIVITIES 2017 26

WATERLOO

Maritime UNITY

news headlines by confronting Malcolm Turnbull at a public event, asking him to “Save Australian Shipping”. These moments We have a relationship with the Waterloo captured the imagination of the voting Public Housing Action Group ( WPHAG). In public.

July we visited the Waterloo Tent Embassy The Branch rallied outside Turnbull’s (pictured above), which has been set up Sydney office to raise the plight of Australian with the support of the Redfern-Waterloo seafarers. We occupied the buildings of both Aboriginal community. The residents Shipping Australia and AMSA in protest. have set up the tent embassy to resist The Branch travelled to Canberra on the destruction of their homes and their budget week and hosted the Australian Jobs community. Indigenous activist, Jenny Embassy.

Munro, is also involved in this campaign We had many members participate in the (as pictured above right). We have rallied Build A Better Future campaign which was against the Government’s plan to push out led by the ACTU. 4,000 residents from the area, which we When Liberal MP Russell Matheson told see as nothing more than social cleansing! one of our members “to go back to his As 60,000 families are in desperate need of own country”, we didn’t take this racist shelter in Sydney, we will continue to fight attack lightly. While this moment was totally the Baird Government to protect public deplorable, it went viral with over 20,000 housing. hits on social media. We successfully exposed the discriminatory nature of Matheson to Australian voters. In the end, Matheson got what he deserved! He suffered a 12.1% swing and lost the seat to Labor’s Mike Freelander.

Our campaign also included hosting a Politics in the Pub at Revesby Workers’ Club.

Well done to the Sydney Branch and all Members were all over Sydney handing out our incredible activists, who were worked funny money, which Crickey described as the tirelessly during the Federal Election. In the “most creative election flyer”.

Sydney region alone, the Liberal Government On election eve, our secret army was out got the boot in four seats (Barton, Macarthur, in force at trains stations and distributed Lindsay and Macquarie).

5,000 Medicare cards to the wider The Branch rallied outside the QandA community (as pictured below). Significantly, studio in protest to Michaelia Cash, member political commentators have identified that Matt Lawrence asked a question to the the Medicare campaign was as a real gamepanel on National TV. Louise Ryall made changer and key to the demise of Turnbull.

TPP RALLY

ADFA

The TPP agenda is primarily being driven by big business, big pharmaceuticals and big tobacco – but its impacts will affect working Australians.

Between foreign corporations suing our governments over public health measures and environmental protection laws, higher prices for medicine, and surveillance of Australians' internet usage, there's a lot for citizens to be concerned about.

That’s why the MUA Sydney Branch has attended many rallies against TPP. We will continue to fight against the TPP in 2017 with our members.

We continue to work closely with the Asbestos Disease Foundation of Australia (ADFA) and support their efforts in securing justice for workers living with asbestos related diseases. Our branch recently purchased a table for their annual fundraiser, the ADFA Race Day, held on October 29. The Sydney Wharfies generously donated $6,000 to this important cause.

Former Sydney Branch Assistant Secretary, Barry Robson continues to serve as the President of ADFA and Assistant Branch Secretary Paul Garrett is the Public Officer of ADFA.

CLIMB FOR MND

WORLD MARITIME DAY 2016

FEDERAL ELECTION

Many of you know Adam Regal. He was a proud wharfie and a beloved member of the MUA, who suffers from Motor Neuron Disease (MND) On Sunday 23rd of October Firefighters from around the world climbed the iconic Sydney Tower Eye as quickly as possible, in full structural firefighting ensemble to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Adam inspired the stair climb and is a central part of this campaign to raise needed funds for MND. Our Branch donated $1,000 to the important cause. We encourage all members to personally donate to MND research.

On September 23, the Branch came together and marched across the Pyrmont Bridge (as pictured above) to remember the fallen Seafarers who paid the ultimate price in times of War, that price being their lives.

We had over 100 members in attendance, including MUA Youth, Women and Veterans.

Our comrades from Newcastle and Port Kembla also joined for the day.

Our Branch looks forward to marking World Maritime Day in 2017, as we continue to stand up and fight for the Australian shipping industry.

MUA VETERANS

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The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

IRELAND REMEMBERS 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF EASTER UPRISING AGAINST BRITAIN

Jim Donovan Sydney Branch Legend

of the Irish destinies to be sovereign and indefeasible”.

The main leaders of the Uprising were Thomas Clarke, Patrick Pearse, Joseph I had a wonderful invite to the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Uprising in Dublin, Plunkett, James Connolly, Thomas Ireland in April this year. MUA Sydney Branch Macdonough. The Uprising was defeated and Deputy Secretary Paul Keating and myself all of the above leaders and many more were were guests of Sinn Fein from Australia and executed by the British.

Even though the uprising was lost it was Ireland.

There was a great delegation from Australia the beginning of a campaign to oust the wide representing many organisations British forever. supporting the historical 100th Anniversary People of Ireland were horrified at the of the Easter Uprising and the unification of executions and vowed to continue their struggle for a free Ireland.

Ireland, in total some 20 people attended from Australia in the delegation.

Led by Sinn Fein and other such parties We arrived a couple of days ahead of the a united front was formed to continue the celebrations and went about finding more struggle for a free Ireland. of the history of Dublin and so Paul and I Those struggles were of varying walked many a kilometre discovering that types mostly led by attacks upon British history. fortifications and their leaders, it was as Up until the Easter Uprising the whole termed as to day “Guerrilla Tactics”. of Ireland was under British rule for some Those and other tactics were decisive in 700-800 years and let us say they were most the winning of their long lost freedoms and brutal against the Irish people. the defeat of the British.

It was forbidden to speak the Gaelic The major decisive battle period was from language. Their religion at first was the same, January 1919 to July 1921 which resulted but when Henry Eight ( VIII) decided he in the British being defeated and finally could not get a divorce he left the Catholic agreeing to Irish Independence.

Religion and formed the Church of England.

For the Irish to finally win that During that period in both England, independence in 1922 the agreement Wales, Scotland and Ireland it was forbidden contained a bitter pill that being of 32 to practice under the Roman Christianity counties 6 were to be formed in the North banner. Many hundreds of thousands of Ireland and to remain part of the United of people were slain during this period Kingdom. including the Irish people.

The treaty was ratified by both Parliaments There was more than one uprising against of Ireland and the United Kingdom. the British before the Easter Uprising 100 years ago.

Those uprisings were defeated by the British with brutal force against the valiant Irish people.

The Irish people endured many more hardships at the hands of the English (later the British), but they knew that sooner or later they would drive the British from Ireland.

This came about by the Easter Uprising 100 years ago at the Dublin Post Office and present were the Irish Republican Brotherhood, Irish Citizen Army and the Irish Volunteers which declared “the right of the people of Ireland to the Ownership of Ireland and to the unfettered control

The 26 counties became the Irish Free State which renamed itself Ireland in 1937 and declared itself a Republic in 1949.

This treaty was the corner stone to the Irish Civil War which saw Irishmen fighting Irishmen over the very same issue still confronting the Irish today, Northern Ireland.

The above was a very brief portion of the fight for Irish Independence. Please go on the website to learn more about Irish History.

On the day of the 100th Anniversary many thousands marched from the southern part of Dublin to the historic site of the Dublin Post Office under the banner of Sinn Fein.

On the night of Sinn Feins commemoration to the Uprising which was a great night with many, many speakers including the members of the Irish Parliament and those elected to the British House of Commons (which no one has taken their seat as you have to swear allegiance to the Queen) and many more speakers.

The main speaker was Mary Lou MacDonald (pictured below) who is Vice President of Sinn Fein and let me say she was a magnificent orator and spoke with passion on behalf of the Irish people.Sinn Fein is in good hands with her at the helm.

Later that evening the Australian delegation had an audience with Mary, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness of which I consider to be the highlight of the whole trip.

They all spoke and knew very much about Australia and thanked the delegation for its

continued support of a United Ireland.

They are all up to date in terms of what’s happening in all of Ireland and in their opinion a United Ireland is not long off.

Martin McGuinness spoke of his relationship with Ian Paisley who was a Anti United Ireland proponent.

He spoke of how their relationship grew from Paisley not ever recognising him because of his United Ireland position to a position over many years before he died to one of at least recognising the right of people to have a different position, to a divided Ireland, in fact many Northern Irelanders saw Paisley as a traitor because of his new position on Ireland.

This was and is today a way forward to a United Ireland.

On leaving Ireland we went to Liverpool to call in to the Casa Club to see our beloved Liverpool Dockers.

The Casa Club is now on more than an even footing and placed on the record their appreciation for the $25,000 collected from most of the major branches and rolling funds including a donation from Federal Office.

Let us say there are no SCABS working in the Liverpool docks and most pleasing two former sacked Dockers Terry Teague and Tony Nelson are at the helm of nearly 100% unionism and they are the main negotiators for all that happens on the Docks.

Paul and myself met with Unite Union to ensure their continued presence would remain to assist the Liverpool Dockers.

I must also say our National Secretary Paddy Crumlin also played a major part in this endeavour.

In all it was most worthwhile to be in Ireland for the festivities and to continue our 21 years of involvement with the Liverpool Dockers.

Joe’s Political Trivia - Answers 1. Bill Shorten 2. PM Malcolm Fraser 3. Ged Kearney 4. Che Guevara 5. Workers of the world unite 6. Pat Geraghty 7. Fair Work Commission 8. Vladimir Lenin 9. 1993 10. John Coombs

MUA YOUTH 28

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WAVE HILL WALK OFF HONOURED

given up their land and the strike was to last eight long years and ultimately led to the beginning of Aboriginal land rights in this country.

Their story is also a significant one for future generations, showing workers in Australia and around the world what can be Dan Crumlin achieved through direct action. It also shows Sydney Branch Activist what can be achieved when working women and men are organised and stand united as one; prepared to take on the boss, the state It was such an honour to get the and the corrupt capitalist system. opportunity to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wave Hill walk off with the Trade unions such as ours, and Aboriginal Gurindji people on their land. On 22 August people, have such a proud history.

1966, 200 brave workers and their families It is incumbent on all young workers that all this rich history and fantastic work walked off the job after enduring the worst type of exploitation at the hand of their rich is understood, embraced and passed on to and powerful boss, who went by the name future generations, just as our First Nation Lord Samuel Vestey.

People have for tens of thousands of years The celebration was such a significant through story telling, song and art.

We need to re-establish those ties, remoment in history, as it marked 50 years from the day Vincent Lingiari and those energise workers and continue to fight until brave stockmen defied not just the power we achieve justice and equality for working of Vestey, but the might of the state and the people in this country. whole ruling class, with the help of Darwin Each and every day of the celebration was waterside workers, seafarers and others that special in its own way. Special, because of followed after learning of the walk-off. They the stories we heard and the experiences engaged in a fight that quickly evolved from we were lucky enough to be a part of. I being about wages and working conditions can’t thank these beautiful people enough to being about their land. They had never for their generosity in allowing us into their

country with open arms to be a part of these celebrations.

There are so many important moral, social and spiritual lessons we can learn from our Nation’s First People – be it about community, family, art, story telling, music, or maintaining a deep spiritual connection to country. We can also continue to assist them with the fight against bad legislation, neo-conservative policies that put corporate greed before people and continual racism; by helping with organising and campaigning; skills and training; and financial, industrial

and political support.

Comrades, the struggle never ends against the Lord Vesteys of the world.

We need now, more than ever, for you to get active in your workplace, in your committee and within the Branch. If I’ve learned anything in my time in Kalkarindji and Dagaragu, it’s listening to these courageous people. The ruling class don’t like it when workers engage in struggle and come out victorious. We all need to stand up and fight back! As comrade Vincent and the Gurindji community did way back in 1966.

MUNZ WOMEN AND YOUTH CONFERENCE Nathan Colombo Sydney Branch Activist

In early July, I had the honour of joining my fellow Australian Youth and Women’s Representatives from Sydney, Western Australia, and Newcastle, in Wellington, New Zealand, to be a part of the start of MUNZ’s very first Inaugural Youth and Women’s Seminar. I was joined by my fellow comrades; Danny Cain, Aimee Russell , Ryan Furtado, Catherine Shardlow, Jason Coppola, and Will Tracey.

The reason for the MUA representation at their seminar was to make connections, give ideas, strategies, and show the young men and women of MUNZ how we do it across the Tasman. This is a massive credit to all Aussie youth and women, as we were the benchmark to our Kiwi comrades in what we do, and how well we do our campaigning, organising peers and fellow workers. We also learned a lot from our friends at MUNZ in regards to their struggles, in what seems to be the same struggles we face back home. This is what makes our bond so strong.

The seminar was well organised and presented by MUNZ Women’s Representative, Marian Lesslie; Youth Representative, Josh Greer; and Communications Officer, Victor Billot. It turned out to be a massive success.

We commend them for putting on such a united and well-informed seminar, and for making us Aussies feel at home. During the seminar we had guest talks from the local Labour MP, the local Green’s MP, and the leader of the Labour Party opposition. They each gave their party’s pitches for how they are planning on taking on their right-winged National Party Government, what their plans are for the working people of New

Zealand, and they discussed their support for the union movement in NZ. This is where my fellow Aussie constituents led the way and showed our MUNZ comrades how we use our militancy to get the results we want and need. We took charge, stood up, and respectfully put it to the leader of the opposition and local Labour MP. We asked them numerous questions, like if they were going to fund the MUNZ Youth and Women during their approaching election campaigns, as these are the foot soldiers spreading their

message for the Labour Party to the people of New Zealand and reminding the MPs that organising can come at a great financial cost.

This is why we were there, and the debate and spread of ideas was put across the floor to create a strategy with all involved to make this seminar as productive as possible. It’s safe to say the relationship and unity of the union movement between us is strong and will continue to grow as we move forward.

On our spare day in Wellington, we made a trip to the MUNZ headquarters to introduce

ourselves and offer any help to the office that we could whilst we were there. A special thank you goes to Joe Fleetwood and the rest of the team at MUNZ for making us feel so welcome and included.

It’s good to see the enthusiasm and unity behind the whole team at MUNZ. The MUA Youth and Women will look forward to working with them again in future and to further build on the already great bond we share.

The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Ryan McGibbon-Thompson Sydney Branch Activist

The Sydney Youth Committee (SYC) has grown into a militant, active, politically and socially educated, and dedicated group of comrades and activists. Our committee consists of comrades from most workplaces within the Sydney Branch including seafarers, wharfies, ferry workers and the lines. We encourage as much participation from all workplaces as possible to help grow solidarity amongst comrades who are aged under 35 years.

SYC has encouraged all our youth comrades to participate in the political awareness course and delegates 1,2,3. These courses combined educate our youth on the importance of the class struggle, the importance of solidarity, and give a great understanding of how we, as a militant left union, operate. We have a saying: “know the past, own the future”, and these courses make that saying a reality by turning youth comrades into educated future leaders, who can go back to their respective workplaces and pass on what they have learned, or step up into delegate roles or onto committees. I cannot express how successful these courses have been in building strong youth members.

The SYC has been on the frontline in making

sure we are active in terms of social justice issues. The Sydney Branch members have always been strong supporters and activists of social justice issues and we at the SYC want to keep that tradition of standing up and fighting for the oppressed! We have been involved in causes like Save Millers Point/Public Housing; Welcome Refugees/Close Manus and Nauru Islands; Indigenous communities and housing;, Free West Papua; Safe Schools and Marriage Equality; LGBTQI+ Community; and the APHEDA ‘Asbestos Not Here, Not Anywhere’ campaign.

The attacks on OUR industries and union have helped build and strengthen the SYC by exposing us first-hand to the hatred the neo-conservative Liberal Government (ruling class) has for organised workers and, more importantly, militant unions such as the MUA (working class). We have seen the forced removal of our comrades by hired thugs in Portland. We have seen the forced removal of our comrades from the CSL Melbourne by federal police only to be replaced by EXPLOITED foreign seafarers being paid $2-anhour.

We have seen our comrades on the wharfs attacked by automation – we have seen them sacked via text message!

We have seen the neo-liberal Government’s Michaelia Cash aggressively attempt to totally wipe every Aussie seafarer from working in our offshore oil and gas industry, only to open it to complete exploitation!

Every single step of the way, every attack or blow, I’m proud to say the SYC was fighting on the frontline in any capacity possible. We have been involved in community assemblies, organised rallies out the front of PM Turdbuckle’s office, harassed Michaelia Cash and hijacked Q&A, and always bombarded Liberal MPs wherever possible, building solidarity with other unions and political activists – whatever we could do to help our cause, we have done it!

With those positives, there is still a lot we can do to grow into a more formidable force!

We need more comrades under the age of 35 willing to participate, willing to step up, willing

MUA YOUTH FOR PALESTINE

Echoing the words of Nelson Mandela who once said: “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians,” the MUA Sydney Youth Committee hosted an event in solidarity with Palestine on Friday September 9.

The fundraiser was a huge success, with over 50 MUA members in attendance.

There was a strong turnout from a diverse range of unions including the CFMEU, AMWU, APHEDA and United Voice. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin spoke to the audience about the daily brutalities Palestinians experience, living under the Israeli occupation.

“When you go to Palestine, there is no infrastructure” said Crumlin.

“All that exists is a single road – it’s a pothole road punctuated by crossings.”

“This gets dismantled, and comes up and gets put down, depending on what

the Israeli Defense Force considers to be a security problem.”

Palestinian activist Shamikh Badra, informed the audience about the sheer destruction caused with the establishment of Israel in 1948.

“Indigenous Palestinian populations were expelled from their villages and cities by Zionist forces,” he said.

“This saw the dispossession of one million people from 500 Palestinian villages.”

MUA Youth activist Dan Crumlin visited Palestine in April this year with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), as part of a delegation representing young unionists. He detailed the resilience of Palestinians and their growing union movement.

“On a very positive note, Palestinian unions and young workers in the region are absolutely resolved in their fight for justice

and peace,” he said.

“At the moment women currently make 16% of the labour market, but represent 30% of union membership and are still growing with the youth membership.”

Other guests included BDS boycott advocate and Jewish activist Peter Slezak, and pro-Palestine activist Jennifer Killen. Branch Secretary Paul McAleer congratulated the Sydney Youth Committee, who raised over $4000 for this important human rights cause.

“Our young activists have done us all proud, raising awareness for the Palestinian struggle for justice. Whilst we have brave young trade unionists fighting for a better world, we have the possibility of a better future.”

The money raised from the night will go directly to the General Union of Transport Workers (GUTW ), through the International Transport Workers Federation

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to give up a day or two a month to help the union fight for our jobs, wages and conditions.

If there was ever a time for a young comrade to get active and militant, it’s NOW. We are under a sustained, neo-liberal, anti-worker, anti-union assault from the ruling class, which is after us on all fronts. So comrades, if you’re reading this and want to join in and get active, please step up. Get in contact with the branch or the SYC. It’s OUR UNION, OUR FUTURES. IF YOU’RE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION, YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM! TOUCH ONE, TOUCH ALL!!!

(ITF), providing Palestinian unions with the resources and facilities they need to continue empowering workers. Funds will go to purchasing office supplies and up to date technology, increasing the abilities of unions in the region to exchange information and build upon their organising capabilities.

The night also strengthened links between workers in Palestine and Australia, creating the foundation of an exchange program between young activists.

A big thank you to everyone who donated, including the Far Sirius, Sydney Ports, Sydney Ferries, the MUA Newcastle Branch and the CFMEU Construction and General NSW Branch, as well as our sponsors MMPCU, Metl and Maritime Super.

MUA Youth will continue to fight for peace in the Middle East and plan to host another fundraiser next year.

MUA ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS 30

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REPORT

Kevin Tory Indigenous Liaison Officer When Tony Abbott was Prime Minister he declared that he had a “special interest” in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. He said he wanted to learn about Indigenous issues and even appointed himself “PM for Indigenous affairs”. But this proved to be empty rhetoric. His first budget cut $500 million from the Aboriginal affairs portfolio. This damaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, pushing Indigenous issues further into the fringes of society. Unfortunately in 2016, we are still seeing the results of Abbott’s cuts which have continued under PM Malcolm Turnbull.

As a result of the ABC’s Four Corners expose into the abuse at the Don Dale youth detention centre, there will be a royal commission into juvenile justice in the Northern Territory. Community based organisations that look after the interests of the vulnerable young, should have Aboriginal people more properly involved in addressing these important issues. The continuous cutting of funds under the Abbott – Turnbull regime, means that many Indigenous young offenders end up in gaols, which in real terms costs a lot more than the programs they need to assist in their abilities to stop reoffending.

Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody back in 1991, the rate of Indigenous prisoners has doubled to be 13 times higher than non-Indigenous Australians. But this has been ignored by mainstream media and organisations. It was only through the disclosure of Four Corners, that the discrimination young Indigenous people face in juvenile detention received serious attention. If Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities had spoken out against these atrocities, it would have been denied by the Federal Government. The Coalition would have said that Indigenous Australians are exaggerating the issues, but of course this is not the case.

All governments, state and federal, have a duty of care. But in many cases, this is ignored.

Another important issue that seems to be off the political agenda at the moment, is the Recognise campaign. We need to formally acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the constitution. It’s important this proceeds as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the original inhabitants of this land and deserve such recognition.

The quality of life that most nonIndigenous Australians enjoy, was not brought to them when their colonising ancestors came to this country. The resources that Australians are benefiting from are based on the dispossession of Aboriginal people. Sadly, Indigenous Australians do not enjoy the huge profits that this country generates in terms of resources, from minerals etc. They deserve that as a

birth right and because of their continual habitation of the land for so long.

In August, many Aboriginal people celebrated the brave Gurindji walk off from Wave Hill. Sadly, when many of our stockmen walked off for better wages and working conditions, this never eventuated.

To this degree, the struggle of Indigenous people is similar to maritime workers.

Maritime workers have fought for a better quality of life over many generations, only to be replaced by exploited foreign workers earning as little as $2 per hour. In a strong parallel, many of the Gurindji were never able to work again in the pastoral industry, as it became a closed shop in the Northern Territory.

The Australian Government has not compensated Indigenous Australians for the Stolen Generation. When Kevin Rudd apologised back in 2013, this was welcomed across the nation as a significant moment for reconciliation. But the Australian Government never followed up with a compensation package for the genocide and the dispossession Indigenous people experienced. We have seen in Canada, that the nation apologised to Indigenous communities and provided a multi-billiondollar compensation package, this was all achieved under a conservative government.

Could you imagine James Hardie apologising to the victims of asbestos without a compensation package? So we ask for the same in terms of our dispossession and trauma experienced as a result of government policies.

Many of these issues could be easily resolved under strong political leadership and an incumbent Labor Government with Indigenous members such as Senator Pat Dodson and MP Linda Burney. Burney is a Wiradjuri woman, who started out teaching at a public school in Western Sydney,

she has 13 years’ experience as a state parliamentarian for NSW. Dodson has been in every major struggle including land rights. He was the commissioner for Aboriginal Deaths in Custody back in 1991. He knows first-hand what the most important issues are facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country. He would be a great advisor to a Labor Party, as well as the Coalition, to rectify many of these important issues affecting Indigenous Australians.

It’s important in the workplace, that workers invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from local organisations

to come and speak to them. This is a good starting point to get to know Indigenous people. The same forces lined up against Aboriginal people such as conservative governments and multi-national corporations, are the same forces lined up against workers. It is hard when you have no political voice, no economic voice and no military voice. So we as Indigenous people rely on progressive organisations such as the Australian trade union movement. Without it, Australia could not move forward as a nation.

It is in the interests all of trade unionists, that we fight for Australian and Aboriginal jobs.

MUA WOMEN

The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

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FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN Mich-Elle Myers National Women’s Liaison Officer

The women members & partners of members played a huge role during the Federal Election campaign. The National Women’s Committee coordinated volunteers to all of the actions. Monica Hinkley and Chrissy Von Wootten worked as Better Future campaign organisers. MUA women were a force to be reckoned with. Many MUA women faced off with Liberals at public events. Sydney Branch member and seafarer Louise Ryall made the news confronting Malcolm Turnbull, as did an unemployed seafarer’s wife, Ainon in Brisbane who got forcibly removed from a LNP pub event and fined by the police. The conservative sexist attitudes of the Liberal Government leave women vulnerable, not only to the vicious attacks on Australian jobs, but the recent $115 million cut to homeless shelters and the privatisation process of Medicare hurts women, as many depend on these lifesaving services.

MUA women have been involved in every aspect of our Election campaign. From organising our rallies and coordinating Politics in the Pubs in key marginal seats, to door knocking, phone banking, supporting local ALP candidates and being out in the community campaigning around jobs, Medicare and Gonski. MUA Sydney member Sue Virago was also very involved in the Federal Election, running as a candidate for the Greens in the seat of Blaxland. We congratulate Sue for her incredible efforts.

SIX WAYS TO KILL MISOGYNY IN THE WORKPLACE 1. Treat women equally, not just on paper and in policies. Although women have worked in all our industries for many years now, they are all too often not treated equally. Disparities remain in unequal outcomes and opportunities. It is therefore essential that we all work together to fight inequality, discrimination and injustice wherever it exists. Solidarity is not gender specific!

2. Don’t use gender specific language - this excludes people. All too often we hear our Officials, Members, Managers and others use words like: gents, boys, blokes, guys. These can all be replaced with words like: workers, people, operators, members and comrades.

3. Don’t use gendered insults and don’t make derogatory jokes, which put people down. Insulting one another as “a girl” is not on. Please be mindful of the language you use.

4. We can all educate ourselves about the systematic oppression women and other minority groups experience on a daily basis. Ask the women in your life about how they experience sexism, it’s an important conversation to have, then do something to fix it.

5. Respect. Male, female, trans*, black, white, religious, gay, queer, whatever our differences are, whatever football teams we follow, treat each other respectfully!

6. We’ve all taken the white ribbon oath. As maritime workers, we say no to gendered violence.

Women experience much higher rates of sexual assualt, rape and murder by a current or former partner. We must eliminate violence against women and must lead by example at home and at work and in our communities.

Speak out and stand up for equality!

Thank you, from the Women’s Committee, for and behalf of all MUA members.

FALLEN COMRADES 32

JOCK LEVY Paddy Crumlin MUA National Secretary

Jock was a Sydney wharfie and communist who formed an integral part of the famous and ground breaking film unit in the WWF that was one of the first and most effective independent film making and documentary

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emasculation of poverty and struggle during the depression to the many great union campaigns for better working conditions for maritime workers , miners and many other Australian workers. That work remains an inspiration to the ongoing active recording of our unions activities that remains central to our continuing policy to counter the ongoing lies, misinformation and constant abuse of our and other unions and members in mainstream media today. The recent Royal

his life around a determination that if you can make a contribution for the common good of anyone, then do it. He worked for the common good with his inimitable and indomitable humour, wisdom, compassion, humility and persistent courage and raw toughness in the face of many adversities.

He earned, without expectation, the respect and admiration of national and international political, human rights, corporate and trade union leaders at the highest level while holding other’s belief and faith in him and his work from the working women and men that he unerringly and uncompromisingly represented.

At a time of deep and adversarial initiatives in Australia and which not only Commission was only the latest example of division nationally and internationally Pat’s captured the great history and struggles of constant commitment to peace, justice and the distortions and selective facts that allow our unions political and industrial history opportunity and support for all - regardless for the consistent attacks on our union but went on to inspire a new generation of movement, a political dynamic Jock and the of person, place and circumstance - will independent film makers in Australia that many other contributors to the film unit set continue to stand as a beacon for hope and remains a national focus today. out to counter. focused action for those that wish to tread Jock went on to make a life time of The digital copies of the Film Units work the same pathway and also those that are contributions to progressive artistic and are made available to everyone both through in such dire need of that leadership that campaign activity around many progressive the archives and online, one of the first delivers on that hope to so many. community, industrial and political issues, initiatives in this area of information access, a Pat has completed a long journey and on remaining an important and much loved and decision of our union inspired by Jock's and behalf of the MUA we wish his loving family respected working class leader in his own the Film units work and focus. Jock will be all of the relief, our deepest sympathies and right. condolences, that we can bring at this time greatly missed.

The union assisted in bringing the of their grief. We hope deeply, in some small work of Jock back into focus in assisting way, our heartfelt thoughts reassure them of Dr Lisa Milner bringing Jock's wonderful the great love and belief we had in Pat and all contributions together with Keith Gow and he strove for on their, and our behalf.

Norma Disher of the film unit in her book We will keep you informed of the Fighting Films - the history of the Waterside arrangements for the funeral after talking Workers Federation Film Unit in 2003 ( still Paddy Crumlin to the family. Could you please relay the available through the union). Lisa herself has MUA National Secretary news of Pat’s passing to his many friends and been a constancy in ensuring our working comrades in your reach please. class history in Australia in her own amazing I am very sad to report our retired Vale Patrick Geraghty, family man, seafarer, body of work.

National Secretary Pat Geraghty has passed trade unionist and leader, socialist and man Zoe Reynolds the MUA's long term away from medical complications following a of peace. journalist was also critical in ensuring the heart proble. Our first thoughts and deepest important record of achievement of our film sympathies go out to his loving family, who unit was secured. with others, have stood vigil with him at his The launch of Lisa's book at the Sydney bedside and elsewhere in preparation for his Maritime Museum ,that has the famous final voyage. The family wish to reach out WWF Mural as a bequeathal from our and thank everyone for the overwhelming union and Sydney Branch, was in itself a messages of support and want you to know Paddy Crumlin great punctuation of the long progressive that they have found great strength and MUA National Secretary history embedded in our Australian values, peace through that support. achievements and current way of life.

Pat was a remarkable person and, of Our sympathies and condolences go out to We digitalised most of the Film Units work course, will be greatly missed. We are his family including son Ben, daughter Kym and they remain a very sort after source of reassured in, our grief at his passing, and brother Colin. our Australian working class history today that he lived a life that brought hope, Ken was the National Secretary of the and is often featured in mainstream reporting opportunity, peace, support and decency Stewards Union and was instrumental in the on everything from the gross exploitation to maritime and other workers in this amalgamation between that union and the of wharf labourers on the Hungry Mile, the country and across the world. He lived Seamen's union in the 80s

PAT GERAGHTY

KEN MCLEOD

He was Assistant National Secretary of the SUA and subsequently the MUA before his retirement in the late 90s Ken was part of the National leadership team of the MUA during the Patrick dispute and was extraordinarily active over his long tenure of union leadership both on behalf of maritime workers in Australia and internationally Loyal, colorful and energetic with a light good humor and warm human touch and appreciation of others, he devoted his life to his seafaring profession and maritime workers and was greatly respected and loved by many He was a director of the Seafarers Retirement Fund for many years and part of the leadership there in delivering long term financial security to seafarers and our families while working and in retirement culminating in the formation of Maritime Super He was particularly devoted to the welfare of our members and was tireless in his work supporting our members and their families in distress both through the union and the Fund Vale Ken Mcleod, seafarers and unionist who committed his life to the betterment of others. Now at rest

HELEN KELLY Ged Kearney President ACTU

The trade union movement has suffered a devastating loss, with the passing yesterday of Helen Kelly, the former President of New Zealand’s Council of Trade Unions.

Not only was Helen a tireless voice for working people in her own country, she was also a close and valued friend to unions here in Australia and across the Pacific region.

While her passing is terribly sad, she does leave an incredible legacy - both personally and professionally. Everyone who had the fortune to work with her will always remember her commitment and determination to improve the lives of working people.

We join our New Zealand comrades today in mourning her loss, and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this time.

FIDEL CASTRO

Sergio Alejandro Gomez Communist Party of Cuba You can learn as much about a man from his critics as you can from his admirers.

Henry Kissinger, U.S. secretary of state under Nixon, described Fidel in his memoirs as perhaps the most genuine revolutionary leader in power at that time.

The former Secretary of State and advisor to various U.S. Presidents was referring to 1975 when - to the surprise of the U.S. - Cuba lent its support to the Angolan independence struggle. In the Cold War geopolitics of the time, the Soviets were opposed to direct involvement, while Washington blatantly supported the racist apartheid regime in South Africa.

Fidel once again demonstrated that the Revolution which had triumphed on January 1, 1959 was motivated by principles and that Cuba was no one’s satellite. The heroism of those Cuban soldiers who fought in Africa and Fidel’s leadership helped to change the history of the continent and, as Nelson Mandela himself stated, end apartheid.

This was the first time a small country in the western hemisphere had sent troops outside of the continent which, to the amazement of many, secured an overwhelming victory. Cuba stood as a reminder that, when motivated by ideals of justice, even a small country can fight against global powers, it was revolutionary.

Cuba had already done what many thought impossible, it had carried out a socialist revolution only 90 miles from the United States. An affront for which Washington has continued to punish the island, using various methods for over half a century.

While the battle against the Batista dictatorship was still being waged in the Sierra Maestra, the revolutionary leader astutely predicted that the true struggle would be against imperialism. However, this clash, which has marked Fidel’s global legacy, is not a futile conflict against a country or

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The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

a government. It is the struggle against a universal conception: “It appears there are two laws, two sets of rules and two kinds of logic, one for the U.S. and one for other countries. Perhaps it is idealistic of me, but I never accepted the universal prerogatives of the U.S.” stated Fidel to envoys of the Carter administration in 1978, who traveled to Havana setting conditions for the improvement of relations.

His, a voice opposing those of the powerful, and in support of “the wretched of the world,” inevitably spread like a fine powder across the plains, jungles and mountains of the continent.

The Cuban Revolution and Fidel’s ideas have inspired all those searching for a different world; looking to overcome the contradictions which world powers try to present as inevitable.

At a time when it seemed as though all was lost following the fall of the Socialist camp in Eastern Europe; the light that had been lit in 1959, began to shine even brighter.

Defending socialism in order to resolve humanity’s problems, even during the most difficult times in the country’s history, placed Fidel on the short list of revolutionaries who have known how to interpret “the significance of the historic moment.”

Such conviction was never tied to dogmas.

In the same way that Cuban weapons and resources supported guerillas fighting against dictatorships across our continent, Fidel – the fighter from the Sierra – knew how to recognize when the time for armed struggle had ended, and that of political transformation had begun.

He has had the privilege of seeing various generations of Latin American revolutionaries come and go, individuals who have had the good fortune of benefiting from his support: from Salvador Allende to Hugo Chávez, to name just two of the many brave regional leaders.

“To me Fidel is a father, a comrade, a master of impeccable strategy,” stated Chávez during an interview with Granma in 2005.

The two leaders first met in 1994, where Fidel received the recently freed lieutenant colonel at the foot of his plane's stairway, on arrival in Havana.

Chávez’s 1999 presidential electoral victory marked the beginning of a new era for Latin America and the Caribbean which, as has been noted by protagonists of this process, from Evo Morales to Rafael Correa, would have been impossible without Fidel’s leadership.

Although a counter-offensive is currently underway by right wing forces, attempting to destroy all the gains made over the last

decade, there exist concrete examples of the fulfillment of over 200 years of integration efforts, such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, founded in 2010.

Much earlier however, in a meeting during the 1993 Sao Paulo Forum in Havana, the Cuban leader had told leftist forces: “What more can we do, what more can the Latin American left do than create a consciousness promoting unity? This should be inscribed on the flags of the left. With socialism or without socialism.”

In addition to his tireless revolutionary work, Fidel’s humanist ideas have alerted many to the major problems facing humanity, from climate change to the possibility of global destruction by nuclear weapons.

No one can look back over 20th and 21st century history, without studying the work and ideas of this Cuban who wrote a small Caribbean island into the pages of “true global history,” as told by the people.

RALPH DAVID PETER BRYANT

Joe Deakin Branch Assistant Secretary Peter was born in London at the height of the infamously named Great Depression in 1933. One of ten children living in the West end suburb of Shepherds Bush. The Bryant family like all working-class people at that terrible time did it extremely tough. The dreadful state of affairs for family’s during the depression helped to galvanise Peter politically in later years.

After he left school, Peter was able to get an apprenticeship as a carpenter. With the 2nd World War looming and London still in the aftershock of the depression, the carpentry apprenticeship was a blessing for the Bryant family because money was still scarce and the extra income would help the family out.

Although he was never called to War, Peter served his country, having completed national service where he was stationed in Germany.

Pete followed his carpentry trade for several years until he decided it was time he broadened his horizons by seeking a life in another country. Along with his best mate Tangi, he said let’s go! However, the country they chose to immigrate to initially was not Australia, it was Canada. The night before the big move to Canada, Pete and his mate decided they were going to pre-celebrate by having a few beers. There was one flaw with the plan though, they slept in and missed the ship! Then in 1957 the two men again made the decision to seek a new life in another country, only this time in Australia.

Finally, in the first quarter of 1957, Peter and his mate Tangi were aboard the vessel Orion on their long journey to Australia. Mid-year the Orion arrived in Sydney. After a couple of weeks in Sydney, the two men caught a train to Brisbane. While living in Brisbane, Peter got his first taste of home grown, good old fashioned Aussie racism when the two men entered a pub to have a beer. Tangi

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was the first to the bar to buy the drinks but was refused because of his black skin. Pete decided from that moment that Queensland was not for him and he went back to Sydney.

Tangi stayed in Brisbane and sadly the two long time mates & travelling companions never crossed paths again.

In 1962, Peter joined the Waterside Workers Federation where he remained until his retirement in 1991. He was active from the moment he joined the Federation. The magnetism to the struggle for Peter was his childhood exposure to the brutality of the depression. He often said to me when reflecting on those dark times how his mother and father struggled to make ends meet, but never did we go without food in our mouths.

Peter was a committed job delegate, and was active in the JDA ( Job Delegates Association’) in the Sydney Branch. But such activism took on new dimensions for Peter Bryant, he developed his thinking around the doctrine of Marxism Leninism. Shortly after joining the WWF, Peter joined the Communist party of Australia.

He was a Peace Activist of the highest calibre, and a lifelong member of the Australian Peace Committee, where he played a huge role in demonstrations against Australia’s rotten involvement in the American War in Vietnam, Peter and lots of other comrades were locked up for voicing opposition to this dirty War of aggression against the Vietnamese people.

He took to the streets in protest’s rallies when Chile’s newly elected Socialist leader Salvador Allende was assassinated by the CIA, where they immediately installed the butcher, General Augusto Pinochet as the military junta’s leader. Pete participated in numerous marches and rallies against the Nuclear threat where he was always on the front line.

Peter was extremely proud that the Union bestowed him with his Life Membership, and he would have been even prouder to know that his daughter wore his medal on the day we said our goodbyes to him.

Peter was strong right to the very end, he never whinged or complained, he rolled with the punches and copped it on the chin, tremendous testament to his courage and practical outlook on life.

The Sydney Branch of the Maritime Union of Australia have this to say to the Bryant family.

Peter served his Union in the finest traditions of strong working class militancy and for this we are forever grateful. Vale Peter Bryant, Loving & devoted family man, Communist and staunch Unionist.

RAE LEWIS Paul McAleer Branch Secretary

Into his nineties Rae led a magnificent and full life. This stands to reason by the huge turnout today, family, friends, comrades one and all. I was humbled by the opportunity to speak at Rae’s 90th birthday last year where I got to know him a bit better by those he was closest to, his extended family. There I paid tribute to the fact that he had built a beautiful family, whose love for each other filled the room. And that at the end of the day was why us radicals fight, we want love

Maritime UNITY

and dignity and respect, but above all a world filled with love between all humans. A common cause for a common wealth for all.

There were always ups and downs throughout Rae’s life, but any wharfie worth his salt lives hard and fast and full of ideals and principles which are forever fighting for supremacy. It’s what makes the waterfront a breeding ground for brilliant characters, rebels, ratbags and revolutionaries.

There are a million stories that I could relate and a million more I cant. He got that amazing body of his that is flashed around in every photo I’ve seen of him in the last twelve months swinging his wharfies hook, not many of us have sculptured bodies like that anymore, certainly not from work!

Rae came from a generation of wonderfully principled human beings, whose sacrifice for our shared beliefs knocked us around a bit because of the deep emotional feelings that solidarity generates. We could have moments of sheer wonderment and then be belted by our own faults.

The depression era kids either sank in misery, war, and malfeasance, apathetic post war bliss or grew up to radically change the world for the better, giving everything to the fight against fascism and imperialism and the strengthening of the working class. Rae was the latter, and as part of the revolutionary socialists fighting in the industrial trenches Rae was a daring and intelligent leader who could turn a 200 page book on Marxist dialectics into a smoko oration that had the wharfies locked in a spell.

He mentored many great activists, delegates and even Officials, Joe Deakin here today, Assistant Secretary of the MUA Sydney Branch was schooled by Rae, and Joe wanted me to pass on to you all here today his admiration and respect for this courageous working class hero.

Rae was part of and instrumental along with his comrades, including his brother Leon, in the development of the WWF Sydney Branch into a working class organisation unequalled across the trade union movement, this was because of the initiatives by the leadership and rank-andfile to ensure that wharfies and the broader working class were able to enjoy our own culture, not only to participate in it but to create our own work. They developed a film unit, Women’s auxiliaries, art classes, poetry recitation, plays in the union rooms and developed the political consciousness of the membership. It was an amazing time under the leadership of the legendary Tom Nelson and his united front executive which included powerhouses of the national and international trade union movement.

Rae was actively involved in all the major disputes and protests throughout his time on the waterfront and in his retirement.

His retirement from the waterfront lasted a little longer than most through his amazing intellect. In 1982 and at the age of 57 he retired due to ill health from the waterfront with a handsome income until he was 65, and through this terrible illness was able to last only another 34 years! And those 34 years as every year before that was devoted to the greatest cause on earth, the triumph of the working class through socialism.

Getting back to struggles of his generations, they fought against arming the imperialists, jacking up ammunition ships, they fought with hundreds of thousands

of others in the Vietnam moratoriums here in Sydney along with millions around the world, demanded an end to potential nuclear annihilation of the planet through the peace efforts and initiatives of the union, opposed the US backed coup and assassination of the democratically elected socialist leader of Chile, Salvador Allende and struggled against the brutal racist and murderous apartheid regime.

It was an incredible time post world war II, it was the heyday of the communist trade unions and the shattering of so many reactionary forces, winning many struggles and significant leaps forward in the lives of workers both in their workplaces and their communities.

He could have been the leader of the Sydney Branch of the Waterside Workers Federation but his humbleness and desire to serve the membership as a workplace delegate and activist ensured the continuous elevation of rank and filers into office. This is as important a task as any other. As maritime workers we pride ourselves on sending our own into the leadership, and without the benevolence of great workplace leaders like Rae, higher layers of leadership would be impossible.

The world owes your family and Rae a debt of gratitude that he would never take anyway for his great contribution.

The MUA Sydney Branch thanks all of you here today for sharing Rae with us, we would be a poorer Branch and a weaker union without Rae’s Good on you comrade.

See you on the picket lines.

progress and justice to continue the legacy of the first Aboriginal resistance fighters, and destroy the vesteygies of ruling class exploitation and appropriation of working class wealth and build a society free of the crimes of the last three centuries. A socialist society.

The Festival was well organised for the approximately 4000 present. There were many cultural activities which included Welcome to Country, art installations, music and book releases. The festival also included many forums which were centred in Kalkarinji and Daguragu ( Wattie Creek).

The forums were a great insight into not only the role that students, activists and the Trade Union movement played in the Gurindji struggle but also in many areas affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

A great forum was the Collective Action panel which included Thomas Mayor, MUA Northern Territory Branch Secretary. The forum spoke of the importance of collective action, its history and future, speakers from the floor denounced the lack of effective collective action displayed by the movement over multiple decades and its complicity in the continued barbaric treatment of Aboriginal people. The ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver attended with other ACTU Executive members which was encouraging, after a reportedly great conference in Darwin prior to the celebrations.

There are many myths around almost all events, with time developing a great deal of romanticism, completely false narratives and blatant opportunism. Myths are important in all societies, as they tell a story about who we are, and often try to build a narrative from a number of different perspectives. The Maritime Union of Australia is no different, whilst the MUA and its forerunners can feel justly proud for elements within our union and other Unions for their support throughout the strike, the serious work *This report is a continuation of page 7 undertaken in assisting the Gurindji fell welcomed onto their land, you are taken under the responsibility of the people whose into the hands of a few heroic comrades land you are visiting. The feeling is palpable. and the Communist Party of Australia.

Many participants of the strike who spoke I was taken aback by the generosity shown during the festival, identified without the to us by the Gurindji people, even their enemies were welcomed as a consequence of Communist Party the walk off would never their sacred welcoming ceremony. have occurred and would have failed.

Max Phillips a Darwin wharfie spoke at The red dirt, scattered trees and shrubs, length about the Darwin wharfies support for dried river beds, circling birds and blazing the strikers. His contribution ran for nearly sun made way for cooler nights under two hours and gave a wonderful outline of a star littered sky. I can only wish that my understanding of this country was how difficult the struggle was, the major players, the ups and downs, the victory and attributed to thousands of generations of the subsequent betrayal of the community my ancestors passing me knowledge to feel and Aboriginal people more broadly. Brian the connection in a truly meaningful, as a Manning, whose son and family I met, was country we will forever be lost in our two and a half centuries of sin and shame until a Darwin wharfie who drove an old Bedford full of supplies on a number of occasions we hand every square inch of this country down to the walk off camp, it would have back to its owners, and begin to imagine been a very difficult drive then as much what sustainable living looks like. There of the road in the second half of the 770 are such magnificent lessons for us all in acquiring a deeper understanding of the kilometres is a single lane road, which made for interesting driving today with the four country in which we live, nature provides us with all the resources we need to live full forty foot trailers on the road trains. Brian Manning was a magnificent comrade who lives, why is it that we believe our mastery involved himself in all of the struggles of over it, its commodification and continued exploitation for our selfish profit based importance for the rest of his life.

The gentleness, solidarity, and warmth ends is going to deliver us our salvation? of the Aboriginal people was somewhat Capitalism represents the continuation of surprising to me, this thinking made me feel centuries of environmental vandalism, of continued occupation of the lands of others, guilty of my own ingrained racism, the idea of replacing a beautiful culture with that of that a people could maintain their dignity and love for others within an environment the worshipping of credit and debt. It is the duty and obligation of all those that fight for of government created neglect embarrassed

BRANCH SECRETARY’S REPORT CONTINUED

The Official Publication of the MUA Sydney Branch

my preconceived notions of how the unjust should feel. For over two hundred years, Aboriginal people have been subjected to massacres, dispossession and apartheid yet they hold onto their traditions and culture with an amazing solemnity and grandeur which makes a mockery of modern Australian custom of each to their own and to hell with the rest of ya.

White Australia has much to hold itself responsible for, both good and bad. The good is the fact that many in the nonAboriginal community act in solidarity with various movements for justice and have done so proudly for many decades. There were many wonderful comrades who travelled as students and lived with the Gurindji, academics, writers and artists who shared their memories about the solidarity and courage, the stories of difficulties and lack of supplies, the ups and downs, the floods and heatwaves, the fences and the politics.

Nigel Scullion Turnbull Government Minister for Aboriginal Affairs was roundly jeered as people turned their backs to him for his opportunistic speech which not once condemned the hatred that inflicted successive government policies of brutalisation, neglect and dispossession. He did discuss the challenges in his portfolio and stated the importance of working together and other mindless prattle that ticked most of the boxes for mind numbing contributions from the ruling class. Bill Shorten spoke about the injustices that have been ever present in Australia’s relationship with Aboriginal Australia and spoke about the importance of addressing these challenges which included Treaty. The Greens leader Richard Di Natale also spoke passionately about the need for significant changes in policies and similarly to Shorten congratulated the efforts of the Gurindji people and the trade union movement for the historical achievements of Lingiari and his people.

The intervention inflicted upon Aboriginal Australia as an election stunt similar to the children overboard lie, was similarly taken up by the Labor Party in Government, which along with many other capitulations, makes it difficult for the radical left and impossible for the revolutionary left to fall under the spell of the ALP. In 2009 the Sydney Branch involved ourselves in a campaign against the Intervention which included workplace visits by Peter Inverway (deceased), Richard Downs and Harry Nelson. The family of Peter Inverway, held a memorial to Big P at his gravesite and invited us to attend. It was a beautiful moment to reflect on the courageous life undertaken by Peter whose leadership in the community is greatly missed. He was a magnificent comrade, and great servant to his community, the MUA Sydney Branch members in attendance were enormously humbled by this gesture and tribute to Peter, which included the Sydney Branch handing the trophy over to the winning football side on behalf of his family in the memorial football match. We also participated with Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney (STICS) in outreach and solidarity and the Branch sent me to attend protests in Darwin and deliver a generator to provide power for the Ampilatawatja community that walked off. There were reports provided to the membership at the time, however this trip reminded me of the

inflicted poverty by successive Governments on the people.

The icing on the cake was seeing the Lingiari and Mabo families come together with many of the artists who played throughout the three day festival on stage singing the song from little things big things grow. There was a verse sung in Gurindji which I couldn’t learn quick enough, but celebrated the role that multiculturalism can play positively, in developing greater understanding of our cultures.

The event itself was an amazing experience. Sharing in the hospitality of the people, participating in the thousands strong march, all of the education and cultural displays, sitting and talking with comrades from the trade union movement and the activist community, enjoying the music and sporting showcases was incredibly humbling. We have a debt of honour to the Gurindji people and an obligation to assist in the struggle for Aboriginal justice across the country. Whilst the 50th anniversary celebration of the walk-off was a great reflection of a deeply important time in our history, our union and entire membership owe it to ourselves and future generations to remind all of the legacy of sacrifice and the lessons of Vincent Lingiari in taking on the ruling class and winning.

stewardship over the many years. We’ll catch up soon and have a beer.

RMS We started negotiating a new award at the beginning of this year after the RMS rank- and-file Conference, whereby the rankand-file drew up their log of claims. These negotiations were about job security and defending the hard-fought conditions in a time where attacks on public sector workers are at a historical high. This came about with the election of the O’Farrell/Baird Liberal NSW Governments.

It’s no wonder the protest vote resulted in a change of Government, unfortunately it didn’t result in a left progressive political change. Instead it was more of the same, a conservative neo-liberal political ideology.

Considering the previous disgraceful State Labor Government which emulated most aspects of the Conservatives privatising and selling off Public assets, not lost on most of the voting public to name one example; and don’t start me on the shit sandwich the workers were given when Bob Carr looked after his mates in the insurance industry and destroyed a very good worker’s compensation system that looked after workers if they were injured at work.

The disconnection and dislocation by the ordinary working man and woman in the street towards the political establishment, it’s no wonder there was a change of Government. Although this resulted in the attack on public sector workers with the sacking of thousands of workers by the Baird *This report is a continuation of page 9 Government bringing in his mates from Those shithead bosses are gone now. private enterprise to run our public sector Wicks, Wardley, O’Leary and Maybury; the institutions. main perpetrators of the war waged on Which gets us to the negotiations of a new the workforce. This not only included the Award. After months of intense negotiations wharfies, it’s the maintenance workers, the with the Department, we finally had an cleaners and the security guards who were outcome to put to the members. The one under attack by these ideologically antiyear Award includes many wins for salaried union, anti-worker bosses. employees starting with: The rank-and-file maintenance workers at • A one year Award Patrick’s Port Botany have been used to this • A 2.5% pay increase from 1 July 2016 management style since the 1998 lockout.

• Significantly improved consultation Their unity and discipline continues to be provisions relating to the contracting out of the main stay for the maintenance workers. work They now face more challenges regarding • A Domestic Violence Leave clause; rosters and a potential attack on their salaries providing 10 days paid leave given Patrick’s are applying pressure on • Career progression reforms for Maritime Kalmar to move workers on the 24/7 roster workers (ESO’s, BEO’s, BSO’s) to the day/evening roster.

• The retainment of all Maritime clauses The members have made it very clear they which were under significant attack won’t cop it and the Union will back them all • Contractor and labour hire clause the way and fight whatever boss; Patrick or • Transmission of Business clause Kalmar.

Also in addition to job security clauses, Our delegates at Kalmar, Josh Teale and RMS have agreed to six monthly strategic Shane Jenkins do a great job representing employment discussions where they will the members and continue to prosecute the provide the relevant information two weeks position from the floor. in advance before the parties meet. This The Patrick’s Maintenance Managers; information will include but is not limited to: Andrew Thompson and Craig Dobeson have a) Divisional organisational structures been a real problem down at Botany and b) Establishment numbers showing have a pathological hatred for the Union. I’m positions by division, grade and location putting you two on notice now; you want to c) And available breakdown figures blue with this Union, we’re up for the fight for full time, part time, casual and temporary and so are our members. employees as well as contractors and labour The last part of the report, I want to hire across RMS. Thank you to delegates: pay respects to two great comrades and Michael Hirsch, Dave Downey, Mark Forrest, friends and wish them all the best in their Warwick Scott and a special mention to Rob retirement; Comrade Bill Lovelee and Moldovan who attended every meeting.

Comrade Glen Pound. Comrades your They were successful in stopping significant dedication to the Union and the rank-and-file changes in the maritime section of the will never be forgotten; the workplace there Salaried Award, which would have resulted is certainly a better place because of your in a significant loss of gross earnings and

DEPUTY SECRETARY’S REPORT CONTINUED

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entitlements. Other additions to the award we won were for maritime trainees, SBSO’s, BEO’s and ESO’s. Those clauses were rewritten which improved entitlements and included into the Award.

DPW There has been relative peace at Botany, although the company does it self no favours when it kicks-and-screams on agreed outcomes.

What is on the Branch’s radar, is the way DP World are conducting themselves.

Their bullshit around company policies being enforced with the vigour, which you would expect from some fascist state controlled thought police is getting up the nose of the Union and the rank-and-file.

There are more important matters on the waterfront including: safety, training around safety. Now with the NSCOP finally complete, you would think the preference would be training for NSCOP instead of the bullshit, over the top compliance of the company’s “compass policy” - what a joke!

Another matter still in dispute is the managements failure to manage and apply the selection criteria, further to this the company’s failure to provide workers their total scores and breakdown of the score when requested, which makes it look as if the company is hiding something.

Wrong move DP World! Even Commissioner Cambridge stated if DPW have nothing to hide why not provide the scores and breakdown. This is what you get with subjective scoring re criteria. We can assure all members; this matter is not over until it’s fixed!

TGS TGS are the Security Contractor at the Patrick terminal in Port Botany.

The workers got together, got organised and joined the mighty MUA. After my discussions with the General Manager David Amos, the company has agreed to meet with the Union to negotiate a collective agreement. We will update everyone in the next Maritime Unity about our progress.

QUBE Qube will be the last of the major EA negotiations for the waterfront for some time.

The Part A is now ready for the membership and soon the Branch along with the delegates will organise to meet the company to finalise the Part B document for Sydney.

It’s taken over 12 months to get there and now with a very modest Part B log of claims, it’s certainly worth fighting for. The Branch along with our delegates will seek dates to finalise the local content.

The rank-and-file members of the MUA continue to inspire me with their willingness to stand up and fight for a better future. I am proud that many of our members are at the forefront, making a differnce in their workplaces and in the broader community across various social and political pursuits.

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best for the holiday season.

I look forward to working with everyone in 2017, as we continue to stand up and speak out against injustices and conservative governments.

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Maritime UNITY

TRUE LOVE LASTS FOREVER. HOMOPHOBIC GOVERNMENTS WILL NOT. Make marriage equality happen: www.equallove.info Authorised by Luke Hilakari, Secretary Victorian Trades Hall Council, 54 Victoria St Carlton South 3053. Printed by Kosdown Printing, 10 Rocklea Dr Port Mleoburne 3207.