THETRANSPORT DEC

WORKER The2019 journal of the RMTU – NZ's largest specialist transport union

Supporting climate action 2 CONTENTS EDITORIAL

ISSUE 4 • DECEMBER 2019

4 Waterfront unity

Wayne Butson General The RMTU and MUNZ show what unity and solidarity can achieve when minds and secretary hearts work together. RMTU 15 Fatigue research

New research on nurses supports RMTU's case to recognise and solve workplace fatigue. A year of success

18 Waipahi memories under Coalition govt Graham White's HAT a great year it has been to be an RMTU member and a worker in memorial plaques at the New Zealand transport supply chain. The coalition Government the site where he lost continues to show a passion for Rail with an announcement on 30 his life and where October 2019 that Hillside Workshops will be reopened as part of more than 150 a $60m spend up for the Dunedin region. This announcement conferred victory on Wour campaign to see Hillside reopen and once again become an engineering centre people gathered to mark the tragedy's of excellence for rail manufacturing and maintenance in the South Island. 20th anniversary. In my view the previous National-led Government hated rail freight transport and especially Hillside Workshops. The Nats will no doubt wax lyrical that during their governing of New Zealand they poured in $1.5 billion. However, it is important to understand that the vast share of that went into Auckland and Wellington public transport while freight was COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Auckland RMTU left to wither on the vine. members show their concern about climate Hillside, at the time of its closure, had successfully completed the construction of fears and join one of the nationwide the AK passenger cars, 33 coal wagons and major overhauls of the Dx and Dc South marches – Auckland. Page 7. Island fleet and was poised to construct the first batch of the almost 4,000 flat deck container wagons that KiwiRail stated it needed. All of that came to a halt when the Key-led National Government barred Hillside from tendering for the work and then awarded a contract to China for 300 flat deck wagons. This was the death blow. The Transport Worker is published by the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, When Jim Quinn and his shame-faced group of managers took the P O Box 1103, Wellington, redundancy sword to our members in Hillside in December 2012 we swore to never Aotearoa–New Zealand. give up fighting to have the workshop reopen. Our Union leaders took the 'Save Our Design and production by Mike Regan. Hillside' campaign to the floor of the Labour Party conference the following year and demanded that the reopening of the workshop became Party policy. Together Printed by Pivotal+Thames Publications Ltd, P O Box 11–025, Wellington. with local MPs, including Dunedin South's Clare Curran, we succeeded in this and so the scene was set. www.rmtunion.org.nz Strikes and settlements ISBN 1173–6488 It would be fair to say that our relationship with the Transdevs of New Zealand

The Transport Worker • December 2019 LETTERS 3

has been a troubled one. We have had strike action in Auckland Grateful thanks and Wellington and commuter disruption has occurred with ironically strong public support – and it has not always been Dear Editor, about money. I have now had my surgery. I am told all went well but the surgeon The rail transport operation contracts are very different did manage to break a couple of screws. However, he got there in between Auckland (Cost plus) and Wellington (fixed price) the end. and so the employer's ability to pay is different. It's going to be a slow recovery but I am doing my exercises and Auckland was first and eventually settled for 3%, plus 3%, will be following the negotiated return to work plan. plus 3% for a three year deal and parity became the mantra I’ve been in limbo for so long it's great to have a clear direction for Wellington. and goal. Wayne Butson Eventually this was achieved and also some additional I just wanted to thank Hazel, Wayne and Todd for their support General elements which saw Wairarapa train managers compensated and professional guidance which has been invaluable and kept my additionally for some work practice changes and the passenger morale up while I was going through the ACC process. secretary operators move during the three year term to be ahead of the I would especially like to thank the members of the RMTU with- living wage. out whose support none of this would have been possible. RMTU These were good outcomes which saw both metro opera- Your membership and commitment to our Union is essential in tions settle into three years of employment terms and condi- helping members get the justice and help they need. tions stability and no wages related disruption to commuters. When I joined the union seven years ago I had no idea how We have also seen good settlements with other employers and much I would need its help. especially the multi union agreement in Port Chalmers. Strike I don’t think newbies really understand the importance of ballots have been run with Port Tauranga and Sulphur Point being an RMTU member and the benefits and safeguards C3 members and one being contemplated with Port Napier that are available to every member. as I write this. In my view the scene is set for a major rail So thanks again RMTU. employment agreement with KiwiRail next year as now many Jen Sinclair of the wages in KiwiRail are the lowest paid in the industry especially with locomotive engineers. Hillside rejuvenation 25 years strong Dear Editor, Next year is our Union's 25 year anniversary and we have The announcement last month of a $20m spend to rejuvenate and commissioned a book which will chronicle the lead up to the expand operations at South Dunedin’s Hillside Workshops is great formation of the RMTU and also its first 25 years of operation news for our community and music to the ears of those who cam- growth and development. There is a lot to report on and so paigned for, and supported, its retention. the book is a challenge for the author. I am looking forward to Why was it closed? reading the early drafts especially given the list of life members It is important to remember that in the lead up to Hillside’s to be interviewed. closure as a manufacturing workshop in 2012, we had a National led This year was also election year for the Union and it was government that was ideologically opposed to a public rail network. heartening to see so many putting their hands up for office When he was minister of finance in that government, Bill English and so many positions going to highly contested ballots. This told an audience that rail in NZ would soon be “a relic of the past” shows that our Union is in good heart and we have active and and MP Gerry Brownlee described KiwiRail as “a dead duck”. passionate delegates. In this issue you will see the National These were the people with the purse-strings and along with Management Committee for the next two years and the new John Key, Joyce, Michael Woodhouse and others, the government KiwiRail industrial councils which are all underway represent- considered any investment in rail as a bail-out rather than being good ing members at the coal face. for our social, economic, environment and transport infrastructure. It has been a very busy, rewarding and at time challenging Ironic considering how some of their personal fortunes were year and so I for one am looking forward to the break. A big made from subsidies and exploitation which created zero economic thank you to our Union staff! value. On behalf of the Union president, NMC members and During the campaign to save Hillside from closure I attended staff, I hope and trust that you and yours will all see out the regular meetings as an RMTU delegate to find ways of keeping the Christmas/New Year holiday period safe and sound. We are workshops going as part of a regional engineering hub. all told that the home and our work are dangerous places but Other groups attending were KiwiRail, Dunedin City Council, I reckon that New Zealand roads over the holiday season are Otago Chamber of Commerce, local engineering businesses and as bad so, please make sure you stay safe at all times. local MPs including South Dunedin Labour MP Clare Curran and Wishing each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and National list MP Michael Woodhouse. This was a very collaborative a happy and joyous 2020. Be RMTU and I know that 2020 will effort from groups who represent different interests. be a prosperous year for you all! A huge thank you must go to Clare Curran for her unceasing Na mihi nui. support and no doubt constant reminders to colleagues in Parlia-

The Transport Worker • December 2019 4 LETTERS (CONT) ACTION

ment to keep the issue front of mind. In contrast, it was galling to hear recent com- ments in the media by Woodhouse, questioning why any money should be spent on an enterprise that had failed. Solidarity on the waterfront Hillside wasn’t failing. The workforce there RMTU and MUNZ members, with support from was producing high quality rolling stock at a mar- ginally higher cost than what could be imported. around the region, demonstrate the power of Imagine what could have been achieved with unity investment in plant and machinery at that time. As we said at the time, the decision makers HE Port Otago branch of the Unfortunately management did knew the price of everything but the value of RMTU is unique in many ways. not share our enthusiasm for adopt- nothing. Everything outside the purchase price It has a proud history and has ing a non-confrontational cooper- of a flat deck wagon, ie: social, employment and Tbeen very active in the affairs of our ative approach. The Company has a training, environmental, local economy benefits, Union, sending strong delegations to relatively new management team and even actual whole-of-life costs of the wagons, was national conference, ports fora and, they seemed to be wedded to a strange utterly ignored. more recently, to our women's con- idea of worker participation when it It was a surreal feeling at the end of 2012, and ference. Over the years, the branch came to health and safety: a port wide one I will never forget, to walk into the Hillside has also lent the national Union its body, misnamed a runanga, and set up fabrication shop and see that huge area laid bare, redoubtable president, Ruth Blakely, as by management with no terms of refer- silent, no workmates in sight, and all the plant a member of the National Management ence or charter seemed to be their idea and equipment gas axed off at ground level and Committee as both South Island ports of how to deal with health and safety. deliberately gotten rid of in a fire sale. and national women's representative. Our pleas to discuss fatigue before it So I welcome last week’s news whole heart- When it came to pay talks however, became an issue in collective bargain- edly. the branch has been largely self-suffi- ing fell on deaf ears. It is a tribute to those involved in the cam- cient. Port Chalmers is one of the few Fast forward to May this year. paign, all our supporters and the public of Dun- ports where the RMTU and MUNZ have The RMTU and MUNZ initiated edin and especially the Labour led government successfully maintained a multi-union bargaining and we had a clear idea and Clare Curran in particular. collective agreement and this, together about what we wanted to achieve: real As investment in rail is coming on stream, with a strong MUNZ local, has meant wage growth; no claw backs; and a there will be a need for new rolling stock beyond our branch has needed little assistance cooperative risk management approach current contracts. Let us remember that when from RMTU national office in successive towards fatigue. Sounds simple. Hillside Workshops all but closed its doors in pay rounds. Management turned up with over 2012, it was as a manufacturing workshop not That's not to say the branch didn't 170 claims. To be fair, some of these just a repair facility. It must return as such. We take heed of the lessons learned else- were long overdue tidy ups and the owe it to our children, ourselves, and all those where. The vital importance of instant elimination of redundant and dupli- who came before. communications with members was cate clauses, but buried away in the Ka whawhai tonu matou, ake ake ake! something we learned in disputes with pile were some significant clawbacks. Dave Kearns Lyttelton Port and Transdev Auckland. Moreover, there was a very blunt pro- The Port Chalmers branch invested in posal around hours of work that was Resignation the technology and set up a mass text presented as managing fatigue without system as well as a branch Facebook any preliminary discussion or definition Dear Editor, page. In addition it always participated of the problem we were trying to solve. I have resigned from Transdev Auckland in order in the education and training offered by What resulted was a very frustrat- to take up a new role with WorkSafe New Zealand. national office. Little did we know just ing few weeks, and 14 meetings where My last day of employment with Transdev was how useful that preparation was to be. all we discussed was management's September 22, 2019. From the beginning of this year our agenda. It was with extreme reluctance that I had to branch decided to tackle what has been In late July, after the RMTU Ports also resign from the RMTU on the same day. increasingly acknowledged as a critical Forum and the opportunity to review It has been a privilege to be part of a great risk on the waterfront – fatigue. We've our approach, we resolved to try and organisation that fights for workers' rights and heard the speakers at conferences take back control of the agenda. Man- social justice. and attended the courses. So when agement's attack on terms and condi- I am truly humbled to have been given the our members unanimously endorsed tions had united the membership of opportunity to contribute in a small way. a motion to call upon the employer both unions and with that in mind we I wish you all the best for the future. to address fatigue we were equipped proposed a percentage increase with a Kindest regards, with the skills and knowledge to make one year rollover and a joint commit- Andrew Ward. our point. ment to tackle fatigue in the term of

The Transport Worker • December 2019 5 Solidarity on the waterfront the agreement. Once again this fell on deaf CEO. This allowed us to shift the focus of offices to send a very loud message to the ears – but at least we were discussing what our public comments onto the issue of pay bosses. mattered to us. and specifically how unfair it is for a nine By the beginning of October, as the By mid-August it was clear the talks were to five office worker in a warm, dry and overtime ban was due to enter its second going nowhere and that we'd either have safe office to be paid to fold or fight to get a good deal. It was an exorbitant salary clear the breakdown in discussions was as above $600,000 when much about the lack of respect with which port workers are on workers were being treated as material con- the job around the ditions. Having bashed our collective heads clock in all weathers against the proverbial wall for months the doing work that is in- time had come to take action. herently dangerous. By now the port was winding up for As time passed, it peak IMEX volumes and the onset of the was clear that man- cruise ship season. This, allied with the fact agement were under that management had run down staffing pressure. Shipping levels so much they were dependant on lines were redirecting members to do overtime to run the port, freight and the cruise meant we had a point where we could apply ship season edged pressure. A ballot for an indefinite overtime ever closer. ban was passed overwhelmingly and on Members of both September 7 all overtime ceased. unions remained We were able to make a good case in the united and resolute, court of public opinion about the reasons their morale boosted for our action – fatigue was the issue and by positive media what better way to tackle that than with an comments and plenty overtime ban? We enjoyed some good me- of communication dia coverage because we got our story out from the executives to reporters. Moreover, the RMTU Otago of the MUNZ lo- Rail branch organised a couple of excel- cal and the RMTU lent demonstrations outside the mediation branch. service when we attended for talks and this We held repeated bolstered the morale of port workers and report back meetings generated yet more media coverage. Un- and let management's ions Otago, and particularly the Tramways position speak for Union, also stepped in and demonstrated itself – this simply their support. generated more It was still heavy going. We made pro- anger. gress on hours of work and fatigue but still On one occa- hadn't secured an above inflation pay offer sion members spon- when Port Otago's Board handed us a gift taneously gathered by announcing a 20% pay increase for the outside the port

The Transport Worker • December 2019 6 ACTION VALE

month, the RMTU-MUNZ bargaining team received an offer that delivered a three year deal with pay increases backdated to expiry that worked out to 9.27% over the term of the agreement. In addition we'd secured agreement on the port adopting a fatigue manage- ment policy and working with the unions on the issue. In the interim, hours of work were to remain unchanged. There were other benefits – even Dave Morgan higher wage increases for inland port members for example – and on balance 29/5/1940 - 5/11/2019 the team thought this was an offer worth ORMER Maritime Union of up through the movement, was a commit- recommending. New Zealand (MUNZ) national ted trade unionist, internationalist and a Once again the membership remained president, Dave Morgan, passed united and chose to take what was on fervent supporter of global solidarity. away on November 4 with family and loved the table. F "He was a true seafarer dedicated ones by his side. The deal was ratified by an overwhelm- to his profession, a progressive inter- RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson ing margin. national trade union leader, a strident and said: "The Union forest is silent in our This dispute represents the type of text consistent advocate and activist for social mourning for the loss of Dave, one of the book win that determined and organised justice and peace, and a person of family, last remaining mighty union totaras of his workers can achieve if they are united including for those that needed one. generation. and resolute. "For the ITF, he played an integral role "Dave was always straight and true for It demonstrates what unity can do on in Asia Pacific, with a vision about how the the working class and especially seafarers our waterfront. and seagoing crew. He was an inspir- region should participate and shape the It isn't easy by any means. It takes a global picture." clear plan, good communications, know- ational figure for aspiring union leaders of my generation and a constant reminder Condolences go out to Dave's wife ing when to apply pressure and when to Maggie, his immediate family, friends, and be pragmatic. as to where unionism lies in one's moral to our MUNZ brothers and sisters. Above all, it takes trust amongst mem- compass." His extraordinary commitment to bers and faith in officials and a willingness The president of the ITF, Paddy to make a stand at the right time. Crumlin, said: "Dave was a leader of his members should be recognised and extraordinary tenacity who, having grown celebrated.

Auckland Christchurch Dunedin Your Welfare Trust Gisborne has a fantastic range Greytown of reasonably-priced Hanmer holiday homes Kaikoura throughout New Mount Maunganui Napier Zealand exclusively Nelson for members. New Plymouth Take a look at our Ohope locations. Orewa HOLIDAYS Paihia Picton Queenstown Rotorua Taupo All current RMTU members are eligible to join after paying a Welfare Trust membership fee. Contact us to find out how. Wellington Westport Phone: 0800-806-444 E-mail: [email protected] Whitianga Website: nzrwelfare.co.nz Facebook: facebook.com/nzrwelfare The Transport Worker • December 2019 CLIMATE 7 Climate change strike What do we want? System change! When do we want it? NOW! HE leading "financial incentives scientific for set-up and sus- forum for taining of NZ-based Tclimate analysis, tells industry focused us that planet earth on recycling plastic is currently warming waste, limiting the in a historically un- production and im- precedented manner. portation of plastic Global temperatures consumables that have risen by 0.85 are surplus to pop- degrees Celsius ulation needs and between 1880 and increase quantities 2012 and snow and ice of waste plastics in have drastically dimin- the environment. ished. While there are n Compulsory multiple complex driv- solar panels for all ers, these changes can new Housing NZ be mainly attributed to and Kiwi Build excessive levels of properties. human-induced green- n That the Labour house gas emission, particularly burning failing crops and devastating bush fires. led government bases its policy on fossil fuels and the destruction of forests. A goal is no good without a plan to get location of major ports on the following Greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere there. We want to see laws which would principles: and, like a blanket, warm the surface of the require governments to set legally-binding © That ports should be located earth. They are now at their highest levels five-year emissions budgets. where the cost and carbon footprint of in history. RMTU Auckland delegates also voted moving their cargoes is minimised. On September 27, RMTU members in favour of a low carbon emission policy © That some overcapacity may be participated in climate strike action held at this year's Auckland Northland Regional needed to cover the risks of damage to ports across the country. Many/most RMTU Labour party conference 2019 on June 22 from earthquakes and climate change. members strongly believe that electrifying in Auckland. © That coastal shipping should be our rail network and replacing diesel/petrol Number of policies which were sup- encouraged. buses with electric would help minimise our ported by RMTU delegates towards climate It will take everyone to secure a better carbon emissions. change actions were: future and avert the worst of the climate We've seen the impact of climate change n That Labour in government seeks to crisis. What happens next is up to us. No with droughts, cyclones and floods becom- limit the harmful consequences of matter where you live, there's a way to take ing more frequent, seasons less predictable, waste plastic in our environment by: action.

MECA signed

ESSRS Kim, Ladd and Butson happily signing the terms of settlement for the Transdev MWellington, Hyundai-Rotem company and the RMTU MECA renewal. Another great deal - hard fought and won!

The Transport Worker • December 2019 8 NEWS Hillside lives again: "We never gave up" ORKERS in Dunedin and secretary, Wayne Butson. "Rail is the future Coalition government for rail transport around New Zealand are of sustainable transport, both economically and domestic industry is bringing hope celebrating news of the govern- efficient and environmentally friendly, to regional New Zealand and putting the Wment's almost $20 million investment into and our railways are the backbone of this country's economy back on track. the Hillside engineering workshop, rescu- country. What kind of government allows "We fought tooth and nail to defend ing the site from years of unnecessary and KiwiRail's taxpayer money to be spent on Hillside jobs, and we promised to never artificially imposed decline. economic self-harm?" give up the fight. There are no words that KiwiRail's decision in 2011 to import rail RMTU members and supporters pro- could adequately describe how happy I am wagons from China rather than build them tested the decision across the country, to know the jobs are finally coming back and in South Dunedin dealt a devastating blow with pickets, street marches and a petition those workshops will thrive once again," to the working class neighbourhood, with signed by thousands of New Zealanders. says Butson. 90 jobs lost as the workshop fell compara- Persistent lobbying by the union, trans- "Hillside is a place where fathers worked tively quiet for years on end. port advocates and community groups kept alongside their sons for over a 100 years, "Not only was it morally repugnant to the campaign for green transport and Kiwi building the best rolling stock in the world treat loyal and skilled staff that way, it was jobs alive and politically relevant as the right here in New Zealand. We never gave economically absurd to a point verging years went by. up hope it would be that again. Sanity is on criminal sabotage," says RMTU general The RMTU says support from the restored." H2A begins to take shape IWIRAIL are currently consulting over the design of the Hamilton to Auckland (H2A) train. KRunning capability is a particular focus. This feature provides for locomotive engineer (LE) control of propulsion to clear tunnels and bridges in an emergency situation, ability for LEs to override if the passenger emergency brake (PEB) is activat- ed and improved communication within the carriages and from the carriages to the locomotives. Also a much improved information system for the LE on the status of safety critical features in the carriages like air bag pressures and the activation of the PEB. As part of the Train running capability also focuses on consultation, LE reps having the most suitable locomotives for Bill Sweeney and passenger services and making sure these Brendon Smith visited locos are least likely to catch alight! Hutt Workshops to The H2A design can later be used to mainly discuss the upgrade train running capability of all potential safety diesel-hauled passenger services. Many will features for the cab say it’s about time but it is pleasing to see and took the train running capability is finally happen- opportunity to look at ing after many years of debate and lack of the refurbishing of the action. passenger carriages.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 CTU 9 A people-centred future A summary of CTU president Richard Wagstaff's disputes. opening address at the CTU biennial n Reaching final agreements not subject to conference further hurdles or tinkering. HIS conference is about us getting Now it is our Government's turn to put our fair share of what we've built - these principles urgently into law. decent wages and salaries, decent Getting a fair share also includes the Tbenefits and strong public services. terrible imbalance between ethnicities. None of these things will be achieved We want a fair share of life too! without a strong labour movement and an When we work for a wage or salary, industrial environment which allows work- raise the bar on working conditions for we are not exchanging our humanity for ing people to freely organise collectively, specific industries and improve training financial compensation nor surrendering without fear, negotiating from a position and industry coordination that can't be our dignity and our mana. Dignity at work that commands respect, and where they can undermined by cowboy employers. means being treated with respect, being speak with confidence and security. While we think the Working Group did listened to and being in control. It means We, the unions, are the only indepen- a great job identifying the problems and industrial democracy as well as economic dent voice of working people. coming up with practical and workable democracy. Too many workers in Aotearoa can't proposals our response, called a 'Frame- Done well, a workplace is somewhere effectively do that right now because too work for Fairness', will make sure Fair Pay where people derive a powerful sense of many working people have no union and Agreements are really fair. They include: satisfaction, self-esteem and meaning. It's no bargaining power. n Enabling working people to improve where we reach our potential. Good work Is it any wonder we've become a low their terms and conditions of employ- is actually a great source of wellness. wage economy, with 'poor productivity'? ment and their skills in a coordinated Ultimately unions are an essential ele- One of the biggest barriers to fixing this industry or sector. ment of any functioning democracy. is the complete lack of an industry wide n Negotiating FPAs through their union. We are political organisations, not just approach to negotiating wages. Unlike just n FPAs covering every person working in a industrial, and we have to counter the about every other OECD country, we're sector or industry, including contractors. powerful voices of the few who have more stuck in the dark ages with just individual or n Conditions beyond pay rates such as than their fair share of not just money and enterprise bargaining, without any industry hours of work, training, leave, career resources – but political influence. Unless coordination. progression and life after work. working people are able to organise in Fair Pay Agreements (FPA) are a way of n Making available swift and comprehen- unions, there won't be any balance to our stopping the race to the bottom. They will sive independent arbitration to resolve democracy. PORTS RETIREMENT PLAN ARE YOU A MEMBER? The Ports Retirement Plan is open to all port workers.

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The Transport Worker • December 2019 10 CTU

And it's not just the New Right – but now it's also the Alt Right. Looking abroad to older The importance of collective bargaining democracies than ours, I realise just how wrong I was and how Bill Rosenberg (though recent changes in Australia are greatly right wing populism and its NZCTU Economist and Policy Director weakening collective bargaining coverage and extremist fringes can lie just its effectiveness). beneath the surface and how MTU members may take for granted We are particularly unusual in having low- precious freedom of expression the collective agreements they negot- er collective bargaining coverage than union and association is. iate with their employers through their density (one of only four in the OECD). Although What's become clear since union.R But they are fortunate. New Zealand has there is push back against labour rights in West- very low levels of collective bargaining, and our last conference is that get- ern Europe from the 'troika' of the European New Zealand is an outlier in the Organisation ting our fair share will take more Commission, European Central Bank and Inter- for Economic Cooperation and Development than two years after nine years of national Monetary Fund, collective bargaining (OECD), a club of high income countries, as the the previous Government who has nonetheless emerged from the Global accompanying graph shows. trashed union rights and trashed Financial Crisis at worst only slightly weakened public services. The graph (opposite) shows collective in most places (Greece, Portugal and Ireland, As hungry as we are for fun- bargaining coverage in light grey. That is the plus some East European countries are notable damental change, for correcting proportion of employees (wage and salary exceptions). In some cases such as Germany, the injustice we see, we have earners) who benefit from being covered by despite push-back from some employers, it to be strategic, we have to be some form of collective agreement. It also shows tactical and we have to be smart. union density in black – the proportion of showed its strength in the crisis. Strong collective Most of all, we need to remem- employees who are union members. bargaining is therefore associated with some ber that the workers United will Most of the OECD – Europe – has much of the strongest economies and highest living never be defeated. stronger collective bargaining coverage than standards in the world. Our mission can only be New Zealand and the other Anglo (extreme For example the Scandinavian countries of achieved by growing our pres- neoliberal) countries, particularly the US. Even Denmark, Norway and Sweden, have strong ence, acting collectively and in the UK, Canada and Australia have much stronger economies producing high value goods and unity. coverage than New Zealand, at least on paper services, and rate among the best in the world

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The Transport Worker • December 2019 11 The importance of collective bargaining for quality of life and living standards. They have union densities between 52 and 67 percent, and collective bargaining coverage, including widespread sector bargaining, between 67 percent and 89 percent. Many of the OECD countries have large collective bargaining coverage because the benefits of agreements made in collective bargaining are then 'extended' to whole industries, usually by government action. This is called extension, and is a little similar to the Modern Award system in Australia which covers whole sectors, but this is not based on the results of collective bargain- ing. The Fair Pay Agreements (FPA) which our Government is working on and which New Zealand unions are strongly in favour innovation, find efficiencies and point out dination of bargaining, credibility in taking of, is another approach to covering whole improvements. This is because it provides industrial action, membership engagement, sectors, based on another form of collective at least some assurance of security and of engagement with the employer, maintain- bargaining. sharing future productivity benefits. The al- ing public support, and working for better Collective bargaining and extension are ternative (neoliberal) model of trust, which employment laws. important in ensuring working people get is popular in the UK, is based on little more European unions and politicians appeal a fair share of the income they generate than a hope that employees can trust their for public support based on the justice and through their work. Collective bargaining employers' word, with no means to enforce fairness resulting from coordinated wage is therefore very important in reducing it in the short or long term. It can come setting through collective bargaining. Both inequality. Their share has been falling in and go as managers and the company's workers and many employers see value in New Zealand since the 1980s. Collective circumstances change. protection against 'wage dumping'. A fair bargaining except at firm level was almost No two European countries have exactly wage setting system also helps give workers destroyed by the Employment Contracts the same systems for collective bargaining, some assurance that they will receive a share Act 1991, and even enterprise bargaining is and it can't be judged solely on its formal of the value of an economy under constant increasingly rare in the private sector. The and legal form. change due to such factors as globalisation, Employment Relations Act 2000 made some Its shape and effectiveness depends technology and climate change. improvements and the wage and salary crucially on 'cultural' issues which are often Wage growth is good for economic share of income rose in the mid-2000s but unwritten including the country's history of growth by creating domestic demand for is now falling again. labour and political relationships, the atti- goods and services, and building a stronger The OECD, a club of high income tudes and organisation of employers, public middle class. This is a 'public good' argu- countries, which until recently was opposed opinion, attitudes as to what fairness looks ment – that higher collective bargaining to collective bargaining and constantly like, tripartite institutions, and the degree to coverage is better for everyone and deserves recommended weakening rights such which strategic (long term) thinking is part state support in law and in other ways. as protections against dismissal, is now of the national habit, particularly among Well-designed employment law is vital. supporting collective bargaining. It sup- employers. FPAs will be a critical step. ports it in a form similar to what is being One outcome is clear: high levels of But for effective and sustainable change suggested with FPAs: coordinated sector collective bargaining do not exist unless to New Zealand's poorly functioning wage agreements which provide a floor for core there is sector bargaining, and that requires setting system, we must look beyond chang- wages and conditions, combined with the support of the state in the form of good es to the law and take a long term view in further negotiation at firm level. It says legislation and supportive institutions. That building our capability to act strategically this leads to beneficial effects in reducing is why it is so important that effective FPAs and building the public support required inequality and fairer conditions at work, are established if we want a fairer distribu- for change. good productivity performance and good tion of income and a fairer society. That includes finding allies in the public employment growth. While supportive legislation is also and amongst employers and changing the Collective bargaining also forms a important for building the membership of short term and narrow views that drive stronger basis for trust in the workplace. It unions, our union movement's effectiveness current debate. can encourage employees to take risks in is very important too. This includes coor- The Transport Worker • December 2019 12 AGM

MTU rules require all branches to hold AGMs by October each year. Their purpose is to elect office holders and delegates, review the previous 12 months, approve the branch accounts and,R in some cases, set the branch fee. The Union's general secretary tries to attend as many as possible to thank officers, delegates and members for their activity, remind them they are part of a national organisation and appraise them of the varying campaigns, strategies and struggles undertaken on their behalf. On these two pages are some photos and commentary of the AGMs.

PORT OF TAURANGA Winners of the lucky $100 voucher draw (l to r) Ryan Gordon, Freeman Andrews and Tautara Ohia.

(l to r) POT branch chair Kelven Martin presents Simon Naylor with a voucher to thank him for Winners of the lucky $100 voucher draw (l to r) Charlie Gear, stepping up as an RMTU delegate for the security Kurt Griffin and Rata Sidwell. members at the Port of Tauranga/RMTU collective agreement negotiations.

HUTT WORKSHOPS (r) Branch secretary Myles Carter was re-elected unopposed yet again. How do you improve on such excellence we Kelven presenting Brian Henry with a $100 voucher for all ask? helping with the recruitment of new RMTU members in the C3 straddle department. WEST COAST

West Coast branch members and delegates show their appreciation for the GS's visit!

The Transport Worker • December 2019 13

HUTT WORKSHOPS

Hutt members engaged in the reports from branch officers. TIMARU RAIL

Timaru Rail members listen in rapture to our re-elected national president Aubrey Wilkinson.

One of the very great pleasurable opportunities in attending AGMs is to be able to recognise the loyalty of members of long-standing. Here Aubrey and Wayne present Ivan Martin with his Certificate of Loyalty.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 14 H&S Our right to flush EING forced to endure the of women and gender-diverse people enter- under the Health and Safety at Work Act discomfort of 'hanging on' when ing the industry. 2015. Talk to the Union about the issue there's no toilet to use at work is Organising a portable toilet for working so your workmates and Union staff can aB widespread, but rarely discussed, issue remotely occurs sometimes but not always. support you. Worksafe can be contacted to which affects many RMTU members who The passenger network lacks toilets at key enforce the regulations. do not have ready access to nearby toilets. work areas such as the Waikanae stabling The Health and Safety at Work Act Port workers, rail network and yard. General Risk and Workplace Manage- infrastructure workers, loco engineers, Finding a bush to pee behind, digging ment Regulations 2016 requires adequate on-board passengers, staff and yard workers a hole or taking a plastic bag with you has facilities including; have responded to the ITF's 'Our Right to been the long held way of dealing with n toilets flush' campaign which highlights the appall- comfort stops whilst working remotely. n drinking water ing lack of sanitation facilities for transport Such is the inconvenience and n hand-washing facilities workers internationally. embarrassment, there have been reports n eating and break facilities, and Shamefully even in New Zealand, and by women members of deliberately dehyd- n a place for unwell workers to rest if it despite legislative requirement to provide rating themselves to avoid the need for a is unreasonable for them to leave the adequate toilets, many rail workers do toilet stop whilst working remotely. The workplace. not have a decent level of access to basic effects of dehydration are a serious health Facilities must be sufficient to meet facilities. and safety issue that can drastically impair the needs of your workforce and take into The reasons for the lack of amenities a person's ability to function safely. account size, location and nature of your are largely down to a lack of planning. Old Do an audit of your work environment workplace, number and composition of infrastructure was designed to include male to identify where toilets are needed. Ask your workers and nature of the work being toilets and wash facilities but hasn't caught your H&S rep to make a recommendation to carried out and workplace hazards. up to accommodate the increasing number your manager to provide additional toilets Two workplace responses: Greymouth Dunedin HE lack of toilet facilities was highlighted in a letter to was most concerned to read in the last issue some members are KiwiRail CEO Greg Miller recently when West Coast having to take medication to deliberately dehydrate themselves to branch chair, Ron Nijssen made an appeal on behalf avoid needing to use toilet facilities that are not available. of the women in his workforce. T This is a dangerous thing to do, and I speak from experience, He pointed out that for years the West Coast workforce was I after requiring two recent operations for urinary tract complications. only men and toilet and shower facilities were not an issue. My urologist advised that my problems resulted from dehydration at However, in the last six months KiwiRail have employed work over the past 14 years in Dunedin. This is a common condition two females who are required to share the men's toilets and among bus, truck and train drivers. shower facilities. I have worked as a locomotive assistant and locomotive engineer "As you can imagine," he told the CEO, "this makes them for 46 years, starting in Westfield in 1973 and moving to Taieri Gorge very uncomfortable." Railway (Dunedin Railways) in 2005. While working in Auckland I Nijssen raised the issue locally with his production did not have a problem as we always had access to toilet facilities at manager who "wholeheartedly agreed that something needed Auckland, Westfield, Papakura, Te Rapa, and at stations on change to be done". over on the North Auckland Line. He, in turn, contacted the service resources contractor and It is a different story at Dunedin Railways where the railway station was told they would supply a "sanitary bin". now only has a fraction of the toilet facilities for staff that it was built At which stage Nijssen responded saying KiwiRail had with in 1906. There are two male urinals and one toilet, two women's missed the point. "What we required was a revamp of our toilets and one access toilet for a staff of over 60 employees, although existing block." not all work at the railway station. That elicited the response there was not enough money in There are two long drop toilets at Pukerangi where most trains the budget and KiwiRail would look into it after the new year. terminate, and most carriages have toilets, but there is insufficient "As is so often stated KiwiRail's greatest asset is its staff," time after running the locos around and coupling back onto the train said Nijssen, "but when their basic needs are put on the back to use the toilet without causing a train delay, which is a definite no- burner through monetary restraints surely that undermines no! It is far worse on cruise ship days when we have some 300 plus the values and fair and just culture KiwiRail are espousing?" passengers all looking for a toilet in the 20 minutes that the train is #If he receives and shares a reply this magazine will print it.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 15 New fatigue research LEEP and fatigue expert Prof Philippa Gander and her team at Massey University's Sleep/Wake SResearch Centre have recently published the results of New Zealand's first compre- hensive study of the effects of shift work on nurses in the International Journal of Nursing studies. The survey, in which 3,133 nurses participated, aimed to identify how nurses' work patterns contributed to negative fatigue outcomes such as excessive sleepiness, chronic sleep disorders, fatigue related clinical errors and feeling drowsy whilst driving a car. The average shift length for the majority of the nurses surveyed was between eight and nine hours with a smaller proportion of cardiac and intensive care nurses who work on average 12-13 hour shifts. The average Overall the results showed that the number of night's sleep between 11pm and risk increased with more night shifts and Training course 7am per week was 3.5 nights. decreased with more nights sleep between The findings: A new one-day training course 11pm and 7am and when nurses had n 64% said they had felt sleepy at the called Preventing and Managing enough sleep to feel fully rested. wheel of a car in the last 12 months Fatigue is being offered by WorkSafe Reps for roster (this was more common amongst older Conclusions delegates, health and safety reps workers), and and managers to learn how to n 30.8% recalled making a fatigue-related n A more comprehensive and adaptable ap- manage the hazard of workplace error in the last six months. proach is needed for managing fatigue. fatigue and prevent injury and ill health caused by fatigue. The survey results showed that nurses n Fatigue management needs to be data experienced a higher level of chronic sleep driven and risk focussed. Course dates: problems and more than twice the level n Rosters should provide a minimum of 21st Feb and 22nd April of excessive sleepiness than the general two consecutive night's sleep between Wellington. population of NZ adults (33.7% vs 14.9% for 11pm and 7am per week to recover from For more information go to adults aged between 30 and 60 years old). shift work. worksafereps.co.nz

in Pukerangi. Last March I had to queue for Railways about this matter and he told me we were running trains of two carriages 20 minutes at one of the long drop toilets as to go and see my manager. I went to the with only one toilet available for up to 40 there were also long queues in each of the operations manager and suggested that we passengers and train crew. carriages. It was a hot day and passengers should provide at least another six toilets at Last week I received an unpleasant were not impressed. Pukerangi, even if they are just 'port-a-loos' e-mail from the operations manager criticis- One passenger was interviewing people for the next cruise ship season. His reply ing me for using the toilet at Dunedin Rail- in the queue on his smart phone, asking was that it won't be happening as it is not in way Station prior to departure of my cruise them what they thought about having to his budget. I said that it is not a good look ship train to Port Otago. The train couldn't queue for so long due to the lack of toilet for the company with passengers having to go anywhere as there was a KiwiRail freight facilities. Most of the replies I could not queue up for so long desperately waiting train in the block section heading south to print here, but one related to the motto of to use a toilet. His reply: 'Tough, they will Dunedin. We need to take whatever oppor- Dunedin Railways supposedly being world just have to keep their legs crossed until a tunity we can to use a toilet when ever we class train trip. The passenger's comment: toilet is available on the train!' can as it is near impossible to access toilet 'World class train trip my ass – in Europe It is not uncommon for train toilets to facilities en route as described. this wouldn't even make third class!' fail in service and we often have carriages Kevin Phillips Later I spoke to the CEO of Dunedin with toilet out of order. Earlier this year LE, Dunedin Railways.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 16 NEWS New reps on the KiwiRail (Freight) Industrial Council . . OLLOWING the recent elections, we have three new reps on the KiwiRail Josh (Freight)F Industrial Council (KIC). Goodwin The last meeting, KIC 44, in early Rebecca Hauck, UNI November provided an opportunity South Island terminal for the outgoing reps to hand over terminals' rep. rep. to the new reps. Thanks to Marty, Deano and John for their participa- tion on KIC and beyond. There are also changes to the managers on KIC. We look forward to this forum being more effective in 2020 and outstanding issues either resolved or are KICKED to touch! The four new members – Rebecca Hauck (Southern Howard Terminals rep), Howard Phillips (LE Phillips Central rep), Antoon Whiu (CT rep) Central LE and Josh Goodwin (UNI terminals rep. rep) – join the rest of the KIC reps Brendon Smith (LE Northern rep), Antoon Whiu, Logan Rusling (LNI terminals rep) CT rep. and Jed O'Donoghue (LE Southern rep). .. and the new National Management Committee

The National Management Committee (2019 - 2021) comprises: (l to r) Dave Marden (North Island ports), Howard Phillips (Wellington Rail), Jed O'Donoghue (South Island rail), Aubrey Wilkinson (national president), Wayne Butson (general secretary), Rebecca Hauck (Womens' rep), Shane MacNae (North Island rail), Jas Giri (Auckland rail) and Andy Kelly (South Island ports).

The Transport Worker • December 2019 OP-ED 17 Govt plans for rail and sea Phyl Twyford, Minister of Transport FTER years of neglect, and more disruptions to services. our Government is get- We've re-opened the ting rail back on track. Napier-Wairoa line. This will be UnlikeA our predecessor, we don't crucial for the local forestry sector see rail as an asset to run into the as forestry harvests around Wairoa ground. We have an expansive are predicted to quadruple in the vision for rail as the backbone of a coming years. sustainable 21st century transport Next year we will start up a pas- network. senger service between Hamilton We recognise the huge and Auckland, giving the growing value rail brings New Zealand by number of people commuting boosting growth in our regions, between the two cities real choice. reducing carbon emissions, get- We are also giving Dunedin’s ting more heavy trucks off our Hillside workshop a $20 million up- roads and giving people real grade of its two main rail workshops. transport options in our cities. KiwiRail expects this will create 40 The previous government new jobs. took a hands-off approach and left At the heart of our transport rail in a state of managed decline. policy is our desire to move freight Nowhere was this more evident in a more sustainable and efficient than in its short-term decision way around the country. to get rid of electric locos on the The previous government took a hands- We've not only made big ad- main truck line and replace them vances on reviving rail, we're now with diesel electric locos. off approach and left rail in a state of turning our attention to how we With the world facing an can grow coastal shipping's share urgent need to reduce green- managed decline. of moving freight. house gas emissions, it made no We are considering a range sense. That's why last year our people and more freight by rail and grow of options including investment Government stepped in to keep electric the network where it makes sense. in infrastructure so coastal shipping can .. and the new National Management Committee trains on track. compete more effectively with rail and The $1 billion for rail in this year's Investing road, and workforce development. We are Budget is just the beginning of our revital- also looking at its resilience benefits. A draft So we are investing in the infrastructure, isation of rail. report by EY found that the blue highway the rolling stock, the hardware and the We will shortly be releasing our Rail Plan adds $206.5 million of value a year to our people that will make this system work as which will outline the Government's strat- economy. it should. egic vision and give a 10 year programme of This includes: indicative investments and benefits. Safety priority n $375 million for KiwiRail to invest in new It will ensure rail is fully incorporated wagons and locomotives; Safety is our top transport priority; our into national and regional transport plan- n $331 million for track and infrastructure Government wants workers to be able to ning. upgrades; and come home every day without incident. For 'Level playing field' n $35 million to begin the process of that reason, we have asked Maritime NZ to replacing the current ferries, which are convene a Port Industry Health and Safety Until now, rail has been left out in the a crucial transport connection between Plan. It is being led by independent chair cold, cut off from the funding, planning and the North and South Island but are near- Martin Byrne, who has 30 years of experi- decision-making in the National Land Trans- ing the end of their lives. ence in the sector. His leadership group is port Programme. We've fully integrated it This funding package also includes $300 working to complete the plan next April and alongside roads, motorways and all other million from the Government's Provincial I'm sure many of you are adding your voice transport investments. That means for any Growth Fund allocated for investment through the Operational Group. transport task, rail is now considered along- in regional rail initiatives. We've invested Our Government is backing rail and side all other transport modes so the most $196 million in the Wellington regional rail coastal shipping. And I'd like to thank efficient and sustainable option is chosen. network. Without this investment, the line you for your support of the work we are Our Government wants to move more had been expected to deteriorate with more doing.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 1818 Waipahi - a lesson for all time HE 20th anniversary of the Waipahi train disaster, which As first to arrive it was his responsibility to change the points so took the life of LE Graham White, was recognised in that northbound train 938 could pass on a parallel section of track. October with a ceremony at the memorial site. A special Unfortunately, the trains arrived at Waipahi Station almost passenger train provided by Dunedin Railways and hauled simultaneously and, at 7.02 am, just as Graham was about to get out, by KiwiRail locomotives, took 150 friends, colleagues and relatives train 938 entered the station and collided head-on with train 919, Tto the site where a blessing was placed by local kaumatua, speeches killing White and seriously injuring the driver of train 938. made and songs and a haka performed. It was noted that as good as it was to catch up with colleagues Privately owned and neglected it was sobering to reflect that Graham should not have lost his life. From 1993 to 2008 New Zealand’s railways was privately owned. The collision should never have happened. Graham White had no The private owners believed the marketplace would somehow reason to believe it was a day different from any other. create safe working conditions. During that time the following rail It was October 20, 1999, and the Dunedin-based train driver had workers were killed on the job: Graham White, Sean Smith, Jack just pulled his southbound train 919 into Waipahi Station.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 1919 Waipahi - a lesson for all time Neha, Peter Silbury, Murray Shaw, Tim Steffert, Rudolph Wairau, "As part of the deal to make rail more attractive for sale, Billy Trouland, Ambrose Manaia, Neil Faithful, Neville Bell, Robert bureaucrats, politicians and their private sector advisors cut rail Burt and Jim Jacobs. workers out of the Health and Safety in Employment Act - an Act In June 2000 the Labour Minister of Labour, Margaret Wilson, that gave more protection to workers. announced a Ministerial Inquiry into these deaths. It was poignant to be reminded by workplace health and safety Bad, ineffective law advocate and lawyer Hazel Armstrong of the appalling legislation "This left rail workers with a bad law and an entirely ineffective that the government had put in place at the time which removed Government agency: the LTSA (Land Transport Safety Authority). safety protection in order to make the company more attractive for "The culture of the day was 'leave it to the market', deprive work- potential buyers. ers of their collective voice, set no regulations and embrace industry. " The events that led to Graham White's death started in a back That culture led to a decline in ethics and professional standards. room at Parliament in 1992 as NZ Rail was prepared for sale to a That was what led to Graham’s death. These are the root causes." private operator," she told the gathering.

From Waipahi – in memory of Graham White . . .

The view out the cab window constantly moving and the motion of the train shaking the sketch book. One of my favourite painters, Willem De Kooning used to refer to himself as a 'slipping glimpser' ... and that's what these are - slipping glimpses. I suppose I had in mind that, sadly, this was a view of the last journey that Graham White took. - Bob Kerr

The Transport Worker • December 2019 20 WAIPAHI

RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson, occurred rail workers were not covered by seven years of rail privatisation,” he said. who had only just started his GS job when the Health and Safety workplace law. In fact Armstrong describes the toxic situation Graham was killed, was also most adamant rail workers were specifically exempted and at that time as providing bad law, poor as to where blame lay: instead of safety being ‘all practicable steps administration, poor ethics and lack of “Whether at Waipahi or Pike River, to ensure safety’ our rail safety law stated professionalism. The outcome was that workers should not have to die before that ‘safety was at reasonable cost’.” workers copped the fallout. safety is taken seriously,” he told the assem- He added that these workers died as a The Pike River tragedy was another bled crowd. “At the time these five deaths result of a fundamentally flawed health and outcome of that policy despite coming 11 safety system. years after Graham died, she said. "This tragedy showed the country what Avoidable deaths happens when that toxic combination comes together." The Ministerial Inquiry gave voice That tragedy led to the 2015 Health to those affected and the terrible cost of and Safety at Work Act, which she describes these “needless and avoidable” deaths and as "good law" and to Worksafe "a better resulted in the new Railways Act and the administration". restoration of their cover under H&S law. “A very sobering fact is that 32 railway Special transport workers were killed in the 20 years before the inquiry with 16 deaths occurring in the safety authority However, she said, rail workers were still lumbered with an ineffective regulator, NZTA, and a safety regulator, Worksafe, who didn’t want them. So the campaign for safety for rail workers continues. "It’s our view that NZTA is not a safe place for rail workers. Worksafe doesn’t want you so we are turning our minds to getting support for a stand-alone transport safety regulator with our own director of transport safety bringing together rail, road, maritime and aviation safety. "The best way for us to remember Graham White and the other rail workers who have died at work, is to support the RMTU in its safety campaign. "We have an advantage as we have a strong union and the single employer Describing the background and setting has improved its ethics and professional the tone, (above) Hazel Armstrong and (r) standards." Wayne Butson.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 21

Otago Te Kupenga Mahi kapa haka group.

RMTU delegates and leaders

The Transport Worker • December 2019 22 NEWS

Showing global solidarity

NCE again we see RMTU members DC's Metro system in more standing in solidarity with work- than 40 years, have been ers with workplace problems. fighting for a fair contract OIn this case we have New Zealand work- since last year. ers supporting their Transdev colleagues in The employer, Transdev, Workers are fed up and have now been Washington, USA. has been doing everything it can to stall on strike since October 24. The ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) negotiations, keep wages low, and resist Workers are demanding an end to in the USA, is one of the unions represent- ensuring workers have a defined benefit company stalling at the bargaining table, ing public transport workers at Transdev. pension like the rest of their Metrobus to intimidation and surveillance, and to Bus operators employed at WMATA's (Wash- coworkers. WMATA's privatisation scheme that creates ington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) They wear the same uniforms and drive a two-tier workforce with lower wages and Cinder Bed Road bus depot (garage), the the same vehicles. What separates them is almost non-existent benefits. first bus depot privatised in Washington simply who signs their pay cheques. Fork hoist fire CLEARLY there was no fire suppression on this fork hoist at the Wellington CT site. All fork hoists operated by RMTU members must have effective safety features, like fire suppression, not just the mainline locomotives and hi-rail vehicles. This is a wake up call for us all.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 INTERNATIONAL 23 WIMDOI 2019 By Rebecca Hauck Women In Male Dominated men are still fighting to get domestic OW! What a fantastic Occupations and Industries violence leave approved. This leave three days. All the is crucial to those who face speakers, the cou- domestic and family violence Wrageous women who shared and more so for the children. their stories and the amazing We as a union need to sup- organising committee of just port our brothers and sisters eight women were absolutely across the ditch and help incredible. them get this Bill approved. For myself, Rata Sidwell How you ask? 16 days of (Bay of Plenty Port), Louise activism from November 25 Francis (Wellington Rail) and to December 10. Support the Ann Wells (Nelson Port), we 'We won't wait' campaign. all walked away feeling em- Wear your white ribbons in powered and loved from the Team RMTU: (l to r) Rebecca Hauck, Rata Sidwell, Ann Wells and support of stopping domes- new sisters we met from Austra- Louise Francis tic and family violence. Flood lia. The knowledge, networking social media with support and and experience will be life this year? It has been in the Crimes Act for solidarity to our brothers and changing. The sisterhood is real! 119 years. In the 1970s 50 women took an sisters. Spread the word, make some noise There were so many topics we touched advert out in the local newspaper and said to the Australian Government to let them on, from women in leadership, superan- we have had an abortion – Arrest us – to know how important this is. We are so lucky nuation and issues women face around provoke the police. here in New Zealand to have this leave retirement in Australia to assertive vs With the help of social media today, 56 already approved. Stand up and speak out aggression, gender violence and domestic women have recently signed a statement for those that cannot. Support each other. and family violence. Other topics covered sent to parliament which a quarter of a Be kind to one another. were indigenous people and finding work, million people have seen, shared and add- The kindness, generosity, and love that climate change, kids in schools striking, ed their names. Facebook became huge in was present at WIMDOI 2019 created life behavioural theorists, chairing meetings, decriminalising abortion. Abortion is not a long friendships, sisterhood and a sense public speaking and women tradies to crime in New South Wales anymore! Some of belonging. Thank you to all the sisters name a few. really powerful stuff from our sisters across especially to the organising committee who Did you know that abortion was still in the ditch. made WIMDOI happen yet again. the Crimes Act in New South Wales up until But the fight isn't over yet. Women and NSW loco division conference T the end of August I had the problems. for dealing with anti union sentiment. privilege to attend the annual Attempted claw backs of long-fought I’d like to thank the organisers for the conference of the RTBU NSW for conditions, limiting of meaningful pay invitation and the RMTU for including me locoA division. There I met a great group increases, government interference and in the team to attend. I wish the RTBU NSW of welcoming and friendly hard working reduction in staffing numbers are all too loco division all the best with their future railway people. familiar. battles. What I learnt from attending is that all It was great to see the camaraderie - Simon Bell, LE, Paekakariki depot railway workers here and around the world between all the attendees from around the are all fighting the same or similar common world. We all learnt some new techniques

RTBU, JRU, ASLEF and RMTU pledge solidarity.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 24 NEWS

The RMTU fully supports equal RMTU WOMEN opportunities for women and men

Holly Egger RMTU Canterbury rail branch women's representative How long have you been working at KiwiRail and been a member of the RMTU? I've been with KiwiRail for eight months. I'm a signals technician. Before that I was working as an electrician. What does your current job involve? We look after signal assets on the net- work. That includes barriers and lights at level crossings and points and signals out on the track. I tell my friends who don't work in rail that we look after the traffic lights for the trains and the things that are there to stop trains hitting cars and people. So I have a pretty important job. I'm in a team that covers a radius about two hours' travelling time outside of Christchurch. And what's your role in the RMTU? At the August AGM I was formally elect- I don't find it particularly challenging. the blokes can do and we can do it better! ed as the branch women's rep. Before that I've worked in so-called male industries all I'd also tell them that sometimes the boys I got to attend the RMTU Women's Forum my working life so it's kind of normal for say 'don't do that, we'll do it for you' not in Wellington in July. I did delegate training me. I occasionally get teased because I like because they are being negative but because in September so I now have a clear idea of glitter and the colour pink but I don't care! they are trying to protect me. That's the my role. Essentially it is to raise the profile time to gently point out I can do the work What would you say to a bunch of of women members and to promote their because I'm capable. It's really important to interests. young women school leavers about working in an industry that's male me that I have the opportunity to be pro- What do you think about working in a dominated? ductive. I get the same pay and conditions male dominated industry? I'd say that we women can do anything and I'm capable of doing the same job. Passchendaele in Picton - tourism success

HIS vintage Ab waits patiently for the Marlborough Flyer to make its annual return for the cruise ship season. The Tcruise train has been very successful and was an operation of the first Heritage Collective Agreement negotiated by the RMTU. This year we have added a further employer to the agreement and this has now become a MECA. We have also added a 'subsequent employer' provision so other keen groups can be added to this agreement and we also widened the coverage of the document to encompass more occupations. A win-win for all.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 25 Te Kupenga Mahi hui N 11, 12 and 13 October 2019, Te Kupenga Mahi (the Maori net- work for KiwiRail and Toll) met at OTe Tii Marae in Waitangi. Te Kupenga Mahi (TKM) was celebrating the 30th anniversary of its founding in 1989. The hui remembered its founders and paid tribute to Parekura Horomia for sow- ing the seed for its formation, way back in 1984 when he was involved in the PSA and he spoke about networking for Maori in Government departments. KiwiRail and its predecessor NZR, was state owned in 1984. We were also treated to a photo mon- tage and saw a young Wayne Butson alongside Parekura announcing a charter in Parliament binding on NZR at the time. During its 30 year history, the driving impetus for TKM has shifted between Toll Charlotte Marsh and Aubrey Wilkinson and KiwiRail. This hui was sponsored by Toll and was attended by CEO John Adams and several Toll staff, however, the major- ity of people at the hui were from KiwiRail. The next hui will be sponsored by KiwiRail. Ray Brown is now fully employed to lead TKM as a pourahi, working out of Te Rapa. TKM has delegates from around the

(l to r) Ria Apiata, Allana Ranui, Ricky Haitana and Darren Williams. country and who are supporting excellent programme (second steppers) working out activities in their area such as te reo classes, of Ngawha Prison in the North. Maryann waiata Wednesdays, blessings and meetings Street gave a presentation on HPHE. with iwi. We were well catered for by the tangata Several of the participants at the hui whenua of the marae, and we were privi- are part of, or are graduates of, Toi Toi leged to hear the history of Nga Puhi. (KiwiRail's leadership programme). TKM considered its priorities for the (l to r) Jon Adams Toll MD, Ray Brown Steve Thomas (Thomo) gave a pres- future, and is planning its next hui for and Hazel Armstrong. entation on the proposed KiwiRail prison 2020. Stand Up meeting sists of members representing affiliated with the proposal that desperately needed unions. Stand Up is all about promoting to be changed for the FPA to work, not just N November 15 Campbell issues and activities relevant to the young for young union members but for everyone Leggett, Te Manu Daly and working people of New Zealand. in the work force. Jacquelyne McCorkindale were This time around the committee Overall, it was a thoroughly productive Oinvited to attend the New Zealand Council spent the majority of the time looking committee meeting. of Trade Unions (NZCTU) Youth Stand Up at, and discussing, the newly proposed Jacquelyne said: "Personally, it made committee meeting representing fellow Fair Pay Agreement (FPA), followed by a me feel especially lucky to be a part of the RMTU unionists under 35 consultation with the Ministry of Business, RMTU and have such a great bargaining Stand Up is the NZCTU representative Innovation and Employment. team to fight for us and make our collective structure for workers under 35 and con- We looked at some of the big problems agreement as fair as can be."

The Transport Worker • December 2019 26 NEWS UnionAID - your charity HIS year, May Day marked a special Last year the unions took legal milestone, the 10th anniversary of action and won back pay for 440 UnionAID, the New Zealand union members worth between $NZ165 Tmovement's international development and $724 per person, making a big charity. difference in their lives. That these After a group of passionate volunteers unions have continued to achieve witnessed unions in India and Burma strug- wins over 10 years shows that a small gling for justice, better wages and decent amount of money, directed to the conditions for working people, UnionAID right people, can make long term was born as a means of providing them with change in lifting working people solidarity and support. Since then this soli- out of poverty. darity has helped change thousands of lives. The RMTU has proudly sup- One of its first projects was the forma- ported UnionAID's raffles, quizzes tion of unions for manual scavengers (street and other fundraisers over the past cleaners) and overhead tank operators in 10 years. This year a donation of the southern Indian city of Madurai. They $1,500 was made to help support successfully bargained to have their work more working men and women formally recognised and to be employed overseas over the next ten years. To by the city council giving them a regular learn more about UnionAID's work income and access to social services for the and make a personal donation visit first time in their lives. unionaid.org.nz. Ponpandi a member of the Manual Scavenger's union in Madurai, India. Delegate training

A fundamental necessity for an effective union is to have active, well trained delegates. The RMTU is committed to these ideals.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 27 Government workshop - Dunedin HE Dunedin CTU Government to the issues raised by fellow unionists was the debacle that the so-called Public Forum was held on September (education and health). Transport Operating Model (PTOM) creates 5 and saw the Prime Minister, What was also clear is that many private in the bus industry, with local authorities Ttogether with key Labour and Green min- sector unionists are disadvantaged by the compelled to put services out to tender isters, as well as local MPs meet with union current industrial relations system, especial- resulting in competing bus companies representatives from the region. ly in hard-to-organise sectors like hospitali- engaging in a race to the bottom on wages The RMTU was represented by Otago ty, fast food, and retail. The need to extend and conditions. This is very much the case in Rail branch chair Murry George, secretary the reach of collective bargaining through Dunedin, as in other cities. PTOM must go! Dave Kearns and delegate and Networks Fair Pay Agreements is self-evident. Without On one level it's easy to be cynical about Industrial Council member Gareth Bachop some mechanism for enabling workers in events such as this, writing them off as mere as well as Port Otago branch delegate Merv these sectors to collectively bargain, more tokenism. Our representatives prefer to see Read. South Island organiser John Kerr also and more of them will be trapped in poverty them as a real opportunity – Labour and attended. wages and dependent on government-set the Greens may not be perfect but they do The key point we took out of the minimum standards. Employers are getting appear to be the only parties in parliament forum was how successful the RMTU has away with paying the minimum wage and that are taking the changing nature of work been at progressing our issues with this the taxpayer is subsidising low pay through seriously. There did appear to be a genuine government, both nationally and locally. Working for Families tax credits. Extending willingness to listen to rank and file mem- Increased investment in rail seems to be the right to strike is another way of tackling bers and delegates and whilst we should the one item on which all three coalition the problem, something that the Greens not be satisfied with that, it does represent parties agree and it was clear our industry were sympathetic to – much to the sur- an improvement on the previous National and members have materially benefited prise and delight of our Otago Rail branch led government which completely ignored from this government. secretary. workers' voices. This is especially so when we listened One issue that was very close to home AROUND THE BRANCHES

ernment of $95 million to A further upside of this is a joint initia- NORTHLAND RAIL develop the Northland tive between KiwiRail and the government, rail line from Helensville supported by the RMTU, to bring a small IG things are happening in the to Whangarei. This is number of prisoners into the rail workforce winterless North. We have estab- clearly a massive opportunity for KR and to give them a real shot at integrating back lished a local consultation council will provide jobs for Northland. The aim into the community. atB KiwiRail that will make sure that workers is to improve the neglected track, tunnels Also big news for our members at North in the North are kept better informed and and bridges and to significantly decrease Tugz with the proposal to move Auckland’s that management knows what the issues journey times. This will encourage custom- port to Northport at Marsden Point at an are for RMTU members and that they need ers to choose KR as the preferred mode of estimated costing $10 billion, under the to be fixed. The local Northland engage- transport with the added plus of taking preferred option of a Government-backed ment council (LNEC) is a group consisting hundreds of trucks off the roads. If the working party. of union organisers, delegates and various current mooted expansions in Northport Along with this would be additional members of management. We are meeting and Marsden point occur this will really rail-tracking worth $1.6 billion, a freight on a monthly basis to begin with, and there give rail a boost in the North. hub in northwest Auckland, and a major have been a number of frank, but construc- There was a big event for this in Hel- expansion of Northport. This would clearly tive, exchanges between management and ensville to celebrate the announcement mean huge growth for Northland, an area members on a variety of concerns. It would and then a very slow trip for a short way that has suffered years of neglect. It would be fair to say that management has agreed along the track with the media, ministers, also be good news for our members at this was something that needed to happen various KiwiRail senior management and North Tugz, creating more jobs and pro- although there has been the odd hiccup as guests with the RMTU being represented viding a more secure working environment. we cement this as a regular event on our cal- by organiser Rudd Hughes, NMC member The RMTU is currently in bargaining endars. Three meetings so far, including the Jas Giri and tireless RMTU delegate, cam- with North Tugz and we have hit a sticking inaugural meeting to establish protocols. paigner and rail activist Albie Barr. Albie's point over rosters. Currently the members The big news for KiwiRail in Northland work promoting Northland rail was crucial there work in what is essentially a zero was the announcement by the coalition gov- to getting this off the ground. hours contract. The main issue for our The Transport Worker • December 2019 28 AROUND THE BRANCHES

members this year was to get a working delegates have worked incredibly hard to work something out that both parties can roster that wouldn't see them on call 24/7, come up with a roster that works for our agree to. 365 days a year. We have already had one members and the company. We are about Wishing all Union members a great mediation with the company and our to head back to the negotiating table to Christmas and a prosperous 2020!

AUCKLAND RAIL and full-time work for the losses, the changes to hours will hit some majority of employees people in the pocket and we are working T Transdev Auckland (TDAK) while giving those who to make that impact as small as possible. there are a number of major are coming to the end of their careers an There has been a major review of the pieces of work underway. The opportunity to work a little longer. We await track in the Auckland Metro network by UnionA continues to participate in the High the members' decision. NZTA (New Zealand Transport Authority). Performance, High Engagement (HPHE) The Union has also been involved in a At the moment we are waiting for the out- process with the company over driver door dispute with the company regarding the come of that review but it could have some operations. There are at least four more meaning of stand-by in regard to hours short-term impact on the delivery of passen- meetings scheduled before Christmas as we worked. This has been to mediation where ger services in Auckland. Watch this space. we have been sent back to our respective work through differing perspectives. The issues that emerged from the last Also at TDAK, a variation ballot is corners to get legal advice and which will MECA bargaining are also currently being currently underway to bring in a phased lead to a further mediation, hopefully dealt with using the HPHE process. We have retirement process. The RMTU entered into before Christmas. The ROM rewrite that is met several times now and are waiting on this process because of member requests. part of the settlement will take place after information from Ernst & Young before The variation sent out to members require this is settled. them to be employed for at least eight years At KiwiRail there is an HPHE process re- we can go any further. We are booked for before they can access phased retirement. garding changes to rosters in RSAS (Rolling a meeting on November 14 and if we have They can then go on to a link that is 50% of Stock Assets & Services). We met a number the information we seek, we should make their normal full-time hours. Links will have of times and the members put forward an some good progress before Christmas. to be shared by alternating the week each option which is currently being considered Wishing all of our brothers and sisters employee works on a shared link. They can by the company. around New Zealand a happy, healthy and do this for up to five years and then they A restructuring is currently occurring safe Christmas and we will all reap the retire. The Union believes this was the best in the customer logistics side of KiwiRail in benefits of unity and collective bargaining way to maintain the integrity of the shifts Stanley Street. Although there are no job in 2020.

NAPIER PORT would be fair to indicate in terms of shares and ultimately financial that we are on the cusp of gains was applied only to a handful of senior EFORE summarising the RMTU industrial action. We have managers and the CEO. This certainly put Napier Port branch activities had several meetings with the Port company the cat amongst the pigeons. We are all, at over the last period, the primary and had a day in mediation. We are now the end of the day, moving parts that make thoughtB and acknowledgement in mind organising around stop work meetings for the port move and grow. is the loss of union legend Dave Morgan report back sessions and commencement of Specific payments or shares offered to (see page 6). Dave was a remarkable man, the secret ballot process for those members a handful has resulted in a backlash from altruistic in his service to unionism and who fall under this agreement. our membership. mankind. It was a privilege to have met him As previously reported in the last six It is, in essence, not the fact that they several years back, which transpired at our editions of The Transport Worker, the 45% have these incentives, it is more about why Union's national conference when another sell down of Napier Port has come with its these incentives were not passed on to of our own union stalwarts moved to retire- outcomes – some up, some down. Howev- everyone! ment, Jim Kelly. A humbling experience. er, both the board chair and the Hawkes Bay These managers/CEOs are port employ- Like other ports at this time, the local Regional Council chair were advised around ees just like the rest of us and surely well branch membership of the main collective some of our requests made over the dura- remunerated in terms of their respective agreement is in negotiation with NPC. It tion of the share sale. As a result, favouritism salaries and what is required of them in the

The Transport Worker • December 2019 29

positions they hold. There was no equity and the CEO who stand to gain thousands working through, or taking the festive break, applied to the balance of staff! of shares independently for personal gain. stay safe, the best of seasonal greetings to On the negotiation front, initially we It is an ideal time for the local branch to go you all. started off with too many remits. Now the hard to champion the contest between the To quote Spock: "Live long and company is exposed to the share market haves and have nots. prosper." and we have a handful of senior managers To the wider RMTU whanau, for those Kia ora.

geo (a firm of geotech- off on Barry's last day at work. HAWKES BAY RAIL nical engineers) have The Napier branch would like to wish finished the risk assess- Luke O'Connell all the best as the new REETINGS brothers and sisters. ment on all slopes. structures inspector . Hasn’t the year flown by? It's scary Preparation work has started on the The signals team are getting a new mem- to think we are nearly into 2020. new log yard and depot to be in Wairoa. ber in the New Year as part of succession GThe Hawke's Bay structures teams have Only a couple of sites are left to resleeper. planning. been busy, with protecting scaffolders and Extensive work has also been completed It would be good to see if it follows re-sleepering bridges. on culverts and drainage sites. All in all through into the other networks teams with On the Wairarapa line, the NIMT are things track and structures in our region consideration to ageing staff members, or replacing hardwood running beams on the are looking good. where we are low on manning levels. Matohora Viaduct as well as strengthening The Dannevirke track members have Reminder, remits need to be handed running beams on the Ormondville Viaduct. been busy with assisting the Palmerston in to your branch delegates so they can Napier track have already had two heat North heavy gang with re-sleepering north be voted on at our National Conference in buckle alerts this year and we aren't into of Dannevirke and with a level crossing up October 2020. summer. grade at Stanley Street. There have been a Until next time, be safe, stay safe and The effect of this is that trains have to couple of changes in Napier and we have to above all else have a great Christmas and stop until the line is made safe. The Napier/ especially recognise Barry Rattray retiring. New Year. Wairoa line is coming along, meanwhile En- We put on a nice lunch and a farewell send

HUTT WORKSHOPS contractors to assist allocated for seismic strengthening and the us in the fitting out relocation of our main inventory store into REETINGS from the Hutt Work- of the interiors and Plant Two. This work is tentatively sched- shops where we begin where we we hope there will be sufficient transfer of uled for completion around December, left off last time. Our vacant site skills to enable us to continue unaided in 2020. Included in this is the continued re- Gmanager position has been filled by Peter the New Year. placement of wall cladding as the novelty of Venn. Peter is one of our former produc- Our AGM was held in late September 'rustic charm' is wearing thin – literally. The tion managers and is well suited to the job and we had a small reshuffle of the commit- tender for a new wheel-set operation is out that he has been acting-in for the last few tee with Greg, Aussie and Isimeli joining the and we hope to announce the successful months. Congratulations to Peter. team, and a return of Mohinesh and Nona. bidder early in the New Year. The Hamilton to Auckland (H2A) pas- It was great to see an injection of Overall it has been a year of growth in senger carriage project continues and has some government money into our sister work and staff with our full-time member- an initial milestone due around December workshops at Hillside. Hopefully that will ship swelling to around 173, made up of 18 when some are due to be out-shopped. pave the way for growth, over time, back permanent and fixed-term employees. We have engaged a small team of external into a fully functioning workshop for the To everyone, have a safe and merry South Island. We too have had some money Christmas, and roll-on 2020!

NELSON PORT demolition of Main Wharf This $23 million project will mean, for North. This will be a huge the first time in decades, the entire expanse S 2019 draws to a close we see project with widespread of Main Wharf will be usable. big changes afoot in Nelson with impact on the whole Port for more than It will also be constructed to a level contractors now on site starting a year. which will mean it will be usable quickly A The Transport Worker • December 2019 30 AROUND THE BRANCHES

following a major seismic event in Nelson We are about to finish a negotiating year issues arising around availability. ensuring the port will be able to exercise and to enter a non-negotiating year. We had With many workers being on call 24/7 its obligations in any relief effort that may an OK outcome to negotiations this year, and not knowing when they are next work- follow. which was unfortunately overshadowed ing this is becoming a burning issue. There By the time this goes to print we will shortly after signing by PNL reporting are now more favourable laws surrounding also have ordered a new mobile harbour record profits. this issue and more importantly case law crane. We are still waiting to hear which It does seem that there is still thinking is building. model will make the cut. at the top level that workers need to suck Recent rulings showing the Judiciary There has been limited opportunity for in their belts to help fund decades of lack are sympathetic to our cause or, more operators, supervisors and workshop to of investment in infrastructure, a problem importantly, are interpreting current law give input to the project yet it would appear that affects many parts of New Zealand. as favouring the worker. that cost is the immediate driving force. Food for thought for the next round of However, it is important to note that the negotiations as we see a plateau in exports In short workers' personal time has a current 20-year-old LHM 400's currently in as Donald Trump plays out his trade war value and if employers wish to encroach service are well past their use by date. Any with China. upon that time they need to pay. Google search of cranes of this era show Nelson also needs to address issues Additionally, workers need to have time that they are strictly third world, while our with both Brunt and Kingsford Quays as that is ring-fenced as their own that they workshop stoically works to keep them well as further crane purchases in the near can have for themselves and their families. going it can not be long before the safety future. This addresses the many issues of of those using them becomes a concern. As we look to next year we see more health, mental and physical.

perhaps more impor- more co-operative way now that we have CANTERBURY RAIL tantly, their families, is RMTU National Office involved and KiwiRail a big one. If we are go- enlisted the support of a facilitator from REETINGS from Canterbury. Our ing to address the twin HP2, the outfit that has assisted with HPHE branch has been watching events problems of maintaining sustainable staffing initiatives. There are still some matters to down south with great interest. levels and providing round the clock service be worked through but the key point is GWell done to our members in Dunedin Rail we need to deal with this systematically, not that a dialogue has been established with on achieving a wage deal that gets everyone in a piecemeal fashion. front-line workers and their representatives. on the living wage – there should be no Over at the railway station in Addington Our network services members based room for poverty wages in the rail industry. our Scenic Journeys members are enjoying at Midas Place are scratching their heads Good on you for supporting one another their newly refurbished premises. It certain- at the reorganisation of office and admin- on this. The news about Hillside being 'revi- ly makes for a great start to the passengers' istrative services. From the perspective of talised' as a repair and maintenance facility experience to check in and board in such an ordinary track worker out working in with a $20 million cash injection from the well-appointed surroundings. The call all weathers it seems there is no difficulty Provincial Growth Fund is also great to hear. centre has moved back into the station in employing office based staff, but when It seems to be the one thing the parties in after being temporarily located at Ensors it comes to taking on people to do the our Coalition Government agree to is that Road and appears to be operating smoothly work at the sharp end it is a different story. they like rail. Naturally we're asking when dealing with passenger enquiries despite Perhaps our perspective is affected by the we will get a new loco depot here in the the disruptions caused by nature to trains. concentration of office staff who service Garden City? The projected growth of rail The return of the Coastal Pacific for the different parts of KiwiRail at Midas Place and the acquisition of new rolling stock summer season is also positive news. Not but questions are still being asked. must surely push this up the agenda? all our members enjoy the overnight stay The RMTU ran delegate training at the On the subject of maintenance and away from home but the more experienced end of September in Christchurch, allowing repair, and as reported in the last issue of remember that it is not that long ago that a fresh group of delegates, active members TTW, our RSAS members are shifting to a the whole long distance passenger service and H&S reps to spend the day learning new roster that is causing some challenges. operating out of Christchurch was under about our union and how to organise in We understand the growth of KiwiRail will threat of closure in the aftermath of the their workplace. These sessions are always require a move to a more 24/7 type oper- 2011 earthquake. useful as they bring members from different ation in this area. The difficulty is that this Our yard staff at Middleton Operations parts of rail together with people from op- is one area of the company that has a very are gearing up for the busiest time of year erations, the service centre, Scenic Journeys high proportion of long serving members, and it is good to see that sanity appears and RSAS (Rolling Stock Assets & Services) many of whom are due to retire in the next to have prevailed around how we secure all attending this session alongside our few years, and the adjustment for them, and wagons. The issue is being dealt with in a comrades from Lyttelton Port.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 31

Over at the CT site our members are make up the membership of our branch. safety. People before profit is not an empty very busy and are keeping a close eye on Our Toll members have been working hard slogan. the pay progression exercise that is being in difficult circumstances. Finally, as we head into the festive sea- undertaken as a consequence of last years Apparently the operation there is going son and our busiest time of year pause for MECA settlement. through a pretty lean time and management thought and think about safety. Our delegates are doing a good job are trying to strip costs out of the business. The commemoration of the train keeping members informed – just one of That's code for all sorts of pressure being disaster at Waipahi 20 years ago is a the myriad of ways in which good workplace put on people. sobering reminder of why we need to reps are a vital part of the work we do. At times like this it's important that we remain vigilant at all times and look after Of course, it's not just KiwiRail staff that should not cut corners at the expense of one another.

is an obscene amount certainly given us considerable hope that LYTTELTON PORT of money in any work- this is the case. er's language and it The news that the container terminal s we count down the final is particularly galling manager has resigned, effective December days of Peter Davies' ten- given that LPC is a very small employer on 20, 2019 was welcomed. Morale and pro- ure as CEO of Lyttelton Port a global scale, employing only 500 people. ductivity there left much to be desired and Company,A the LPC Board have announced Salary package aside however, the RMTU is we can only hope that his replacement will the appointment of the new CEO, Roger looking forward to the possibility that Gray make the required changes. Already we are Gray, on an eye-popping salary package will bring a sorely needed fresh attitude seeing early signs of a much more sensible of $839,400 plus a $30,000 allowance to and approach to industrial relations at and moderate approach to incident investi- move from Auckland to Christchurch. This the port. The caretaker management have gations and disciplinary processes, and we Sickness, accident and death The New Zealand Locomotive Engineers’ Sickness, Accident and Death Benefit Fund In the last 10 years 230 locomotive engineers had to retire due to medical reasons. They received a total payout of $4,737,097 from the above Fund. LEs who didn’t belong to the Fund and who were forced to retire did not receive anything.

You could be next to miss out! For as little as $219 a year your future – or those of your next of kin – could be better assured. Contact: Attention LEs Debby Green, PO Box 813, Wellington Join this Fund now for Telephone: (04) 499–2066 Fax: (04) 471–0896 your own peace of mind [email protected]

The Transport Worker • December 2019 32 AROUND THE BRANCHES

are optimistic that this trend will continue. subject to ratification, the Inland Ports requires a high degree of trust from both Fatigue management seems to be the bargaining has been concluded with parties. elephant in the room at the moment, and agreement being reached after just three Given the dire industrial relationship it is with dismay that we report that next meetings. between the RMTU and LPC over the past to no progress has been made to address With an interest-based problem-solving two years, this was a significant leap of faith this issue. A quick fix has seen an arbitrary approach being used to excellent effect, for the RMTU. maximum number of consecutive and the three year deal will result in, among That faith has proven to be well found- rolling eight shifts imposed without mean- other things, a 9.27% increase in wages and ed and is the strongest signal to date that ingful consultation, which belies the scale allowances, while also providing access industrial relations are improving. of change required. Although the RMTU has to the LPC superannuation scheme, and consistently called for full implementation achieved a combined collective agreement As we head into festive season and, of an agreed fatigue management plan, for the City Depot and Midland Port sites. more importantly, summer, we wish all the reality is that we are not likely to see The notable element, apart from the our brothers and sisters around the country significant movement in this area until the outstanding result that the RMTU bargain- best wishes for a safe and prosperous end new CEO arrives early next year. ing team have achieved on members' behalf, to 2019 and through unity and solidarity we Finally, but by no means least, and was that this particular style of bargaining know that we will have a great 2020!

levels and we under- ter due to illness and ACC matters which is WEST COAST RAIL stand we are getting impacting on our ability to do core work. our first female trainee That's not stopping us from doing our best, T the time of writing our members locomotive engineer but talking with the members in Christ- on the West Coast are grappling in February. This is great news. We're sure church there is a bit of a theme emerging with a serious landslide at Omoto she'll enjoy the lifestyle and camaraderie regarding staffing levels. With the growth of whichA has knocked out the rail route into over here on the Coast. One of our long KiwiRail we have to have a long term plan Greymouth and it is especially difficult for serving locomotive engineers, Bob Broad- to ensure we have people on the ground our coal customers and their loading sites hurst, has now retired. Bob always took an where we need them. and to our major non-coal customer West- interest in union matters and health and Finally, great to hear the news about land Dairy. This slip is a big one and at the safety, and as our managers will attest was Hillside and the allocation of money from time of writing is still slumping and moving. not afraid of standing on toes if he felt the the Provincial Growth Fund. The previous It is going to be a difficult engineering job need to press his case on an issue. All the government wrote off the regions so it's to bring the rail and road back to a safe best for a well-deserved long and happy good to see our current political masters operating condition. As we go to press we retirement Bob – enjoy yourself, you can putting some cash where the rhetoric is. have no projected date for reopening, but really get away shooting now (we hear There's plenty of scope for growth over all possible means are being investigated in your alarm clock is the first thing in your here on the Coast so we hope we'll be getting this issue resolved. cross hairs...). in the news for all the right reasons next Because the slip has cut off Westland Over in network services the boys and time. Dairy they are having to truck their girls are suffering from a reduced staff mus- produce; a major logistics headache for them, and a big loss of revenue for KiwiRail. In addition the Tranz Alpine is only running to Arthurs pass and many passengers are not electing to continue the journey via bus to Greymouth. This means local businesses are missing out on the revenue these tour- ists bring and this is having a noticeable effect around Greymouth. In other news the Greymouth yard rosters have joined the QRS rostering system and local control is now done from a call centre in Takapuna. To be fair the rollout has gone reasonably well, and so far it seems to be working at a functional level. In operations KiwiRail is flat out recruit- The Omoto slip ing staff to get numbers back to workable

The Transport Worker • December 2019 33

We're hearing that investment into Hillside. Let's not forget procurement of new that this is not a hand out, it's investment in TIMARU RAIL rolling stock for the a vital piece of infrastructure that will gener- South Island shunt ate growth and will benefit all. This makes E'VE had a couple of growing loco and loco fleet is economic, social and environmental sense. issues of late. The first is a moving ahead. This is certainly not before On a sad note Michael Ferris was killed result of what seems to be poor time – the shunts are, to coin a phrase, in a motorcycle accident sometime during Wmanagement at Fonterra. Readers will be absolutely buggered and across the rail aware that the outgoing CEO went off with corridor our locos are failing badly. We feel the night of November 4/5. Our sincere and a big golden handshake despite leaving for our brothers and sisters in mechanical heartfelt sympathy to his whanau. He was a multi-million dollar hole in the balance and servicing depots who try to fix and a solid RMTU delegate and a passionate sheet. New Zealand First went public with maintain such dilapidated kit. Whilst it's railwayman. criticism of Fonterra's management style a not easy, KiwiRail has had years to plan and Finally, local lad Dan Ackroyd is doing few weeks ago and now the effect is being order new mainline and shunt locos. The his RCO training and making good progress felt at the frontline. For us that means the lack of certainty around funding under the we hear. Keep it up Dan, we need young imminent loss of our two shuttles between previous government was a real handicap. blood now the financial future of the railway Temuka Container Transfer Terminal and The current regime, with its three coalition looks more certain. Primeport in Timaru as Fonterra is opting partners committed to rail, is a once in a As we head into another glorious South to use road instead of rail in what appears generation opportunity to get some decent to be a short term cost cutting exercise. gear – let's not mess this up! Canterbury summer we wish all our broth- Temuka Transport, Specialized Containers On that positive note we applaud the ers and sisters around the country the very Ltd and KiwiRail are all frustrated by this Government's decision to pump $20m of best for a safe and prosperous end to 2019 decision as are our members. and the same for 2020!

TIMARU PORT able to wield if labour management would acknowledge that – but on the New Zealand the key point is that we're working together E'VE had a pretty quiet time waterfront was as well on it. We're gathering and sharing data here at Timaru Port these past organised as it is in rail. Imagine one union and both parties are trying to square the few months, although we are with one national agreement for all our circle of running a 24/7 operation with the Wgearing up for the busy season as these ports? No race to the bottom on wages and vagaries of shipping and managing fatigue. conditions between competing ports and notes are being written. Compared to some other ports there seems Our branch watched the dispute be- the shipping companies would lose the to be an acceptance here that workers have tween the RMTU and MUNZ and Port Otago ability to play off one port against another. a contribution to make in managing risk – with interest. The shipping companies The other aspect of the dispute that were quick to react when the negotiations interested us was the backward attitude of and not an outdated autocratic mode of collapsed and the overtime ban kicked in at Port Otago management towards involving management that we see elsewhere. Port Chalmers. We became noticeably busi- workers in the management of fatigue. Our As we head into the summer we wish all er for a while as did KiwiRail who were mov- initiative on fatigue management that we our fellow members around the country the ing freight in our direction. We did ponder have undertaken with Quality Marshalling very best for a safe and prosperous end to about the industrial strength we would be may not be perfect – both members and 2019 and the same for the new year.

OTAGO RAIL achieved an increase of initially taking no increase in order to look 18%. What was challenging after the lower paid but wanted the deal e've had a very busy time here in reaching this agreement extending to two years with a 2% increase in Otago Rail this past three was the fact the company made a loss last in year two. By deferring their pay rise these months on the industrial, po- year and is projected to make a loss in members enabled management to give the a Wlitical and safety fronts. the current financial year. Management pay jolt to lower paid RMTU members. That Begin with the industrial, our members did recognise however, that pay rates are meant that some people went from $17.70 in Dunedin Railways secured a ground such that a freeze was not an option and to $21.15/hour in one hit. Great result and breaking wage deal that saw all of those paid so signaled their willingness to pay up to great solidarity! below the living wage rate of $21.15/hour 2% for a one year agreement. Our better Our other major activity on the in- moved to that rate. This meant some people paid members said they were agreeable to dustrial front has been in support of our

The Transport Worker • December 2019 34 AROUND THE BRANCHES

comrades at Port Chalmers where the drivers. In short this outsourcing model and one to strengthen our resolve to fight RMTU branch and the local MUNZ branch drives down wages and encourages employ- for a safe railway: as the slogan says: Mourn have been in dispute with Port Otago Ltd. ers to attack terms and conditions. It didn't the dead and fight for the living. It's been really good to see the unity and take our officials long to join the dots and As your scribe sat down to write solidarity of the two unions on the water- see the connections between this and the these notes news arrived of the Coalition front and our branch was proud to have behaviour of Transdev in Wellington and government's $20 million injection from a presence at demonstrations outside the Auckland in recent years. the Provisional Growth Fund to revitalise mediation service backing up the RMTU- Health and Safety was at the forefront Hillside Workshops. This is tremendous MUNZ negotiation team. Members from of our minds on October 20 when the for the RMTU, KiwiRail and the city of KiwiRail and Dunedin Railways found branch, together with our RMTU Southland Dunedin. The campaign we waged to stop themselves on the front page of the busi- comrades and KiwiRail, organised a com- the running down and closure of Hillside ness section of the local paper in a picture memoration to mark the 20th anniversary in 2011-12 may not have been successful that spoke a thousand words. It was very of the Waipahi train disaster which took the in stopping the almost complete shutdown pleasing to hear that our union and MUNZ life of LE Graham White. A special passenger of the operation but the fact is that it is secured a good deal in bargaining – proof train was provided by Dunedin Railways, KiwiRail's only heavy lift facility in the South that unity gets results. hauled by KiwiRail locomotives, to take 150 Island. Our persistence in advocating for its Our branch officials have been active on friends, colleagues and relatives of Graham re-opening finally yielded a result. Hillside the political front, with chair Murry George to the commemoration. The ceremony and has a proud history and our branch will and secretary Dave Kearns accompanying speeches were very moving, together with a continue to advocate for the growth of the Gareth Bachop to the Unions Otago CTU haka led by RMTU and KiwiRail members. A workshops and the reestablishment of a Government forum to meet the Prime special thank you to Paul Henry and Brian manufacturing operation as well as repair Minister and members of the Labour and McKay for your work in making the day so and maintenance. For now though, we will Green parties. Really interesting stuff. For special and all the other people who made celebrate this win and we are proud of all example, we were very pleased to hear that a contribution to such a smooth running our members and allies who worked so the Greens are in favour of extending the event. While the day was a wonderful op- tirelessly to get us this far. right to strike. Another point of interest portunity for old friends and colleagues to Solidarity from Otago and stay safe over was the impact of the Public Transport catch up and reminisce, no one lost sight the summer! Operating Model (PTOM) on Dunedin bus of the fact that this was a very sad occasion

less experience stuck to- mention must also go to the Tramways gether and got involved. Union who were very visible in backing us. PORT CHALMERS In early October we We had a presence at the Unions Otago S RMTU members will be aware sent a few key delegates CTU Government Forum in September and from The Activist and news along to RMTU training in Dunedin, just as thanks to one of our veteran delegates Merv reports the major focus for our the dispute was coming to a head, and it Read for taking the time to represent us. branchA over the past three months has been was great to meet with the local rail branch The coalition is a strange beast – it appears securing a renewed collective agreement delegates and active members and discuss the only thing the three parties agree on is with Port Otago. We are one of the few ports the events that were unfolding. The sup- that rail is a good thing! That's great for the where we remain in a multi-union collective port of the Otago rail branch of the RMTU RMTU but we felt for our sisters and broth- agreement with MUNZ and the stand out was outstanding – thank you brothers and ers in the health and education sectors and factor in our negotiations was the solidarity sisters. Your protests outside the Mediation those workers in industries that need Fair between our branch and the MUNZ local. Service premises filled our negotiation team Pay Agreements to stop the race to the bot- The story of the dispute that flared with resolve. tom. Three parties with different prior-ities up between the unions and Port Otago is Our RMTU national women's repre- makes for a difficult course to navigate. told elsewhere in this edition, but what sentative, Rebecca Hauck, and Otago rail On October 20 branch secretary Alan your scribe would like to do is thank all branch secretary Dave Kearns deserve Richardson attended a very moving ceremo- the officials, delegates and active members special mention for their efforts as do the ny to commemorate the 20th anniversary who stepped up and demonstrated our members from Dunedin Railways who of the Waipahi disaster that took the life union values of unity and solidarity. The found time to express their solidarity after of one of our members. Many of our port attendance at union meetings was excellent, securing a good wage deal themselves. We'd workers have worked in rail, or have friends people participated in debate in a comrade- also like to thank Unions Otago for their or relatives who do, and the day was a fitting ly fashion and our more mature members support, in particular their indefatigable reminder of the need to be ever vigilant and were impressed with the manner those with secretary Malcolm Deans, and a special fight of the living while we mourn our dead.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 35

We're heading into our busy season has more than enough to do. That means In the meantime, we wish all our RMTU now and with a settled collective agree- tackling the issue of fatigue, which was a whanau all the very best for the summer and ment, plenty of cruise ships, and increased key focus of our negotiations and is going festive season. Be safe and well and take the cargo coming across the wharves everyone to be even more of a priority. time to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Danny and the branch figuratively and metaphorically, so don't SOUTHLAND RAIL winning a Safeguard accept sub-standard kit – your life may National Health and depend on it. E had our AGM in August Safety Award. Danny did plenty of other On the question of new gear, Adam after the previous issue of good work as well – it just didn't get the Williams, KiwiRail's general manager for The Transport Worker went publicity of that particular initiative. He rolling stock and asset services – the new to press and a reshuffle of branch officials W remains our LE delegate and continues to fangled name for mechanical – visited us saw Stacy Chandler being elected the new do good work on behalf of members with and went for a ride out to Bluff. He's in the secretary. Thanks Stacy for stepping up his combination of resolve and pragmatism business of buying new locos and shunt – the branch secretary's job is a vital one that has achieved consistently good results. engines and seemed receptive to what and we appreciate you taking on the task. Our branch remains active in ensur- front line workers down here had to say. A huge thank you to our outgoing sec- ing the rolling stock we work with is up Thanks for taking the time to come and see retary Danny Kent, who was instrumental to standard. us Adam – we've high expectations of your in putting the branch on the map with his Together with the Otago rail branch work and hope you'll spend the money our tireless work around health and safety. Who we've been diligent in logging faults and collation government is investing wisely. will ever forget the video of the 'dancing on one occasion banning a loco that was The big event of the last couple of coffee cup' that highlighted the condition not fit for purpose. The fact is that it is months was the 20th anniversary com- of some of our locos and eventually led to the squeaky wheel that gets oiled, both memoration of the Waipahi train disaster. In many ways this was the RMTU's Pike River, in that it threw much of what was wrong with the health and safety systems in our (at the time) privatised railway into sharp relief. (see report page 18-21) On Sunday October 20, 2019 a van load of past and present colleagues drove to Waipahi from Invercargill meeting the passenger special that ran from Dunedin as we gathered to mark the anniversary of the collision that claimed the life of LE Graham White. Sadly this was not the only fatality rail workers endured at that time and it has been a long road back to where we are today. Your scribe encourages everyone that hasn’t read Hazel's book ‘Your Life for the Job’ to get a copy of it (it's available from RMTU National Office), and reflect on the next time you make a mandatory call approaching some distant station in the wee small hours, or you stop a movement because your mate hasn't been heard on the radio beyond the 10 second requirement. These rules are put in place because people have paid for them with their lives. On that sober note, we wish everyone the very best for the summer and a safe and happy festive season. A copy of the full financial statements is available upon request to the Union's national office.

The Transport Worker • December 2019 BRANCH36 CELEBRATION ROUNDUP

Thumbs up from Dunedin Railways delegate Julian Evans and member Paul Jeffrey after negotiations. Paul got a 21% pay rise to take him to the living wage. (above) Hard working KiwiRail track gang on the West Coast.

(r) Lyttelton Port branch member Heiner Benecke supports striking lab technicians in Christchurch.

(below) RMTU Woolston City Depot members ratify the new inland ports collective agree- ment with LPC and get a 9.27% pay rise.

(r) Dave Wilson is congratulated on his retirement by RSAS delegate Luke James at Middleton Yard.

The Transport Worker • December 2019