Rail & Maritime Transport Union Volume ISSUE # 101010

Published Regularly - ISSN 1178-7392 (Print & Online) 1 May 2009

LATEST STATS – UNEMPLOYMENT SHAREHOLDERS ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFIT COMPENSATION FROM TRANZ RAIL Latest statistics released shows that at the CASE end of March 2009, 37,000 working aged A list of the shareholders who are eligible for people (aged 18-64 years) were receiving compensation from the Tranz Rail insider is an Unemployment Benefit. Over the year available from the following Securities to March 2009, the number of recipients of Commission of NZ website link; an Unemployment Benefit increased by 18,000, or 95 percent. The link to the info http://www.seccom.govt.nz/tranz-rail-share- sheet is; refund.shtml#K http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/abou Shareholders on this list can contact Geoff t-msd-and-our- work/newsroom/factsheets/benefit/2009 Brown on (04) 471 8295 or email /fact-sheet-ub-09-mar-31.doc [email protected] for information about how to claim their compensation. MAY DAY Claimants will need to verify their identity and shareholding details. They should May Day is celebrated and recognized as contact the Commission no later than 24 July the International Workers’ day, chosen over 2009 so that compensation can be paid. 100 years ago to commemorate the struggles and gains of workers and the labour PORTS FORUM movement. Most notable An interesting and reasons to celebrate are challenging programme the 8-hour day, is in store for delegates Saturday as part of the attending the 2009 weekend, improved National Ports Forum in working conditions and on 5 & 6 child labor laws. But May 2009. these gains were not attained without the solidarity of workers. Notable guest attending and speaking at the forum include MUNZ officials to discuss the As workers, we must recognize and application of the ITF’s Ports of Convenience commemorate May Day not only for its campaign to Port Tauranga, Port Tauranga historical significance, but also as a time to CEO Mark Cairns, Port Napier CEO Garth organize and speak out around issues that Cowie. A DVD address from the ITF will also are impacting working-class people today. be played to delegates at the forum. May Day dinners and other events are being held around NZ to celebrate this most TOLL NETWORK TRAVEL famous day for working class men and women. PRIVILEGES Our Toll Networks (Toll Tranz Link) members are experiencing difficulties in obtaining privilege travel fares from their boss. It appears that some TN managers are

2 www.rmtunion.org.nz The Activist demanding payment of the full fare before The cost of the ballot is in the order of the travel is booked and then our Union $3500.00 and so all members are urged to member must await the reimbursement of exercise their democratic right to cast a the monies. This is not what has been vote. agreed between the parties and is a barrier MAKE SURE YOU VOTE! for many of our members to use the travel privs. We contacted TN HR and the national HR manager responded as follows; CALL FOR NOMINATIONS “I confirm that the following options are KIWI RAIL NETWORKS (F ORMERLY given to employees on the collective for claiming travel benefits: ONTRACK ) 1. Purchase the ticket INDUSTRIAL and claim back the COUNCIL ! benefit through the expense claim process The Union calls for (turnaround 1 week), or; nominations for the following positions 2. Complete the Travel from members who fall Benefit Request form within the categories of representation; which is available from HR and was sent through to all branches last year in Infrastructure – Ganger/Foreperson July/August (will be available on • If you hold a position of ganger the intranet when the IT split with KiwiRail (foreperson) in any area of KiwiRail is completed.). Travel will be booked and Networks operation then you are available dates confirmed with employee. eligible for nomination for this For a discounted ticket the branch will be position. notified of the cost and the employee will then be required to pay this discounted rate Operations – Signalpersons before the ticket is issued. • If you are employed as a If your members are in doubt or are being Signalperson within KiwiRail Networks told otherwise then I suggest they get in then you are eligible for nomination touch with the HR Administrator (Khurs) to this position. and she will sort it out for them. ” Nomination forms are available from the The forms are also available from the Union Union’s Website www.rmtunion.org.nz offices or your branch secretary. or National Office by calling 04 4992066, fax 04 4710896 or by email to RMTU NATIONAL PRESIDENT [email protected] Nominations must be moved and seconded ELECTION by current financial Union members who are Nominations were called in accordance with employed within the same area for which the Rule 24 of the Rules & Standing Orders of nominee is being nominated for and an the Rail & Maritime Transport Union acceptance of nomination signed by the nominations for the position of National nominee. President. At the close of nominations two Correctly completed Nominations must (2) nominations had been received. Phil be received in the Unions National Office Bosworth and Jim Kelly have been duly and by 1700hrs 8 May 2009. correctly nominated and so ballot is required. A postal ballot of all financial members will be conducted and papers TRANSPORT WORKER ISSUE 2 - despatched from the National Office during 2009 week ending 9 May 2009. The ballot will close 29 May 2009 and a result declared The deadline for all branch notes, letters to shortly thereafter. the editor or other contributions (including photos) is 8 May 2009.

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Contributions from Branches who have initiatives that have worked well. been absent to date would be particularly The category finalists, in alphabetic order welcome as would individual letters from within category, are: members on topics they feel strongly Air best initiative to about. address a safety hazard Remember it is YOUR magazine. • Humes Pipelines, Auckland • CONFERENCE 2009 REMITS KiwiRail , (Mechanical Depot) Wellington A reminder that Remits for conference close • Paper Reclaim, Auckland on 31 July 2009 but late remits are frequently accepted and conference Department of Labour best initiative to delegates also have an opportunity to table address a health hazard “notices of motion” at conference to be • Air New Zealand, Christchurch debated on the floor as well. • Royal New Zealand Air Force, It is essential that early advice is Whenuapai given/received for remits which seek to achieve major change within the Union or • Total Bridge Services, Auckland the way it conducts itself as the delegates OfficeMax best initiative to improve need to be able to obtain a mandate on employee wellness how to vote at conference. • Air New Zealand, Auckland All remits to conference MUST have been passed by a majority vote at a • Manukau City Council, duly constituted Union branch Auckland meeting. • Metrowater, Auckland INALISTS ECIDED N NZ Safety best initiative to F D I encourage engagement in ANNUAL SAFETY health & safety AWARDS • Department of Labour, Auckland The finalists in the NZ • Workplace Health and Safety KiwiRail Corporate, Awards for 2009 have been Auckland decided from among the more • Otago District Health than 130 entries received. The Board, Dunedin winners in each of the 10 competitive categories, and a supreme winner, will be SICK best design or technology initiative announced at a gala dinner at SKYCITY • NZ Steel, Glenbrook Convention Centre in Auckland on 6 May. • The awards are organised by Safeguard Site Safe New Zealand, Wellington magazine and proudly supported by the • Transfield Services, Whangarei Department of Labour. The awards dinner is timed to coincide with the Safeguard Impac best health and safety initiative National Health and Safety Conference. by a small business Safeguard managing editor Peter Bateman • Manmac Ltd, Rotorua says "Health and safety people are the • unsung heroes of the New Zealand PJ & MJ Olsen Ltd, Tokoroa workplace and thoroughly deserve one • Troake, Silverdale night of celebration each year." Too often, he says, health and safety issues Transfield Services best significant feature in the media only after a workplace health and safety initiative by a large fatality. The awards are an opportunity to organisation celebrate the good news about health and • Foodstuffs (Auckland) safety, and to share knowledge about

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• Northern Gateway Alliance, keep trading, work with the workers and the Auckland union and seek the help of industry organisations in this salvage operation.” • WPI, Tangiwai “The receivers should start by picking up the ACC best leadership of an industry phone and talking to us. The workers we sector or region represent have plenty to say and will be • Leighton Contractors, Huntly partners in sorting out this mess,” said Maxine Gay. • NZ Forest Owners Association, Wellington KIWI RAIL PRESSURING TOLL • Otago District Health Board, Dunedin KiwiRail is in heavy negotiations with Toll Networks (Toll Tranz Link) to lift cartage • Super Air, Hamilton rates. Managing director Don Safeguard health and safety Braid has been widely reported within media practitioner of the year asking why Toll is not being charged market rates for its freight hauled by KiwiRail. Toll • Keith Johnson, Leighton Contractors, Network is easily KiwiRail’s largest freight Huntly forward customer. • Mark Taylor, Fletcher RMTU’s Wayne Butson has Construction, Tauranga expressed concern at the possible • Paul Reyneke, Foodstuffs implications of Toll taking its (Auckland) business elsewhere or electing to move it all by using its own trucking Ross Wilson – NZCTU most resources. “If Toll did move its influential employee freight from rail it would cost us • Andy Holyer, Clearlite, jobs within KiwiRail Freight” said Auckland Wayne. • Kaye Young, The Warehouse, Auckland 67 REDUNDANCIES • Michelle Scarf, Otago PROPOSED AT C.I. MUNRO District Health Board The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing The judging panel of five included Union has been advised of a proposal to representatives from the Department of make 67 redundancies at Caravans Labour, ACC, the NZ Council of Trade International Munro in Hamilton. Unions, Safeguard, and the winner of the health and safety practitioner from last The EPMU is entering consultation with the year. company to seek alternatives to job cuts, including the possibility of a nine day fortnight, and has requested for this NDU RELEASE : LWR - THE consultation to be extended. WORST NIGHTMARE So far the company has only committed to the minimum one week’s consultation The National Distribution Union says poor required under the collective agreement. management at Lane Walker Rudkin should not be allowed to cost 500 workers their CI Munro is a subsidiary of Tourism Holdings living and the country their skills. Ltd and produces caravans and camper-vans for the tourist market. “This is our worst nightmare” says Maxine Gay, Secretary of the Clothing and Textiles Sector of the National Distribution Union. BITS & BOBS “Hundreds of jobs are at stake and we are • NMC have determined that General sure that poor management is at the heart Secretary Wayne Butson and National of the problem. Westpac’s receivers need to Vice President Aubrey Wilkinson will

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attend the ITF Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Kuala Lumpur in June 2009. Wayne is the ITF NZ Country Convenor and the Asia Pacific Railway Section chair at present. • KiwiRail Freight is planning to do a roadshow around NZ to educate members/workers on the effects on the business of the current economic situation. RMTU Organisers will be attending the briefings also where possible. • It has been reported that the NZ Road Transport Forum gave $95000.00 for access to Politicians. • , , and Darren Hughes visited Port Napier to check out progress on the Port’s $47m wharf development.

LET ’S BE SAFE OUT THERE & REMEMBER ......

“WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER ”!

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