Activist #23, 2009
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Rail & Maritime Transport Union IIISSUEISSUE # 22232333 Published Regularly - ISSN 1178-7392 (Print & Online) 18 December 2009 Employer Collective Agreement report back meetings all week. The meetings have been MERRY CHRISTMAS held in all reasonable sized locations from one end of NZ to the other. It is pleasing to ND APPY report that the jointly developed RMTU- A A H , KiwiRail wageround framework has been resoundingly endorsed by members JOYOUS AND SAFE attending those meetings with the vast majority of votes being unanimous. Equally encouraging is that members have 2010! resoundingly endorsed the “no claims” It has been a busy year. For all that are approach to this year’s negotiations so as to having a break over the Christmas and New allow negotiators to focus on aligning Year, we hope you have a restful period off, conditions into the single collective for those that still have to work – take care, agreement. be safe. The Steering committee Merry Christmas (9 RMTU and 9 KiwiRail) and Happy New will meet in Wellington Year 2010. On behalf of the Union’s on Tuesday 22 December to debrief from the President, National roadshow tour and to RMTU Management Committee plan our meetings for CHRISTMAS and Staff we wish all 2010. CLOSEDOWN members and their families Thank you to all members who made the The Union’s a happy and joyous effort to attend meetings National, Bay of Christmas. We also wish and gave your support to Plenty and Lyttelton you a healthy, safe and the plan. Offices will be closed from 24 prosperous (the only way Please ensure that all of December 2009 to with collective bargaining) you vote in the MECA ballots in February 2010. 18 January 2010. 20 10 . No staff will be on call or available on the Stat Days except in GOVERNMENT dire emergency. Scott Wilson in our Auckland Office is “on deck” during the ACTION NEEDED TO AVOID Christmas/New Year period. He is JOBLESS GROWTH contactable on 0272464961 or 09 2705115 or rail ext 98115. Though the Minister of Finance says we have “been through the worst”, the Government’s Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update KIWI RAIL GROUP MEETINGS – forecasts unemployment rising to 7 percent PROPOSED MECA in the next 3 months, falling only marginally (to 6.9 percent) in 2011 and still at 6.0 As you all know we have been participating percent in 2012, said CTU Economist and in Joint KiwiRail Group-RMTU Multi Policy Director Bill Rosenberg. NZIER’s just- 2 www.rmtunion.org.nz The Activist released consensus forecasts are more RAIL DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY pessimistic, forecasting unemployment sticking at 7.0 percent in 2011 and 6.3 INTERPRETATIONS percent in 2012. The foundations of the D&A policies we have The Update shows improving outlook for today in Rail were initially discussed and both growth in the economy and agreed in 2003. The outsourcing occurred government finances, though still with within the Rail industry and the D&A policy some risks. then became employer specific policies. Like “The forecast is therefore for “jobless the Collective Agreements there have been growth”: not enough jobs being created for some movement in wording over time but people entering the labour force such as the union believes the application, intent and from education, and to get unemployed application of the 2003 rail Industry D&A people back into work,” said Rosenberg. policy has been unchanged. The changes have essentially been of a technical nature ‘The Government should be using its as testing methods have changed etc. greater room for movement to put more money into creating jobs and actively KR Networks (formerly ONTRACK helping those who become unemployed. Infrastructure) believes otherwise and is stating that a positive (or non negative) “It is not good enough for Mr English to say result will result in immediate summary that only the private sector can create jobs. dismissal unless an employee has already We hope they do, but there are enough “put their hand up” for rehabilitation. risks on the horizon, especially for exporters, that it cannot be counted on. The extensive discussion, agreement and application of the rail industry policy has “Spending on infrastructure, new housing always included a strong emphasis on and green development are some ways it rehabilitation with aligned fair treatment and could help. It should also be putting more graduated warnings that c/would eventually resources into active help for people out of lead to dismissal if rehabilitation was not work to help them get new skills if they achieved. need them, and to search for work. This change in approach by KRN (ONTRACK) “Investment in skills development and is of concern and may be leading to encouraging more people into education disparate outcomes within the Rail Industry. are obvious areas for greater government priority. While the union is currently investigating these matters, we need to continue to “Mr English made it clear that there is not a reiterate the same strong message – Drugs real threat from the Credit Rating Agencies and Alcohol – NOT AT WORK MATE! such as Fitch and Standard and Poor’s. He confessed that they will focus on countries We strongly urge/advise any members that ‘which really have a problem’ rather than have alcohol and/or drug dependency/use New Zealand. issues to seek immediate rehabilitation assistance by putting up their hand. “New Zealand’s net debt is now forecast to peak at just above 30 percent in 2016. Debt in the U.K. is already at 59 percent SAVE OUR SOL this year, and forecasts for many countries Was on everyone’s lips last week when in the OECD are for levels well over 100 Organiser Todd Valster was up the Taranaki percent of GDP. last week. The Union was gauging support “Government debt is not the problem. from members for a Union campaign to save Private debt still is, with current account the Stratford Okahukura (SOL) line from deficits forecast to rise to over 7 percent in mothballing and suspected closure. The first 2013 and 2014. train ran over the SOL on 13 December 1932. The line was closed to passenger “The Government appears to be using the trains in January 2007 which was seen by Credit Rating Agencies as a cover for its the local communities at the time as a “kick wish to significantly cut government in the guts”. spending as a proportion of GDP.” 18/12/09 3 www.rmtunion.org.nz The Activist Let’s all join together to “save Our SOL” as investigating and preventing the most a rail corridor to ensure ongoing serious workplace accidents." development and timely linkage with NZ’s most populace areas rather than a Ms Wilkinson says she will introduce cycleway. We are assured there is no legislation to Parliament in the New Year to government interference in the decision to amend the Health and Safety in Employment mothball (and possible close) despite the Act. Prime Ministers stated love for cycleways – yeah right! The change will be combined with several other proposed changes to the Act. These Material is being developed for the include: campaign. • Providing a levy mechanism to enable PROPOSAL TO CHANGE the Department of Labour to recover the costs of enforcing the Hazardous DEFINITION OF SERIOUS HARM Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 in workplaces; Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson has announced a proposal to change the • Requiring businesses to collaborate to definition of 'serious harm' meet their duties under under the Health and the Health and Safety in Safety in Employment Act Employment Act where 1992. they share a workplace; and Serious harm is a pivotal definition in workplace Aligning the rules of self health and safety incrimination in the Health legislation. If serious and Safety in Employment harm occurs, employers Act with those in the or those in control of a Evidence Act 2006. workplace are required to QUEENSLAND RAIL immediately notify the Department of Labour, the SALE HITS THE UNION Civil Aviation Authority or HURDLE Maritime New Zealand. Workers at QR have walked Ms Wilkinson says it is off the job in protest over the important to set the proposed sharemarket float threshold for serious harm at an of the company’s freight businesses, and appropriate level. over the lack of consultation by the government. QR is to be split into two The proposed definition will include physical entities, with the coal and freight business injuries leading to an employee being and its above-rail infrastructure floated unable to perform their normal duties for under the name QR National. Passenger rail 10 or more calendar days. It will also services would remain part of the include any permanent injuries, specified government owned corporation called QR, events such as electrocution or loss of and a 99-year lease over the coal rail consciousness, and diagnosed occupational network would be included in QR National. illnesses. The Queensland Labour Government first mooted the sale in its June Budget. It has "This definition provides more certainty and been condemned by the public and the will ensure that employers are not required affected unions. to spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with what can be minor matters. The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says its members were not consulted on QR’s latest "It will also assist the Department of Labour move, and are angered that workshops such and other enforcement agencies to focus on as those at Redbank, Rockhampton and Townsville are now part of the sale. About 18/12/09 4 www.rmtunion.org.nz The Activist 300 workers at Redbank and 150 workers Big Belly Woman, Julian Temple Band, at Rockhampton held stop work meetings Native Sons and Roy G and the BIVinators.