1 THETRANSPORT MAR

WORKER The2021 journal of the RMTU – NZ's largest specialist transport union

Laying rail in Timaru

The Transport Worker • March 2021 2 CONTENTS EDITORIAL

ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2021

5 Pandemic politics Wayne Butson, General secretary RMTU

John Kerr argues the case for a post neo-lebralism enlightenment after the affects of COVID-19 have passed.

10 Global recognition Another active Auckland's Jas Giri is recognised for his passionate advocacy with appointment to international committees. year in prospect

ELCOME to the first issue of our premier Union publication for 12 Vale 2021. The year has got off to a heavy workload start as we rush to The RMTU flag flies finalise the ratification of the KiwiRail MECA in time to do it again at half-mast at Hutt as it will expire shortly after signing, provided of course that YOU Workshops in ratify the proposed settlement. memory of union WWe are also heavily engaged with Government as an affiliate union as we surge stalwart and ahead on Fair pay Agreements, the Holidays Act rewrite and a number of other cherished colleague promises in the party manifesto. Phil Boswoth who There is no denying the government is determined to make a difference to died in January. the working lives of New Zealanders this parliamentary term and we have just the minister to lead the changes to workplace law in the Hon Michael Wood. Michael is an ex trade unionist and was actually a class mate of our Todd Valster in the inaugural Organising Works course run by the Council of Trade Unions here in COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Hardwork- Godzone. ing Timaru crew laying replacement rail through the Smithfield siding. See page 25. Giving voice to members' concerns I am sure you will join me in saying our mag is a bloody good read and I think this is attributable to the fact that we The rail run a good balance of the voice of the Union and things union The Transport Worker is published by the and give voice to the RMTU worker. The branch notes are a Rail and Maritime Transport Union, industry must read for most of us as it is an enlightening barometer P O Box 1103, Wellington, Aotearoa–New Zealand. continues which signals the temperature of our national membership. That is the reason why we strive to get as many branches as Design and production by Mike Regan. to ride a possible to contribute. If your branch is not a regular contribu- Printed by Pivotal+Thames Publications Ltd, major tor, please put up your hand and tell us about your branch. P O Box 11–025, Wellington. Our magazine is jam packed with live issues, photos and growth reports that are our current campaigning and fighting targets wave . as we deal with a wide range of employers and employer ap- www.rmtunion.org.nz proaches to organised labour. ISBN 1173–6488 Some would have you believe that it is all peace and harmony as we are skipping

The Transport Worker • March 2021 LETTERS 3 down the yellow brick road together. Union matters are important matters and we are dealing with issues on a daily basis which af- Gratitude fect the working lives of our members, their families and, in many Dear Editor, cases, their communities. Thanks for you and Rudd's guidance in reaching a resolve to Our work, struggle and battles are important, necessary and our new collective agreement. The members are pleased to be essential to the maintenance and constant improvement of terms moving to a lawful system with a work/life balance and guaran- and conditions of employment at the coalface and to maintaining teed hours. and developing public assets which others will have either run into Personally, I had never been in a union before North Tugz the ground or sold off to the highest bidder. and was completely unaware of the benefits. 2020 was a year none of us will forget for a while and, of Although I am still learning, as a delegate, the support and course, 2021 has also thrown a few short sharp scares. But by camaraderie throughout the organisation and branches has been and large, RMTU members came through those uncertain Covid exceptional. Just having access to this expertise within the RMTU times relatively unscathed with their employment and terms and family has been invaluable. conditions intact. This experience has opened the eyes of North Tugz members and shown that together we can move mountains. Union elections during 2021 A big thank you from all the team here at North Tugz. This year is election year for our Union. In March we will Chris Shaw call for nominations for the national president – a two year Proud RMTU delegate. position – and in May we will call for nominations for the national management committee (NMC) followed in July with elections to the KiwiRail industrial councils for positions left vacant following Retirements, departures & the NMC election. The rail industry continues to ride a major growth wave. The changing stations Government are strongly supportive of rail and we continue to be Dear Editor, advised of more funding for various parts of rail in New Zealand. Kia ora koutou katoa. Because you are members of a strong, democratic and well I would like to announce that I am putting forward my res- organised union you can be assured that, with your continued ignation of the Upper North Island KiwiRail Industrial Council unity, solidarity and support of your leadership, the RMTU will be a representative and will be taking up a new role as terminal powerful force within your workplace and will make 2021 another operations manager (people lead) in Westfield. year we can all be proud of. I am extremely excited to take the next step in my railway I am up for the mahi – I hope you are too! career and for the opportunity to contribute in this space. I will Kia kaha brothers and sisters. be taking up this new role on January 18, 2021. I am grateful for the time spent representing locomotive engineers of the upper north island, which, during my time I Ex-NZ LE in Perth hospital believe, have made great progress through the introduction of HPHE projects. These projects have highlighted the importance of understanding the complexity and challenges locomotive engineers have to face which in turn has given the KIC reps a better opportunity to improve our work environment. In closing, I would like to sincerely thank you so much for trusting me as a KIC representative which I have thoroughly enjoyed. It has been a great privilege working along side you all. If I can ever be of assistance to you in the future, please let me know. Nga mihi. Brendon Smith.

Dear Editor, As we continue to be in receipt of your magazine, The Transport Worker, I wish to inform you of my husband's death. Ray Anglesea, a Tranz Rail LE before moving to the Australian Dusty Miller passed on 26 November 2020. outback was driving this. At the time of publication he was in an Regards induced coma in Perth. Details are sketchy but it is possible his Jackie Miller. train collided with a multi-trailer iron ore truck near to Kalgoorlie, WA. The RMTU wishes him a speedy recovery. Dear Editor, As of Friday December 4 2020 I will be leaving KiwiRail on a

The Transport Worker • March 2021 4 LETTERS

medical discharge. the RMTU has done in greatly improving However, I do have a concern with the I wish to tender my resignation from the work place environment, highlighting relationship between those members who the RMTU and thank all the members for safety first and improving working condi- don't understand the principles of what the help and assistance given to me over tions and remuneration. I look back on a union is. The loss of interest for those the 50 plus years of service and wish you how we weathered the political storms members is of a concern and the Union all the very best for the future. of governments which wished to destroy needs to address this. Keith McKenzie the trade unions as an effective arm of the I want to wish the Union all the best Mechanical engineer. working masses. and importantly keeping up the fight for Meanwhile another government its membership and its principals. Dear Editor, brought rail infrastructure back within I also wish to thank the Union's officers It is with regret that it has come time, and Government ownership and ultimately past and present and in particular, Eddie due to health issues, I have had to resign putting rail back under the Government's Dickinson, Paul Corliss, Todd Valster, from Port Marlborough and also the Rail umbrella. Wayne Butson the late Brian Cronin. and Maritime Transport Union. Some of my highlights are being on the Also the elected officials, while there My experience with the Union has been picket line during the Progressive strike, are lots, please don't be offended if I miss fulfilling and through the years I have learnt supporting fellow unionist fight for better you: the late Phil Bosworth, Ian Wilkie, Jim the importance of being a member. conditions. Kelly, Aubrey Wilkinson, Ruth Blakeley and I entered the ranks of the RMTU in This strike showed unionism working Doug Blakie. 2002 and since then have had the privilege across the lower half of the North Island, Some of the fellow members I have of attending annual conferences, port con- truly inspiring. worked alongside. ferences, traning groups and educational Other recollections include being with Thank you for all your tireless efforts in seminars to name a few key activities. the NMC and being asked to leave the visi- maintaining an effective and well-respected Through these journeys I have met tors gallery in Parliament during a debate on trade union both within New Zealand and in some great people who have always shown the Greens transport policy and the 'Take the international trade union family. leadership and guidance. back the tracks' protest march with the peti- Lastly, thank you to the other unpaid It would be unfair to name anyone (but tion to the steps of Parliament and the track part of the team: my wife Glennis who had hang in there Todd and Aubrey). guys building a section of track and driving to put up with my highs and lows. One highlight of my service was the a jigger along 'The Parliamentary Spur'. Yours fraternally writing into the Port Marlborough collective While in Japan, myself and Ruth Blake- Wally Wallbutton agreement the position of a casual delegate. ley attend the meeting of the, International Team leader To all Union members I pass on my best Steering Committee and Second Interna- Locomotive engineer/64269 wishes to you all. All the best going forward. tional Council. Kind regards We, along with other delegates, ad- Dear Editor, Scott Golding. dressed the law makers and governments, I'll be leaving my position as locomotive opposed to trade union workers' rights and engineer and team leader here at Transdev Dear Editor, free speech. Wellington on Saturday, 20/02/2021. After 48 years of Union membership, sadly This was In particular regard to the I have been on the footplate and part of I must resign from the RMTU effective on JRU7 who were sacked and imprisoned in a union for the past 36 years, 15 years as a February 5, 2021 as that is when I retire Japan. This was showing true international member of the RMTU. from KiwiRail. solidarity with other members of the ICLS I want to make clear my gratitude to- I have enjoyed my membership of the The BMW team of Bernie Snook, the late wards the RMTU and in particular the great following unions: Engine Drivers, Fireman Murray Dunlop and myself on working on work the delegates are doing. The agreed and Cleaners Association, Locomotive Engi- the universal cab option, redesigning the ROM (still to be implemented) will make a neers Association and the Combined Union DFB, DXR and DL cab. big difference in the lives of our colleagues of Railway Employees. Being a Union activist, it is done without regarding managing fatigue risk and general Over the last 25 years I have held mem- reward, mostly in your own time and with- health. bership of the Rail and Maritime Transport out expectation. The rewards are hugely The increase in sick leave from six to Union with roles ranging from; satisfying, and I wouldn't have wanted it 10 days is long overdue, especially for shift * Locomotive sector delegate any differently. workers. * Branch secretary With the highs you have you have the It was a privilege to be part of the RMTU. * LE Industrial Council other side, where you are representing Please accept this letter as my official no- * Trustee LE SAD fund a member who is possibly facing losing tice of resignation. I appreciate your assis- * National Management Committee. their employment or dealing with loss of a tance in having my membership removed. First and foremost, I have always upheld member through an accident. Kind regards the Union ideal and its philosophies. There is no training for this situation William Delaney It is with pride that I look back at what and they can be quite daunting experiences. Locomotive engineer team leader.

The Transport Worker • March 2021 NEWS 5 New life members

(above) General secretary Wayne Butson (left) presents former locomotive engineer Mike Williams (right) with his life membership certificate at the joint meeting of the Canterbury Rail and Lyttleton Port branches in December. (right) National Management Committee South Island ports rep- resentative Andy Kelly (right) presents Port Otago branch stalwart Mervyn Read (left) with his life membership certificate at the joint meeting of the RMTU Port Otago branch and MUNZ Local 10 in Port in December.

Global warming warning

West Coast branch Members give voice to their call for our Union to develop a policy on a just transition for those whose jobs are threatened by the running down of fossil fuel industries and to advocate for the retention of those jobs until a viable replacement for coal is found.

The Transport Worker • March 2021 6 OPINION Will the pandemic change our politics?

By John Kerr

LMOST the first line of the RMT's (our sister British union) rule book, commits it "to work for the Asupersession of the capitalist system by a so- cialistic order of society". Here in New Zea- land the RMTU harbour no such ambitions in our rules and standing orders, merely that we work to advance the 'interests [of members] and the interests of workers generally in relation to their conditions of employment, standard of living, economic and social interests and quality of life.' Regardless of the ultimate aims of our respective unions what is not in doubt is During the Black Plague years, doctors wore iconic getups that included masks filled the social and economic system we live in with scented herbs to protect themselves from dangerous miasmas. . . . is in crisis as the huge human and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is felt said the worst mistake you can make is to impact of the last great global pandemic, across the globe. be prematurely right. It seems the scientists the influenza in 1918, just as the first world Although we were warned about the in- who warned us did just that. war was ending. evitability of a global pandemic, COVID-19 It can be argued that if we don't remem- While that war is remembered for the still came as a shock. ber our history we're at risk of repeating huge toll it took in human life, the influen- Management guru Peter Drucker once it. A good place to start may be with the za pandemic killed between 50 and a 100 PORTS RETIREMENT PLAN ARE YOU A MEMBER? The Ports Retirement Plan is open to all port workers.

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The Transport Worker • March 2021 7 million people, compared to the 20 million 'From the first week of lockdown, the who died in the fighting. pandemic stripped away the veneer of poli- tics to reveal the boorish reality underneath: Stunning devastation that some people have the power to tell the rest what to do.' In 2017 Laura Spinney wrote Pale In other words, there always was an- Rider:The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It other way of doing things and the idea Changed the World, and argued its devas- that forks in the road only occur at specific tation was so stunning that people chose points in time is a 'convenient lie' – 'the to collectively forget it. She argued it was truth is we face a fork in the road every day responsible for altering history in ways we of our lives'. have since chosen to ignore: 'It influenced the course of the First World War and, arguably, contributed to Virus: greater impact the second. It pushed India closer to inde- on brown and poor pendence, South Africa closer to apartheid, and Switzerland to the brink of civil war. It people ushered in universal healthcare and alter- Globally, the virus has had a greater Laura Spinney author of Pale Rider: The native medicine, our love of fresh air and impact on poorer and browner people. Spanish Flu of 1918 and how it changed our passion for sport.' Their poverty has aged them faster, disem- the world. As the COVID-19 pandemic has run its powered them more and made them more course, more and more thinkers are turning vulnerable to disease. Early this year The their minds to its long term economic, polit- Guardian reported the 'global vaccine-shar- ical and social impact and asking questions ing fund, Covax, says it is preparing to about what kind of post COVID world will deliver its first doses in February but is emerge. Will it have far-reaching effects competing with nations striking their own, similar to that of the 1918 'flu pandemic? often more lucrative, deals with manufactur- One writer who takes COVID-19 as a ers to secure limited supplies of vaccines.' potential catalyst for a changed world is In other words, rich countries are buy- former Greek finance minister Yanis Varou- ing up the vaccines. Here in New Zealand, fakis whose book Another Now; Dispatches Maori, who statistically have worse health from an Alternative Present was published outcomes than pakeha, are having to advo- late last year. cate strongly to get priority vaccine access. In it, this self-proclaimed anti-capitalist Varoufakis argues it is naive to believe tries to answer his partner who has appar- the exercise of state power will inevitably ently asked him repeatedly since the week be a force for good. he first met her: "what is the alternative? And The same elites that were responsible precisely how would things – like money, for the increased impact of the virus on companies and housing – work?" poorer browner people have been handed Part novel, part economics text book, immense power. Another Now's story begins in the late He forecasts the Amazons of this world the emptying of theatres, the silencing of 1970s, covers the global financial crisis of will flourish, that pollution and carbon music venues. 2008 and the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 – but emissions – briefly stopped by lockdowns 'All notions of a minimal state, mindful also continues into an imaginary future, – will return and everywhere borders will of its limits and eager to cede power to concluding in 2036. There is a moment close. individuals, went out of the window. in the story when, on a Sunday evening in Big tech will be used to do the job of 'Many salivated at this show of raw November 2025 to be precise, his characters the new fascists who don't have to wear state power. Even free-marketeers, who try to make sense of their circumstances by brown shirts or even enter government to had spent their lives shouting down any looking back to the events of 2020. gain power. suggestion of even the most modest boost In his own words: Apps designed to stop new outbreaks in public spending, demanded the sort of 'Before 2020, politics seemed almost can be used to monitor our every move in state control of the economy not seen since like a game, but with COVID came the ways that will make the KGB or Cambridge Leonid Brezhnev was running the Kremlin. realisation that governments everywhere Analytica seem primitive. Across the world, the state funded private possessed immense powers. Is this inevitable however? firms' wage bills, renationalised utilities 'The virus brought the 24-hour curfew, Since the collapse of the global financial and took shares in airlines, car makers, the closure of pubs, the ban on walking system in 2008, mainstream social dem- even banks. through parks, the suspension of sport, ocratic parties – Labour in New Zealand

The Transport Worker • March 2021 8

Yanis-Varoufakis, author of Another Now: Dispatches from an Alternative Now.

being one of them – have struggled to come ner has a single non-tradeable share. By denominated in a digital currency. up with an alternative to neo-liberal capital- granting employee-partners the right to vote Being Greek, Varoufakis calls this the ism. Our Prime Minister's rhetoric may be in the corporation's general assemblies, the 'Kosmos'. If the Kosmos value of a country's all about kindness and how capitalism has distinction between wages and profits is ter- imports exceeds its exports, it is charged a failed but even with an unheard of overall minated and democracy, at last, enters the levy in proportion to the trade deficit. majority in an MMP parliament her govern- workplace. He calls this 'corpo-syndicalism'. But, equally, if a country's exports ment looks anything but 'transformative'. Under this scheme everyone, from a exceed its imports, it is also charged the firm's senior managers to its most junior levy. A levy is also charged on the specula- Ideas for progressive employees, receives a basic wage plus a tive money movements that do such harm bonus that is decided collectively. to poorer economies. activists to adopt The single non-tradeable share system These levies are used to fund green Varoufakis offers such an alternative: a encourages smaller decision-making units, investments in the global south. society that is fully democratised, econom- leading conglomerates to voluntarily break ically as well as at the ballot box. In reality up into smaller enterprises, thereby ensur- An impossible his 'alternative future', argued over by his ing market competition. three main characters –a Marxist-feminist, Share markets vanish as shares, like utopian future? a libertarian ex-banker and a maverick drivers licences and library cards, are It is, of course, easy to accuse Varoufakis technologist – is perhaps better seen as a non-tradeable. of describing an 'impossible' utopian future menu of ideas that could be adopted and Once share markets have disappeared, and to dismiss his ideas out of hand. But in adapted by progressive activists. the need for huge debts to fund mergers 1914 very few people imagined the collapse His alternative system to capitalism is and acquisitions evaporates – along with of the German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian called 'market socialism' to distinguish it commercial finance. And given that the and Ottoman Empires in the next four years. from Soviet style rationing that grants arbi- central bank provides everyone with a free As Laura Spinney tells us, even fewer trary power to 'the ugliest of bureaucrats'. In bank account, private banking shrinks into foresaw a global pandemic that would infect describing it he addresses issues such as the utter insignificance. a third of the world's population and kill fear that powerful people will manipulate Government finances are raised through between 50 and 100 million people. elections even under market socialism; the a 5% tax on raw revenues, not profit, of the Few imagined universal health care stubborn refusal of patriarchy to die; gender corpo-syndicalist firms; and proceeds from would be achieved within a generation in and sexual politics; the funding of the green leasing land, all of which belongs to the many West European countries and that transition; borders and migration; a bill of community, for private, time-limited, use. India would be independent. digital rights so on. There is a scheme for regulating interna- It might just be that time is finally up for Two of the key features of 'market so- tional trade that shifts wealth to the global neo-liberal global capitalism, and as Varo- cialism' are a sophisticated universal income south for use as direct green investments, ufakis says 'having conceived of a feasible and a trust fund scheme granted through while also preventing imbalances that cause socialism that blasts [it] out of the water, a central bank to everybody; and untaxed crises. All trade and all money movements what must we do, and how far are we willing earnings from working in democratised between different monetary jurisdictions to go, to bring it about?' companies in which every employee-part- (eg the UK and the Eurozone or the US) are

The Transport Worker • March 2021 NEWS 9 A tortured voyage to success

HE long voyage of the North Tugz' Things got complicated when the Com- ballot meant we would withdraw labour in bargaining is finally over. We have pany disagreed with the RMTU's interpreta- the run up to Christmas. This meant the a collective agreement which cov- tion of availability to work. This issue went probability of oil shortages in the South Ters off all the needs of our members and in front of the Employment Authority and Island over the Christmas period. This fo- provides the Company with the flexibility a determination came back that was a slam cused the attention of the Company who, they require. A win-win as the academics dunk in favour of the RMTU's interpreta- after three successive strike notices, came would say. tion, which saw, amongst other things, that back to the table with an improved offer and The voyage started back on June 16, the Company must have a way of identifying both of the key causes of concern returned 2019, when the world was normal (sans what hours of work are the guaranteed to the proposed settlement package. COVID-19). The issue for our members was hours of work whereby employees had We settled in December 2020 and that they were on call 24/7, 365 days a year certainty for at least some of their hours thought it would be plain sailing from and they had to be within an hour of the of work. The burden of the allocation of then on. Port when a ship serviced by the Company unpredictable workloads was being dispro- However, a further squall hit creating was in the harbour (Marsden Point). portionately borne by employees. big waves regarding payment around the As a result our members had no work/ By the time we were ready to go back handover period. Again, members stood life balance and, although our members to the table, COVID-19 struck. This inevita- up and were able to achieve their goal and were guaranteed 1300 hours under the Col- bly extended the bargaining although we we ratified this in February. lective, they were essentially in a working were buoyed by the COVID-19 legislation, This ended the tortured voyage for the arrangement which gave them no certainty passed by our Labour friends, to extend the Team RMTU members and sincere thanks of when they would work. In our view this negotiating period past the date of expiry have to go to Ben Thompson (Armstrong breached the changes to employment law – necessary because there was still much Thompson Law) for his sterling legal work, regarding hours of work. to be worked out to make the roster work. our two excellent delegates, Chris Shaw and The Company understood this and While we had eventually agreed to a Nigel Yellowlees, who navigated through agreed to work towards a roster that was roster and an acceptable remuneration some very tricky issues and lastly, and most legally compliant, as long as it was cost package, the negotiation hit rough waters importantly, to our members, who showed neutral. This was a problem as members as the Company tried to claw back costs. vast reserves of patience, resilience and would have to take a significant drop in pay The most serious of these were a medi- courage in fighting for a fair roster with because the Company needed to employ cal coverage package and a superannuation decent remuneration. more staff in order to introduce a legitimate agreement. Union Power! roster. Our members stood tough and a strike

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The Transport Worker • March 2021 10 NEWS Global recognition for RMTU leader

UCKLAND Rail's Jas Giri has just been ap- "I was nominated and elected branch secretary pointed to the ITF Young Transport Work- and a rep to the NMC. At the time, we were having ers’ Committee as its youth representative issues regarding demarcation. Multinationals such Afor urban transport. As a member of that committee as Transdev were enforcing so-called ‘multiskilling’ he will also join the ITF Urban Transport Steering as a tool to avoid hiring more staff, causing fatigue Committee (UTSC). among those that remained. After skirmishing for His appointment was confirmed during the months, we were able to enforce demarcation. That committee’s November 2020 meeting where he was was my catalyst to stand up for what was right and nominated to replace Vinvent Ombati (MWU Kenya). to fight the good fight." The UTSC oversees the implementation of ITF public As a new member of an ITF committee he is look- transport policies and programmes. ing forward to "working towards fair pay agreements, Prior to the appointment Jas had participated in fatigue management policies, promoting balance of several ITF global events and had impressed with his passionate pay among urban transport workers and youth movements. advocacy for a safer and fairer work place for public transport "I strongly believe in the collective voice of young unionists workers. and that they should be represented at every level of the union He was welcomed to the committees by Baker Khundakji from and the wider community. the ITF Young Transport Workers’ office who added they were "This position will give me the opportunity to raise awareness looking forward to working with him. of workers’ issues, provide spaces for workers to express them- "Neoliberalism and work place bullying and harassment were selves, ensure urban transport workers have power in union de- key issues which inspired me to do what I do," he told TTW. "My mocracies and educate workers about unions and working rights." aim is to help achieve equal rights for all workers and build power RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson said: “I’m delighted that for youth through education and building relationship. Jas has received this appointment. His hard work, integrity and He has been an RMTU member for 11 years where he has passion have been justly rewarded. He will be a fine and valued gradually taken on more and more responsibility. addition to the international team.”

$1,500 AD&D All members of the RMTU are now covered by a $1,500 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit provided through American Income Life Insurance Company, including $500 spouse coverage and a further $500 coverage on dependent children. This is an automatic membership benefit of belonging to the RMTU.Members have the option to increase their coverage an additional $10,000 which costs just $2 for the first year.

Members must return an AIL reply card or reply online at AILNZ.co.nz/Request in order for an AIL representative to deliver your certificate of coverage and explain additional insurance coverage available. If you did not receive a reply card, please call the number listed below. This is very important to you and your family.

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The Transport Worker • March 2021 11

The RMTU fully supports equal RMTU WOMEN opportunities for women and men First female ganger in KiwiRail Emma Little I work with a great bunch of people. My job is to lead the track gang with jobs such Dunedin ganger as resleepering, checking screws, changing How long have you been a rail, renewing road crossings and digging member of the RMTU? out mud spots. We also make sure there is I joined the RMTU in 2017 good track protection. Keeping people safe as a trainee track maintainer for on the track is also really important. Diggers KiwiRail. are a risk to work around. I applied to work for Ki- wiRail because I wanted to try What do you think about working in a male dominated industry? something new and I could see It doesn’t worry me, if anything it makes there were opportunities to me work harder and makes me more deter- learn new skills, career progres- mined to succeed. sion and I like working outside. I like the work and the chal- What would you say to a bunch of lenge and proving that females women school leavers about working can do it. I started filling in as in the rail industry? KiwiRail is a great place to work and a ganger in Balclutha and have there are a lot of great opportunities. I'd only just started being a ganger say have a goal, be determined and keep in Dunedin. it up. What does your current job involve?

Northland rail upgrade AST month the RMTU placed an advert in the New Zealand Herald proclaiming their congratulations to the Government for investing in the long needed Lupgrade to the Whangarei to Auckland railway line. The advert stated that there had never been a better time to "have Northland connected to the rest of the the rail system". "The current issues facing Port of Auckland with ship- ping movements, loading and unloading plus the added congestion to our roading system makes the rail line to Whangarei a no-brainer" said RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson. "Transferring freight from Northport a short dis- tance to the current rail head is a safe and environmentally sound alternative to putting more trucks on an already congested stretch of highway to and through Auckland." The advert went on to urge the Government to complete the spur connecting the upgraded rail line to Northport itself. The advert ends by thanking past and present governments "This is a critical piece of infrastructure which will be the key and the administers of the Provincial Growth Fund for believing to greater efficiency and less pollution," he said. in Northland and the benefits of it upgraded railway.

The Transport Worker • March 2021 12 VALE

Phil Bosworth Life member, union leader 14 July 1951 - 19 January 2021

HE RMTU has lost a stalwart I need you and it was 'put my name with the untimely death of down', 'put my name down' and I had a Phil Bosworth who was a life committee within half an hour. Then we Tmember of the Union, a member of the called a stop work meeting and we duly national management committee and a elected them. That was the only way I leader of the union branch at the Hutt could do it at that time because I had to Workshops. shut him up straight away.' Phil was born in Northampton, Phil believed in working construc- England. His Dad had his own haulage tively with management and was one of business and his Mum worked in a the driving forces behind the agreement chemist shop. He left school at 15 and between KiwiRail and the RMTU in got a job as an apprentice toolmaker 2016 to use the High Performance High at a shoe factory. He was a good rugby Engagement (HPHE) methodology to player and his boss, who was on the work together on addressing issues at board of Northampton Saints, offered the workshops. He said HPHE is 'quite to get him a job overseas. He got a job good because you get a consensus. at a sister company in New Zealand, Nobody is telling anybody what to do, arriving in 1974. it's just an agreement and of course He was in the shoe business for a when you get workers on the shop floor number of years, worked as a mainte- who can have a say in how things are nance engineer, was an organiser for run they own it. It was very hard for the the Engineers Union for seven to eight management side to give up the reins years and worked for Dunlops as indus- and to learn to talk. Learning to talk and trial relations manager. In the 1990s, learning to listen and it was the listening he went into Railways. After about nine side that really helped us.' months, he became the delegate for the Phil described the RMTU as being traction shop at the Hutt workshops. like a big family. 'You've always got He subsequently became vice-chair of somebody at your back, let's put it that the Hutt branch and secretary of the way , you're never without somebody branch. He then went onto the national at your back. management committee of the RMTU. "Bosworth, the union on this site is dead 'At the end of the day I think that rail Phil played a key role in the union's and I'm going to get you." That was his is all the better for us. You have to put it fight to keep Hutt Workshops open words. I went out of his office, I went down to the leadership of the union. I'm and to maintain a strong organisation downstairs and I walked round the Hutt not just talking about Wayne. I'm talking on the job. After TranzRail's workshops Workshops and went up to guys and said, about the whole leadership because it's and depots were outsourced to Alstom you're on the committee, you're on the everybody who works within rail being in the early 2000s, the company test- committee, you're on the committee, a leader. It's the leadership there that ed the strength of the RMTU at Hutt. you're on the committee, I got all their has enabled the company to be where Interviewed for the union's history, Phil names and I went back upstairs and it is now and the workforce to be where recalled: kicked his door open literally and I put it is now.' 'When we first went to Alstom, they the names down and said there's the new The RMTU offers its sincere laid off 60 people. All the branch union committee and I'm going to get you. And condolensces and aroha to Sue, Lee and officials except myself had gone. The he's gone. Sarah and the wider whanau. manager at the time came out to me 'That's how good it was. I could go - Peter Franks and said, and these are his exact words, down and say, I need you, I need you,

The Transport Worker • March 2021 PROTEST 13 Railway resistance Myanmar rail workers stage stop work protest on the tracks.

AILWAY wRailway workers in Myanmar called a strike to fight back against the military coup on RFebruary 1 which ousted the civilian govern- ment and arrested elected members of their parliament as they waited to be sworn in after recent elections. In defiance of attempts by the military to recommence train services the workers, along with ordinary citizens, lay on railroad tracks to stop trains commandeered by the military. According to reports, this action led to more than two dozen men in police uniforms, shields and helmets marching in tight formation through the neighbourhood where state railway workers are housed, no doubt to intimidate. Despite threats and arbitrary night time arrests, members of the Myanmar Railway Workers Union Federation, established with and anger by people in Myanmar who, tary of the Confederated Trade Unions of support from UnionAID in New Zealand, after decades of military rule, poverty and Myanmar expressed just what this solidarity have bravely refused to continue to work for oppression, had seen signs of a better future means to workers as they face this daunting the military government. They are part of a for their families under the 2010 democrati- struggle. “Thank you so much New Zealand massive civil disobedience movement which cally elected government. These ten years of for your solidarity, we need that support. has gripped the country, with millions of transitional democracy had brought rapid For this fight we do or die, we do not have people protesting in the streets for a return economic and social development, giving other options.” to democracy. The role of civil servants is its workers the right to form unions for the UnionAID has started a special fund vital for the success of this movement as first time in 60 years. to support the democracy movement in they bring business and government institu- In February RMTU staff joined a solidar- Myanmar. You can give practical solidarity tions to a standstill. ity rally at Parliament organised by Union- through a one-off donation by visiting www. The coup has been met with dismay AID and the local Myanmar community in unionaid.org.nz response to the coup. The assistant secre-

RMTU members from head office attended the rally at Parliament in support of Myanmar democracy.

The Transport Worker • March 2021 1414

Brent Bower hard at work in Hillside. Brooke Loper and Kelvin Harris at the revitalised Hillside Workshop. AROUND THE BRANCHES

Hillside's Peter Buckley and Boaz Lovelock. Clare Curran farewell in Dunedin. Rolf Christenson and Glen Braid at Hillside.

Port ChalmersThe combined Transport meeting. Worker • March 2021 Canterbury combined branch meeting. 15 Our cameras have been recording South Island members 15 at work over the last few months. Here is a selection.

Brooke Loper and Kelvin Harris at the revitalised Hillside Workshop. Mike Batt and Daniel Burton from Southland. Nicola Colley from Invercargill CT site. AROUND THE BRANCHES

Annette Telfer thanks Gemma Kelley an MIQ nurse and NZNO delegate for her speech at the Canterbury Rolf Christenson and Glen Braid at Hillside. Bridge number 7 at Brougham St Christchurch. combined branch meeting.

Canterbury combinedThe branchTransport meeting. Worker • March 2021 16 NEWS Phone App records back abuse Door opens to entitlements for whole body vibration ED O'DONOGHUE (pictured right) RMTU, who arranged for ACC-specialist is an RMTU member who has been lawyer Ben Thompson to represent Jed and a locomotive engineer since 1980. file a review application against WorkAon's JLike many LEs, throughout his career Jed cover decline. This ensured that Jed had the has been subject to whole body vibration option of challenging WorkAon's position. and rough riding locos. Also – and again, However, WorkAon was then provided like many LEs – Jed has also suffered epi- with a report from occupational medical sodes of lower back pain. In recent times specialist Dr David McBride. Dr McBride these episodes have become increasingly gave an in-depth discussion of the vibra- frequent and debilitating. tional forces which LEs are regularly subject Jed's most recent bout of back pain to, before concluding that these forces was in November 2019, which occurred caused Jed's lumbar sprain, and put LEs at after a particularly rough ride between a significantly greater risk of suffering lower Christchurch and St Andrews. During that back problems. trip Jed switched on his mobile phone's pe- WorkAon subsequently overturned dometer – it recorded him as having taken their original decision and granted cover some 5000 steps whilst seated in the cab! for Jed's lumbar sprain – opening the door Jed lodged a claim with ACC for a lower for entitlements such as earnings-related back sprain, on the basis that this injury was to their claims administrator, WorkAon. compensation and treatment costs. caused by the exposure to vibration and WorkAon initially declined Jed's claim Jed's advice to any LE suffering from jarring at work. on the basis that there was insufficient infor- back pain is to report it – get it logged into KiwiRail is an ACC-accredited employer. mation available to establish a link between the system. If you need assistance with a ACC forwarded Jed's claim to KiwiRail for Jed's lower back injury and his workplace workplace injury, please get in touch with consideration, and KiwiRail handed it over exposures. Jed sought assistance from the the RMTU today.

Wally Wallbutton Southern derailment FTER 48 years in rail Wally Wallbutton has retired. At his retirement lunch on Febru- Aary 5 Wally’s peers, current and past, shared a tirade of anecdotes about a man who spoke his mind and never wavered in his commitment to improv- ing working conditions. Wally’s work history began in Strat- ford where he qualified as a locomo- tive assistant before heading to New Plymouth. He arrived in Palmerston North in 1976 and worked his way up to first grade LE before becoming an LE team leader. He was an enthusiastic representa- tive for LEs who was tireless in seek- Track crews hastily gathered to put the Wairio branch ing to achieve the Union’s policies of line back into action after an empty coal train derailed worker representation. at Wright’s Bush north of Invercargill. Only days before At his farewell he was thanked the line had been saved from closure after Bathurst especially for all his hard work and promised to pick up its $5.2 million maintenance bill, dedication to organising and manag- Congratulations on a thereby securing its future until at least 2025. ing the LE trainees. standout career.

The Transport Worker • March 2021 AROUND THE BRANCHES 17 NORTHLAND RAIL North Auckland line reopens after cash injection HE North Auckland Line has reo- to Auckland. This made a mockery of the job under trying conditions including pened, after being closed since June former National government’s ‘build it and Covid-19, huge weather events, having to 2020, as part of the $110 million rail they will come but we will not’ rhetoric help out in Auckland with the Metro track Tupgrade project, which involved replacing spouted by their local MP Dr Shane Reti upgrade. five bridges and lowering tracks in 13 tun- at one of the popular, RMTU backed, rail The branch has also recently managed nels. The upgrade allows the rail line to take forums many years ago. to get seven fixed-term track workers high-cube containers, which are commonly Incidentally, the Northland branch permanent positions through tough talks used in international shipping. played a leading hand in the campaign to around the table with the bosses. The line reopening had an immediate roll him out of the Whangarei seat, and We welcome two new loco drivers, after impact with a container ship being diverted getting behind the winner, Labour's Emily saying farewell to two long standing drivers, from Auckland to Northport. Containers Henderson. Emily is a strong advocate for one of whom is long serving unionist Bill were trucked to the Whangarei freight Northland rail. Sweeney. terminal and loaded on rail to be freighted Our members continue to do a sterling

AUCKLAND RAIL Hoping to rewrite ROM before tendering is complete HERE is a huge amount happening an appalling track record when it comes members on the team are very focused on at Transdev Auckland this year. As to tendering. You only have to witness safety and we need to get that absolutely Covid continues to disrupt our lives the mess they made of the bus industry in right before we proceed to trials. As we have Twe have a lot to address. Auckland to understand that. Their pre- noted many times before, we have to come We are continuing the rewrite of the ferred method is to hand out the work to back to the membership before any final ROM. This will increase the coverage of the lowest bidder. This becomes a race to decisions are made. We will keep everyone the ROM to all employees. This process the bottom, where the wages of those who updated as we move through this process. has been going for a few months now with actually do the work get squeezed in order We are also in the last year of our collec- a working group made up of management to maintain profit margins. We rather hope tive agreement. It will be interesting to see and members including delegates and AT have learnt from the bus debacle but who we end up bargaining with given the members of the branch executive. This the best way for us, as a Union, is to face tendering will be done and dusted by then will be an ongoing piece of work which we whichever company wins the tender and and we may not be bargaining with TDAK. are attempting to get finished before the by maintaining our solidarity and sticking Our terms and conditions will be carried tendering process is finished. together. over, whoever wins the tender. As always, Speaking of which, the tendering pro- We have also re-entered the HPHE pro- our strength at the bargaining table is the cess is well underway and the period for cess with TDAK around "the challenging solidarity of our membership. We have had submitting tenders has finished. We know issue". We are currently working through some excellent wins over the last few years there are three competitors and Transdev is the risk assessment on Driver Door Opera- and we see no reason why 2021 shouldn't one of them. Auckland Transport (AT) has tions. We have a way to go on this but the be any different.

The Transport Worker • March 2021 18 AROUND THE BRANCHES BAY OF PLENTY PORT Branch award for service

(l to r) Lindsay Girven, Kevin Merrie, Ken McNicol, Lyall Reid and Kevin Pollard, all long serving Unionists retire in luxury, after a long and proud history of fighting for and maintaining decent wages and conditions. They leave behind a strong legacy for those still working. BAY OF PLENTY RAIL Cancelled 'cover' services causing concern ENA koutou katoa, nga mihi o te rail representative Christie Yule from the Mt need more new staff and the trainers and tau hou. Greetings to you all, and Maunganui depot and also acknowledge minders to train them on the job. blessings for the New Year. the other nominees who stepped up to be With Covid restriction levels we TArohamai, I was lucky to have had leave considered. Thank you all. hope everyone is keeping safe, scanning from Dec 20 through to Jan 21, after that One issue that has come up, is the can- everywhere they can, and following the more leave was granted due to a death in my celled services due to "no staff to cover". guidelines to help keep the virus under whanau and as a result, I have very little to With members looking at retiring later on control. report from the branch since our last report. this year, we will have more issues with Thats all for now. Firstly, I would like to congratulate our cancelled services and are barely able to Nga mihi kia a koutou katoa new national Womens Council North Island cover PAL, sickness and training leave. We

When problems arise we may need WHERE to contact you in a hurry. ARE Please check we have your correct address and YOU? contact details. http://bit.ly/exmEyl or 04-499-2066

The Transport Worker • March 2021 Problems may be looming and we may need to contact you quickly. Please check we have your correct address and contact details. http://bit.ly/exmEyL or 04-499-2066 19 NAPIER PORT Pay increases for Port Board members and CEO rankles

E naumai mahana – trusting this is payment, not affixed to wages or salaries. NPC Board, the standards have been set! the year we see a vaccine which lib- The incentive scheme, which is non-con- Bring it on! erates us from the dreaded Covid tractual was also removed. None-the-less, Nga mihi to Roz Muir who left Napier Hlurgy of 2020. It would seem however, guess what? Profits for 2020 were very good. Port Company on 31/1/2021. Roz started at globally we have a long way to go. Up on all forecasts and relative to 2019. It the Port just over 10 years ago as a trainee On the international front, the inau- would seem privatisation is well and truly logistics planner after returning from work- guration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris delivering to the board, CEO, Hawkes Bay ing overseas in the logistics environment for shows they will certainly have their work Regional Council and the 45% of private several companies in England and Sweden. cut out for them, though they have made a shareholders who invested in the port – all She moved into a senior planning role and promising start despite the convergence of received a 'humble' dividend. then into a ship planning position about several massive 'storms': racism, Covid 19, In overlaying the NPC's 2019 annual re- six years ago. A very capable planner on discrimination, civil war and politics. In port on the 2020, the Board has creamed it! both fronts. watching this sad tale of destruction roll out The chairman received 20%+, the Roz joined the RMTU not too long after 'freedom' may have an adverse impact on board 30%+. The CEO, between the sala- she started and with some encouragement, true democracy! We have to have rules, with ry, allowances and short-term investments became an active member. Although very out them we have anarchy and chaos. No (free shares) in combination, received a strong on women's rights, it did not matter matter how we define boundaries or rules, staggering increase, too big to mention!Phe- to Roz who she was fighting for, if the chal- whether they be political, personal, or as nomenal increases overall, when everyone lenge was there so was she, guns blazing. nations, if we are to be free in all categories else was expected to bite the bullet through A proponent in the none sale of Napier to have choices, we have to have acceptance a very challenging period to say the least. Port, Roz led the challenge at the Hawkes around majority outcomes– something Don't forget we are essential border work- Bay Regional Council buildings. She was a some people within the US are struggling ers who put ourselves and our whanau at delegate for our women, vice convenor, and to accept. There must be a mutual under- risk 24/7 to keep Aotearoa moving. delegate representative for the shipping and standing of ideals. This is why the RMTU's Napier Port logistics planners. She added an intellectual Concerns have been raised around the branch can stand proud over its stance value that was a positive force behind any processes bought about which gave the against privatisation. These are the conse- of our negotiation exchanges. Her potential Napier Port Board and its CEO their very quences of such decision making: the fat was boundless. substantial pay increases. Interestingly, cats line their own pockets and pat them- A smart bubbly personality, an asset as mentioned in the previous Transport selves on the back. which we will truly miss at branch level Worker, the local branch membership of Both the crane operators and general but also as a member who represented our the Main CEA (crane operators are on a sep- CEAs are up for negotiation this year. We are Union on the international stage also. arate agreement) received a 3.3% increase advised, again, the Company's fiscal forecast A MASSIVE thank you from all our mem- last October which was agreed to in 2019, will be tested. It will be a case 'of watch bership Roz, we wish you well, all strength, though the company were in pursuance of this space' on both counts of deliberations a treasure to us all. a variation to overturn this. The variation throughout 2021, as it will be for many of Mana wahine, haumaru, kia ora, kia did not happen for obvious reasons. The our members in ports and rail. kaha. balance of staff were given a 1% one off But knowing the percentages paid to the HUTT WORKSHOPS Sadly recognise the passing of Phil Bosworth - RMTU life member REETINGS and a great welcome a virus and its impacts will be around for ing and down-to-earth men's health seminar back after well-earned recrea- sometime yet. We cannot, and must not, with Dr Ryder-Lewis. Some of the statistics tional break at Covid-19 Level 1 - a slacken-off in our continuing vigilance and concerning men's health gave the (volun- Gprivilege (or a right?) which many other adherence to good hygiene and Covid-19 tary) attendees much to consider as we get countries were unable to equal. The con- track and tracing processes. older and options to improve our quality tinuing bad news stories about worldwide On a more operational note, Hutt has of life both physically and mentally. Hot Covid responses and the discovery of highly continued to beaver-away at improvements. on the heels of that initiative, the Stroke contagious variants clearly demonstrates Since the cut-off date for the December Foundation set-up a free blood pressure to the well-informed that this little beast of issue of TTW, we had a simple, yet eye-open- check service and the opportunity to discuss

The Transport Worker • March 2021 20 AROUND THE BRANCHES

options for addressing health issues. We are fice in early February attended by Wayne grateful for these initiatives by the Hutt lead- Butson, John Kerr and Myles Carter for the ership team as part of their commitment Union, and Maryan Street, Paul Ashton and to the health and safety of staff and to our Mark Lennox for KiwiRail. Subject to some unsung administrators who took care of administrative obligations being discharged all those little details which make or break in a timely manner, the report back meet- such initiatives. ings should be running as you read these Progress in the area of growth came with notes, complete with the usual mail out the advertising of some vacancies consistent for members to cast their votes to accept with the previously announced decision or reject the proposed offer. document concerning the structure and Additional to the ToS meeting, discus- future operation(s) of Hutt. A bit of a 'pro- sions were held about the annoying issue cedural hiccup' occurred with one round of annual leave deductions. This has been of interviews such that complaints were a thorny issue as the Holidays Act talks submitted or made known resulting in the about payments but not about deductions particular vacancy being recalled and inter- meaning that those who routinely work views held to bring trust and confidence shifts exceeding eight hours (eg 10 to 12 back into the process. Needless to say, some hour shifts) get screwed-over somewhat education of the interviewing panel was whenever they take annual leave. Both par- forthcoming and a 'reset' initiated. At the ties have taken legal advice so the lawyers time of writing interviews for the manager, will get to clip-the-ticket until such time as project engineer and planner were being we resolve this problem. held, with the intention to round off the On the training front we were recently overall process by calling for several team introduced to the revamped concept and leader positions, some of which will back fill process of isolation and lockout from Stuart newly created vacancies. We congratulate Harrison & Co, along with an introductory the successful candidates. session on control verifications by Steve Sadly we report the passing of former Rosser. There are changes in the wind, but team leader, branch chair and life member as we all know, the devil is in the detail! Phil Bosworth on January 19. Phil was At branch level, our chair Mat Cord- given a fitting send off acknowledging his ell-Bain has stood down to allow him to fo- sterling service to the Union movement and, cus more on his substantive role of of senior in particular, his leadership in addressing HPHE facilitator. An interim arrangement the threat of possible closure which was a has seen a reshuffle of responsibilities be- dark and heavy cloud over Hutt Workshops tween vice-chair Manu Barclay and secretary in 2015. We have come some way since Myles Carter, supported by delegate Slade then and continue to grow from strength Pilcher who will back fill Manu's position to strength. as the acting branch vice chair until we can Flag at half mast for Phil Bosworth. Hot on the heels of the joint statement formally satisfy the requirements of Rule 38 #3 for the MECA 2020 renegotiations, a (Casual Vacancies) of the Union's Rules & new working year, the workload hasn't let meeting to confirm the terms of settlement Standing Orders. up and we are beavering-away accordingly. (ToS) was convened at national head of- Whilst we're only a few weeks into the This also includes a review of our opera- tions and the additional duties placed on Continuing facilities upgrade looking east at the end walls of Plant 1 and 2.

The Transport Worker • March 2021 21

individuals either by design or default. have been complied with in relation to the your immediate sphere of operations, it It would appear a number of the indus- acting positions (secondment) thus far, so is recommended you contact members of trial councils are meeting at the same time any unsuccessful incumbents may take um- other branches to garner support for your which may well result in some collective brage at the result and may well have some remits in order that the negotiating teams thinking and co-ordinated direction this recourse. If all incumbents get appointed, I can gauge how deeply and widely felt an year. A number of market surveys and/or imagine the other candidates may also feel a issue is. internal pay parity checks of various pay little miffed and question the process. By the So that's the first quarter of the year in scales and positions have been approved in time you read these notes the dust should a nutshell. If something is not right – speak principle and will be carried out in FY21. have settled – or the fighting commenced! up or call it out, and if it's not safe, STOP and This is, of course, a continuation of the com- Word has it that the new MECA (2020- consider the problem before continuing. pany's stated drive towards standardisation 2021) and the terms of settlement were STOP PRESS: Just as we were closing and the Union's drive in a similar regard as recently reviewed by a couple of represen- these notes off, the Government raised the requested by the membership. tatives at national office with a couple of Covid-19 alert levels. By the time you read As the close-off for these notes arrived, minor corrections/amendments initiated this, we hope we will have reverted back a timetable for the team leader interviews so the report back sessions and the ballot to Level One and things have settled back was issued with 27 people competing for process should occur to the previously down. The company has halted all travel and 11 positions. It is noted that the individual mooted timetables. If so, then the call for re- asked for working-from-home to continue vacancies were not stated, that is, the names mits for the next MECA (2021-202?) should and, where possible, ramped up to keep our of the workgroups up for grabs were not follow that activity in time for the initiation people safe. The safety message remains the openly advertised. Whilst this is a departure of bargaining in May. That said, members same: Scan the QR codes or use the sign-in from expected norms, it will likely result in should consider what they want and how registers as required. Our safety and that job offers to the successful candidates which much they are prepared to fight for, because of our families and communities remains will either be accepted or declined. Another if you don't ask, you will probably not get. paramount. Stay safe out there people. anomaly is that company policy may not If your issue affects a larger group outside

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.

Continuing facilities upgrade looking east at the end walls of Plant 1 and 2. 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 Telephone: (04) 499–2066 Join this Fund now for Fax: (04) 471–0896 your own peace of mind [email protected] The Transport Worker • March 2021 22 AROUND THE BRANCHES WELLINGTON RAIL Farewells to branch stalwarts

Farewell Christine up his remote pack and retired. A colour- Ratiaiti (Ra) Ratia Christine ful character who managed to adapt and Another Fisiihoi, a continue to long term long standing work in rail Wellington delegate in when many Rail branch the Wellington of his col- member Rail Branch, leagues were retired in women’s rep laid off in the December. locally, na- late 1980s. At Ra, a team tionally and Dennis’ leav- leader in the internationally ing function Wellington has resigned at TransDev, Freight from her role at TransDev Wellington and many spoke terminal, moved closer to her family in the Bay Of of the strong retired with Plenty. Christine is taking on a new role friendship 47 year’s in BOP helping people in emergency and they have service. Many gathered for Ra’s send off transitional housing. We wish her all the with him, at the terminal and spoke about him best and thank her for all her mahi sup- he will be being one of rail’s true gentleman. Ra porting RMTU members. missed. spoke passionately stating, amongst other Here’s to a long, happy and healthy retire- things, that the safety improvements to ment for Dennis and as he says, time to shunting practices in the last 20 years Dennis (Monkey) Williams get back to the 70s! must be continued. We wish Ra a long, After 49 years in Rail, Dennis has hung happy and healthy retirement. MARLBOROUGH PORT Research reveals complex problems relating to Holidays Act

IKE many workplaces up and down review to take place. After further nego- New Zealand, it's been no holiday tiation to get things moving, management working through issues arising from engaged a global financial services firm to Lthe 2003 Holidays Act and how it applies to highlight problem areas through a discovery our members. Different departments across report. The review was undertaken over the port plus three marinas, add complexity several months, and the report's release was to a payroll made up of 'lumpy' pays due to then delayed due to lockdown. seasonal hours and shift work. The branch executive requested and Our journey started about five years eventually received a copy of the full report ago with delegate Mike Adams investigating (with names redacted) which applies to Ray McKay receives his 25 year certificate not only his own pay issues but following both union and non-union staff. The report from branch chair Grant Herbert. up other cases within his department and explained areas of concern and improve- finding errors. He spent over 100 hours ments to be made. who was with us for 44 years and an RMTU of his own time researching the Holidays A joint working group, which includes member for all that time. BC was first em- Act and seeking advice from those in the Mike, was established to resolve issues high- ployed by the Marlborough Harbour Board know. In the department where he works, lighted in the report. The group has now as a boatman/general hand and then onto management rectified individual cases and met several times and is dealing with some leading hand. He was part of a strike over there was an agreed payout for the rest of pretty complex stuff, but making progress Christmas 1985, where the membership the guys there. Company wide, long service all the same. put themselves on the line to keep intact leave payments were also corrected. We thought the pay review might bring bereavement leave provisions in their col- Our branch took a view that the payroll about a relatively quick end to what was lective. BC was appointed as the Waikawa software was not up to the task of dealing started back in 2016. But in reality it’s only Marina custodian in 1985. In 2015 he with the lumpy pays, so we negotiated into the end of the beginning! moved to Picton Marina where he admirably our 2018-2020 CEA for a company wide pay We bid farewell to Brian Carver (BC) dealt with a few challenges including the

The Transport Worker • March 2021 23 odd storm and flood. His level headedness who calmly put across his opinion based catch up soon. and easy going manner made him well liked on experience and pragmatism. Hey BC Big congratulations also to shipping by both colleagues and customers alike. happy retirement! We know you like your security officer and delegate Ray McKay We also thank BC for being a delegate takeaway coffee - bring us a flat white for a who clicked over 25 years in January. LYTTELTON PORT Port's leadership change leads to improved relations S 2020 came to a close we were stead of the adversarial one which had been after a thorough remuneration review and very busy at Port Lyttelton and it the norm since anyone can remember. This job-sizing conducted by the company that would seem that in 2021 we are is, of course, not without challenges, as both took about three months. Our delegate for Ajust going to get busier. In the ten years managers and our members get used to these members said: "We have never had since the Canterbury earthquakes not a the new way of doing things. All too often, such a fair offer from the company in all day has gone by at our port that there especially when people are under pressure the years I have worked at Lyttelton." This hasn't been an upgrade of infrastructure and the proverbial hits the fan, there is still is in stark contrast to the way we used to do or construction going on. Despite all the a tendency to revert to ingrained habits and things where more often than not, the can disruptions this has caused for day to for both sides to barricade themselves into would be kicked down the road and every- day operations over the past decade, the fixed positions. thing rolled into the next round of protract- increase in capacity means that in contrast We have a number of engagements we ed bargaining. The success of this process to other New Zealand ports we have been are undertaking in which we are taking an was a credit to the way the members and well placed to cope with the disruptions to interest-based approach, albeit with varying their manager talked through all aspects of international shipping caused by COVID-19. degrees of success and with challenges still the issue and focussed on attaining a result Consequently we are in the fortunate posi- to overcome. We want to highlight one case that would satisfy both parties. tion of continuing to hire new staff and however, which demonstrates what can be Ultimately, the intention is to formalise our members have an enviable degree of achieved when management and members this approach across the company and to security of employment in these uncertain genuinely engage. negotiate a High Performance High Engage- times. The success that LPC currently enjoys Over successive rounds of bargaining ment charter with LPC as part of building a is in no small part due to the hard work of over a number of years we have tried to more positive relationship. our members who work day and night in improve the terms and conditions of our We are still dealing with all the chal- all weathers at Lyttelton and the two inland members who are lines supervisors who lenges our comrades in other ports are port sites – City Depot in Woolston, and have traditionally been the lowest paid facing, notably fatigue management and Midland Port at Rolleston. members on the Port Lyttelton collective maintaining safety for members and that of For members who regularly read The agreement. Late last year we requested a New Zealand in dealing with COVID19 at Transport Worker, you will no doubt notice remuneration review outside of bargaining the maritime border. On the latter, it was a distinct change of tone in these notes and for these workers. Although there was some very illuminating to hear from Gemma Kel- you will remember that only a couple of initial resistance to this by management ley, a nurse and NZNO delegate working in years ago we were at constant loggerheads because it was a significant departure from a managed isolation and quarantine facility, with management following an acrimonious past practice, there was a willingness to en- at our now traditional joint Canterbury Rail dispute which led to strike action. We had a gage with us and ultimately an acceptance and Lyttelton Port branch meeting at the change in leadership at LPC a year ago and that this case warranted making an excep- end of last year. These workers really are we can now engage with the company on tion. We're happy to report that a variation unsung heroes and heroines – our country issues using an interest-based approach in- to the collective agreement has been signed owes them a debt of gratitude. CANTERBURY RAIL TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific continuing success in Covid crisis

ERE in Canterbury Rail we are that a few short months prior we could COVID19 in our community. reflecting on what seems a very not hold mass gatherings of any sort and, It was therefore both a privilege and a busy time since the last issue of even as the lockdown loosened, meetings pleasure to be able to recognise the con- Hthese branch notes. of more than 100 people were banned. We tributions members made to the RMTU at As 2020 closed we were able to hold our must not lose perspective and forget that our meeting. Former locomotive engineer, now traditional joint membership meeting being able to meet as we did last Decem- KIC representative and RMTU National with our comrades from the Lyttleton Port ber was a result of the good work we have Management Committee South Island rail branch. This in itself is noteworthy given all done in suppressing and eliminating representative Mike Williams attended and

The Transport Worker • March 2021 24 AROUND THE BRANCHES

received his life membership certificate and passenger numbers as we left lockdown The new Scenic Journeys service centre at badge from our general secretary. Mike gave mid-year. We'd like to see if the numbers Waltham was opened with a ceremony at a very succinct speech of thanks which em- really do stack up behind the introduction the end of January. This is a highly visible phasised his genuine gratitude at receiving of a so called first class service. new building easily seen by the public from the greatest honour our Union can bestow Many of our track members have been the Wilsons Road overpass. This is physical and reinforced the valuable work our Union cycled in and out of Auckland over the holi- evidence of the long overdue investment in does because we stick together and support day period to work on blocks of line, doing rail in our region. our elected officials and delegates. This was the essential renewal and maintenance Our container transfer terminal mem- followed by recognition of Bobby Boulton, work to keep our largest city moving. bers have been flat out over the summer. one of our youngest members, for his great Closer to home the RMTU has been The congestion and disruption in our ports work producing a film about our campaign advocating strongly for increased staffing is only one in a long line of dominoes in the to save Dunedin Railways. Recognising two in network and signals and together with supply chain. Together with our members active members at opposite ends of their our brothers and sisters on the West Coast in the big Toll shed at Matipo Street they careers demonstrates the Union's depth of our local officials have been successful in are some of society's unsung heroes main- talent and good prospects for our future. securing permanent roles for a number of taining the flow of goods we all use in our On a more sober note we had a guest staff who were employed on fixed term daily lives. Members at Toll are battling on speaker from the nurses' union who is also agreements as part of the Provincial Growth despite their collective agreement remain- a nurse in a managed isolation and quaran- Fund culvert and drainage project. ing unsettled and the business being sold by tine facility in Christchurch. Hearing about In operations there were a few hiccups Japan Post. The container transfer terminal the responsibility and pressures of her work during the introduction of a new rule operation in Ashburton is being sold off by was a reminder of just how much effort against alighting from moving vehicles, Toll but we understand there will be no has gone into allowing us to live largely something which appears to have been im- redundancies as a consequence. Once again 'normal' lives compared to many people posed on KiwiRail by a regulator that, after we thank our delegates and active members living overseas. years of being asleep at the metaphorical for all the work they do on our behalf in The TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific wheel, seems to have found its teeth and is this part of the rail industry in our region. continued to run over the summer, anoth- acting in an arbitrary and reactive fashion. One gripe our branch is the time it takes er benefit of the successful elimination of There has been some good work done by to recruit new staff. COVID19 to date. This is the part of KiwiRail our H&S reps on this. There is a great deal This is a real issue which has an impact hit hardest by the cessation of international of interest in the forthcoming procurement on industrial relations, particularly in net- tourism last March and a great deal of work of new mainline locomotives and shunt lo- work services where a lack of capacity can has gone into trying to reconfigure the busi- comotives for the South Island. We are well lead managers to consider contracting out ness to the domestic market. Our members overdue some new kit and its important we our core work, thereby triggering conflict. are working long hours, particularly on the get this right as experience suggests we may It also affects our rolling stock maintenance Coastal Pacific Service, but are hopeful that have to work with this gear for a long time and operations members however, where the future of long distance passenger rail is to come. There is no substitute for talking a shortage of skilled labour can lead to secure. We do question the thinking behind with and listening to front-line workers increased pressure to work longer hours. the introduction of the so-called premier when taking these type of decisions. Surely this aspect of running KiwiRail can class service as it appears to us that Scenic Our members in rolling stock mainte- be sorted out? Journeys trains were most patronised nance continue to do sterling work keeping We are all paying the price of it not when discounts were offered to maximise the engines and wagons in good shape. being in one form or another. WEST COAST RAIL Complex discussions and decisions on protest action HE most controversy our branch has Clandeboye works. Demonstrating both ad- our branch members who wanted KiwiRail dealt with for a while was generated vantages and disadvantages of social media, and the police to throw the proverbial book not by events on our side of the hill a debate ensued on the branch Facebook at the protestors. Tbut by environmental protestors locking group when some members called for the The discussion went back and forth themselves to the track at Dunedin Railway RMTU to advocate for a hard line to be taken and what emerged was that a key concern Station in January in the wake of the confir- against the protestors. for our members is their security of em- mation that the Ohai to Invercargill branch National office argued the issue was ployment at a time when fossil fuel-based line would not be closing at the end of last complex given that our Union supports industries are under threat from govern- year. As readers will doubtless be aware the the right to protest and has exercised it fre- ment responses to climate change. This protestors were against the transport of coal quently, including entering the rail corridor resulted in exchanges about the likely future from Southland to be burned at Fonterra's on occasion. This cut little ice with some of of such industries and whether or not our

The Transport Worker • March 2021 25

Union has a policy on a 'just transition' to a policy for a just transition for members rollout means we can continue to live rel- protect members' interests in the event of whose jobs are dependent on the transport atively normal lives this year so our plans the mines' closure. of coal, and in the meantime to continue come to fruition. The branch also wishes Debate on social media only goes so advocating for the retention of these jobs to acknowledge the support of KiwiRail far and soon there were demands that the until such a time as a viable alternative for management for this project. general secretary and South Island organ- coal is developed. A sub-committee was Our branch continues to advocate iser visit and meet with members. This was formed to work on implementing the res- strongly for members. Together with the duly agreed to and a well-attended meeting olution. As you read this we hope to have Canterbury Rail branch we were successful was held at the Greymouth depot on 11 put the issue on the agenda of National in persuading KiwiRail to confirm nine February. The gathering was useful in that it Management Committee. structures members employed on fixed clarified the issues in question which, while In other news, we are progressing with term agreements under the Provincial they were related, were separate: that of the plans to inaugurate a workers' memorial Growth Fund culvert and drainage project tactics of protest and the future of fossil stone at the Greymouth depot ready for as permanent in late January. This gives fuel industries and the need to prepare for this coming Workers' Memorial Day in April. these members some much needed certain- a just transition. Last year our plans were knocked awry, as ty and boosts the capacity of our network The conclusion was a resolution that was so much else, by COVID19. We remain services gangs– always a big plus in fighting was passed unanimously stating that the hopeful that the strategy of elimination the menace of contracting out. branch calls upon our Union to develop continues to be successful and the vaccine TIMARU RAIL New alighting rule causing untold frustration

T has been relatively quiet on the in- that services the mine. NZTA has generated huge frustration. If the dustrial front in our branch since the The photograph (on the cover) shows regulator wants us to stop at every set of last issue of these notes – which isn't our hard working track members laying points in our yards to pull or reset points Inecessarily a bad thing. Our two local freez- replacement rail through the Smithfield then delays will result and management is ing works are putting out good tonnage siding. going to have to factor that in. and being serviced predominantly by our We hear a review of staffing on this side There's a bit of heat amongst members container transfer terminal. of the business is imminent with a view to around the management of leave. It seems We're busy with cement pods and increasing numbers. Makes a change from we've vacillated between pressing people chilled products. We noticed the protest the years of cut-backs and trimming. to take it to making it difficult to get as the action against the transport of coal through At the time of writing everyone is wait- year unfolded. Just another low level impact Dunedin bound for the Fonterra plant at ing to hear about the RMTU/KiwiRail MECA of COVID we suppose. Clandeboye in January. Ironic that the stuff settlement. We expect the ballot will be Aside from the above, the most import- is only being transported on rail thanks to underway by the time you read this. ant message from our branch is stay healthy the RMTU vigorously campaigning for the The arbitrary imposition of a rule and stay safe! retention of the branch line in Southland banning alighting from moving vehicles by TIMARU PORT Chaotic shortage of empty containers causes disruption t's been very busy at our port since the a shortage of empty containers, which can manufactured by the supplier in Germany. last issue of The Transport Worker. only be described as chaos in the timing of The maintenance on these cranes hadn't Some of this is a consequence of the ship visits, and congestion at the wharves. been the best and the division of the port's Idisruptions and pressures resulting from For example, we shift an average of 6000 operations so they were done by separate the COVID19 pandemic on global supply TEUs/month and in one eight day period companies, all wholly owned subsidiaries chains. Some factors, closer to home, have over the summer peak we moved 5000 of Port of Tauranga after their neo-liberal also played a role however. There has plus TEUs. management model, meant this wasn't been industrial action on the Australian This has had an impact on our members picked up until QM became responsible waterfront and the management of Ports both at Quality Marshalling and Prime Port. for the management of the container ter- of Auckland seems to have been lacking, The former's operation hasn't been helped minal as reported in the last issue of The to say the least. by the fact there were two major crane Transport Worker. The cumulative impact of this has been breakdowns which required parts to be QM are on a bit of a recruitment drive,

The Transport Worker • March 2021 26 AROUND THE BRANCHES

seeking to replace our local manager reactive approach to operations. nothing as bad as forecast for the regional who is retiring and to staff up to relieve Time will tell how this plays out. economy and our exporters are going flat pressure on members who are at risk of Prime Port continues to tweak its staff- out. fatigue because of the hours worked at ing as reported in the previous issue of The This has generated a demand for labour peak flow times. Transport Worker with another role created which leads us to the view that we need The joint management/RMTU that one of our members has filled. Both the to look long and hard at wage rates in the roster committee ceased to meet which Prime Port and QM collective agreements forthcoming bargaining rounds. exacerbated an already difficult situation. are due for re-negotiation this year as the All this of course is contingent on New Members were rightly aggrieved and some employers insisted on one year terms last Zealand maintaining its excellent record in prompt advocacy by delegates has seen year given the uncertainty generated by eliminating the virus and not being subject this re-instated and an undertaking given COVID19. to the kind of chaos we see overseas. by management that they will adopt a less The economic impact of this has been

PORT CHALMERS Combined union resistance to aggressive management policy EADERS of the last issue of The dismissed as being 'personal'. The fact is the strategy, the implications of running a key Transport Worker will recall that policies that are causing such discontent are part of our local infrastructure, on which the workforce at Port Otago was implemented by people and these people our exporters are dependent, for short term Rless than happy in the run up to Christmas have to be held accountable. commercial gain are self-evident. It simply at the antics of management. In summary, In our view, management is simply not doesn't work in the interests of the com- our members and those of MUNZ were up to the job of running our port. Until the munity. As the shareholder Otago Regional sick of the aggressive management style pandemic hit, it appeared the priority of Council has a responsibility to step in. employed by our CEO and his minions. This management was to try and make money Our campaign has therefore continued manifested itself through a bullying man- off cruise ships and property deals with with a petition doing the rounds which we agement style, a sinking lid on staffing, and a the container and bulk commodity trade plan to present to the Regional Council at boneheaded refusal to meaningfully engage a low priority. The impact of COVID19 a demonstration in late February, as The with the representatives of the workforce. has blown that strategy, such as it was, Transport Worker goes to press. We look Our branch held a joint stop-work meet- apart. Subsequent pressures on the global forward to updating you on progress in ing with MUNZ and unanimously passed a supply chains, together with disruptions to the next issue. resolution endorsing the unions' executives' trans-Tasman and ex-Auckland shipping has Finally a big thank you to Alan Richard- plan for a campaign of resistance to what is left our bosses floundering. Shipping lines son, our now former branch secretary, who going on. This immediately generated some have been blanking (missing ports) to get took redundancy in one of management's publicity in the local paper with our CEO back in cycle because of disruptions. For so-called 'restructures'. Alan did a great job denying the misbehaviour in one breath example MSC stopped calling at Port Chalm- as a branch official and has left a big pair of while blathering neo-liberal management ers for four consecutive weeks. Leaving boots to fill. Whatever opportunities come speak about 'right sizing' and 'modernising' aside the point that this demonstrates the your way in the future Alan, we know you'll in the next. The call by our South Island need for a co-ordinated national port strat- make the most of them. organiser for the CEO to step down was egy on a par with our COVID19 elimination OTAGO RAIL Coal trains targetted by protesters e've had a busy time at Otago branch. Late last year Jim was present at provide the momentum to secure the future Rail since the last issue of The the farewell function we put on for retir- of the operation after the summer. Hillside Transport Worker. Starting ing local MP Clare Curran, a great friend continues to be busy with work maintain- Wwith the good news, it was great to see our of our union. ing the South Island fleet and it's great to former national president and life member Continuing on the positive theme, the see the place being revitalised, to borrow a Jim Kelly recognised in the New Year hon- trial of excursion services run by Dunedin phrase form our political allies. our's list for his services to trade unionism. Railways seems to be very successful as Over at freight operations we are Richly deserved and a wonderful reflection reported in the last couple of issues of preparing to farewell a loyal member and on our branch and the former Hillside The Activist. We are hopeful that this will workmate in Cameron Rowse. Cam has

The Transport Worker • March 2021 27 been a rail operator here since 2015, and is specifically, to not carry out minder duties no brainer but, as has been mentioned in moving with his family back to Nelson. Cam with trainees. The issue has been partially the branch notes for the mighty Transport we wish you, Mandy and Ted safe travels resolved, with the trainees back in OJT. The Worker before, it has been a long struggle. and all the best for your future. We will miss branch will be seeking, at the very least, an Both local managers (past and present) and talking music with you on the Y22 shunt! apology and no impact on future opportuni- the local union delegates worked together We have had two trains targeted by pro- ties to undertake training. to, as they say, get a result. What a bloody testors recently which were stopped from In network services the topic of track good result as well. Amazing what can be leaving Dunedin with coal wagons bound maintenance is front and centre of people's achieved when both sides are on the same for Clandeboye Dairy Factory via Temuka. minds. The news that the Wairio line is to page. While this is inconvenient and could be remain open and Bathurst will contribute The next step, (hopefully) will be to seen as a limited threat to our members' $5 million plus to pay for required work, af- increase the welding crew to four men. employment, the union movement sup- ter some determined lobbying by the RMTU, Watch this space. ports the democratic right to protest and, was followed by an announcement that new With increased funding from the pre- on the whole, the same people are huge staff will be recruited to undertake this. sent Government and a need for a greener supporters of rail as a better alternative Once again our branch has made history alternative to shifting large amounts of than clogging up our roads with more insofar as the new ganger who will super- freight within New Zealand more staff will and more inefficient and damaging heavy vise this work is Emma Little who, as far as be required to maintain and upgrade the rail trucks. It should be noted this is in no way this scribe knows, is the first female track network. We are already running at reduced connected with the West Coast coal traffic ganger in the New Zealand rail industry. levels in many areas. which of course is a different grade and for Great news for our women members and Let's increase the staffing levels and a different use/purpose. great news for our Union. drop our reliance on contractors as much Three of our RO/RCO members have Another piece of good news is once as possible. As has been mentioned many been targeted and wrongly accused by again we have a two man welding gang. times before, our people have pride in KiwiRail for taking industrial action and Congratulations to both these gentlemen. their work, and do a better job than most exercising their right, as per the MECA, Bringing the welding back in house was a contractors.

SOUTHLAND RAIL Ohai branch line given new lease of life TARTING with the good news, and burning of this coal is nothing new – Southland, for example destressing thanks to some determined advo- the diary factory is Canterbury's biggest has seen the 'Heat 40 kph' restrictions cacy by the RMTU together with consented single consumer of coal, burning reduced drastically. There are no temp- SKiwiRail and Fonterra management seeing an average of 22 tonnes per hour and has orary speed restrictions between Invercar- sense, the Ohai to Invercargill branch line, been the target of the environmentalists' ire gill and Balclutha. The rails have gone into commonly referred to as the Wairio Branch, over the years. the new Mainfreight shed been built in has been reprieved. Readers will recall last Moving the stuff by train is very much Gore and although not yet connected to the year the line was threatened with closure the lesser of two evils as the alternative, Gore siding rails, it is looking likely to be after Fonterra and Bathurst threatened to barring a shift away from coal as a fuel, is connected soon. The extra tonnage will be shift the coal from Southland to Clandeboye that it would be moved by trucks which have gladly welcomed here in the south. by truck. It was confirmed in January that a vastly bigger carbon footprint than trains. Over in operations we have had two new Bathurst would pick up a $5.2 million main- The method of protest generated some rail operators join our team; Adele Robins tenance bill for the line, thereby securing its debate amongst our members, many of and Glenn Hudson while an advertisement future until at least 2025. whom looked askance at any intrusion for a third has just closed at the time of With less than immaculate timing, as into the rail corridor. Doubtless we will writing. Welcome to the rail family, you this was announced we suffered 100 metres hear more about this in years to come as have come on board at a time when rail is or so of track damage when eight empty the whole climate change issue becomes expanding at long last and hopefully you wagons derailed. Prompt action by our track more urgent. both have a great future ahead of you. gangs soon repaired the damage. Staying on the topic of track main- Like all of us, we read about the contin- The confirmation of the line staying tenance we have had it confirmed new uing impact of the COVID19 pandemic and open triggered some action by climate staff will be recruited to undertake the remain thankful we are in a country which change activists in Dunedin who chained maintenance of the Wairio Branch – once so far has escaped the worst of it, both in themselves to the track at the city's station again after some determined lobbying by human terms and economically. in protest at the movement and burning of the RMTU. Until next time, stay safe and healthy. coal. The irony is that the mining, transport The gangs are doing great work in

The Transport Worker • March 2021 28HEALTH Union calls for clean air in Remutaka Tunnel

IESEL fumes in the Remutaka Tunnel are causing headaches for LEs and onboard staff. The RMTU has alerted the NZTA and Worksafe and asked them Dto investigate the air quality following a spike of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels.

NO2 is a red brown gas with an acrid smell, produced by diesel combustion. Exposure can cause lung damage and make people more susceptible to respiratory illness. The RMTU is very concerned about both the short and long-term effects of regular exposure to the fumes and is currently seeking expert advice. (l to r) Train manager Tangiwai Haney, H+S rep Nic Simpson, relief The Remutaka railway tunnel (formally known as train manager (in training)and passenger operator Mandy Gibbins and Rimutaka Tunnel) is 8.8km long and runs through the train manager, H+S rep and LNI tunnel focus group rep Tony King. Remutaka Range between Maymorn and Upper Hutt. Up Wairarapa train crew of the 1604 Metlink service about to depart Upper to 1000 passengers commute through the tunnel per day Hutt station prior to heading towards the 8.8km long Remutaka Tunnel plus freight trains. for the journey to Masterton. All are concerned about the build up of The build-up of fumes is due to the increasing volume of fumes in the tunnel and its effects on crew and passengers. both passenger and freight trains and the insufficient time between trains for the tunnel to purge of gases. On 21 January, gas monitors worn by staff working on have mechanical ventilation to purge it following a rail movement.

Transdev Wellington's passenger service registered NO2 levels Remutaka has a chimney which vents to the outside but on a calm above the maximum safe level. day, when the wind isn't blowing, the fumes build up. The gas exposure lasted for over five minutes leaving the RMTU reps on the Lower North Island Tunnel group have onboard staff feeling very unwell. called for longer gaps in scheduling between log trains and pas- Tangiwai Haney senger trains to give the tunnel a chance to purge prior to the who was working on- passenger trains entering. Remutaka or Rimutaka? board the passenger LE Graeme Twist said: "If there isn’t enough of a gap between The Geographic Board first recognised service, said: "The the loaded log trains and passenger trains on entering the tunnel Remutaka in 2015 when it changed the staff felt dizzy at first you encounter long plugs of fumes built up in the Tunnel and name for the Remutaka Pass. and then a drunken start to see the onboard loco cab monitor registering the presence In October the same year, the spelling was feeling took over. of an acrid smell of number two gas." extended to include the forest park, hill, That night all three Air quality specialists said there should be a 60-minute gap stream and range - and, later to the rail staff had a bad cough between log trains and passenger trains to avoid that build-up. tunnel. and were spinning." In response to the 21 January incident KiwiRail has issued a The hills get their name from ‘remu’ mean- bulletin requiring train control to provide at least a 60-minute ing ‘to gaze about’ and ‘taka’ to ‘sit down’. She added: "We Rangitane iwi was granted the changing of need information on interval between southbound freight trains and passenger trains. the name as part of its Treaty of Waitangi the long-term effects The workplace exposure standards for NO2 are likely to be settlement, but it took longer for it filter of N02 exposure on lowered again next year which will mean something will need to through to official agencies and institutions. our health and the be done to eliminate the fumes. Rimutaka Prison, for example, still uses the passengers' health." H&S rep Tony King said: "We need to look after our staff and non-iwi approved spelling. It has no plans to Unlike the Otira passengers and make sure the air quality is as good as it can be. It's change that. Tunnel, the Remuta- time the tunnel had mechanical ventilation or even electrification ka Tunnel does not to eliminate the fumes altogether." The Transport Worker • March 2021