DECEMBER 2011 TransportThe Worker
FOC – a yoke for NZ taxpayers
The journal of the RMTU NZ's largest specialist transport union 2 32 21
The Transport Worker December 2011 8 stalwart BrianCronin. Maunganui arenamedafterRMTU The newvacationflatsatMount workers killed. are unveiledtorememberthe29 One yearafterthedisastermemorials Contents Photograph: MaritimeNewZealand. The RenaonAstrolabeReef-storypage5. C N G P P OBox11-025,Wellington. Printed byThamesPublications Ltd, Design andproductionbyMike Regan. Aotearoa-New Zealand. P OBox1103,Wellington, Rail &MaritimeTransport Union, The Transport Worker ispublishedbythe over off ike ew R
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ISSUE 4•DECEMBER2011 iver photo H utt www
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prior totheelection. visited HuttWorkshops Labour leaderPhilGoff flats . rmtunion . org . nz Also Union elections What hashappenedtoNZvoters? An excitedvoicefromCairo A youth Ihavetalkedtoontheissueofvotingweren’tgoingenrol,letalonevote! had been that it was the youth who didn’t vote. I am not so sure, because most of the up most of this disengaged group? The consensus view amongst the staff in our office years’ isnotsomethingIamlooking forwardtounderaJohnKey-ledgovernment! his infamous comment in Rugby World Cup 2003 ‘Three more years boys, three more in the future policies of neo-liberal economic theory. To misquote George Gregan in failed and past the in failed of list old same The on. so and bashing beneficiary cuts, on decent workplace laws, attacks on unions and their members, job cuts, spending hour and not the party which is going to reintroduce some sort of youth training support the party which was arguing to lift their wage?wage rate to a minimum of $15 per us andfor our country.Ifthisisthecasethen whydidtheyoungnot get firedupto for thing best the do will believe we is it whom person or party the for vote to and and at any other time we don’t care? If this is true then we are all in a very scary place. have done their dash or have done something which galvanises us all to get rid of themsociety where we are only motivated to vote ‘out’ a government when we think they the weekend’s election participation and turnout. Has New Zealand really become a of havingavoteandknowthatitistobetreasured. elected by the people, for the people. These people know, and understand, the value their comrades and fellow citizens can live in a democratic society with governments that so lives their down lay thousands upon thousands seen have countries These strength. military and oppression iron-fisted with nations Arab these of many ruled have who dictators and tyrants against up risen has world Arab the know all you As discontent’. of summer ‘Arab the of result a are Egypt in elections democratic The understatement. massive a be would prospect the at moon the over was he say To election for the first time in his life. Yes, 62 years of age and voting for the first time. democratic a in vote a have to about was who Egypt Cairo, from Arab a old was 62-year He celebration. his yelling and screeching radio the on voice excited an of Editorial This is the last issue of The Transport Worker for 2011 and it is another huge another is it and 2011 for Worker Transport The of issue last the is This There is one thing we can be sure of though, and that is three more years of attacks In my view there is a duty upon us all to study all of the respective parties’ policies To be fair, listening to this happy old man added to my confusion and distress at So these thoughts were swirling around in the grey matter when I became aware country? Is it the young, the not so young, middle aged or the old who make be that three in every ten Kiwis just don’t give a shit about who is running1,000,000 thisNew Zealander’swhy whoto wereas enrolledruminating towas vote,I didn’t.work Couldfrom it night really last home travelling was I S RMTU General secretary Wayne Butson The Transport Worker December 2011 3 Murray has, for many years now, held the position as a loco engineer’s engineer’s loco a as position the held now, years many for has, Murray It is my pleasure on behalf of locomotive engineers across the I wish to thank all the staff and delegates at the RMTU for the support support the for RMTU the at delegates and staff the all thank to wish I I wish the RMTU staff and members all the best for the future as I have enjoyed my time as a railwayman and am sorry to be going, I would also like to thank the RMTU for all the support they have To all my former colleagues and to all KiwiRail, and Veolia staff, I My best wishes to all staff and their families for the future. As the Once again, thank you fellow workers and RMTU for all the good Letters Tribute engineer loco Dear editor, Southern KIC outgoing our to thanks big very a say to wish I rep comrade Murray Dunlop. issues at hard very worked has he time his In area. southern the for rep that have included better cab and working conditions for LEs. Murray South the across officers branch to advice give to happy been always has Island and has always been a staunch supporter of health and safety in the work place. I would like to make mention of Murray’s input into Otira tunnel. the that Midland Line and with issues we have on the the Murray’s work in these areas has been outstanding, to say have they when the staff represent to hand on been least. always also has Murray had issues at work. Murray, at times your job as our rep may have seemed thankless but I want to say that your work over the years has not gone among the troops. unnoticed southern area to say “thank you very much” for your work as our rep. Mike Kilsby Otira. Retirements Dear editor, It is with some regret I tender my resignation from the RMTU after 41 years. Following restructuring of the staff and decided duties in have the I pay office functions payroll the of amalgamation the and Wellington package and enjoy some leisure time. to accept the redundancy they have given me during the considerable changes that have taken place over the years of my contracts. working career and employment the our favourable terms negotiating I in efforts their from enjoyed have for growth and expansion. KiwiRail positions itself Paul Pryce Payroll administrator. Dear editor, I Transport, Veolia with LE/s as position my from retired now have I As from the RMTU. unfortunately also have to tender my resignation with have been good value. as the workmates I have been associated months. 10 and years 17 past the over workers, fellow my and me, given workers. all of good the for strive to continue and best the all you wish Please remember that a union is only as strong as you, the members, want it to be. only disability a that proved have I think I leg, artificial an with LE/s only exists in the eyes of the person seeing it. times. Roger Howe Ex-LE/s Veolia, Westfield.
general secretary, general secretary, and staff. NMC From the president, the president, From Year.
safe and happy New safe and happy New
and strength of purpose. of purpose. and strength Profitability, flexibility and flexibility Profitability,
members a very Wishing all our Union Wishing Christmas and a Merry
We have had our Conference 2011 and it was a goodun. a was it and 2011 Conference our had have We The first up challenge though, will be for us all to get
2012 will be yet another busy year for us all. The rail
productivity Vs unity, solidarity solidarity Vs unity, productivity
as well. I thank you all. I found it a particularly satisfying Conference satisfying particularly a it found I all. you thank I threw their heart and soul into making sure it was a success. a was it sure making into soul and heart their threw All of the delegates who attended embraced the event and file elected delegates. not be what it is without the tireless work of the rank and their mind. A hearty thank you to you all. This Union would Union This all. you to you thank hearty A mind. their with the best interest of their fellow worker at the forefront of of forefront the at worker fellow their of interest best the with the ballot box. In either case they have done a thankless job thankless a done have they case either In box. ballot the thanks to those who either stepped aside or were replaced at at replaced were or aside stepped either who those to thanks have many new faces. We must record our appreciation and appreciation our record must We faces. new many have councils have been through the electoral meat grinder and we we and grinder meat electoral the through been have councils election year on our front as well. All the KiwiRail industrial KiwiRail the All well. as front our on year election 32 page issue jam-packed with our Union. 2011 has been everyone! happy, healthy and prosperous 2012. Merry Christmas but above all else make you sure are around to share our So please, all of you, have a great Christmas/New Year break Year Christmas/New great a have you, of all please, So and strength of purpose we shall prevail. through the Christmas/New year holiday period unscathed. changes may be, I know that where there is unity, solidarity unity, is there where that know I be, may changes the John Key-led Government’s Employment Relations Act that we have not stared down in the past and, despite what these three evils of necessity for a business but there are few are there but business a for necessity of evils three these ability, flexibility and productivity. There are many faces of will be at the expense of our members in the name of profit- of name the in members our of expense the at be will they want to achieve in the wage round and many of them employers (NZRC, KiwiRail and Veolia) will have things that things have will Veolia) and KiwiRail (NZRC, employers
industry MECA expires 30 June and I am sure that the Hard year looming The Transport Worker December 2011 4 economic management Political spinandGovernment of economic management between the the between management economic of spin National put on the relative strengths could affordit. Treasury advice at the time that the country post-2008. That expenditure was based on impacted that 2005 expenditure from some commitments up stored Labour $1.1 billionfiscaldeficit. extra an in resulted also has it unfairness, ‘tax swindle’ from day one). Apart from its National for the tax switch (we labelled it a C take onasignificantburden. Government would have been required to any but earthquakes Canterbury the from there wassupportforeconomicactivity. ensure to deficit into go to needed ment Govern- any circumstances, those in and into account. economic manager? of GDPonaverage. 4.93% of deficits ran National average. on under National. Net Worth rising under Labour and falling and rising debt under National and Crown also shows falling public It debt underNational. Labour under deficits of years three and Labour under surpluses operating of National Governmentwas–andis. wards as a reminder of how duplicitous the after- publishing worth were they thought Politics K their drivers licences before the vehicle vehicle the before licences drivers their anxious andconcerned. But the graph exposes the incredible incredible the exposes graph the But And of course National claim that that claim National course of And But we can rightly be critical of of critical be rightly can we But We can debate how to fund costs arising 2008 in hit crisis financial global The But we also have to take several factors prudent more the really was who So GDP of 2.88% of surpluses ran Labour The graph (right) shows nine years years nine shows (right) graph The The devices require drivers to swipe swipe to drivers require devices The presented the facts and figures figures below just prior to the and election. We facts the Rosenberg presented Bill economist, TU well as road – has RMTU members as rail – vehicles its all in devices iwi R ail ' s plans to install GPS GPS install to plans Big brotheriswatching!
to thelooorsimply forgetto‘unswipe’. every move – when they stop for a pie, go their watch to able be and will management tactics Brother Big of smacks this that concerned are Members move. will a fiscal hole in the next few years despite years few next the in hole fiscal a with Party bust and spend the as Labour position to trying somehow is National national comparisons.” inter- by low still is debt government that ensured has which debt, low of one than weakness like many other countries, rather they would have started from a position of it, Without years? nine prior the in Labour and responsible economic management of credible the acknowledge can they surely confront, to had National that burdens fiscal the recognise to enough mature are by comparison. under 20,000. National’s record was dismal number on unemployment from 162,000 to the reduced way the along and assets, up nine years of surpluses, reduced debt, built ran Labour that is fact The parties. major RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson Which leads me to another bit of spin. of bit another to me leads Which CTU secretary Peter Conway asks: “If we concerns ofdrivers. sible driving they also need to address the respon- and safe including benefits many with KiwiRailmanagement.” which is why we have initiated a discussion concerned very are members “Our says: the spin,”saysConway. by fooled be should one no But argued. be can that then anyway on spent been fund is used for areas that would not have slush the If point. political the is that But different. looks just It assets. more or ing fiscal differencebetween: no is there sales, asset of merits the aside capital spend up. This is pure spin. Leaving a for draw can they which from sales asset from fund slush a proposing is National this credible record while at the same time n n n He says that while management can see using the proceeds of assets sales to to sales assets of proceeds the using using the proceeds of borrowing for for borrowing of proceeds the using for sales asset of proceeds the using “The net result is the same, less borrow capital expenditure on the same assets. from borrowinganyway;or hospitals and that would schools have been on financed expenditure capital reduce borrowing;or - The Transport Worker December 2011 5 - - - rush to the bottom says the ITF. In an increasingly fierce market, shipping competitive each new FOC is forced to the offering by itself promote lowest possible fees and the minimum of regulation. In the same way, ship owners are forced to look for cheapest theand least regulated ways of running their vessels in order to compete, FOCsand provide the solution. Crews on flag-of-convenience ships The Rena made four port calls in the “The upshot of this excruciating work The effects of the MS Rena disaster is The International Transport Work The ITF believes there should be a Globalisation has helped to fuel this and account for almost 40% of dead-weight dead-weight of 40% almost for account and tonnage. such as the Rena, are forced to work long hours for low pay, says Butson. “There is little enforcement of international labour, safety and environmental regulations in these countries.” Astrolabe on grounding its before days five Reef and while in port her captain and of- and loading clock the around worked ficers discharging cargo. load was to leave them tired and unfo cused,” he said. “No wonder they struck the reef. What’s more miraculous is that it doesn’t happen more often.” salvers as 2012 into well us with be to likely continue to extract containers from the stricken container ship. ers’ Federation lists 32 FOC registries in countries that are unable or unwilling to enforce international labour, safety and environmental laws and regulations. a of owner real the between link’ ‘genuine accord in flies, vessel the flag the and vessel ance with the United Nations Convention “genuine no is There Sea. the of Law the on link” in the case of FOC registries.
reef. Rena Rena downs of FOC Containers being removed. The downs and The downs failure are being Diagrams containers ship on the the lie of the show how the extracted and -
S long as New Zealand tolerates vessels Convenience) of (Flags FOC plying its waters the more likely
“Nor are they obliged to comply with The Rena is registered in Monravia, These FOC vessels are now effectively “More needs to be done to grow our
and breaking up getting closer. The crack in the Rena's hull is getting larger The crack in the Rena's hull is getting larger New Zealand maritime rules and regula ships merchant world’s the half than more shall Islands and others, have registered tions.” Liberia who, along with Panama, the Mar-
sea conditions. with officers unfamiliar with New Zealand’s Zealand’s New with unfamiliar officers with New Zealand’s coastal shipping industry shipping is dominated with FOC vessels.” shipping is dominated to foreign competition. Now our coastal ships used to do before it was all opened largely doing the work of what our coastal our what of work the doing largely A limited access,” he said. “The Rena was Butson. ships FOC grant and shipping coastal own occur, says RMTU general secretary Wayne secretary general RMTU says occur, disasters such as the MS Rena are likely to
waves – a danger to passing vessels. Escaping containers lurk beneath the
C FO The Transport Worker December 2011 6 I and ofhischurch. years 50 over for Association Referees Wellington the of member active an was he this to Allied missed. be, will and has, input His thanked. is he this for and retirement their in and work at both workers railway of position lastyear. Vern Ross. He filled this post until ill health forced him to relinquish the He became its general secretary in 1999 on the death of his predecessor committee. executive its of member a and Association Superannuitants’ Employees (CURE). Railway of Union Combined the form to 1991 in Association Engineers’ Locomotive the and Association Trades Railway the with amalgamated general secretary of the ROI in 1972. He continued as such until the ROI and held this position until he was appointed to the position of assistant Committee of the Railway Officers’ Institute (a predecessor to the RMTU) Executive the on representative a became in theRMTUcontinueduntilrecently. retired in November 1992. His involvement including at Council and Board level until he capacities many in served and inception its tive to the NZ Railways Welfare Society from serving union official becoming a representa and then back to Wellington. He was a long Auckland Wellington, Christchurch, to him Works branch and from there his & career Way took the in cadet clerical as Greymouth his 79thbirthday. before just October 22 Saturday on away Obituary S Get yourmoneymatterssorted Retirement Income(formerly the RetirementCommission). attending theseminarswillalso receivetherelevantSortedbooklet. comprehensive facilitators guide and the presentation itself. Participants downloaded from
term
The Transport Worker December 2011 7 UnionAid is a registered charity registered a is UnionAid
clear. www.unionaid.org.nz the Fijian Embassy in Thorndon, Wellington. Above Helen Kelly and The CTU arranged this protest outside Embassy have their opinions loud and Wayne Butson and (l) Sai Lealea let the - egion get a Unionists around the world have been have world the around Unionists The dictatorship searched the homes Additionally, the Fijian government's
called upon by the International Trade Union Confederation to protest loudly at this abuse of power. of both men and their union offices, who at attendance their following arrested were Government of Heads Commonwealth the meeting in late October in Perth. decision to imprison two of their country’s country’s their of two imprison to decision An- Felix – leaders union prominent most thony (general secretary of the Fiji Trade Union Congress [FTUC] and Daniel Ura (president FTUC) – has angered union Both abroad. and Zealand New in leaders charge. were arrested without unions, human rights activists and com- munity support.”
-
he Fijian government decree that virtually outlaws union activity has been slammed by international
EPMU aviation members have peti
“It has been revealed that Air Pacific has has Pacific Air that revealed been has “It International Transport Federation EPMU assistant director, Strachen
The Decree, the latest in a series aimed aimed series a in latest the Decree, The Unions also have to apply for a permit a for apply to have also Unions
The Bainamarama regime’s Essential Or phone 0900 UNAID (0900 862 43) to automatically donate $30. Marion Square, Wellington, email: [email protected] Wellington, Marion Square, tel: 04 385 1334 (ext 810), fax: 04 385 6051, write: P O Box 6689,
rights at the centre of its work. rights at the centre UnionAID is the only New Zealand overseas aid agency that places workers’ UnionAID is the only New Zealand overseas aid agency that places workers’ Sign up to UnionAID today ity and helping vulnerable workers in developing countries in our r deal. fairer
Becoming a Kiwi Solidarity member is a modern that solidar way of expressing Unions have a long tradition of international solidarity.
Fiji oppresses union activity union oppresses Fiji ity action in conjunction with international international with conjunction in action ity intend to take lawful international solidar- international lawful take to intend regime draft the Decree,” he said. rights of all Fijians are being crushed. We paid top US lawyers to help the military Rob Fyfe. human “The said: Crumin Paddy president up over time. this up with a meeting with Air NZ CEO to attack good pay and conditions built follow will union the and Pacific Air tioned tary and employers from those industries Air Pacific. mili- the by orchestrated was it says Crang, industries and 11 corporations, including at curtailing labour rights, now covers four four covers now rights, labour curtailing at more people. if they want to hold a meeting of three or to time. the government may designate from time the right to strike – in any industry that under new rules and all but eliminates union officials, makes unions re-register agreements, allows the government to sack sack to government the allows agreements, 2011 nullifies long-standing bargaining National Industries (Employment) Decree (Employment) Industries National in New Zealand. union organisations – including the CTU
T WS NE Union The Transport Worker December 2011 8 A is painstakinglyslow. a way to re-enter it but for the families this to themineportalearlyinmorning. trip a with began which day that attended families that services five of one just was and Service Public the by arranged was families”. their to safely home come and work to go workplaces where “workers in any industry safe of to commitment absolute union’s the talking speech strong a with all of unions behalf on spoke O’Connell, Ged who remainedseated. Key John Minister Prime except everyone turned to their families, whatever it takes”. need to get “we the men outcrowd of the the mine and re told passionately Monk, Bernie families, the for spokesperson a Pike River The men’snames arewrittenunderneath. came fromand thedistancetothatplace. Near theAtarauMemorialisthis signpost with thenames of theplaceseachman From the portal they know their men their know they portal the From Work continues daily at the mine to find Greymouth Park, Rugby at service The Director of organising from the EPMU, from ovation standing a received He the first anniversary ofthetragedy, the firstanniversary on Greymouth in 29 River Pike the for memorial a of unveiling the T Pike River29remembered one year on - 19-11-2010 -19-11-2011 around the stones with picnic baskets baskets talking quietly, laying flowers and picnic tributes. with stones the around its entrance. around from gathered stones 29 the and stone for the memorial came from the mine site are 29 stones, one for each miner. The the on circle semi a in Laid plaque. and stone the unveiled 29 Pike the of children the and angels’ the of arms the ‘In lan’s an invitationtotheunionsattend. extended who families the for was service This unveiled. was memorials first one the of past, flows mine the from directly water where river the beside and trance and angry. waiting are families the and reached be to yet have they explosion first months the 12 since the In away. kms 2 just are the river.Asheputit:“Ourboys’DNAisin the watercomingfromminegoesinto beside ariver.Theownerofthelandsaid can belocatedfromthissitewhichisalso The Ataruamemorial.mineportal Individual stones bear the names of of names the bear stones Individual sat families and fine was weather The Alisha Osbourne sang Sarah McLach Sarah sang Osbourne Alisha At Atarau 12kms from the portal en portal the from 12kms Atarau At this river.” - - the day. throughout present and strong were that emotions anger, and grief raw the of ness the words:‘Loveyou,Mumand Dad’. ‘I miss you Dad” with other stones bearing childish handwriting painstakingly scribed with some vivid, black in written men the To read the stones is to feel the near- the feel to is stones the read To The Transport Worker December 2011 9 More from Pike River over the page He acknowledged the role unions play, play, unions role the acknowledged He Other speakers were EPMU national good a or – sung was Forever Solidarity The day concluded with drinks at the massive challenges of the last 12 months. safety and health workplace in particularly and reminded everyone that we all have a health better for struggle the in play to part and safety outcomes at work. secretary Bill Newson, Helen Kelly and EPMU organiser for the West Coast Garth Elliott. from laid were wreaths as – made attempt the EPMU and RMTU. Blackball Hilton where many of the would 29 have had a beer or two from time to time.
The
wheel. Greymouth. memorial in memorial members took was put beside Blackball where families of union the service for the The memorials at each name on the place. A white rose Bernie Monk cheekily told the crowd White roses appeared at each small The wheel is perfectly balanced and As the 29 names were called out family out called were names 29 the As that as a hotel owner he never had much when River Pike after until unions for time families the help to down came Kelly Helen set up the structures and networks that have enabled them all to deal with the shift of the wheel as it scribed a full circle. full a scribed it as wheel the of shift turned a little each time a rose was tied on. on. tied was rose a time each little a turned members or representatives of the families families the of representatives or members tied quietly and time a at six forward came beside Wheel Memorial the to rose white a the name of their man. the enquiry) and other union faces closely faces union other and enquiry) the involved with Pike River since the events of 19 November 2010. -
After the Public Service at Rugby Park
From the Atarau service families trav- When you look up from the Atarau
by the EPMU on behalf of the families at Tim Mora, Nigel Hampden QC (engaged of the EPMU Bill Newson, Archdeacon man and Kevin Hague, general secretary Kelly, Green Party members Russell Nor- attendees was president of the CTU Helen CTU the of president was attendees Museum Memorial Wheel. Amongst the Cornell Memorial Stone. families and unions travelled to ball Blackfor a private service at the Blackball Memorial and the unveiling of the Richie mine’s portal. Garden Rose the for Greymouth into elled in the distance near the entrance to the Memorial a single tree marks the point 10 The Transport Worker December 2011 Pike River From ‘would’ to ‘could’ T By HelenKelly could all take comfort the truth was being clarity of communication is admirable” we “his saying Whittall Peter manager mine recovery. With Minister Brownlee praising veneer of control over the rescue and then a public the to present to able were they safely, mine the running in failed ment, they had already, on any objective assess though Even message. public the trolled deferred to mine management as they con done. out with fell management – and nothing was there, work to not husbands their told quit, they concerns grave such held number a supported, not were up spoke who Those concerns. safety serious held staff senior of number a while operated done. It had bad incidents, cut corners and days before the explosion and nothing was few a only inspected was River Pike sion? explo- the after and operating was mine the shorttime both during deference 29 oftheirbrotherslay. half struggle out of the death trap in whicha and hour their made they as survivors two the help to one no – indignity final the then and noticed was explosion the emergency procedures, 41 minutes before insufficient safety gear, no safety drills, no country this has seen. No realistic second exit, negligence corporate of episodes question “would a reasonable employer employer reasonable a “would question missal was justified, was requireddis to a ask not the or whether considering when the “justificationtest”. as to referred is what to related is them A Mine tragedy trigger After the explosion, the Prime Minister such shown company the was Why Prior to the amendment, the court, court, the amendment, the to Prior for in-depthenquiry be one of the most disgraceful disgraceful most the of one to be it showing enquiry Rver Pike the at up stacking is evidence HE
2000 have been enacted. One of of One enacted. been have 2000 Act Relations Employment the to number of important amendments - - - It istimetoreclaimthosevalues. lenges the egalitarian values we believe in. their employer is a growing trend and chal their families and the reverence shown to and workers River Pike the shown spect without teeth and workers without voice. inspectors labour leaving insufficient are though it is clear that current regulations Minister of Labour refuses to budge even The safety. human before put are profits where examples of number growing a of context the in even industry the regulate in. gone ever only had he – before mine the started work. A boy that had never exited officially had he before killed Dunbar; Joseph old year 17 to spoke he unlikely very is It evacuation. an practiced never safety before they worked in the mine but asking hardquestions. a go they were described as “vultures” for their hero. When the Australian media became had Whittall accountability. of than rushed to stories of human interest rather while thefamiliessatinstands. Government the with stage the on was were valued. A service where the company and in a new culture where safe operators of the chance to work with new equipment ers were attracted to the company because memorial service telling the country min- Government the at spoke Whittall told”. bring about a far more flexible approach flexible more far a about bring would change the existed”, that stances have dismissed the employee in the circum the question “could a reasonable employer word “would”to“could”. the changes amendment The dismissal.” the of time the at existed that cumstances cir the in employee the dismissed have The contradiction between the disre the between contradiction The re- to reluctance a see we now And talk to miners all met he said Whittall media Zealand’s New Meanwhile Generally, the view is that, when asking - - - - is decidedbythe Court. dismissal) (unjustified grievance personal his until Ltd Auckland of Ports with ment employ in reinstated be to seeks Angus Andrew which in Ltd Auckland of Ports v Angus case a in question that consider wording make a real difference in practice? dismissal justified?’. towards answering the question, ‘Was the Conference Bill Rosenberg, The Employment Court will shortly shortly will Court Employment The in change this will is, question The NZCTU. Lyttelton. Brian Byas,Port
Adrian Douglas, NZTA Phil Goff - The Transport Worker December 2011 11 Andrew Cassidy, Andrew Cassidy, First Union. - Aubrey Wilkenson, president. Continued on the next page - - Throughout It wasn’t all hard with our mem work- the in bers place, between branches andthe wider union movement and commu- the with nity at large. workshops, these whether theyfocused on en couraging better and health for fighting or communication, safety, the emphasis was on an organising involved actively people getting – approach lively and relevant hold we that ensuring by news of flow the maintain meetings, branch and information and educate members about their rights, and the importance of building solidarity – on and off the job. had We though. work a formal dinner to celebrate the long stewardship of our former presidentJim Kelly featuring many outstanding speeches by friends, comrades. and family All of these were up- him Jimmy by staged the us gave who self, - - Shane Jones, MP. - Delegates were not just on the receiving receiving the on just not were Delegates Topics were end either – there were remits to debate and vote on and workshops that involved active participation and planning. Confer- position union’s our change to voted ence on discussing random drug and alcohol worked energetically delegates and testing on how to ensure better communication Vigorous discussion with a speech that listed the failings of the of failings the listed that speech a with put and government National/ACT current the responsibility for that squarely at the Prime Minister’s door. The media atten as varied as the global financial crisis, the need to mobilise our members as part of the elec tion this generated meant that Conference that meant generated this tion was screened on prime time TVThere news. followed addresses politicians from Labour and the Greens as from other well as talks from employer repre sentatives, fellow unionists from New Zealand and overseas, legal experts and our own organising staff. tion campaign, the right to refuse unsafe work, the future of New Zealand’s here ports both rights workers’ to threats the and and abroad. year ahead year - - - - - dent and general secretary started with two hard- hitting addresses that put del egates on notice that if the slogan Togeth ‘Stronger er’ was to mean anything we have way the change to we do things.T h a t branches m talking e a n s and listening to one another, and forging stronger links between rail
ANY of the members who attended attended who members the of ANY this year’s National de Conference, observers, or delegates as either
Conference highlights hard hard highlights Conference
Attendees were put on notice from the Phil Goff formally opened proceedings
lawyer. Hazel Armstrong, M that was about ‘doing things’ as well as ‘talk as well as things’ ‘doing about was that thought-provoking speakers. beginning that this would be a conference had a strong theme, and involved active par active involved and theme, strong a had and stimulating some to listening as well as that we have safe and healthy workplaces. scribed it as ‘the best ever’. The Conference Conference The ever’. best ‘the as it scribed exercises training and debates in ticipation presi- national Our things’. doing about ing conditions of employment and to ensure tacks on our earning power and terms and terms and power earning our on tacks on planning to meet the challenges of at- that we all face. There was a strong emphasis emphasis strong a was There face. all we that and port members to counter the threats ce nferen CO 12 The Transport Worker December 2011 Peter Conway, NZCTU Grant Craig,FRONZ Conference a'coming Hard times ing usintheface. star- is environment political hostile a in lifetimes our of crisis economic most the in wisdom his of benefit good start. and months ahead and we’ve made a and society. say in what goes on in our workplacesa to right the and safety and health wages, jobs, – matter that issues the we can mobilise our members behind can hit hard when we have to and that we that demonstrated have we that know that our union is in good shape, ference delegates and observers also the next few years will be hard. Con- Regardless of the result,we government. know that National/ACT the of rid get to enough did we if know We have much to do in the weeks we’ll this read you time the By – the biggest biggest the – years few next d ’ e w s y a d are over the the over are stakes the high how just about doubt any in left was ference Con at one No struggle’. ‘the called is workers ing organis son rea- a is there that notice on put been three the of Muldoon. of fall the ter af- round pay first the of version Jim’s forget ever will it heard Few of us who Conference. the of talk funniest and compelling At the end - - reactions. conference forthefirsttime.Herearetheir Fourteen peopleexperiencedtheRMTUannual New toconference forever – strongertogether. local andinternational. Solidarity gathering ofdedicated unionists,both The conferencehasbeenavibrant Karyn Amoore,Aucklandrail.
union members. to helpmyfellow has motivated me encouraging and Very Lyttleton port. Lawton, (l) Timothy Enlightening and interesting and delegates from outside ofthe South Island. good tomeet organiser.
(r) John
Kerr,
The conferencewas veryinsightfuland Michael Nijssen,Timaruport. being anationalunion. importance oftheRMTU I nowknowthe Hillside rail. Stuart Johnstone, challenging.
The Transport Worker December 2011 13
and a real education. our collective strength. union that meets the eye. David Kearns, Hillside rail. A real eye opener, superb speakers, John Millward, Palmerston North rail. Alan Robertson, Christchurch rail. Highly impressed by the speakers, and it is vital to work with other unions to build up Very informative and [reveals] more to our -
tive workshops. the good vibes from the conference. Shaun Wilson, Bay of Plenty port. Stu Marsh, Lyttelton port. Enjoyed the workshops. Good to hear how Naylor Young, Timaru port. A well planned and executed conference other unions are running their campaigns. Learnt a lot and will take back to Timaru packed with excellent speakers and informa
act together. union members.
a lot from fellow delegates.
Very rewarding and a good wind up Mike King, Hawkes Bay rail.
Bill Sweeney, Auckland rail. Mervyn Read, Port Chalmers.
from Wayne for the branches to get their I have enjoyed the opportunity to discuss
work practices and conditions with fellow Enjoyed the international speakers and learnt 14 The Transport Worker December 2011 Conference W is wheresolidarity stalls. read, along with e-mails etc, that, it seems, good damned a are and informed fully us keep publications Worker Transport The ready todealwithanyofthose arsonists. than more and stronger much so is that union a into translates that and stronger, much so is branch the role, your on take to ready someone is there if that noticed within this union and internationally, I have experience and travels my In speak. to so running, ground the hit to us as effective as someone is there reins, the of go let do we when so them mentor to and activists, younger other any and members female members, coerce even or tap, shoulder are alsogettingolderandwearier. although we have passion and tenacity, we our people, to keep up the good fight, and have the resources, or the endurance from fires an fail to deal to the arsonist. We don’t the out stamp we simply, Put causes. the are – all at with deal don’t or – effectively with deal don’t they What problems. their with deal do branches all Yet others. than effectively more branches some say, to Fair within. raised problems with dealing those problems. of causes the and overcame we problems and the lows, what worked, what didn’t, the endured over the past 12 months. The highsand learnt have we what remember must to the highest level of our collective ability. participation and involvement encourage decision making body of our union and I do into thefuture. tantly, a direction to map out for our union calls to support or reject and, more impor- President By AubreyWilkinson While it is a fact that The Activist and Activist The that fact a is it While on, bring to branches encourage I Our branches operate effectively when we direction our define us help To This National Conference is the highest decisions to make. Some tough Some make. to decisions important of lot a have leaders, branch as you and union, a as E new directionfor President urges leading up to the action, Alby Barr for his for Barr Alby action, the to up leading McNae for the diligent work in the meetings Wellington, well done mate. Also to Shane in delivery passionate his for Johnston art Stu- To help. for ask to mind of presence and courage the having actually for and at Hillside and Hutt Workshops respectively from work who Kurene Kasia and Kearns David speeches passionate The edged. acknowl- be must which things some out should theyputafootwrong. and take stock of what they are dealing with back step employers our make will things issues because at the very least, doing these stand face-to-face, each other’s problems or under and know to get to and regularly, meet together, work to – branches our lective action saved more job redundancies. from other areas. I am certain that our col- redundancies 10 and Hillside from dant justify theirdecisiontogooffshore. another levelofunderstanding. in Tauranga that raised public awareness to picket peaceful a by followed country the and out into the public domain throughout media the into campaign workers’ NZ for meeting came the re-launch of the ‘NZ work division. our brothers and sisters in the mechanical supporting resolutions came meeting that stopwork meeting that I am paid aware of. From combined first their having branch port a and branches rail two of success good ofeveryoneinourUnion. at all. This needs to change for the collective rarely meet, and in many cases do town not meet same the in situated branches two concerning, more Even other. each with communicate to bother even or interact The combined meeting also brought brought also meeting combined The This reinforces the need for us all – all redun- made were members 44 Sadly After that meeting KiwiRail struggled to stopwork combined that from Also the share can I that, all saying After not do branches how me amazes It Union - he bringstoanysituation. time and again how much value and worth proven has he secretary general As input. his without placed be would Union our toes. Thankyouboth. of all Union transactions keeps us all on our counts manager and receipts policewoman national office, and Leonie Stieller, our ac- the running to goes she effort huge the ure to work with. Our members appreciate recognition to Julia Harrison who is a pleas special with Wilson Scott and Spanswick, John Kerr, George Laird, Todd Valster, Phil staff and officials including Libi Carr/Angel, recognise the awesome efforts of our paid and executethatplaninatimelymanner. together plan together, work we if results to Phil. It is plain for all to see the positive Phil Kearns so well done to you and thanks his efforts. He had some fantastic help from of appreciative extremely were members edin and nationally and I am sure that our Dun- in work amazing some did also John campaign. our with up ramp to started things as just organiser, Island South new paign, wethankyou. cam- the during sisters and brothers your support to time the took who those all to with Phil Spanswick was invaluable. Lastly, along leadership Your finish. to start from ship role through the campaign in Tauranga pressure of stepping up and taking a leader and support pickets and to have the added not an easy job educating people to attend with Greenpeace. To Kelvin Martin I along say it’s us supported which unions other the to and Hamilton, from picketers with hard work helping to raise a decent picket Thank also to the NMC and Union sup- Finally to Wayne. I can’t imagine where must we plaudits, out handing While our as scene the on arrived Kerr John Continues onthe nextpage - - The Transport Worker December 2011 15 - - We must deal to our arsonist. Further discussion with KiwiRail will The RMTU agreed to enter into dis and effectively positioning ourselves toattack our problems, the biggest cause of our problems is the current government. The election will reveal our fate. cussions with KiwiRail on the possibility of moving to a random testing regimeand, after lengthy discussions, agreed in certain to subject concept the to principle criteria. One of which was: that the na tional conference would have to endorse discussed therefore was This concept. the proposal the debate, significant a after and agreed. was policy current the withdraw to debate and presentation a also was There over the type of testing – urine vs. oral fluid. From the material presented, urine testing appears to provide the best and safest option currently available. now proceed. Any the draft to agreementvariation by will implemented be to need CA (70% acceptance) and after a compre- by followed programme education hensive to wish who members where amnesty, an so do can voluntarily, rehabilitation enter without penalty. significantly better. Unfortunately, in this case they have been right. - - - for Conference for D&A – a serious D&A – a serious HE Union’s policy position towards position policy Union’s HE random drug and alcohol testing was also debated at Conference. KiwiRail has pursued random testing Members will be aware that for some While we may talk about working to
(r) Todd Valster and Karen Amoore with money raised for locked-out ANZCO workers. and Karen Amoore with money raised for locked-out Valster (r) Todd for their own reasons, chiefly to satisfy their customers who have been insisting that KiwiRail employees comply with the usu policies, alcohol and drug customers’ years the rail industry (and most of testing the alcohol and drug a had have ports) policy, usually based on the principles of pre-employment, post incident, reason able cause and transfer into safety critical testing random held had Union The roles. at arm’s length on the basis of concerns over privacy and a genuine belief throughthat encouraging members to seek help if they had drug and alcohol prob- lems, the problem could be eliminated from the industry through education. through and testing, random including ally getting not was problem the that concerns Previously the policy was to oppose this type of testing. T members and thank those in the old com- mittee – your work was certainly appreci- ated. gether, forming plans, targeting problems Dave Kearns, Hillside Kearns, Dave
NMC
We welcome our new KiwiRail council Phillips,
Jones
Shane
(above) Mihi for
(r) Howard (r) remembered of his time as president. dorsement as his successor. Much will be role and to Jim Kelly for his personal en- port and endorsement in the president’s
photos Conference Conference novel answerto 16 Conference photoroundu Waikato rail. Bernie Snook,
The Transportcompetitions Worker December 2011 The RMTU's T-shirt
NZTA manager. John Freeman Wellington port. Warren Stoddart Aubrey &Julia Leonnie, CEO. Taranaki Port Roy Weaver West Coastrail. John Bannerman Mario SoljanAIL. Sara manager. Tauranga Lunum Port The Transport Worker December 2011 SFWU. 17 Neville Donaldson Robyn Haultain NZ Nurses. rail/ TKM. Brown (r) Ray Waikato Waikato rail. Wellington Wellington Gary Innes (r) Phil organiser. Spanswick (above) James Williams Auckland rail.
(l) Roy Cowley NZ NZ Cowley Roy (l) Funds. and LE Harbours (l) Dean Grant Hawkes Bay rail. Blakie T shirt Jim Kelly. and Doug Simpkins, the judges with one of (l - r Kelven competition Kasia Kurene Marten, Barry Dave Marden, winners of the CEO. Quinn (r) Jim
KiwiRail
Owen Doogan RTBU Owen Doogan RTBU president. Gareth Hughes Green MP.
Port Taranaki. Daniel Manu Jan Logie Green MP. Green Jan Logie Sara Lunum Port Tauranga manager. 18 The Transport Worker December 2011 Geoff Davenport. Jim withlawyer Libi,JuliaandJamesWilliams. Celebration Jimmy's farewell Ross Wilson,Jim,WayneandAubrey.
with IanSwift. Eddie andJoyDickson Labour MP. (r) Clare Curran
Edgar Sparkand Dave Morgan.
er Sok In wf, hl Bos Phil Swift, Ian Stock, Terry Edgar Spark, Dave Morgan, Wilson, Eddie Dickson, Ross MP, Curran Clare included guests distinguished Other Linda. wife his and Charlie brother Steven, son Lisa, daughter guests including Jim’s wife Elizabeth, O Kelly whanau attended as special special as attended whanau Kelly the Police College dining room. The in Kelly “Jim” James president past immediate of affairs Union from by the RMTU to mark the retirement The Kellywhanau. “strong, shinybaldhead”. certain a about talking when stage one at trouble into get did he although along rolling things keep to and endeavoured ceremonies of master the was secretary general The Murfitt. John and Armstrong worth, Geoff Davenport, Hazel ence a dinner was hosted hosted was dinner a ence Confer Delegates Annual N the second evening of the
A long list of speakers de- speakers of list long A -
- The Transport Worker December 2011 19 - -
- easy
Retirement Retirement ALL RMTU members Ltd; and ment New Zealand Limited. - A Kiwisaver scheme for A Kiwisaver scheme savings made made savings l AMP Capital Investors (NZ) l TOWER Asset Management; l Tyndall Investment Manage www.harbourssuper.org.nz tions at a minimum rate of 2% of your taxable earnings. Download a copy of the invest- ment statement and application form at: All top-rated schemes. The NZ Harbours KiwiSaver Scheme operates in similar fashion to all others; you get the most out of it if you and your employer make regular contribu account with them or trans ferring to it from the one they have. The Plan is sponsored by the Rail & Maritime Transport Union and administered by Melville Jessup Weaver. Contrib- utions are invested be tween three fund managers:- RAIL workers can now piggy- RAIL workers can benefits port back aboard the workers have enjoyed with the NZ Harbours Superannuation Plan by opening a KiwiSaver
above (l - r) Owen Doogan, Jim and Lisa (below) Julia and Leonie give Jim a kiss goodbye.
Jim, we are proud to have called you a brother, walked with you on the journey and know that the RMTU will heart your in place special a have always as you will in ours. full time to his family so that he can spend more valuable time with them. (below) Tania Haraki, Ian Swift and Jim. -
A great time was had by all with great food, food, great with all by had was time great A him return and future great a Jim wish We
During the evening we learnt what it Special note was made during many during made was note Special
good company and much merriment. to the forefront. which his railway activism and leadership was was leadership and activism railway his which NZ and begin his rail career – a career in meant for a Glasgow-born Kelly to come to then Minister of Finance Michael Cullen. Cullen. Michael Finance of Minister then symbolic handing over of a $1 coin to the the to coin $1 a of over handing symbolic formation of KiwiRail. Especially, Jim’s the renationalisation of rail and the the Take Back The Track campaign, terial Inquiry into H&S of rail workers, 1994 general rail strike, the 2000 Minis- 2000 the strike, rail general 1994 imagine, after 21 years as Union presi speeches of his leadership during the have done during his years. As you can – many bringing the house down. scribed Jim the man and the things he may dent the stories were wide and varied Jimmy's farewell Jimmy's 20 The Transport Worker December 2011 profits Massive corporate A North IslandPortrepNMC By DaveMarden October 4to7,2011 Durban, SouthAfrica Mining andMaritimeInitiative production andtransportation. energy sector, mining the covering port”, chain of (to quote the T-shirt) “from pit to whole the within workers of rights and ference were to improve conditions Middle East. unable to attend, particularlythe were members where regions and proxy speakers representing countries other African several Mexico, Canada, USA, Australia, Zealand, New from including conference this attended world more severe especially where social services is butasymptom. greed individual and corporate protesting movement global current The haven’t’. that them and have that ‘them between widening gap the see to continue we and failed have Public Joe protecting policies the monsterarenowbackincontrol. have allfelt. we which of consequences the Europe, in of the global financial markets, particularly tions tomentionbutafew. corpora and lines shipping agreements, trade governments, agreements, contract to table bargaining the from levels all at expanding epidemic with global campaigns on thoseatthecoalface. conditions poorer and cuts pay imposing yet profits, massive making are corporates international energy, and minerals for News The fundamentals of the con- For struggling economies the impact is on embarked which Governments The irony being, that those who created state current the is this to Juxtaposed this challenge to is forward way The With an ever-increasing global appetite Horrifying conditionsfor fellow workers parts of the unionised unionised the of parts many from unionists 400 T best guess, some 300 to - to help, strengthen, support and aid the aid and support strengthen, help, to strategies and ideas seeking conference a groups covering subjects of importance to percentage of the port’s labour is imported. capable of berthing is up to 60 and vessels. A high cargo SA’s of 78% approximately handles Port Durban that note to esting greedy companies offer no support either. who have lost loved ones due to a WPI. The ally no social services. This includes families climates Tough political harsh compared to what we deal with in NZ. climates. The issues they must deal with are political tough very are what in languages 11 too up in fellows their engage to need of resources–tomentionafew. of finance, labour brokers and a basic lack lack oppression, monarchical oppression, government casualisation, of issues face there Unions struggling. are economies cross border solidarity, some of the poorer and strength expansion, union through other each support and expand to Africa as SATAWUandNUM. very hard to grow some strong unions such neighbours a resilient people have worked is alive and more than kicking. In SA and its (eg: SAhas40%+unemployment). worse where there is a real shortage of work paid or out-of-work workers is considerably lowly majority the for Outcomes existent. and support mechanisms are poor or non- On day three we were divided into three inter- was it perspective, port a From In SA and its neighbours there are virtu regions these from delegates Some Though there are strong moves within moves strong are there Though However in all this the union movement Some ofthe3-400delegates. - Mexico. Herunstheunionfromthere. within danger in is life his as Canada in exile in live must who Gomez, Napoleon Mexico, of Workers Metal and Mine of ion months and 20 days behind bars for staying two years, two spent who Montufar, Juan shipping, rail corporate) we learnt through Africa (Africanstrategy). and gas alliance; Group Mexico; and South Oil included: They globally. faced plights 13 failures unions including: and people its to Government Mexican smallest offering canhelp. pecially whereitaffectstheirbottom line. es- – life of loss and H&S about concern or thought little very and workers their to families. They have no personal connection expense of good working people and their the at tentacles global cancerous their ing Companies like Grupo Mexico are expand- the right to go home at the end of the day. and – conditions living and rights human basic seeking merely those of plight the n cor- union dock and OM Government, n 55,000 people murdered and 63 miners In choosing “Grupo Mexico” (mining, Mexico” “Grupo choosing In We listed 13 failures of GM and the the and GM of failures 13 listed We We must not rest easy when we can see Union support must continue. Even the industrial homicide. from the Union and families. It is called protestations massive after even die to left were They explosion. the after the Mexican miners linked hand in hand metres). It is said that cameras showed 700 of depth a at saved were miners Chile (In down metres 150 die to left ruption. general secretary of the National Un- ion)who showed a video from the from video a showed ion)who Esquer of Los Mineros (minor’s un his union! denounce to million $US2 offered helped unions gain his release. from He was also pressure national struggle withGM. going on his with and people, can Mexi- the and unions for struggle hard to his union beliefs, about the He was accompanied by Carlos inter that doubt no is There Continued onthenextpage - - The Transport Worker December 2011 21 -
These views are consistent with what companies received pay rises averaging averaging rises pay received companies 14% in the last year. households was the only group increase their toshare of total income – all other households lost their share. We must promote the ongoing H&S From 1982 to 2010, the top 10% of tion the whole-of-life costs of the cheaper recent believe We locomotives. and wagons major rolling stock purchase short decisions of example an were and flawed were more costing up end will that thinking term economically and socially. from overseas does not take into account the wider benefits of employment within KiwiRail and the wider business - commu facilities need we out pointed also He nity. use and learn can people young our where their engineering trades. the RMTU has been saying about Hillside and Hutt workshops bothand in addi n The chief executives of our biggest 47 n ers have lost their lives. Between 1984 and 1984 Between lives. their lost have ers that albeit there, died miners 20,370 2008, SA is a massive mining country. campaigns to support our give and banner aimed at improving the rights and condi- tions of those with less. - - Phil Goff and Colin Kinsey. of local heavy engineering, NZ build and maintenance of rail rolling stock. He clearly ac knowledged that the current Government and KiwiRail man- agement did not put enough effort into understanding the value of building and tainingmain our rolling stock and locomotives. Cheaper does not mean better and the price of a wagon or locomotive sourced (l - r) Paul Morrison branch secretary, Chris Hipkins Labour MP, (l - r) Paul Morrison branch secretary, Chris a week to the gap in take home pay between someone earning $30,000year. a $150,000 earning someone and nently for Australia in the three years to end of August 2011. 270,000 – currently live in poverty. Up to a quarter of NZ’s children – Phil spoke very positively on the value National’s tax cuts have added $135 Understanding what some of our sister our of some what Understanding n n 106,000 New Zealander’s left perma- n facility can do. A large group of journalists of group large A do. can facility also came along. and brother unionists go through is mind boggling. With no disrespect to the Pike min- 100 over year this SA in tragedy, River where the ideology of rulers conflict, with and are inhospitable, to unions – many of day. every line the on lives their put whom - - - - generates a lot of wealth wealth of lot a generates
ealand
Z
N November 1, local Labour MPs TrevorHip Chris and Mallard
but it is NOT spread evenly; ew increased their wealth by $7 billion in billion $7 by wealth their increased the last year. billion a year worth of tax cuts. bottom 60%.
The top 10% of income earners got $2.2 $2.2 got earners income of 10% top The
Mallard, Goff and Hipkins with security in tow. Mallard, Goff and Hipkins with security in Egalitarianism remote ideal in 21st centuryEgalitarianism remote ideal in NZ minero [email protected] As with most conferences we left in Email your support to:
n
n The top 150 individuals and families The top 1% has as much wealth as the as wealth much as has 1% top The n N
and to show Labour what this valuable make sure any questions were answered walked them around keen to this Labour delegation and RMTU delegates welcomed ers, CEO Jim Quinn and Hutt and refreshments. Hutt manag Hutt refreshments. and followed by brief speeches for a tour of the workshops Goff visited the Hutt Shops leader of the Labour Party Phil Party Labour the of leader (now elected) and the then Te Tai Tonga, Rino Tirikatene kins (Hutt South and Rimu taka), Labour candidate for O
Labour @ Hutt shops @ Hutt Labour We acknowledge delegates from countries from delegates acknowledge We on-going local, regional and global battles. global and regional local, on-going with letters to our own politicians. the fight we as do to much with and spired ws Ne 22 The Transport Worker December 2011 Port Tauranga leadstheway saying there was still room for improve ment. for room still was there saying age vesselratewashigher. away. whittled being gradually is lead Tauranga’s However Wellington. of opposite the was Auckland rate. vessel lower but rate crane higher a had Wellington while levels tivity N throughput. over 90% of the country’s seaport container Lyttelton and Otago – which together handle Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, – are out-performingtheAustralians. with grandplansforfutureexpansion. reveal. Especially productive is Port Tauranga Ministry of Transport, as the following graphs cording to a recently released report from the News $2-shop wagons T before conditionalsignoffwasgiven: Two main issues were raised with KiwiRail service. entering to prior wagons these of sign-off for asked was RMTU the process As part of the commissioning and approval quality. ideal than less are shown welds the close-ups not are photos these while and wagons NZ-built to comparison in in the field is that the build quality is poor dynamic stability. Feedback from members Is the braking of these wagons within wagons these of braking the Is n The report gave NZ ports a pass mark mark pass a ports NZ gave report The Compared to Australia our national aver Tauranga had the highest overall produc The 12-page report focusses on six ports ports NZ says report the cases some In before these modifications. We will will We modifications. these before IAB braking which was just within code able load valves have also improved the Better brake blocks and modified vari- IABs. the of effort braking lesser the dumbed down, braking wise, to match rumours that the non-IAB wagons were report on wagon braking to dispel the wagons?. KiwiRail provided an in-depth a dedicated IAB consist and with other punching well above their weight, ac ports around the world and some are ew Zealand ports compare well to quality, braking compatibility and and compatibility braking quality, build over concerns many raised have China from wagons IAB HE - - - - mitigations for the IABwagons. and issues the all of Union the informing IAB sign off by the RMTU was based on KR conditional The them. build to China got then and wagons type IM their designed they when did Australians the like NZ in them design not did we that with is IABs issues the major the of one that told maintenance nowandinthefuture. it, these wagons are going to need a lot of of sounds the from least at build: shore ice for25-40years. On dynamic stability, the unmodified the stability, dynamic On n While not confirmed, we have been been have we confirmed, not While off- the balance to note positive One KR expects these wagons to be in serv- may reducethelifeofthesewagons”. but issue safety a not “is which flexing frame IAB is there that told been has improved dynamic stability. The which union fitted was block friction type IM- An arrived. they when fitted block friction the to due unstable were IABs publish thisreportinthenearfuture.
would bewithdrawn. Examples Clearly, if they haven’t then sign off sign then haven’t they if Clearly, welding of poor
volume byport import/export New Zealand productivity – a worldclass outcome Port The Transport Worker December 2011 23 - -
Octagon. Hillside workers enjoyed huge the ‘Occupy Dunedin’ site in the community support during their ment via mediation in which the port for the locked out workers. The employer doubled its pay offer. parties subsequently reached a settle a rally of locked out community care Dave Kearns from Hillside addressing campaign against jobs cuts and it was workers employed by the PACT Trust at good that Dave stepped up to show sup PACT
lant of any contracting out of RMTUThe RMTU cannot insist on contractual consultation over members’ work. RMTU members’ contracting out of work unless we know about it – and, of course, BEFORE it happens. - – an excuse we are tired of. For install- ing these KiwiRail bolsters we haven’t heard the excuse con- been even nor the over with sulted contracting out of RMTU members’ work. Membersmust be very vigi with Wayne. to watch and listen to deputy Treasurer Bill Bill Treasurer deputy to listen and watch to Shorten move the new Superannuation Bill which will increase the employermandatory contribution from 9% to addressed 12%. Wayne afternoon Wednesday On the Council on the NZ economy, RMTU the night That issues. other and campaigns Council dinner was held and it is notable that five Cabinet Ministers and 23 Federal poli- many that With attended. MPs Labour ticians in a room the dinner speakers’ list was impressive to say the least. The exist- ing ties between the RTBU and the RMTU solidarity and unity our and strong remain Solidarity Global assured. is ditch the across Forever. (r) Noel Morris Queensland and Satoru Yamada JRU (r) Noel Morris Queensland and Satoru Yamada - - - sec
Wayne
HEN Port Napier wanted to invest in specialised log bolsters bolsters log specialised in invest to wanted Napier Port HEN for transporting logs on rail (pictured below) they looked local and got their bolsters manufactured in the Hawkes
speech to the Council. eneral retary Butson attended
New log cradles, pro local build and not! New log cradles, pro local build and RTBU national secretary Bob Nanva
KiwiRail will say time was against them for manufacturing and delivery delivery and manufacturing for them against was time say will KiwiRail bolsters (pictured) and even contractors to fit them to wagons in NZ. in wagons to them fit to contractors even and (pictured) bolsters Bay. With KiwiRail, it was an overseas build (Sweden) for their log
W
presents Wayne with a memento after his
all delegates could attend Parliament House House Parliament attend could delegates all adjourned on the Wednesday morning so retary Bob Nanva, was adopted. Council Union, outlined by the new national sec- gagement’ and the new direction for the The theme was ‘Better en- state branches attended. ers, national divisions and divisions national ers, the RTBU’s national offic- House in Canberra. All of held in the Old Parliament Parliament Old the in held The Council meeting was tralia in early November. Union (RTBU) of Aus of the Rail Tram and Bus tional Council meeting the four-day biennial Na G
RTBU 9th Council RTBU
ws Ne 24 The Transport Worker December 2011 KiwiRail W an efforttobuild astrongerbranch. interaction between the KiwiRail groups in the CollectiveAgreement. from wording the using by contractors of 2012. The main point is to challenge the use DL update n Mean distances between DL failures are layout cab to alterations principle Two n n n Second order for 20 additional DL locos n n Previous concerns with respect to wear manufacturer the with conjunction In n service in not currently are locos Two n n have batch initial the from locos 20 All n Information providedbyKiwiRail,RMTULErepandLEs. News Previously identified ‘alterations or fixes’ Currently ring-fenced for service into the DL locos have, to date, undertaken undertaken date, to have, locos DL The new DL Locos are improving reli improving are Locos DL new The the at look to have will branch The improving grees totheright. de- 180 fully rotate to seat the allow to by 60cm and altering the cabinet design being the lowering of the front window emergency egressmechanism. – eg batch 2nd into engineered being for July2012. has been placed. Delivery programmed 486,717 kms. 3,522 freight service ‘trips’ for a total of rolled out across the balance being of and the fleet. locos four in installed and edied with a new brush holder designed rem- been have brushes alternator on tion testing. and they are undergoing post modifica the primary fault causing the vibrations we are confident that we have identified repairs. engine major post service in not one with vibration around concerns to due entire NIMTandMNPL. the across obtained been have rights running although Island North upper been commissioned. which we hope to capitalise on in the CNR wagons early in the year, of picket the from lot a learnt E - - BAY OFPLENTYRAILBRANCH if notturnedoffjustburnout. washers window and wash the for pumps Water low. too are rests foot the and them in hazards trip some have cabs the locos these around and on working After ability. Traction motors motors. There has been one traction mo- traction one been has There motors. traction DX the to similar are and neered RMTU LERep n Faults on some of the DLs include: code n DLs have been blowing up traction mo- n n The alternators have been destroying destroying been have alternators The The compressors have been shutting shutting been have compressors The Also the traction motors are re-engi are motors traction the Also over time. DLs will require traction motor rebuilds All NZ. to shipped were DLs the when possibly out seep to grease allowing have been found in the Cracks bearing housing date. to destroyed Eight tors. the brushes,6of20done holding bolts two of instead four have designed and installed. The new holders been have holders brush New brushes. have thenewsoftware. ensure compressor restart – 7 of 20 to DLs required was fix software A down. shut would compressor the and pulse to inverter the causing was voltage sive It was found that over notch four exces- down en route for no apparent reason. - the Bay of Plenty. traction control isworkingwell. new The hand? second are components other many How locos. new buying were KiwiRail thought We replaced. a alternator had DL a Also repairs. for waited and bearing which had to be parked at Wharoa motor traction collapsed a with another and bearing armature collapsed a with tor first 20DLsinclude: batch andretrofitting intothe changes from LEsforthenext Suggested cabimprovements/ n Accesstodriver’sseat. n Cabvisibilityandblindspots. n MU2A valve markings and headlight set n Windowlatches. n Windscreenlamination. n Headlightselectorswitches. n Headlightbrightness. n Speedoanddisplayconsole. n Driver’sfootrest. n Driver’sseatheightadjustment. Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year from generator overvoltage. auxiliary and housing axle in broken blots issue, alternator speed low issue, requiring repair, blower engines seize, a gearbox boogies motors, traction issues, vibration faults, engine 66/65 up formultiplerunning. The Transport Worker December 2011 25 We still have a wish list. We hope the these all see to you on shame Quinn, Mr. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy problems arise, how to fix or reset them. arise, how to fix or problems North the appreciate will government next Auckland Line and do somethingas the holiday herehighway will not solve the freight problem in the North. Of course, Britomart to Mt Eden, the underground loop, is a must-do as at the present time. Britomart is maxed out during rush hour periods and with an underground loop in operation, it would increase Britomart’s capacity five-fold. new Chinese-built wagons come straight off the boat, into car-and-wagon Westfield to be repaired and altered for operation! I am sure these Hillside of would cost not true have the is made What mistakes. those not will that question the is wagons ‘cheap’ be honestly answered? New Year, from all us in the city of sails. E are getting ready for the squash season and and season squash the for ready getting are E hope it goes well. The building of a loop at to service the improve help should port the - the port. Merry Xmas from the Bay. W HAWKES BAY RAIL BRANCH BAY HAWKES 800 320 400 [email protected] www.unionplus.co.nz ake out Life Cover with Sovereign and you will receive: More value for money with insurances. Only for current RMTU members. T n 20% extra life cover free for two years n Free TPD cover (10% of Life Cover value) for two years n 10% discount on Sovereign premiums (includes income protection, trauma and other products) n First premium refunded (up to $100) more, or review your current setup, please find out If you wish to take out cover, contact Union Plus on n 0 n n AUCKLAND RAIL BRANCH RAIL AUCKLAND Good to see the new DL locos. It ap- Staff numbers are still growing at a very a at growing still are numbers Staff The new ASR rules are still having The new signalling system is nearly up The Manukau branch will be the first pears that most of the LEs are getting to grips with them and understanding, when fast rate for both Veolia and KiwiRail. problems, most of the time it has been TCO TCO been has it time the of most problems, into falling LEs the and mistakes the making the of aware more be to need They trap. the changes and rules governing these areas. and running throughout the Auckland net- Auckland the throughout running and should it Christmas, after Hopefully, work. be completed apart from the Papakura to Pukekohe section. new bit of track laid since the 1950s in the 1950s the laid since track of bit new in open hopefully will This region. Auckland change, timetable new The 2012. February Febru in place take to supposed was which months few a for delayed been has 2012, ary issues. due to Auckland Transport built at Wiri. built at Wiri. from Auckland. The
RWC was an absolute success apart success absolute an was RWC from the opening night where reetings HE branch has had a busy 2011 with the main issues of contention There cases. D&A of number a including issues servicing mainly being have been some difficulties in the CT Site with the introduction of a
Posts are appearing on the Western Line Line Western the on appearing are Posts
With another year at the end we are
telecommunications! in 2010 including discounts on tyres, health clubs and health clubs discounts on tyres, in 2010 including Union Plus is pleased to be bringing you more benefits more Union Plus is pleased to be bringing you An excellent deal for RMTU members
WAIKATO RAIL BRANCH WAIKATO Xmas and a happy New Year. who attended the National Conference will help invigorate the branch. Merry Merry branch. the invigorate help will Conference National the attended who remained largely the same, however it will be vital that the Waikato delegates delegates Waikato the that vital be will it however same, the largely remained new manager that we hope may be resolved in the new year. Our executive Our year. new the in resolved be may hope we that manager new T
hes c Bran the Around to see the new electric-only depot being CDF (58 x three car sets). It is also positive also is It sets). car three x (58 CDF on new electric units from Spain, made by land Metro is getting $650 million to spend to million $650 getting is Metro land starting to appear. Brilliant to know Auck- with the earth wire going up and hangers should be done by railway men. with nice new equipment doing work that though it’s sad to see so many contractors electrification is progressing really well, ing back to find even more changes. The shutdown for two weeks we will be com- netwºork. Along with another Christmas the other events ran successfully. the other events ran rail the in changes big see to starting really tient Aucklanders are! This aside, most of no riots. Just shows how civilised and pa- up. Nobody could cope. Lucky there were when in reality 200,000 party goers showed showed goers party 200,000 reality in when Auckland Transport catered for 50,000 G 26
The Transport Worker December 2011 BAY OFPLENTYPORT BRANCH T surfing capital. on that in 2012. Merry Christmas from NZ’s build to hope we and year, the picket in earlier the from lessons valuable some learnt have we branch Rail Plenty of Bay Around theBranches Collectives to be settled. As with the Champion and C3 the have still we HE year is fast coming to a close and (l tor)RogerMcIntyre,PeterCooperand Graham Harvey. Nielsen. Dickson andRonnie (l tor)SteveCole,Whare (l tor)KeithHatwell,Paul Jarrod Boud. Hansen and Grant Smith(Cruise),KelvinRushand Shaun WilsonandCraigCooney. Murray Hume.
The Transport Worker December 2011 27
Continued on the next page – be safe, stay safe and come out A reminder to us all of the importance On a more positive note, to build We intend to visit the outer depots on Martinborough Toast note, side a On The Wellington rail branch would like Finally, a big thanks to Jim Kelly for his for Kelly Jim to thanks big a Finally, The Port of Napier branch members Hokaka whakapai. somewhere while we watch the revenue from the Port repatriated overseas. of our vote! planning are we relationships and solidarity our final branch/executive meeting and our Christmas function to include our rail brothers and sisters. This will be the first combined rail and port branches meeting and a first combined Christmas do. We are looking forward to all getting together at inspections and comms Interislander ter- minal, CT Site, and the Wellington freight diesel depot were all visited during a full day of meet and greet. and the odd network’s toolbox as time al- lows and look forward to making contact with the Hutt Shops and Wellington port branches in the New Year. 20 November went off very well, everyone While Wairarapa. the in over day great a had Wellington got the rain the staff dealt with return. trains the on public happy very the to wish all our fellow members a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Please take care of yourselves and family, you see will we and break, the enjoy relax, in 2012. legend lives on! legend lives inspirational leadership and his efforts in the to but RMTU the to just not contributing many the over whole, a as movement union years of service as the RMTU’s president. Words do not express the gratitude and appreciation you deserve. wish you and yours the best for the festive season the other side to 2012 ready to take on a new year of promise, hope and – rest assured – change. - NAPIER PORT BRANCH PORT NAPIER WELLINGTON RAIL BRANCH LYTTELTON PORT BRANCH PORT LYTTELTON On Friday 18 November 2011, Gary The branch has also seen restructuring seen also has branch The It is also with regret that we acknowl- As the year closes there are some By the time this gets to press we will The irony of selling an asset like the Port Port the like asset an selling of irony The Innes (assistant branch secretary)most visited secretary) (branch Sefesi Telai and sectors of the Wellington rail branch. Net- Metro, payroll, control, train A-box, works, EMU depot, paint bay, Kaiwharawhara, in payroll, the project planning group and group planning project in payroll, the property – never a good time for all those workers involved. edge the passing of a well-loved long serv ing member and delegate Mukund Bhai Dullabh Bhai Mistry or just Mistry to his Interislander the at workmates and friends and the wider rail community. some very trying times since her return. We hope management at all levelsremember our efforts when it willcomes time for contract talks in 2012. things that come to mind that definitely need a mention. The catastrophic events that will never be forgotten in NZ history, the tragedies of both Pike River and the Christchurch earthquakes, and the loss of our union legend who passed away just over 12 months ago – Brian Cronin. His all be well aware of what the followingthree years may bring if the blue brigade get back in. continue to do so if they win this election, unions to approach dire more even an with pending. of Lyttelton which returns a good revenue stream into Canterbury and, in doing so, anyway, Christchurch of rebuild the assists is that by selling the Port there would be a to have still would NZ then and gain one-off from Christchurch rebuild to money the find ion members is around asset sales. This is a where RMTU the for relevant particularly Tory government would see KiwiRail sold again – and the Port of Lyttelton (amongst other assets in Canterbury), ostensibly to fund the rebuild of Christchurch. - - - year “almost” done and
ITH the collective agreementsettled for the next three years between RMTU, MUNZ and the nother dusted. I guess one could sit back and look at all the issues we have
HE branch has been very busy en deavouring to have total membership membership total have to deavouring walking delegates have We coverage.
The Interislander has had its ship is Wellington Metro is looking forward to forward looking is Metro Wellington To the many that have supported the
One of the biggest issues for many un-
amenities. overhaul and an extension to the ladies to give the lunchroom a much needed work is to commence on 27 November prefabricating all the new modules and the scenes, the contractors have been busy been have contractors the scenes, the influx of locomotive engineers. Behind facilities. staff its of revamp major a ing a watch on what now seems to be an round with their books checking and keep- and checking books their with round
T have gone the extra mile and put up with alongside their Picton brothers and sisters, and brothers Picton their alongside Aratere) will run smoothly. Our members, in hope that the Christmas period (and the (and period Christmas the that hope in service and joined her sister ships. We live expanded Aratere. She has now re-entered now has She Aratere. expanded sues with the return from Singapore of the of Singapore from return the with sues
themselves and their wealthy corporate fol corporate wealthy their and themselves the current government and its leaders put leaders its and government current the lowers and/or supporters first -– and will union cares and works hard in a time when time a in hard works and cares union to mention a few, the fact remains that our that remains fact the few, a mention to petitions, attending meetings, hand outs, all! In the efforts toward pickets, financial, locally or the fight for others, a salute to you you to salute a others, for fight the or locally union cause, whether it be our own battles own our be it whether cause, union A union friendly. achieved in a climate that has not been scale this year, and weigh up what’s been faced as local branches or on a national hes c Bran the Around around Canterbury. to them by delegates from different unions different from delegates by them to Greens and Mana answered questions put 15 November. Representatives from Labour, Labour, from Representatives November. 15 Addington Raceway in Christchurch on the on Christchurch in Raceway Addington Hillside worker) attended the MPs forum at at forum MPs the attended worker) Hillside Donaldson (KR delegate and relocated Byas, Andy Kelly (LPC delegates) and Grant and delegates) (LPC Kelly Andy Byas, focussed on the General Election. Brian Lyttelton Port Company our attention is W 28
The Transport Worker December 2011 MARLBOROUGH RAILBRANCH LYTTELTON PORT BRANCH[cont] Around theBranches tee of the RMTU and by general secretary general by and RMTU the of tee given by the National Management Commit strongly was message the where delegate) Depot (City Lawton Tim and Marsh Stu Kelly, Andy Byas, Brian by attended was follows on from the annual conference that the endofabloodyhardyear. G the Interislander and the rail yard rose to rose yard rail the and Interislander the both from comrades my way outstanding the suf was told not was that she story The fered. episode unfortunate every on leapt who press the by documented been well have problems teething Her refit. major her from back arriving Aratere the with yard rail its and Interislander the at The inspiration for a combined ‘do’ ‘do’ combined a for inspiration The your own peace ofmind Join thisFund nowfor or so for our brothers and sisters and brothers our for so or month past the in time harrowing reetings Sickness, accident & death Attention LEs to all. Well it has been a - - is the first anniversary of the Pike River River Pike the of anniversary first the is a relationshipwith. built have and know we people to call the tough and we need each other, we can make get times the when that so times good the in other each with our relationships and links build must we that Butson, Wayne doing this and have gone beyond the call of innovation and, at times, great fortitude in resourcefulness, shown have we months for what we have achieved. In the past eight Picton. We should all be proud of ourselves somewhat tedious so ‘big ups’ to the staff in was trains and ships of rescheduling with customers as possible. The constant battling services to create as little disruption to our alternative to passengers and freight both moving of challenges logistical daily the This weekend, Saturday 19 November, 19 Saturday weekend, This Email: Fax: Telephone: Julia Harrison,POBox813, Wellington Contact: Engineers’ Sickness,Accident In thelast10years230locomotiveengineershad You could be next to miss out! The NewZealandLocomotive LEs whodidn’tbelongtotheFundandwere to retireduemedicalreasons.Theyreceiveda total payoutof$4,737,097fromtheaboveFund. future –orthoseofyournext For aslittle$403ayearyour kin –couldbebetterassured. forced toretiredidnotreceiveanything. and DeathBenefitFund of theirlovedones. whom we mourn and pray for the recovery who died at work, and for their families with RMTU to our comrades and fellow workers service. unions private public the and the service memorial attending be will secretary mining disaster. The RMTU Lyttelton branch and NewYear.Safetravelstoall. Xmas wonderful a all you wish we RMTU for notonlyusbutourcustomersaswell. ances’ and with it bringing a brighter future perform- time ‘on achieving be will freight and ships all luck of bit a With done. have we what recognises management not or whether and us for store in has Year New to thecompanyandnotaliability. asset an are we that proven have We duty. Kia Kaha the of behalf on laid be will wreath A On behalf of the Marlborough branch Marlborough the of behalf On the what seeing to forward look We [email protected] (04) 471-0896 (04) 499-2066 The Transport Worker December 2011 29 - Continued on the next page 04-499-2066 The General Secretary Rail & Maritime Transport Union PO Box 1103 WELLINGTON For more information and conditions John Kerr, our south island industrial most recent scholastic achievements, career intentions, the names and addresses of two referees and sent to the address below before 1 March 2012. for application please phone: was proven that the contractors from whom whom from contractors the that proven was had purchased was program computer the made the blunder and when our member fault the where showed it gear the installed hear- this for present manager HR The lay. ing was convinced that our member was management asked we When blame. at not for an apology it had to be extracted with could have apology some persuasion. The been better written by a primary school pupil. Shame on you KiwiRail for treating not for you on Shame this. like member our listening to our union officials who could have had this matter sorted out amicably with no fuss. This was entirely the com our this of top On mismanagement. pany’s troops are still out in the field inspecting another get we time every track and bridges quake, from Timaru to Picton, it’s not the it doing are who troops the but managers, trains run can organisation this that so hard don’t Why country. the for money make to and this achieving in us support and try you stop firing the cheap shots, undermining guts blood, their given have who members and lives working for the company. rep, ran a delegate training session in the EMPU building here in Christchurch. A turnout excellent an with session run well and presentation. How inspirational to photos many amongst session a such have Training session Training
- - - CANTERBURY RAIL BRANCH CANTERBURY ber of the Rail & Maritime Transport Union at the time of application. There are up to three scholarships Written applications may be made on those who have a parent who is a mem a is who parent a have who those A case in point recently concerned a u available per group, each tenable for up to three years by scholars who are undertaking full time study for their first tertiary qualification at any tertiary insti tution in New Zealand. The value of the scholarship is $500 per annum. the application form on the following page and should include details of your Three years their ugly heads and we are seeing many bad decisions being made consequences. withThis is costlynot good enough. money big paid being are managers These by KiwiRail to make the RIGHT calls on being continually are we and business our short-changed. Where is the accountabil- ity? Every time one of these ‘captains of industry’ messes up with a bad call it has a domino effect down the chain. When a business is not going well managers make snide remarks to staff. Cheap shots at cer- union are they if especially individuals tain a When up. wind to good are They officials. the makes it remarks these makes manager Throw- competent. not are they that point ing dispersions at certain staff is a feeble attempt to take the focus off themselves. bers that he had deliberately and without had which programme a changed authority been designed for the locomotive radio system. One visit to the regional manager resulted in “don’t tell me it has to be han- dled formally”. The content of the letter could they that was member our to passed allegedly had he what for him fire possibly took meeting disciplinary the When done. place our members took the disciplinary of demonstration practical a through team It occurred. had failure electronic this why manager who accused one of our mem Unjust accusation
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Please cut on the dotted line he Ernest William File Scholar ship was established in 1978 by members of the Locomotive Engineers Association as a trib
ES we are the winners of the Rugby the of winners the are we ES World Cup. Did we win it, or did France lose? OK one point is good
and/or The scholarship is open to applicants
Is the DL fleet of locos running like a
RMTU ERNEST WILLIAM FILE SCHOLARSHIP RMTU ERNEST WILLIAM FILE
the children of a locomotive engineer; locomotive a of children the u
T Scholarship was continued and expand Transport Union has continued to sup general secretary of the Association. The Employees and the Rail and Maritime ute to Ernest William File, the retiring ed by the Combined Union of Railway port it on the same basis. in two groups:
!
at mill’. Managerial decisions are rearing overrun? I’m saying there’s trouble ‘down freight business even with its 11 million ferry at $57 million proving itself in the well-oiled machine? Is the new extended smell the coffee? be level with the Aussies. Hello, can you for it through low wages when we should floggings can the people take? We have paid paid have We take? people the can floggings Zealand, Tranz Rail, Telecom – how many how – Telecom Rail, Tranz Zealand, We have tried and it didn’t work. Air New fact. Selling the family china does not work. work. not does china family the Selling fact. they will skyrocket power prices. This is a even if we do own 51%, by hook or by crook crook by or hook by 51%, own do we if even the power stations into foreign hands and hold on, let’s have a cup of tea. If we put authorities to help the country’s debt. Now Now debt. country’s the help to authorities so now we are going to sell these power and our power bills are already too high $300 million a week to run the country 157,000 unemployed. We are borrowing buying trains from overseas while we have we while overseas from trains buying Well, we sacked our own workers and are three years. Has this government done well? well? done government this Has years. three will know what we are in for, for the next corner and by the time this goes to print we we print to goes this time the by and corner it’s ours. Our election is just around the as 20; we are the team with the most so Well-oiled
Y
hes c Bran the Around 30 The Transport Worker December 2011 ! TIMARU RAILBRANCH CANTERBURY RAILBRANCH [cont] PORT TIMARUBRANCH T done. being work the see to good is it However, is being done it is causing a few problems. resealing parts of the CT site and while this CT site. wagon movements in and out of the Timaru manage to team CT the with well working is team shunt terminal our and boomed Gavin Currah. Here in Timaru of tonnage has guidance the under training) job the (on OJT undertaking is now and school P Around theBranches and a new secretary in Mike Nijssen. Both Nijssen. Mike in secretary new a and Young Naylor in president branch new a while forging this great country of ours for dignity them give to and members union and long for the respect and honour of their hard fought had who officials union trade living and former of walls building the on Like many terminals, bull hooks and and hooks bull terminals, many Like Contractors Fulton Hogan are finishing Date ofApplication: Applicant’s Signature: Loco Running Parents name&signature: Latest academicresults(Sixth or SeventhFormandcertifiedcopyofBursaryresults)–attach copies: References (useseparatesheetsifnecessary): Which yearisthisofyourundergraduatestudy?(egfirst,second etc.): Student IDifknown Degree/qualification(s) forwhichenrolled: University/institute atwhichenrolled: Age (yy:mm): Contact postaladdressforacademicyear: Surname ofapplicant: ERNEST WILLIAMFILESCHOLARSHIPAPPLICATIONFORM team. He has just finished shunting finished just has He team. terminal the to Edwards Shannon welcomes branch Rail Timaru HE rime structure and organisation and have but good year. We’re rebuilding our P ort B ranch has had a tough
NonLocoRunning: reflective of the years of under maintenance mechanical brothers and sisters; rather it is sorry state of affairs is no reflection on our back north for more repairs. We know this go to needing thus again, out crapped it back came it after days three there went it time Last repairs. for Christchurch to sent be to needing and down breaking forever is DSG Timaru The locos. DSC and DSG terminal downstream,asitwere. each in easier is job the then regard this in help to bit little a does yard every If all. us help will it packs in wagon of class this for shunting crews. Please, if you can keep headaches causing are IABs and IACs new boards, and RMTU branded clothing for for clothing branded RMTU and boards, motivating. and stimulating it found and Conference National the attended Mike and Naylor the sorrow of losing a loved one during during one loved a losing of sorrow the counted. KiaKaha. be to Standing workers. fellow their serve a better and fairer living. Standing proud to Date ofbirth: We continue to have problems with our Regular organiser visits, updated notice To all of our members who have had have who members our of all To First Name(s): Year. See you all safe and well in 2012. mates a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New work- and members RMTU fellow all wish for work! around look they as well as Shops Hutt at workmates our for news good and – ears our to news good is locos shunt refitted news that there are four new boxes for the boxes are becoming crap as well and so the Whilst on the subject of remotes, the remote each taking two months to do. Yay, we say! with Workshops Hutt at year a DSGs four rumours that KiwiRail is going to overhaul hear We teams. management successive by locomotives shunt in investment and New Year. happy a and Christmas Merry top really a all – and to every one of you let’s and hope for one to sympathy heartfelt branch its our offers homes their lost have and earthquakes the with times terrible these on a CTU Health and Safety Representative end of the year. Josh Meyer is shortly going aiming to get another five trained before the trained half a dozen key delegates and we’re we which at seminar education an had we delegates have all been put in place. In June Parent name(s)andsignature(s) The festive season is upon us and we and us upon is season festive The Continued onthenextpage The Transport Worker December 2011 31
- The newer operations staff are proving The season is once again a busy one We were disappointed that our Locomotive engineer Bill Howell has There is an ongoing push to get all the Cleaveland Tuhura has returned to injured badly was who Corbett, Hanlon ing physiotherapy and taking pain killers. Although it may still be some time before Hanlon returns to work we look forward to his return in the fullness of time. The Department of Labour has also conducted an investigation. to prove will and story success great a be to be a great asset to the organisation and hopefully mutually profitable for the company and workers alike. they played in securing him a position as a Hillside at made redundancies the of result recently. and unsuccessful was KIC the for candidate congratulate Mike Williams on his success. Democracy is a blunt instrument. had surgery on his shoulder wish and we duties, light is on albeit work, now at back him a speedy and complete recovery from his affliction. locomotive entertainment radios working fulfil may they that so intended, are they as manage- anti-fatigue the of one as role their ment tools available for LEs. The campaign is meeting with some success and if all the defective ones are reported they can berectified. work after the resolution of a long battle with KiwiRail Networks. The settlement could not have been reached without the committed its and RMTU the of support full branch officials. in a shunting accident,receiv is and surgery is after home at making progress good OTAGO RAIL BRANCH RAIL OTAGO HE branch has seen some arrivals in the persons persons the in arrivals some seen has branch HE of Alister Grant, back from Timaru to swell the ranks of the locomotive engineers, and our im- mediate past president (Brother Jim Kelly) who has left the realms of the Hillside Workshops and joined the Mechanical Depot staff. Jim is relishing the new environment and enjoys the variety of work and the new challenges and opportunities that field work is providing. He is also very impressed with the profes- sional attitudes displayed towards safety in the field membership the to appreciation his expressed has and of the RMTU and to the general secretary for the role T
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[cont]
PORT TIMARU BRANCH TIMARU PORT
We’re also looking at organising a social event for members over the slot are Maersk and Sud MSC/Hamburg – Port Prime at fluctuates Trade
The branch is looking forward to 2012 – we have an organising A very Merry Xmas and let’s all have a prosperous successful 2012. 2012. successful prosperous a have all let’s and Xmas Merry very A
summer to bring people to together for a little rest and relaxation. summer to bring people Transform rise. the on be to appear volumes fertilizer and logs chartering, training course. hes c Bran the Around plan leading into our bargaining in 2013 and we intend to maintain the a mere 230 tonnes! ers for the Benmore Dam upgrade are about to arrive with each weighing each with arrive to about are upgrade Dam Benmore the for ers this year. momentum we’ve established 32 The Transport Worker December 2011 New holiday homeopened Welf T ship oftheWelfareTrust. example of the many benefits of member an are and Maunganui Mount in while accommodation excellent with members oven, dishwasher,microwaveetc. electric hob, gas a contain and designed professionally are kitchens The shower. separate and bath a with bathroom a and toilet separate and bedroom, master the three bedroomsandanoffice. unit for the caretaker and family containing a is there Additionally six. of maximum a sleeping unit three-bedroom a and eight of four- maximum a with sleeping one and bedrooms units, two has block second the while standard, paraplegic full to constructed one with people, six of maximum a sleeping units bedroom two daughters,AmeliaandBridget. his and Mandy wife, his of presence the in September 28 Wednesday on opened officially was Cronin, Brian Trust the of supporter stalwart and organiser RMTU the constructionofsevennewunits. of the two old accommodation blocks and Mount Maunganui involved the demolition Agnes and RickiKukaconducting the There is no doubt the units provide provide units the doubt no is There All theunitscontainheatpumps. to attached en-suite an has unit Each The Cronin block contains four, three- after named block, Cronin new The Zealand Railways Staff Welfare Avenue, Grove Welfare in property Trust’s Staff Railways New the Zealand of redevelopment HE blessing ofthe complex. are
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(below)(l tor)KeithSmall(Covekinloch),Wayne,RowanBlack (thebuilder) Wayne andChrisBall. A wideviewoftheflatswithacriuselinerinbackground. Mandy CroninandherdaughtersBridgetAmelia. and ChrisBall(Trustmanager). Carol andBrentThompson.