MaritimesThe Issue 10 • July 2005 Magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand ISSN 1176-3418

Solidarity on the waterfront Election 2005 Fishing Industry Crisis Toll Conference Full Steam Ahead with UNION POWER Kent dispute • Bottom trawling • Port Roundups • Union Training 1 Industry problems have clear solutions

by Trevor Hanson This problem has been widely This would serve many purposes, General Secretary discussed in the industry and general especially taking into account the media, with the general consensus we rationalization of ports brought about I told a recent meeting of the Maritime are reaping the result of decades of by shippers increasing their vessel size Safety Authority the voluntary regula- short-sighted, greed driven, right wing and decreasing ports of call. tion of stress and fatigue problems by economic policies. It would provide a common set of employers are not enough to protect Vital areas such as training were left qualifications amongst all registered our members. to the "free market” with the result that employees. Due to the extreme competition nothing happened. This would allow workers to enter within the maritime industry, standards We now have a labour shortage, and the industry with a career in mind, in will continue to sink to the lowest massive pressure to import labour while the knowledge that their qualifications common denominator as the most tens of thousands of New Zealanders would allow them to change ports if aggressive operators attempt to maxi- remain unemployed or trapped in low- work in their current port declined. mize their profit. skill work. The other area of benefit would be Most operators agree to some level of The Maritime Union says urgent excellent records for security, with stress and fatigue prevention, but there attention must be focussed on the lack of increasingly stringent measures taken by is continual pressure to "get the job younger trained Seafarers coming our major trading partners. done" with the inevitable conclusion of a through. This would not prevent employers preventable workplace accident taking We are aware that both the employ- from recruiting new entrants, but it place. ers and the Government are beginning would ensure workers are trained to The situation is one where lip service to examine the current situation, but industry standard, making them is given to the rules and regulations, only because of the dire situation we available to the industry as a whole. then everyone goes ahead and does find ourselves in. This would again reinforce a long what they want. The Maritime Union position is that term, strategic approach to the industry A light handed enforcement of health the process of training Seafarers needs to giving stability to both employers and and safety standards that relies on be hastened. workers, that is fair to all. voluntary compliance has failed in our We do have expectations of New industry. Zealand Seafarers having the right to be Where to from here? The inherent fear of loss of contracts employed in the immediate future The Maritime Union has continually ensures the rules are set aside, and particularly on coastal hubbing ship- raised these issues since the era of Port health and safety will always come ping. Reform in 1989. second to the pressures of a competitive I predict that within the next decade, Many of the injuries and fatal environment. a major change in transportation and accidents that are still occurring in the These problems increase as the logistics will take place as oil reserves industry are the direct result of the demands of "just in time" logistics, 24/7 are outpaced by demand and environ- fragmented and deregulated develop- labour requirements with shift work and mental problems increase. ment of the industry since that time. irregular work patterns have a heavy The cost effectiveness and environ- The majority of current problems are impact on and off the job for workers. mental advantages of shipping will the responsibility of overseas owned The answer is to press for regulations probably lead to a resurgence of the shipping companies, who make their with more teeth, that are enforced industry. demands with absolute assurance that strongly, in order to set a new tone in the Further developments such as the the New Zealand employers will fulfill industry. recently released design of a high-tech their requests no matter what the cost. But the other vital part of keeping wind/solar powered ship by Sweden The burden falls directly on our control of health and safety on the job is point the way to the future. members – particularly in the area of through an informed and active mem- National register casualization and insecure employment, bership and delegates. stress and fatigue, and the uncounted I realize there are numerous pres- The Maritime Union has continued social consequences, the cost of which sures to cut corners, but once we go to urge the establishment of an indepen- falls on the wider society in which we all down the path of caving in to every dent register of all Seafarers and Water- live. demand by employers and letting front workers. The 2005 election will give members ourselves become isolated, then sooner This should be nationally based and a chance to ensure that we make or later someone will pay with an injury funded by employers. progress towards a stable and secure – or worse. The register should contain all society, rather than succumb to the dog- Training current Seafarers and Waterfront eat-dog world of short-sighted greed workers’ details including qualifications that was a hallmark of the 1990s. In both Sea and Waterfront areas and training. A guide to the election for members there are insufficient trained employees, The administrators should have a set is included in this edition of the in particular gear and machinery of rules in respect to health and safety, in Maritimes. operators, to meet the requirements of particular hours of work. our industry. 2 ‘The Maritimes’ Time to focus Edition 10, July 2005

Contents our minds Trevor Hanson Report ...... 2 Phil Adams Report ...... 3 Kent Dispute ...... 4 by Phil Adams Education, health, housing, unem- Ferry Incidents ...... 5 National President ployment and sickness benefits will all Toll Conference ...... 6 be chopped. These things should be provided for Fishing Industry Crisis ...... 7 Election Year by the community for the community. Bottom trawling ...... 8 The big upcoming issue that should Large companies with big profits Vice President’s Report ...... 9 focus all of our minds is the 2005 and those on high incomes get the ITF News ...... 10 election. benefit from tax cuts, not the workers. Delegate Training ...... 14 It is vital that all members take note Working people should stick to- that we need to return a centre left gether and protect our collective Election Special ...... 16 Government. interests. Seafarers’ Conference ...... 19 Under our MMP voting system the That is the Maritime Union way of Port Roundup ...... 20 doing things. next Labour-led Government will also Tridale Dispute ...... 21 need support from minor parties to United we stand, divided we fall, is form an effective Government. the message we should remember in Seafarers’ Strategy Conference ... 23 We would like to see left-wing pro- 2005. Letters...... 30 worker parties in there. Health and Safety on the Job Seafarers’ Retirement Fund ...... 31 The Maritime Union does not tell its The Back Page ...... 32 members who to vote for but we One issue that needs to be looked at certainly recommend a vote for Labour is the need for health and safety on the or another left party such as the Greens job. ‘The Maritimes’ is the official national or Alliance. We have recently seen fatalities and magazine of the Maritime Union of New This edition of the Maritimes has accidents in the industry and need to Zealand, published quarterly. information on the maritime policies of ensure we remain aware and vigilant on the political parties for you to read. the job to make sure we look after ISSN 1176-3418 I do not need to stress enough that if ourselves and our workmates. a National Government gets back in The Maritime Union is continuing to National Office: there will be another round of direct build our health and safety and training PO Box 27004 attacks on workers and maritime systems to make sure we are up to Wellington workers will be right in the firing line. speed. New Zealand This is because we stand up for Make sure you make the most of any Telephone 04 3850 792 ourselves and have fought back against opportunities to attend union training Fax 04 3848 766 casualization and other anti-worker or become a delegate. Email: [email protected] tactics. The Union is also continuing to work Web: www.munz.org.nz Across the Tasman, the Australians for better laws and regulations to re-elected the Howard Government protect workers. Edited and designed by Victor Billot Email: [email protected] which has already moved to attack Unfortunately in today’s greed- maritime workers. driven industry if profits can be made Editorial Board: Do not think the same thing can not by cutting corners then workers suffer Trevor Hanson, Phil Adams and Joe Fleetwood happen here. the consequences. One thing that worries me is that Toxic chemicals such as methyl Thanks to the photographers including Terry every time elections come around bromide continue to cause concern to Ryan, John O’Neill, Garry Parsloe, Corrine Paraore, Mike Lysaght, and others. people hear this call for “tax cuts.” us, and recently we had a scare with This sounds great in theory. radioactive material in Port Chalmers. Cover photo – New Zealand and Australian But in practice what does it mean? We all need to take care while wharfies at ITF training, Newcastle, Australia, The “tax cuts” have to be paid for out of working dangerous cargoes and stay including Grant Williams (MUNZ Local 13 cutting the vital services that we take informed. Better to be safe than sorry. Auckland) and Adam Law (MUNZ Local 10 Port Chalmers), May 2005 for granted. Photo by Michelle Battin of the Maritime Union of Australia ‘The Maritimes’ is the official magazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand. All correspondence to: ‘The Maritimes’, PO Box 27004, Wellington, New Zealand. Email [email protected]

Deadline for all Port reports, submissions, photos and letters: 12 August 2005 for next edition 3 effect a lockout in the making. The crew were asked by the Master at the time of the written notice whether they would sail, and the reply was “no.” With Wellington Seafarers’ Secretary Mike Williams’ prompt arrival at the ship, the intentions of both parties were laid out. It ended with the crew staying put and the ship not leaving the berth. It was now a matter of seeing what developed. With myself being on leave for the cycle, I received a phone call from our delegate Taff Hicks from the ship to inform me of what had happened. After my offer to come in immedi- ately it was decided to wait and get in first thing Thursday morning. On Thursday 5 May 2005, I arrived at the ship at 0530 to be informed that the crew were requested by the company to front at Head Office for disciplinary action, to take place at noon. Barry Millington arrived at about 1000 and was closely followed by Mike Williams, who had been getting things rolling with our lawyer Peter Cranney and briefing Trevor Hanson, both of whom arrived not too long after. A letter giving 100% support from the Santa Regina’s crew, delivered on her scheduled arrival was appreciated by us. Peter was run through rosters and looked at the company’s safety manuals. We all had input informing him of issues concerning manning levels and hours worked to bring him up to speed. We were not leaving the ship and if management wanted to meet they were to come to the ship which they did at about 1230. Negotiations began, Mike Williams, Taff Hicks and Forrest McDougall Maritime Union members aboard the MV ‘Kent’ during the dispute in May 2005, left to right Mick Finlay, Frank Page, and Forrest McDougall (photo by Kent Blechynden, courtesy of Dominion Post) representing the crew. This continued throughout the afternoon with the crew not swaying to counter offers and sticking firmly to our original demands. A settlement reached in our favour Kent Dispute Late that afternoon, a settlement in our favour was reached. by Tony Mowbray navigational watch and with new A 28 day right of appeal is in place Wellington Seafarers Branch regulations in force, we were in effect for both parties because of the immedi- being driven to the bridge to fill posi- ate implementation of the regulations. The issue of manning levels came to a tions we’d been denied in the past – This is the first time a Strait Shipping head on the board the MV Kent after without an effective increase in man- vessel has been “stuck up” and over the introduction of new MSA require- power to cover existing duties. such a serious issue as that of health and ments for extra men on the bridge. This seems ironic given the history of safety, and following the tragic incident It became a dispute on the grounds this company but trying to increase the in Picton we take pride in our stance. of health and safety. workload was no surprise to us. We would like to thank Mike Strait Shipping has done everything On arrival in Wellington on the Williams, Trevor Hanson, Barry possible in the past to keep ratings from evening of Wednesday 4 May 2005, the Millington, Peter Cranney and the working our traditional roles as look- pin was pulled with notices issued by national council for all their representa- outs and helmsmen. the company on the crew. tion and support. After the company refused to The company immediately suspended recognise these rules, as part of a the crew and ordered them off the ship, in 4 Ferry incidents cause concern

A series of accidents and mishaps The MSA found that poor bridge However, the problems with ferries aboard Cook Strait ferries has fuelled management and navigational practices, have not been limited to the Toll Ship- concerns about safety and resulted in a neglect of collision regulations, and an ping owned Interisland line. damning official report about two over reliance on electronic navigation potential disasters in 2004. aids were the cause of a near grounding, Santa Regina involved in incidents Since the start of 2005, further and a near collision, both involving the The Bluebridge ferry Santa Regina incidents on both Toll and Strait Ship- Aratere in September 2004. has been involved in two serious ping owned ferries on the Cook Strait “Systemic failures” incidents, one that involved the death of have occurred, which has led to the a yachtsman. involvement of Maritime Safety Author- The reports also highlight a number of Yachtsman Norman McFarlane died ity (MSA) and the Transport Accident “systemic failures” by the management of and a woman was taken to hospital in Investigation Commission (TAIC). Interislander, including a lack of docu- severe shock after a collision between The Interislander ferry Aratere had a mented procedures and formal contin- their bridgedecker and the Santa Regina near miss with a tanker carrying highly gency plans, crew training, and proce- on the evening of Monday 2 May 2005. flammable chemicals on 10 April 2005. dures to monitor navigation practices. Following the incident, the MSA The MSA received “close quarter” Immediately following the first ordered more crew on the bridge of reports from the Aratere and a incident, MSA imposed a condition that ferries. CentrePort pilot aboard the tanker Bow Aratere be manually steered through Strait Shipping attempted to make de Jin after the early morning incident Tory Channel and in Wellington crew carry out extra duties on top of inside Wellington harbour. Harbour and other pilotage waters. their current workload, which resulted It was just another blow for the On 29 September 2004, the Aratere in a standoff between employers and the problem-plagued ship, but more was to was sailing through Tory Channel with crew on the Kent who were members of come. 292 people on board when it narrowly the Maritime Union. Lifeboat problems on Monday 6 June missed grounding on a rock off An article on the Kent dispute led to the Aratere being recalled to Arapawa Island. appears in this issue of the Maritimes. Picton. The ship was operating on “auto- The run of near misses continued Crew members were carrying out a matic track-keeping mode”, but despite when the Santa Regina nearly grounded regulation safety drill in Queen Char- its chief officer informing the master it on rocks at East Head, on the exit of Tory lotte Sound when they encountered was substantially off-track, it was not Channel in the Marlborough Sounds, on problems with a hook used to reattach a until the Aratere had deviated 100 the evening of Thursday 9 June. lifeboat to the ferry. metres off course that they intervened But the incident was not reported to The Aratere was turned around and by turning it hard to port. the MSA until Monday 13 June, five took its 270 passengers back to Picton, It was still travelling at around 20 days later. where they were put on the next sailing knots when it narrowly missed ground- The MSA reacted strongly, suspending of the Arahura. ing on a rock situated to the south of the master for 14 days, with MSA director 50 safety reports on Aratere Whekenui Bay. Russell Kilvington described the incident The MSA found that bridge record- as “extremely disappointing.” The Aratere has been the subject of ings had revealed several other people The incident was referred to the almost fifty MSA reports since it was including children were on the bridge at Transport Accident Investigation brought into service in 1999. the time, but Toll Shipping had not told Commission (TAIC). Another Interislander ferry, the investigators that other people on the TAIC chief investigator John Mockett Arahura, has also been investigated bridge may have been distracting crew. told media it appeared a strong spring after it lost power in the Cook Strait on Two days after this near grounding, tide had pushed the vessel off course Sunday 24 April this year. the Aratere cut across the bow of and it had come “very close to rocks.” The ferry lost power near the the another ship in Wellington harbour. There were 89 passengers and crew Tory Channel and came to a stop at the Aratere and the Strait Shipping on board at the time. narrow and rocky entrance to Queen freight ferry Kent were entering The Maritime Union has called for Charlotte Sound. Wellington harbour when Aratere stronger safety regulations and appro- There were 676 passengers on board overtook the Kent on her starboard side, priate crew levels on the ferries. at the time, during a rough crossing of as agreed. the Cook Strait, and emergency services But when Aratere’s stern was just were put on full alert. past the bow of the Kent, Aratere began After regaining limited power, the turning back to port before clear of Kent, Arahura carried on its journey and in breach of maritime rules, with only docked in Picton about three hours late 130 metres to spare. where a problem with one of the pistons The MSA has censured the master of was repaired. the Aratere for the incident. After testing and a safety audit, the Arahura was put back into service. It has not suffered from the same number of problems as the Aratere which has been dubbed “El Lemon”. A report from the MSA on previous incidents was released on 16 June 2005. 5 Maunganui, Napier, and Lyttelton, and their ferry operations on the Cook Strait. A report was also given on FUMP (Freight Union Mapping Project), an Australian initiative where University of Newcastle researchers are carrying out an analysis of Toll’s operations and potential areas for membership growth. The second day of the Conference was opened with an address by Simon Des Baux of the Asia-Pacific office of the ITF, before unionists split up into group workshops. All those attending were split into small groups, mixing up sectors, unions and countries, to discuss particular union issues they had experienced with Toll. Unionists from Australia and New Zealand at the June 2005 Toll Conference, Wellington, New Discussions covered areas such as Zealand (photo thanks to Derek Craig of AMEA) union recognition and rights, terms and conditions of employment, health and safety, collective bargaining and inter- union cooperation. Toll Conference unites Over the last decade Toll has experi- enced enormous growth, and in the last sixteen years has acquired 43 companies transport unions now under the Toll banner on both sides of the Tasman, and describes itself as an Transport unions from both sides of Mark Rosenthorne and David “integrated logistics solution.” the Tasman have joined forces to deal Jackson fronted up to the Conference The bulk of its revenue comes from with multinational operator Toll. from Toll to give the views of manage- its road and rail holdings, but Toll has 90 union leaders and delegates ment. considerable interests in warehousing, attended the two day conference held on Union’s gave short presentations on distribution, sea, air and stevedoring 14–15 June 2005 in Wellington to build a their experiences with Toll, with con- operations. united strategy for Unions in Australia tributors including the Maritime Union and New Zealand. of Australia, the Transport Workers The move has been described as a Union of Australia, the Maritime Union “watershed in the evolution of of New Zealand, the Rail and Maritime Australasian trade unionism” by CTU Transport Union of New Zealand, the president Ross Wilson. Aviation and Marine Engineers Associa- Amalgamation He said it was the first time tion and the Merchant Service Guild. Australasian unions had combined to Maritime Union of New Zealand develop a strategy which focussed on a General Secretary Trevor Hanson gave talks continue single multinational employer. an overview of Toll’s dealings with The Conference was opened by MUNZ, including their stevedoring The joint executive of the Maritime Transport Minister Pete Hodgson. operations in Auckland, Tauranga/Mt Union (MUNZ) and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) met in May and June 2005 in amalgam- ation talks. The current plan for a proposed new Contact the Maritime Union union structure will be put to a national vote of members of both Unions later in National Office National Vice President: Joe Fleetwood the year. Telephone: 04 3850 792 Mobile: 021 364 649 A working party comprised of Fax: 04 3848 766 Email: [email protected] executive members of both Unions has Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington Office administrator: Valentina Goray Assistant General Secretary: Terry Ryan been identifying key issues for both Email: [email protected] Mobile: 021 186 6643 Unions. Email: [email protected] The most recent meeting of the two General Secretary: Trevor Hanson executives took place in Wellington on Direct dial: 04 801 7614 ITF Inspectorate: Kathy Whelan 16 June 2005 following the inter-union Mobile: 0274 453 532 Direct dial: 04 801 7613 Toll Conference that was attended by Email: [email protected] Mobile: 021 666 405 transport Unions from throughout Email: [email protected] Australia. National President: Phil Adams Direct dial: 03 4728 052 Communications Officer: Victor Billot Mobile: 0274 377 601 Mobile: 021 482 219 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

6 It’s official: abuse and Pink Panther Plan won’t solve ship exploitation in our jumping crews

The Maritime Union describes a “Pink fishing industry Panther Plan” to hunt ship jumping crews with private eyes as questionable. The Maritime Union says the release of Mr Hanson says the New Zealand Following the May 2005 release of a Government report in May 2005 into Government should immediately act on the report into conditions of overseas employment conditions in the New the report to ensure that all workers in crews aboard fishing vessels in New Zealand fishing industry has con- New Zealand waters can expect to be Zealand waters, the Department of firmed its worst fears. treated with the basic standards of a Labour announced it was hiring private The Department of Labour report civilized society. investigators to find crew members who outlined a number of serious allegations ”The Maritime Union says the had jumped ship off fishing vessels. about the treatment of foreign crews in Government should be enforcing the Maritime Union General Secretary New Zealand waters. law, not consulting and negotiating with Trevor Hanson says that private investi- These included crew being assaulted employers who are breaking the law.” gators may be in favour of the plan as it with pieces of wood and hammers, crew The report was completed in Decem- will ensure an endless income stream for being beaten and being forced to work ber 2004 and was supplied in advance to them in the future, but it would not despite suffering from injuries. employers, but Unions involved in the solve ship jumping. Pay could be as low as US$140 per industry received the report in May “The simple reason that crews of month, with 40 cents in every dollar along with the media and public. foreign vessels are jumping ship is that paid to overseas “agents” in some cases. Mr Hanson says New Zealand crews they are underpaid, exploited and It was alleged that Captains would are being forced out of the industry due abused, and they are being sourced by hold crews’ passports to prevent them to a Third World economy operating off overseas from disreputable agents who from leaving. the New Zealand coast on fishing extract a major part of these unfortunate Maritime Union General Secretary trawlers. individuals’ wages for themselves.” Trevor Hanson says the report has shone ”The report states clearly there is no He says the Department of Labour light on dark places in regard to the strong reason to doubt information from should focus on the real issue. treatment of overseas crews. Indonesian crew members that the ”Instead of bringing in snoops to ”We are disappointed at the Govern- conditions onboard amount to little harass workers, the Department of ment response to the report considering more than sweatshop ones.” Labour should be doing its job by what is actually going on onboard some “The environment, local jobs and protecting workers and putting inspec- of these trawlers.” workers’ rights have been thrown in the tors on board fishing vessels.” Mr Hanson says it is obvious that trash to ensure a short-term, ugly and The Maritime Union says the overseas crews are being abused, greed-driven system benefiting a few.” Government must ensure that before a exploited and underpaid. The Maritime Union says the foreign vessel fishes on the New Interviews with overseas crew industry needs to be strictly regulated to Zealand coast it must comply to a set of members by Government labour improve working conditions, ensure regulations – and failure by any foreign inspectors reveal a chilling picture of local jobs and protect the long term vessel to meet these conditions simply “sweatship” conditions in a globalized sustainability of fish stocks for future means they don’t work on our coast. maritime free market. generations. Mr Hanson said ship jumpers also ”The overseas crews are being come off “Flag of Convenience” ships underpaid, having their meagre wages that carry the vast majority of cargo on further stripped back by agents’ fees, the New Zealand coast. and they are often beaten and threat- International shipping companies ened into a state of fear and silence.” operate as price-fixing cartels, causing great harm to New Zealand as an exporting nation, as well as in some cases underpaying their crew. “The only long term solution to our shipping crisis and crew jumping is a much greater level of regulation and public control of our shipping.” The Maritime Union says an incident in March 2005 when a group of Chinese fishermen jumped overboard in Wellington Harbour should be setting alarm bells ringing. The Chinese fishermen jumped overboard with their suitcases while in the middle of the harbour – within sight of the head office bureaucrats on Lambton Quay who are ignoring the plight of seafarers and fishermen.

7 Greenpeace activists disrupt the setting of a bottom trawl net by attaching an inflatable liferaft. The bottom trawl vessel is the ‘Ocean Reward’ owned by New Zealand company Talley’s Fisheries (photo copyright Greenpeace/Malcolm Pullman)

In the late 1970s, New Zealand’s Some marine biologists are predict- should hang its head in shame for the seamount fishing was concentrated on ing that all deep-sea fisheries present in damage it had caused to fish stocks only one seamount. 2003 will be commercially extinct by through over-fishing, which is being Now almost 250 seamounts are 2025. used as an excuse for reducing wages fished and Government agency NIWA As target fish populations plummet, and conditions.” says 85% of undersea mountains in the the fishing industry looks at the best “Overfishing has wrecked their New Zealand region have been bottom way to cut costs of their fishing opera- profits and now they are trying to fix the trawled. tions. problem by slashing workers’ wages – it To catch the remaining fish it takes Slashing workers pay is top of the is a disgraceful indictment of the more effort, more time, more money and list, as New Zealanders refuse to work industry,” he says. How bottom trawling hits jobs and the sea floor

longer distances to hunt them down. hard for long hours in dangerous Protecting remaining stocks would Sonar fish finders help locate situations for little money. have a bad effect on industry workers, remaining orange roughy populations. So now fishing companies are but failure to do so means even more As deep sea trawlers wipe them out, increasingly employing foreign labour - drastic effects for future generations. they move further from land, sometimes often for as little as they can – to catch New Zealand Fishing Industry Guild out into international waters. New Zealand fish quota. South Island administration officer Our orange roughy trawl fleet A recent New Zealand Department of Louis Hart had been on board numerous increased to expand into international Labour paper on fishing workers re- foreign boats and said living conditions waters between 1988 and 2001, first into ported, “It is an established fact that the and hygiene standards were often the Tasman Sea and the Southwest industry is at a low ebb and catches are “socially unacceptable in our country.” Pacific, then the Southern Indian Ocean, well down . . . New Zealand workers are Some foreign crew are made to work and ultimately into the North Atlantic. not as well off as they used to be, but this long hours and sometimes paid less During that same period, the orange is because of the declining industry”. than $US200 a month. roughy catch in New Zealand waters One Kiwi fishing company laid off Mr Hart says the Government is plummeted by around 75%. nearly 50 New Zealand workers in 2004. ”perfectly aware that a large number of One global review of deep sea The Government later approved 40 the 2500 employment permits for fishing concluded that deep water fish workers from Indonesia and the Philip- foreign fishing crew are for vulnerable populations are “typically fished down, pines two-year work visas as replace- fishermen from the poorest countries in often within 5-10 years, to the point of ment crew only months later. the world.” commercial extinction or very low Maritime Union General Secretary Greenpeace website: levels.” Trevor Hanson says the fishing industry http://greenpeace.org.nz/campaigns/oceans/ default.asp 8 Vice President’s Report

by Joe Fleetwood Rogue Employer All unions will continue to support National Vice-President and organize workers in need. An international delegation from the I attended the “Globalising Solidarity” ITF, MUA, Japan, ILWU and MUNZ Veterans confronted the ANZDL line that flag out conference recently with a Maritime It was great to see so much participa- under CP ships. Union of New Zealand delegation. tion from the Veterans of the ILWU. We told them to apply pressure to This was the second International They were commended for their NYK charterers, and owner Leonard and Pacific Rim Mining and Maritime Union dedication to the class struggles. Blumberg, to contact the ITF and sign the Seminar, and was held from 22–26 May We have inherited a strong and expired agreements onboard his vessels. 2005, in Los Angeles. militant past, and must ensure we build ITF coordinators for this campaign Maritime Union Assistant General a strong and progressive future. Secretary Terry Ryan and I attended the Dean Summers and Shoji Yamashita ILWU Coast Committee for Education, delivered a firm message – we do not Solidarity to compare ideas and techniques on want to target ANZDL vessels, however, A joint tarpaulin muster between educating our union members on the we will not go away, and there is no MUNZ and MUA rank and file was past, present, and the ongoing struggles. place to hide. gathered, and the handsome sum of Internationalism is seen as a high We await reply from the company. $6,000 was raised and given to our priority, along with the importance of Women in Unions Chilean comrades in true union fashion. global solidarity. Our sisters stressed the need to have Congress Union Education their voices heard and to have their The ITF 6th Congress is to be held in It was agreed to create a combined issues addressed. Durban, South Africa, in mid-2006. union education training committee to Womens’ issues are workers’ issues: Health permitting, this will be visit the USA locals (union branches). we need to work with our sisters of the opened by former South African This group is made up of the ILWU working class to continue to promote President Nelson Mandela. coast committee and MUA National womens' and gender issues in our Secretary Paddy Crumlin. respective unions. Solidarity, sisters! Conclusion The main topics discussed were the Security The 2nd Pacific Rim, Mining and ITF training program. Maritime Conference was a great This includes full time trainers, an We all agreed to fight the introduc- experience, to say the least. “induction” package for new members, tion of “chipped” identification cards, There were so many class acts in the information on “neo-liberalism” (also locally and internationally. form of working-class leaders from known as right wing big business The sinister technology the employ- many unions and like-minded societies. politics), running grievances, how to ers and Governments try to thrust upon Workers are struggle based, always achieve stability at local levels, and the us is mind-boggling to say the least. have been and always will be as long as importance of internationalism. Global operators are invading our corporate greed runs our world. We stressed the importance of basic rights under the guise of Maritime We must identify the enemy, and not monthly stop work meetings, and on- Security and anti-terrorist legislation. turn on ourselves. the-job meetings, with union journal Blue Diamond Workers If we attack each other, we cannot delivery to homes, more visits by deliver one global voice for world labour. officials, the challenge of different For 90 years, the 700 workers of Blue Actions speak louder than words; we cultures, health and safety, and inter- Diamond Almond pickers and packers must act on our discussions, otherwise port and trans-Tasman tournaments. have been non-union. the Conference will be nothing but a The time is now to train and organize. Over the last 15 years they have received an average wage increase of 18 failure. Murder of trade union organizer cents per hour. I believe the workers of today are up to the challenges that lie ahead for us all, The conference was dedicated to a Many workers pay family health and I know we will achieve our goals if good man and defender of working insurance of $420 per month. we remember the theme of the seminar: class principles and struggles. Another example of worker exploita- “The Workers United Will Never Be Ko Moe Naung (38) of the Seafarers' tion and corporate greed, but the Defeated.” Union of Burma was the union orga- workers have had enough. On a personal note, I would like to nizer for the region of Ranong. They are now in talks with the thank the whole of the ILWU family for He was arrested 19 May 2005 at 8pm, ILWU, and all going to plan, they will their hospitality, and the warmth that and found three hours later, tortured to become the newest members of the was shown to us all. death by members of the Burmese Army ILWU family. You are true friends of the working regiment 431. Workers are realising the need to be class. The atrocities committed upon protected by good collective agreements Thank you, and much respect. workers in the impoverished countries which provide decent living wages and Kia Kaha, tatau tatau: Be strong, we of the world must be challenged by all conditions, and a career path that leads are all one. workers. up, not down.

9 ITF News and Views

I was told one such story recently. Why? Because none of the rescued By Kathy Whelan The 26 year old small general cargo seafarers have received one single cent ITF Co-ordinator vessel Global Island is known to us here in wages. in New Zealand under its former name So, what’s it got to do with New I have worked for seafarers for 34 Hirma. Zealand? years, primarily New Zealand seafar- It had been in East African waters for The vessel is managed by a New ers. a few years operating as a feeder vessel. Zealand company called Tradex Pacific. Twelve years ago the International Around July 2004 it was laid up in How much is owed to the seafarers? Transport Workers Federation sought to Mombassa, and it was picked up in A total of US$13,677 and fifty cents. utilize my services and I became their December bound for drydocking in Despite many requests to the New Zealand Coordinator. Dubai. owner,Tradex Pacific in Auckland, their I monitor the health, welfare, social, Enroute to the dry dock it sank off consistent response is that they cannot safety and industrial conditions of the coast of Somalia on 1 January 2005, pay the crew their due wages until they foreign seafarers coming into New and the German Master and a Kenyan receive insurance payments. Zealand ports. seaman were lost presumed drowned. It has been nearly 6 months since the In my role as the ITF New Zealand Four Kenyan crew members and the vessel sank and although the crew have Coordinator I have seen some hard Tanzanian Chief Officer were rescued by received some money for loss of per- hitting stuff and heard many a heart the US Navy after a harrowing 33 hours sonal effects, their wages remain wrenching story from Third World on a liferaft. outstanding. seafarers from underdeveloped coun- The Mission to Seafarers in This is not an unusual story as such, tries. Mombassa have asked for help from the but it is in the context that this is a New ITF in New Zealand. Zealand employer. The industry is becoming a rogue industry when a company from a (supposedly) civilized country such as New Zealand, can exploit Third World seafarers to this degree. Two of the crew members lost their lives and the surviving five spent nearly two days on a life raft waiting to be rescued. At the end of their ordeal, what did they get? A helicopter ride to the shore courtesy of the US Navy and no wages – courtesy of their New Zealand em- ployer, Tradex Pacific. We encourage you to contact Mr Ben Evans of Tradex Pacific, whose offices are situated at 20 Sulphur Road, Beach Road, North Shore, Auckland, phone 09 480 5546 and fax 09 358 1593, to ask that this company pay the crew the wages that they are owed.

The five survivors of the Global Island on board the USS Hue City, which rescued them. The Global Island sailed from Mombassa on 25 December 2004, ran into heavy weather, thought to be effects of the tsunami (which killed more than 200 people in Somalia), and sank off the coast of Somalia on 1 January 2005. The survivors were 33 hours in a life raft before being rescued by USS Hue City. The vessel then searched for the two missing men, and after two days gave up the search and headed for Kenyan waters, where the men were transferred to a Kenyan Navy ship, and landed in Mombassa on 5 January.

10 Graham Bragg: ITF inspector

Topping up wool bales (cargo hook large number of years (both under the required) Government allocation system and the Sheep skins (cargo hook required) permanent company system) advised Asbestos (you were not advised of the the Union they would not employ me dangers) after all these years – in other words I Steel cargoes (dragging the heavy steel was blacklisted. chains that were used as slings was back I was then offered a position of ITF breaking work) inspector. I had been doing ITF work Hides (which were rotten at times) since 1993, when I first got involved in Carrying bag cargoes such as sugar, the ITF flag of convenience (FOC) Greetings from Australia. flour, rice, meat meal – the weight per campaign. I am a Unionist and MUA member, bag of these cargoes in most cases was I have been the ITF inspector for the an Australian, and my hobbies include well above the workers’ body weight ports of Queensland since 1998. cooking (chief cook). Drum cargoes such as cyanide etc. Some highlights in my position of I am the father of four (two sons, two And of course Tasman newsprint, all ITF inspector would have to be seeing daughters) and a grandfather. carried in the union boats from New the look of joy on the faces of crew I joined the Waterside Workers Zealand whom you assist whatever their con- Federation (WWF) and the industry on cerns may be, which is just about an 17 June 1965, and was employed as a Under the union structure of the everyday occurrence. waterside worker. WWF all ports were a branch and I have to mention the respect of my Entry to the industry then was organized their own affairs at a local union the MUA, the ITF in London and through the Union, where you were level, of course under the close guidance the ITF Asia-Pacific office, the All Japan nominated and seconded by members. of the national officers. Seamen’s Union and the All Japan Dock I was nominated by my father and I represented the union and members Workers Union in inviting me to Osaka one of his gang members and comrades, at job and branch level up until 1991, after to assist the great unions there in the after which you fronted at a meeting which I was elected Townsville Branch FOC week of action campaigns in Osaka and were accepted by the branch. Secretary of the WWF. and Kobe ports in 2003. After this you were sent to the This position was not full time, it We assisted their members in the Australian Stevedoring Industry entitled me to two days in the office, and Australian style of inspections, it was a Authority (ASIA) which was a federal the secretary was given first preference great exchange of experience for all. Government body in which all to idle time by the company, which in Another highlight of recent times watersiders were registered, and after a most cases saved the union members (April 2005) was a young Philippine full medical check you were accepted funds in regard to wages. seafarer who was given assistance by into the industry. On 1 July 1993, the Waterside this office to find employment. My first job was with my dad’s gang Workers Federation (WWF) which by He phoned the office to say he was in in which I was advised in the rights and then included the Clerks Union and the port and wished to meet me after all the wrongs of being a union member. Foreman’s Union, amalgamated with exchanges of correspondence and In those days all the members were the Seaman’s Union of Australia to form assistance to him and his family,. casual, one of the conditions in the good the most powerful Maritime Union of There were a few tears of joy for both old days was that the Union had a Australia (MUA). of us, it really is a small world. condition that after two years you could Under the MUA rules and the new I would be remiss if I did not thank transfer to any port you wished. branch structure the North Queensland all the volunteers who greatly assist the I took this up and transferred to a Branch was formed in which I was office in this work. number of east coast ports and saw the respected by the national officials and International solidarity as seen in difference in conditions from port to offered the position of joint branch recent disputes will beat the owners and port at the delegate and branch level secretary (watersiders’ section) under the operators both on shore and at sea structures. the amalgamation process, where there every time. I think this is where I first became were joint branch secretaries. Thanks to comrade Kathy Whelan interested in union activity. I continued as joint branch secretary ITF co-ordinator for New Zealand for Some of the cargoes handled in the under the amalgamation process until the opportunity to write for the ITF good old days were hard, dirty and 1997 when I was elected North section in the “Maritimes.” dangerous like: Queensland Secretary which was based All the best to all Maritime Union of in Townsville Port. New Zealand members. Quarter Beef (working on uneven cargo) I continued on as North Queensland Smooth sailing. Lamp black (an ingredient of the Secretary through the Patricks Dispute, In solidarity, process of making tyres – after working when the branch secretary position Graham Bragg, ITF inspector. on this cargo it would keep coming out under the amalgamation process was of the pores of your skin for some time, reduced to an honorary branch secretary meaning no clean pillow cases or sheets) as the company I was employed by for a 11 Kiwi wharfies part of international campaign for workers

Maritime Union Local 13 member Grant The ITF not only represents member Seafarers working on Flag of Conve- Williams attended an ITF training course in unions, but is unique in that it also nience ships have received shockingly Australia in May 2005, along with Port low wages, very poor on-board condi- Chalmers Local 10 member Adam Law. intervenes directly in industrial relations for ships whose owners have chosen to tions, work long periods of overtime by Grant Williams operate under flags of convenience – without proper rest, with little shore seafarers serving on those ships (who leave and inadequate medical attention. I was privileged to be chosen to attend cannot join an affiliated national union) Onboard safety procedures and an ITF Flags of Convenience Inspec- are direct ITF members. vessel maintenance are neglected and in torate training course in Newcastle, The ITF campaign against Flag of the worst cases crew can become virtual Australia at the beginning of May 2005. Convenience shipping originated in July prisoners and unable to afford to get The opportunity to learn, to repre- 1948 at the ITF Congress in Oslo. back home. sent MUNZ and Auckland Local 13 was The ideas behind the Flag of Conve- It takes little thought to imagine the an honour. nience campaign were refined at the ITF potential for even worse treatment once I've been asked to share some of Congress in Stuttgart in 1949 – ideas such a ship leaves port. what I learned on the course. which are more or less the same as It is watersiders who in the end must The ITF is the International Transport today. bear the burden of implementing the Workers’ Federation, an international ITF unions first raised questions of practical side of the Flag of Convenience federation of democratically governed flag transfers to Panama as early as 1933, campaign. trade unions of transport workers. but 'flagging out' became a major threat We can talk to the seafarers and The ITF represents all categories of to the world’s seafarers after the end of become the eyes and ears of the ITF so transport workers: road transport, the Second World War. that action can be taken. inland navigation, railways, seafarers, This was due to the postwar up- The ITF Flag of Convenience cam- port workers, fishing industry, civil swing in trade, plenty of cheap, surplus paign depends crucially on the willing- aviation and tourism services. wartime shipping and an increase in ness of watersiders (who get no direct The ITF was founded by seafarers’ shipowners using the Panamanian benefit for themselves) to take solidarity and dockers’ unions in Europe in 1896 register. action. and derives its strength from remaining Ship owners of ships that fly a Flag This type of action takes place almost firmly under the control of its member of Convenience are in essence choosing every week in some part of the world unions. to give their ship a false nationality. and many thousands of exploited The ITF has three major functions: It allows them to pick what laws they seafarers have reason to be grateful for • it promotes solidarity worldwide will obey and what wages they will pay. it. between trade unions and workers The Flag of Convenience countries I would like to thank our comrades • it represents trade unions and workers do not enforce their laws and seafarers’ who are ITF inspectors for the impor- at an international level rights aboard these ships, therefore tant, lifesaving work that they do, with a • it provides information and education creating an environment where there is special thanks to Dean Summers, Matt worldwide. little or no protection for seafarers. Purcell and Kathy Whelan.

12 ITF Women's Seafarers' Conference Rio de Janeiro April 2005 by Rachael Goddard proach the problem from the wider The issue of getting women into the perspective of equality rather than as industry and keeping them in the Women seafarers from 15 different "women's issues." industry as well as in the Union was countries took part in this one day It was felt that women should widely discussed. Women Seafarers' Conference for the organise women (but women can also We could relate many of these issues second time since 1997. organize men!), as women don't respond back to women at sea in New Zealand. The conference was opened by Brian to men organising women's activities. There needs to be a forum to express Orrell from NUMAST Great Britain. Positive promotion of women in concerns, and maybe the use of Also heading the conference was unions was a key point. mentoring and strategies like Positive David Cockroft and Sarah Finke from Discrimination, harassment, lack of Discrimination or Affirmative Action ITF London, Sharon James (Dockers empathy with trade unionism, work (used by the ILWU and MUA) whereby section ITF London), Myriam Chaffart opportunities, casualization, education women are encouraged and given every (Dockers section Belgium) and the and cultural context were all important opportunity to get involved. conference was chaired by Jacqueline in making judgements about strategy. Women at the conference also called Smith (Seafarers section Norway). One issue was how companies dealt for greater attention to be paid to issues The conference was made up of forty with couples when both are working such as job prospects and discrimina- women working in different sea borne onboard, and pregnancy exams aboard tion, for new guidance on bullying and occupations. FOC ships. harassment, and for unions to improve These ranged from a ship's captain We had some horrid examples of pregnancy and maternity provisions as and deck and engine officers, to ratings women’s oppression at sea provided to they varied widely. and cruise ship and ferry seafarers us but one story told verbally reported The Flag of Convenience system working in hotel/hospitality and to us by a male participant stood out in itself is a barrier to the promotion of catering grades. particular. gender equality, and women noted that One of the most important parts of A toilet system onboard a ship increased casualization and outsourcing the gathering was when we broke into became blocked and no one could figure made the situation worse. working groups depending on what out why until they eventually found a Seafaring unions need to give language you spoke, and what gender fetus stuck in it. women a clear voice – and this must go you were (We had a decent male Bearing this and other case studies in hand-in-hand with organising and participation that also reported back to mind it was agreed that occupational activating goals aimed at strengthening the conference.) health and safety, and medical health, trade unions. We had to collectively answer two needed attention with issues of confi- This is particularly important in the main questions: dential, free and easily accessible cruise and ferry sector. 1. What have been your experiences in contraception for women seafarers as The participants will persist in getting into and doing your current job/ well as for men. building an active role in the ITF and union position? We also discussed confidential their unions as part of a wider women's 2. What are your most important issues? options available for pregnancy exams, network. This brought about different reac- miscarriage and abortion. tions. Some problems were not being heard as young women in male domi- nated situations, a lack of child care arrangements for work and for union activities, and lack of parental leave entitlements in collective agreements. Some women had received pressure to prove themselves to their male colleagues, lack of respect, sexual harassment, and bullying. There is a need for women to have the opportunity to advance, with family friendly policies covering pregnancy and maternity support. Other problems included lack of training, power abuse, and extraordi- nary workloads. The male participants reported back as well, which built strength among us knowing that we are in this struggle together. Issues from their workshop on how they saw women’s issues included resistance from women to participate in New Zealand representatives at the ITF Conference, Rio de Janeiro, April 2005, from left, Terry Ryan, Dave Morgan, Kathy Whelan, Helen McAra, Rachael Goddard and Joe Fleetwood union activities, and the need to ap- 13 Training goes nationwide

By Fred Salelea National Vice President Joe Fleetwood, MUNZ National Educator Wellington Seafarers’ Secretary Mike Industry Williams, Wellington Waterfront Secretary Our Maritime Union Training Educa- John Whiting all made appearances as well tion Programme which started in as ITF co-ordinator with Kathy Whelan. training February this year in Whangarei with We visited the Port of New Plymouth Branch President Steve Murray, Branch with Branch Secretary Shane Parker and seminars Secretary Wayne Anderson and their Branch President Graham Roberts and by Fred Salelea members has now taken us to the far their membership, this group mirrored all reaches of the South Island with the Ports we visited in that we have a new Health and Safety Trainer Wayne Finnerty, Ray Fife and the other generation evolving in this young society members in Bluff. which has come from 100 years of our Expressions of Interest for MUNZ Since our last article we have also unionism. Training Course“The Waterfront been in Auckland, Wellington, New Where those who were here before us Industry and its Future Economic Plymouth, and Port Chalmers. fought the struggle to achieve the condi- Development.” In every Branch that we have trained tions that we have, the struggle goes on This is a one day advanced at, Branch Officials have made appear- and we are only the caretakers of this job. delegates’ course. ances to support and organise lunches, Branch President Davey Dick and the The course will provide partici- tea and coffee and in most instances boys down at Port Chalmers showed a pants with a greater understanding of stayed on to participate and support great interest like most others eager to gain the wider economic issues affecting their members, which is a credit to our more knowledge of our union and gain the the Industry, and an improved ability officials. skills necessary to become activists in our to work together to resolve issues and The boys from Auckland represented union. recognize goals for the future of the five companies along with our brothers Thanks to Davey and the boys for an Industry. from the Seafarers’ fraternity. interesting course, and the mentoring and This is a one day course that will Officials Branch President Denis coaching after. (Cheers Diesel for the tour be delivered once central North Carlisle, Secretary Russell Mayn and of the town.) Island and once central South Island. Health and Safety Officer Bob Riwai all We have to work hard to preserve what There are limited seats available made appearances to support the boys we have and to improve our conditions. and places are reserved for one during the course of the day. Through our education programme we delegate per branch, places must be Wellington had an excellent turnout will learn to organise, build and strengthen confirmed. thanks to the organising skills of our membership so that we can sit across Rachael Goddard, who along with her the table and look the employer in the eye South Island course details: counterpart in Auckland Juanita Barton and demand what is rightfully ours, a fair Monday 29 August, will be training up to help with prepara- wage and good working conditions. venue to be confirmed. tions and the delivery of our women’s Solidarity. programme. North Island course details: It was good to have our National Date: General Secretary Trevor Hanson call in Monday 15 August 2005, 8.30am – to support, have coffee and then stay the 5pm entire day. Venue: Lake Plaza, Rotorua Course: The Waterfront Industry and its Future Economic Development Leave: This is EREL(Employment Related Education Leave) approved – 14 day notice to the employer. Delegates limited to one per Branch, closing date for expression of interest is Monday, 25 July 2005

Please Contact: Fred Salelea at MUNZ Local 13 Cellphone: 027 229 1432 Email: [email protected]

Wellington delegates with Union educator Fred Salelea

14 Health and Self-loading Methyl Bromide safety training alert on the Report by Fred Salelea Health and Safety Trainer San Liberatore Released Stage two of the CTU Worksafe reps The Maritime Union discovered Health officials say Methyl Bromide is Health and Safety course is now overseas crew were working on the not responsible for the deaths of underway. Wellington waterfront loading frozen Nelson port workers – but questions This course is a follow on from stage fish on the San Liberatore on Tuesday continue to be asked as suggestions of one where it builds on the skills and 24 May 2005. other chemical poisoning have been knowledge gained and the main focus The Union took immediate action put forward. centered on investigations into work- and worked with the CTU to obtain a The release of a Department of place incidents and accidents. ruling from the Department of Labour. Labour (DOL) “cluster study” in May There is an in-house stage two course There were also some hard negotia- 2005 into methyl bromide exposure at organised for Health and Safety reps, on tions with the company involved. the port says fumigation operations 30 June in Auckland. Maritime Union General Secretary have a low risk of exposure to workers. Invites for this course have been sent Trevor Hanson says the effect of over- But the report also says that solvents out, for those who miss out on this in- seas crews working on the wharf would used to treat timber prior to fumigation house course there will be another one be a disaster for wages and conditions, may be responsible for symptoms further down the track. and the jobs of local waterfront workers. experienced by some workers. Remember be ever vigilant to the He says the Department of Labour DOL says atmospheric monitoring at safety and well being of ourselves and have clearly ruled any approvals to New the port identified background levels of others because if we were to die tomor- Zealand fishing companies to employ “volatile organic compounds” including row, the company that we are working foreign crew only allow crew to work on solvents used in timber preservative for could easily replace us in a matter of the vessel – they do not allow crew to treatments and diesel fumes, before and days, but the family we leave behind work on the wharf. after fumigation. will feel the loss for the rest of their The Department has also requested Symptoms experienced by workers lives. the Union to pass on the names of any included unpleasant smells and immedi- Website: www.worksafereps.org.nz other vessels where foreign crew is being ate reactions including stinging eyes, used on the wharf, says Mr Hanson. tingling lips, and sometimes breathless- “They have given assurance that ness. they will intervene and if necessary take DOL says that these symptoms are compliance action if laws and regula- different to what would be expected tions are being broken.” with Methyl Bromide. He says it is vital that union mem- Blood tests of workers confirmed bers act as eyes and ears to report any there was no significant exposure to self-loading by crews as it is imperative methyl bromide, according to DOL the practice of self-loading does not investigator Dr Bill Glass. become established at any port. However, a University of Canterbury “This is an ongoing situation and we toxicologist wrote to the January 2005 must keep alert, any similar incidents edition of the New Zealand Medical should be immediately investigated and Journal saying that Methyl Bromide reported to the National Office of the could be a factor in developing motor Maritime Union.” neuron disease. Dr Ian Shaw said Nelson’s five deaths from the disease since 2002 out of a population of 87,000 was high, Late News especially as they all worked at the same port. ”We should not rule out the Nelson Death of Norm Quinlan Death of Bill Barber workers’ exposure to Methyl Bromide as a factor in their development of motor Former national Vice President of the Former merchant seaman, water- neuron disease,” he says. Waterfront Workers Union Norm front worker and unionist Bill Further blood tests and an investiga- Quinlan has died during a visit to Italy. Barber died on 18 June 2005. tion into solvents and preservatives Mr Quinlan was in Italy for the 60th Mr Barber (aged 79) was a veteran used in the treatment of timber are to be anniversary of the end of World War of the 1951 waterfront lockout on the carried out. Two, in which he served as a gunner Auckland waterfront. with the New Zealand Army. A full obituary will follow in the The Department of Labour cluster study can be Mr Quinlan (aged 83) lived in New next edition of the Maritimes. downloaded at their website: Plymouth, and was a veteran of the http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz/publications/ research/MeBrReport0505.pdf 1951 lockout. A full obituary will follow in the See Nelson Port Roundup on page 29 for a next edition of the Maritimes. report on the recent meeting on Methyl Bromide with health officials

15 Progressive Party

The Progressive Party stands by its longstanding commitment and that of its predecessor parties to achieve a balanced transport policy for New Zealand which Election 2005 incorporates marine transport as a key element. We are committed to a rationalisation of those of our shipping arrangements which “The Maritimes” approached political parties with appear to privilege foreign shipping in our ports, particularly in matters affecting the the request they supply a short 250-word article working conditions of crews. We share the views of those, including not outlining their key policies of interest to maritime only maritime unions but some international and local businesses, who have expressed workers and the maritime industry. concerns about recent increases in freight rates and reduced competition in coastal shipping services. The following replies were received, appearing in As Minister for Economic and Regional the order they were received. Development, Progressives leader Jim Anderton has been instrumental in encouraging and facilitating joint meeting with representa- No reply was received from the National Party tives from across the maritime transport sector to discuss coastal shipping policy to identify transport spokesman Maurice Williamson. issues of substance and areas of agreement so that progress can be made in reaching common action to resolve outstanding problems. Thanks to the efforts of Progressive MP Matt Robson workers now enjoy a minimum of four New Zealand First Party Alliance Party weeks annual holiday. More generally on the industrial front the Ship in or ship out? The Alliance Party is the party for all Progressives have endorsed and supported New Zealand is an island nation tucked way working New Zealanders. recent enhancements to the industrial legisla- down at the bottom of the Pacific. We have the best policies for workers. tion which replaced the Employment Contracts As such, we need to trade to enhance our The Alliance is committed to real change not Act, and supports further initiatives to improve economy and indeed our social well-being. talk. Where workers are fighting for a better this legislation further to create a framework Trade requires ships, for the vast majority of deal we are there on the picket line with them, for equitable workplace relations. goods travelling across international borders, and we have supported maritime workers in We support and encourage collective on a worldwide basis, are moved by ship. their fight against scab unions and bargaining by workers through free and In New Zealand’s case, in excess of 99% of casualization in New Zealand ports. independent trade unions. cargo tonnage arrives or departs by ship. Our key policies for maritime workers Additionally, being basically two islands, we include full support for the immediate Jim Anderton MP, are well suited to transport some internally introduction of cabotage to protect jobs for Leader, Progressive Party moved cargo by ship. New Zealand seafarers, and stronger protec- Yet our shipping industry is almost non- tions for casual workers. existent. We will make sure there are protections for Labour Party Our coastal fleet is struggling and has shrunk casual and part-time workers and make it alarmingly, and our Pacific and international possible for them to carry over service from fleets have disappeared totally. job to job so they qualify for sick leave and New Zealand’s maritime industry has played When it comes to shipping we are at the parental leave. a key role in the country’s economic success mercy of the world. The Alliance wants a minimum wage of $15 since this Labour-led government came to We have barely a toe in the water and freight an hour, a 35-hour working week with no loss power. rates are climbing. of pay and the right to refuse unreasonable As the economy continues to grow, so to will The reason for the demise of our shipping is hours or shift work. the role that coastal shipping in particular, simple. Both National and Labour Govern- Workers should have the right to strike to plays in it. ments have literally taxed it out of the water. enforce their Collective Agreement, to oppose Alongside this recognition of the importance In comparison, foreign operators all work lay-offs, to support other workers and for of shipping, this government has worked hard under favourable tax regimes. political reasons. from day one to make things better for those New Zealand First is a firm advocate for The Alliance would strengthen collective that work in it. introducing our own favourable tax regime and bargaining to move from multi-employer and It has invested in skills and training and encouraging owners (coastal operators) and multi-union agreements to national pay and changed the law to make the workplace safer ‘would-be’ owners into shipping. conditions across industries and occupations. and fairer for workers. We tend to favour the tonnage tax regime We would remove restrictions that allow Workers are now properly paid for public similar to that adopted in Britain. free-loaders to get out of paying bargaining holidays and the move to four weeks leave Under this system the owner/operators pay a fees. The Alliance will push for stronger comes in next year. On top of this, this minimum pre-determined level of tax. In employment legislation to ensure greater government is putting more money in the return they are obliged to comply with workplace democracy. pockets of those with families. From 1 April specified registration, employment and training We will support a Labour-led Government to this year to 1 April 2007, families on $25,000 regulations. keep out National. The Alliance keeps Labour to $45,000 a year will be on average $95 to Such a system could easily work here. honest and is a voice for workers. $100 a week better off – and that’s not Believe me, the spin-offs from a developing counting the big increases in childcare and and successful Merchant Fleet are huge – both Jill Ovens housing subsidies. for those involved and the country as a whole. Co-Leader, Alliance Party Come the election we face a choice. We can Let’s make it happen. turn back the clock and have hard fought for workers’ rights stripped away, bargaining power removed and $100 a week packages for Peter Brown MP, working families replaced by single figure tax Deputy Leader and Transport Spokesperson, cuts. New Zealand First Or we can vote for a bight future with (Peter is a qualified Master Mariner) Labour, a future of fairness and opportunity for the maritime industry and the nation.

Pete Hodgson MP, 16 Minister of Transport United Future Maori Party Green Party

The focus of United Future’s commercial The Maori Party supports the focus of the The Green Party remains firmly committed fishing policy is the “New Zealandisation” of Employment Relations Law Reform Act to doing everything we can to support seafarers our fisheries. towards the protection of parties, and the and associated workers in your campaign for We want to level the playing field so that incentive to promote good faith in our some form of effective cabotage for what’s left New Zealand vessels with New Zealand crew collective negotiations. of New Zealand’s shipping industry. are competitive when it comes to harvesting Increasing numbers of Maori and Pasifika We continue whenever possible to attempt to this resource. One or several of the following peoples are reaching working age, and there persuade Government to take action to reverse measures will help to achieve that goal. are increased proportions of migrants in the what has happened to NZ coastal shipping United Future will: population. since 1994. Require two compulsory fisheries inspectors Employers and unions should be aware of We work as closely as we can with the to be present on foreign charter vessels at the the varied motivations, values, communication Maritime Union and with the Shipping expense of the New Zealand company contract- styles and attitudes of their employees. For Federation to persuade Labour to take action to ing the charter to ensure QMS compliance; employees recently entering the New Zealand redress the ongoing loss of NZ owned shipping Require at least one compulsory labour workforce, if ‘culture shock’ is prevented, a and NZ jobs on our coastal routes. inspector to be present on foreign charter workforce is more likely to realise improved My colleague Rod Donald and I have been vessels at the expense of the New Zealand productivity and reduced absenteeism.The really disappointed at the evident lack of company contracting the charter to ensure basic premise of cultural safety is that many of progress in this area despite earlier indications compliance with New Zealand minimum wage the things we take for granted about our own that we might actually be getting somewhere. laws and labour conditions; attitudes and practice are determined by We see it as critical that both in terms of Require that all foreign charter vessels are to culture. industrial relations policies generally, and in remain outside a 25-mile limit; An awareness of one’s own culture would regards to the protection of coastal shipping in Require that all fish caught in New Zealand empower employers to respond more effec- particular, that we have a Labour – led waters must be processed either on board the tively to employees from cultures different to Government after this election, backed by a vessel within New Zealand’s exclusive their own. Appropriate recognition of cultural strong group of Green MPs who can help economic zone (EEZ) or on land, and that safety within the workplace would demonstrate stiffen Labour’s spine and conscience. regardless of where it is processed all fish kotahitanga, the principle of unity of purpose The Green Party has consistently backed caught in New Zealand waters must be landed and direction. All should be encouraged to Labour for its positive reforms in the employ- before export to ensure it is correctly branded have a contribution and then ideally to reach ment area, including supporting the ERA and as Product of New Zealand; consensus. its amendments, four weeks leave for all Require that a certain percentage of all The Maori Party believes the maritime workers, and improvements in the Holidays fishing quota that is leased out by “paper” industry must:value staff, recognise and legislation, although at times we think they fishermen must go to New Zealanders; respond to cultural diversity, recognise the don’t go far enough, quickly enough. Require that a certain proportion of the crew unique contributions employees can make once We are very concerned about what will on board all foreign fishing vessels are New they are able to maintain the essence of who happen if we end up with a National-led Zealanders; they are in their work setting, invest in skill Government, and hope that workers in the [abridged as contribution was over 250 words] development and better use of technology; and maritime sector will consider voting Green Larry Baldock MP, United Future Party recognise that quality employment and with your party vote to help us get some urgent productivity emerge from a decent work action on critical issues like cabotage and a environment and decent wages. host of other social justice and environmental ACT Party matters. Tariana Turia, MP, Maori Party leader The economic growth in the last decade or Sue Bradford, MP, Green Party so has not flowed through to workers’ pockets. Higher taxes and inflation have robbed workers of the fruits of economic growth. Inflation has pulled workers into higher tax brackets, so we now have a rich government and poor people. Five years ago, the average worker paid 21 Your vote is important. cents marginal tax rate. Today the average worker pays 33 cents marginal tax rate. At the recent national executive meeting of the Maritime Union held in Nearly a quarter of full-time workers pay the May 2005 the question of the forthcoming general election was discussed. 39% rate supposedly affecting just 5% of taxpayers.ACT says the government should It was agreed that in no circumstances could we see the return of policies end its over-taxation of working New Zealanders and return the money to those who that would return us to the 1990s and the Employment Contracts era. earned it. ACT proposes a simple tax structure, with Since that meeting, it has become very obvious that the election is going just two rates of tax. 15% up to $38,000 and to be a hard fought one and that the result could be very close. 25% after that. For the average worker on $41,000, this would mean an extra $2,000 a year in take-home pay. This is the same as a National is promising tax cuts. What does this really mean for workers? 7% payrise under current tax scales. Lower taxes are the key to higher invest- The CTU has launched a campaign with the central message that workers ment, job growth and wage growth. For too will pay several times over in reduced wages and conditions, reduced long, New Zealand wage growth has lagged public services such as health, education, ACC and increased interest behind the rest of the developed world. It is time that government played its part in rates, for any tax cuts a National Government promises. putting New Zealand on a higher growth path. Lower taxes are fundamental in achieving All Maritime Union members must begin educating family and friends this. So too is welfare reform. about the damage to workers a vote for National will cause. Despite reported ‘labour shortages’ we have 300,000 working age adults on welfare in New Zealand. Trevor Hanson ACT is the party of lower taxes, higher economic and wage growth and higher General Secretary, Maritime Union of New Zealand standard of living for all New Zealanders.

Rodney Hide MP, Leader ACT Party 17 Port Roundup: Auckland Seafarers

by Gary Parsloe Ports and Shipping Forum The conference was held at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Auckland, 27 April 2005 and was opened by Bryan Gundersen, Partner, Kensington Swan. The keynote address was given by Dr. Bruce Hucker, Deputy Mayor of Auckland City. His address was under the heading of a “New vision for transport in Auckland and implications for supply chains.” May Day celebrations: from left, Maritime Union trainer Fred Salelea, Auckland Seafarers Branch Bruce stated that transport was the Executive member Patrick Honan, John O’Neill and Auckland Seafarers Secretary Garry Parsloe most important issue facing Auckland. He stated that Auckland transport has suffered from under investment in He went on to say that prospects for Next up was Mike Formoso from the past but now seems on track to coastal shipping are looking up even Singapore Terminals PSA Corporation. receive a financial boost. when foreign shipping companies pay no Mike addressed the forum under the Bruce went on to say that we need a tax or ACC levies giving them a massive heading of “Managing the complexities of more balanced approach to transport advantage over New Zealand shipping the worlds’ largest trans-shipment hub”. with a balance between investing in operators. With a daily average of 60 vessels building more roads and investing in Rod said the Government’s view was arriving, Singapore Terminals earned more public transport. that as only 15% of coastal cargo is the prestigious title of Container Bruce concluded by stating that the carried by foreign shipping there is not Terminal of the Year at the 2004 Mari- Ports of Auckland creates an $11 billion much to worry about. time Asia Awards. annual flow into the regional economy. But when you take out the fuel and With the demands on vessels to The next speaker was Captain Tim cement trade and then the captive Cook remain on schedule heightened signifi- Wilson, Director, New Zealand Maritime Strait trade you can see that foreign cantly, it is important understand the School, Manukau Institute of Technology. vessels carry around 1.3 million tons issues and realities involved from a Tim addressed the forum under the which is around 90 containers moved practical sense on how delays can be heading of “Tackling implications of per day, or 33000 containers per year. minimized through efficient planning. Maritime labour shortages”. Rod said that a container levy would He spoke about the future of port Tim stated that the Maritime indus- decrease cargo on overseas ships from facilities, and questions such as what try is hurting from an ever-increasing between 7% to 8%. should a terminal do when a vessel competence shortage, threatening safety This would give a gradual minor arrives on time, but the berth is occu- standards, and hindering growth. increase in coastal rates by 10%, no pied through usage of the previous The Maritime School is involved in reduction in quality or frequency of vessel being delayed – are penalties the superior training for seagoing and shore services, and long term improvements best answer? based positions throughout Asia and is in the coastal trade. He discussed the terminal’s course of witnessing first hand the effects on the Rod said that the above would take action when a number of vessels arrive industry. the trucking problems off the roads, simultaneously, and priority when a He also analysed the effects if the giving pollution and energy relief. delayed vessel and an arriving vessel are skilled labour shortage increases, and He stated that if the Government is from the same carrier company. we learned about the School’s response committed to ensuring a coastal ship- After lunch we had a presentation to the shortage in New Zealand. ping industry as an important part of from Jeremy Boys, Chief Executive He also spoke on how can we the New Zealand economy then it must Officer, Primeport Timaru. encourage logistics as a prominent assist in introducing another six vessels Jeremy addressed the forum under career choice, decreasing staff turnover trading between Auckland/Onehunga the heading of “Boosting potential through investing in their intellectual and South Island ports. through Primeport Timaru’s Develop- growth and full time versus casual These six vessels would give New ments for the South Island.” career opportunities at the ports. Zealand the balance that is required to He spoke on providing an efficient After smoko the first speaker was get trucks off the road and that cargo port facility for carrier investments, Rod Grout, Chief Executive Officer, into fuel efficient, low pollution and reviewing the development of Fonterra’s Pacifica Transport Group and President, congestion friendly transport. dry storage facility, and will Primeport New Zealand Shipping Federation. Rod concluded by stating that coastal be the most economical port to utilize in Rod addressed the forum under the shipping is so important the only way the South Island? heading of “The tide is turning for forward for New Zealand is to support I did not hear all speakers, but coastal shipping” and he stated he holds what is an absolute necessity, that of a overall it was an informative forum and more hope for coastal shipping today New Zealand coastal shipping industry. well worth attending. than in the past. 18 Burma Democracy Movement by Gary Parsloe

As the President/Chairman of the Auckland Branch of the Council of Trade Unions I had the privilege of chairing a public meeting for the Burma National League for Democracy held in the Trade Union Centre, 147 Great North Road, Auckland, on the 21 April 2005. After I had welcomed everyone to the meeting I then introduced the first speaker who was Mrs. Fiona Thompson, founder of the New Zealand Burma Support Group. Fiona gave a brief explanation of why we called the meeting which was to give the exiled Burmese Democratic May Day rally gets underway in Albert Park, Auckland Leaders an opportunity to tell New Zealand about the situation in Burma and to ask for our support. Auckland May Day In regard to the music it was great to The next speaker was U Maung hear everyone joining in and singing Maung, General Secretary of the The Auckland May Day Committee along to “Solidarity Forever”, “Joe Hill” National Council of the Union of Burma met earlier in the year and agreed that in and other working class songs. (NCUB) and the Federation of Trade 2005 we should hold a May Day Func- It was a great evening and because it Unions of Burma (FTUB). tion on the night before May Day, then was so successful the May Day Commit- U Maung Maung gave an outline of as usual have the March up Queen tee have decided to continue with a the recent history of Burma, the nature Street to Albert Park. Function on the night before the March of the regime, the lack of respect for The Function was held in the New on May Day next year. human rights, the position of the people Orient Restaurant, Strand Arcade, On May 1 we assembled at the and why the delegation has come to Queen Street, Auckland on Saturday 30 bottom of Queen Street at noon, where New Zealand. April 2005. we offered speakers an open mic to The next speaker was U Hla Oo, the As Chairman of the May Day deliver workers issues to the Rally. President of the FTUB and an MP Committee I opened the Function by The May Day Bus Tour had left the elected in 1990 for Nobel Prize winner welcoming all the Delegates, Union Auckland Trades Hall at 10am and Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Officials, Members of Parliament and visited sites of Historical interest to the Democracy (NLD). friends of the Trade Union Movement. Labour Movement with commentary by U Hla Oo stated that he was forced I introduced and thanked the Union Dean Parker. to leave the country and now was living Made Choir who along with other Sites included Onehunga cemetery in Thailand. musicians provided excellent music and where a labour martyr lies buried, the He outlined the long history of entertainment all night. site of the workers’ occupation of struggle for freedom by the Burmese Laila Harre then introduced the Westfield Freezing Works in 1937, people against the military junta, the presentations from Unions on Cam- Bastion Point where New Zealand’s first role and philosophy of Aung San Suu paigns of the last year, current and Labour Prime Minister is buried and the Kyi and the NLD, the role of the union future years. site of Ngati Whatua land protest, and movement and the strategy being There were presentations from New much more. followed by the democratic movement Zealand Nurses Organization on their After the May Day Bus Tour arrived as a whole, including the reasons for Multi Employer Collective Agreement, back at the Rally we assembled with our trade sanctions and the current cam- the EPMU on their 5% Campaign, the Banners behind the NDU Picket Bus and paign to stop Burma taking the chair of NDU on current Campaigns, UNITE on proceeded to March up Queen Street ASEAN until it restores democracy. young cinema workers and other then into Albert Park. The next speaker was U Daniel Unions on their campaigns. When we arrived at Albert Park the Aung, chair of the Lahu National The Maritime Union presentation Marchers were treated to a BBQ (sup- Development Party (Liberated Areas) was given by Patrick Honan, a cook on plied by the Mad Butcher) and two and an MP elected in 1990 in a constitu- the Golden Bay Cement Vessel and bands that the May Day Committee had ency in Shan State in northern Burma. Auckland Seafarers Branch Executive secured earlier on in the year. U Daniel Aung was forced to flee the Delegate. All in all it was one of the better May country and was now living in Austra- Patrick’s presentation was about the Days with both the Function and the lia. benefits of being Union and all the Rally/March being well attended.We He outlined the even longer struggle benefits that the Union delivers. look forward to an even larger turn out by the minority ethnic people of Burma Patrick’s presentation was well next year and the May Day Committee for democratic rights, the reasons for the received and is still being commented will be meeting later this year to start objective of a federal state and the on as an excellent input into the Func- the planning for next year. strategy being followed by the various tion. [continued overleaf] 19 [Burma democracy continued from page 19] ethnic groups, also including the Documentary maker brings reasons for trade sanctions, how NZ can help and the outcome of the delegations’ meetings with NZ Ministers and “Betrayed” to New Zealand Officials and with Fonterra. The last speaker was Dr. Myint Cho by Garry Parsloe the apology from Mike Lee, Chairman of who was the Secretary of the Delegation. the Auckland City Council who was He spoke on the absolute need to restore On 23 April 2005 the Maritime Union unable to attend because of earlier Democracy in Burma. in Auckland hosted documentary commitments. He then spoke about the struggle in maker Elaine Briere at the New The Betrayed DVD was absolutely Burma that is taking place today in an Zealand premiere of Betrayed, the riveting and a must for every worker to effort to restore Democracy. story of the Canadian Seaman’s Union see. After Dr. Myint Cho’s speech I read dispute, which lasted exactly the same Elaine Briere must be congratulated the following resolution that was carried many days (151) as our own 1951 Day for putting Betrayed together; she has unanimously at the Council of Trade Strike/Lockout. produced an excellent DVD. Union’s Local Affiliates Council Meeting Before we sat down to view Betrayed After we watched Betrayed we had earlier in the day: I took the opportunity to welcome question time where Elaine fielded “That the Auckland Local Affiliates documentary maker Elaine Briere to questions from everyone and went Council of the NZ Council of Trade Auckland and introduce historian, further into all aspects of the dispute. Unions resolves to give its full support journalist and writer Dick Scott who The whole evening was excellent and to the International Campaign for gave us a comprehensive presentation all those who attended have commented democracy in Burma, and in particular on the dispute, going into detail on the to me on how much they enjoyed the supports the call by the Federation of lead up to the dispute and a full run night. Trade Unions of Burma for sanctions down on all events from the very start of against trade and investments in Burma, the dispute. and for the Association of South East I also welcomed George Andrews Asia Nations to refuse to allow Burma to well known documentary maker, John take the chair of that organization, until Bates who produced the 1951 documen- human rights and democracy are tary, Cathy Casey and Robin Hughes restored”. both Auckland City Councillors, Matt I then opened the meeting up for McCarten and Mike Treen from Unite, questions to which the delegation Derek Craig of AMEA, Russell Mayn answered. and members of Local 13, and the It was a most productive question Executive and members of the Auckland and answer time. Seafarers Branch of MUNZ. By the end of what was a long Also mentioned was Captain Mike meeting I am sure that everyone who Halloran, John O’Neill who took all the Elaine Briere answers questions from the attended benefited and gained a better photos, Gerald Hill who provided the audience at the Auckland screening of knowledge and understanding of the accommodation for Elaine Briere and Betrayed present situation in Burma.

Sonja Davies: feminist, unionist, peace activist

Around 1,100 people gathered in the Wilson, Council of Trade Unions “an agenda for equality for working Wellington Town Hall on Sunday 19 secretary Carol Beaumont, Sir Tipene women – an agenda we are still pursu- June 2005 for the funeral to celebrate O’Regan, on behalf of her iwi, Ngai ing today.” the life of former MP, trade unionist Tahu, and her brother David Mackersey. Carol Beaumont spoke about her and peace activist Sonja Davies. Many of the speakers paid tribute to activism for women’s issues within Sonja Davies, ONZ, died on 13 June Sonja Davies’ work advancing the rights trade unions. 2005 in Wellington. She was 81. of women, working people, and in the “Sonja was a woman whose life She was carried into the Town Hall peace movement. inspired many others, those who knew by a number of her women friends as Helen Clark paid tribute to a pas- her personally and many who didn’t the Wellington union women’s choir sionate woman who stood up for what know her.” sang Bread and Roses, the song from she believed in all her life and was a Her brother, David Mackersey which the first volume of her autobiog- “force to be reckoned with” when she described her loyalty to her family and raphy took its title. was fighting for the rights of others. her everlasting friendships with many The ceremony was lead by her Margaret Wilson told the gathering people, while Sir Tipene O’Regan friend, Charles Chauvel and the speak- that Sonja Davies was a great leader remembered what he called Sonja ers were the Governor-General Dame who had made a huge contribution to Davies’ great quality, “an enduring and Silvia Cartwright, Prime Minister Helen the advancement of women, particularly indomitable optimism.” Clark, Parliament’s Speaker Margaret though the Working Women’s Charter A private cremation ceremony followed the funeral.

20 The Tridale Dispute

Dick Scott’s introductory speech to the New Zealand premiere of 'Betrayed' by Elaine Briere, Auckland Maritime Club, 23 April 2005 Jock Barnes and Toby Hill greet the Canadian Tridale crew on their release from four weeks’ jail, 1949 This is a special occasion. It's great to have the historic Cana- In the waterfront lockout history, 151 New Zealand during the waterfront dian seamen's struggle recorded on film. Days, I wrote: lockout. For New Zealand our support of the "Australia, New Zealand, the It was the only vessel which went Tridale strikes and the black ban on the American West Coast – that is the from port to port with every member of scab Ottawa Valley were seminal events maritime triangle of the Pacific. the crew scabbing." that bonded two countries together. And from the third corner of the Betrayed, the name of the film we are Three years later, in the 1951 lockout, triangle Canadian and US seamen and about to see, is the perfect word to cover it was the Canadian workers who were dockers extended their hand-clasp to the treachery of Walsh and Baxter in quick to support us. ring into Canada from U.S.A. supporting the enrolling of scabs from In preparing these remarks, for the Its members had cemented solidarity America to form a Canadian shipown- first time ever I counted the actual with New Zealand during the five ers' company union. Elaine Briere could number of days of the five month strike. months strike of the 'Tridale' in not have chosen a more accurate title. Incredibly it turned out to be exactly the Wellington and the 59 day black ban on All power to her film making in a same 151 days as our own struggle. the strike-breaking Ottawa Valley in world, not least Bush's America, where My memory of the Tridale crew is of Auckland. even basic civilized behaviour cannot be their youth and their determination, and These men remembered the activities expected. of the ship’s cook, a 74 year old ex-Nova of Walsh and Baxter who earned "particular tribute" from the Canadian Dick Scott is a former editor of the New Scotia police chief, who was as solid as Zealand Waterside Workers Union journal “The Government. anyone in the five months battle. Transport Worker” and is the author of 151 Another memory is of Toby Hill and It was appropriate that the Ottawa Days, the seminal account of the 1951 Jock Barnes greeting the crew on their Valley, still manned by the US company waterfront lockout release from four months jail to whisk union supported by Walsh, also visited them away in a fleet of taxis to spend their first night of freedom staying in a top hotel. A photo of the event was highlighted in my autobiography published a few months ago. The crew's strike leader, Don Will- iams, prepared a pamphlet I edited with an illustrated 24 pages which sold well at sixpence. It began: "This brief history of one strike sector in a great world struggle is dedicated to those members of the Canadian Seamen's Union who lost their lives in doing their duty as unionists." The deaths referred to picketers murdered at Los Angeles and San Francisco. Walsh and Baxter, the FOL leaders, issued two pamphlets in reply, attempt- ing to justify their failure to support the seamen, a clear warning of how they would behave in 1951. Dick Scott with Auckland Seafarers’ Secretary Gary Parsloe at the Auckland screening of Betrayed, 23 April 2005 (photo by John O’Neill) 21 Crew meeting Aratere Mark went on to say the company Port Roundup: has in some cases written directly to the by Mike Shakespeare membership and not gone through the Wellington Seafarers The catering crew of the Aratere asked Union. the Wellington branch officials to Also when you thought you had an by Mike Williams attend a meeting on the ship on 17 June agreement with them the next time you met them things had changed. Offshore Seminar 2005 over the issue of new duties for the stewards in taking over the shop on The most important thing that we Report for Port the board the ship. could do as members is to stick together Round The company have moved to and work collectively through the Union, otherwise the company would On Wednesday 11 disestablish the Information Officers pick people off one by one which does May 2005 a successful from these positions and want the not serve anyone well in the long term. seminar took place in New Plymouth members of MUNZ catering department Mark closed by saying that he was regarding a strategy for the renewal of to pick this work up as we do in the honoured to be able to address the crew the oil and gas agreement. Arahura, and this was to take place on and to wish us well in our struggles. Twenty delegates attended repre- 18 June 2005. The meeting finished with a resolu- senting all departments and from the The company at the time of writing tion from the crew that the status quo remits off the rigs and supply boats has had minimal contact with the would remain until such time as the there is now a multi employment branch over this issue. company and Union meet to resolve this agreement being drawn up to put to the We were fortunate to have with us at problem. industry. the time our Australian comrade Mark The Company is due to meet the NZ Offshore will pick up in Septem- Armstrong, the branch secretary for Union on 21 June to sort this issue out. ber 2005. Southern New South Wales, who had It was good to have an official of the Thank you to all the MUNZ mem- been attending the ACTU-NZCTU-ITF MUA come down to the ship and bers who made the effort to get to New Toll conference in Wellington who came address the crew as not enough rank Plymouth and contribute to this seminar to the ship with us. and file members are able to meet with making it a success. After hearing the problem we asked Mark to address the crew, he started by them, but I believe any opportunity we Kent Dispute explaining that he deals with Toll in are able to get we should grab with both hands as it can only help to bring a The Kent was held up for twenty Australia and that there was very little difference in the way Toll operate in better understanding of each of our four hours after the MSA ruled in favour problems. of what the Union had previously Australia as to New Zealand. campaigned for, that there had to be a person on the wheel and a person on look out when in enclosed waters. This would increase the work load of MUNZ members aboard the Kent. The Crew insisted that due to the increased workload there would need to be two more crew on board the vessel. The Captain suspended the members and ordered them off the ship for refusing to sail and in trade union fashion the members refused to leave the vessel which led to a successful outcome with the company increasing the manning on the Kent. The crew was supported by the company’s other vessel the Santa Regina, thanks to all who contributed to the successful outcome. Women’s officer Congratulations to Zoe Atkinson who is serving onboard the Purbeck as she has been elected by the Stopwork meeting to be the Wellington Woman Officer. Thanks to Rachel Goddard who covered this position until Zoe’s election after Julie Raro resigned.

MUNZ Seafarers at the New Plymouth Offshore Conference, 11 May 2005

22 Seafarers’ Strategy Conference

The Wellington Seafarers’ Branch of the in turn can only be achieved in the new members and new ideas for the Maritime Union of New Zealand organized a ongoing process of organizing. future. three-day Seafarers’ Strategy Conference that ran from 8–10 March 2005 in Wellington. Educating and organizing are From feedback we are quite confi- The proceedings of the Conference were put inextricably linked. dent in declaring the conference a into a booklet form and a short video of the There is an old Chinese saying: success. Conference was produced by Vanguard Films. ”Help more people. Narrow the target of For our own part, we measured the Copies of both are available from the attack.” success of the event mainly by the high Wellington Seafarers’ Branch of the Maritime We have to help ourselves and our quality of rank and file participation. Union. The following article is the introduction to the friends at the same time as avoiding the It was creative, constructive and booklet. trap of fighting on too many fronts at focussed for the full three days. once, even if the Government has forced The conference was workshop- by Mike Williams us into multiple company agreements. oriented rather than dominated by Sometimes it may be correct tactics to speeches which maximized rank and file The maritime industry is going strike amongst the weakest link participation. through enormous changes at the amongst the employers, whereas at Some remits were passed as recom- moment. other times it may be wise to form mendations for action but the work of The giant of global shipping, Maersk– temporary alliances with weaker the conference was not so much to P&O Nedlloyd, has big plans for New companies against a larger corporation – formulate remits as to come up with Zealand including “hubbing”, which particularly if the smaller entity is New creative and positive ideas which can be means in the not too distant future there Zealand owned. analysed and moulded into action plans will only be two significant international Most of the three-day Conference in the coming months. ports in this country – probably Mount was conducted in a series of workshops, They will then be implemented as Maunganui and Port Chalmers. each dealing with different aspects of part of a phased and calibrated strategy. The rest of the country will be building a strategy. serviced by feeder ships, road and rail As well as this, we heard input from transport. a number of special guests who in- On the other side of the equation the cluded representatives from the MUA, Maritime Union of New Zealand RMTU, International Transport Workers’ (MUNZ) and the Rail and Maritime Federation (ITF), Maritime Safety Union (RMTU) are in the process of Authority (MSA), the Green Party, the amalgamation. Seafarers’ Retirement Fund (SRF) and MUNZ has also just signed a federa- wharfie members of MUNZ who deal tion arrangement with the Maritime with Toll in Auckland. Union of Australia (MUA). The Conference began with a These new formations will signifi- powhiri conducted by members of the cantly rationalize workers’ response to Ngati Poneke club and was opened by industry changes. Wellington Seafarers’ Branch President Another major change in the industry Mike Shakespeare and MUNZ General has been the arrival on the scene of Toll Secretary Trevor Hanson. Holdings, a new type of employer, the The key note address was delivered first company in New Zealand that is a by past president Dave Morgan. true “logistics” operation and already the Perhaps the clearest message of the biggest employer of seafarers here. Conference was that whatever we do in In response to this, the Wellington our industrial, legal and political Seafarers’ Branch of MUNZ called a campaigns, we have to do it from a base rank and file conference to begin the of organizational strength with a unified process of creating a new strategic plan. vision of where we are headed and why. It was decided the conference should To this end education and cultural focus its attention mainly on Toll work especially amongst the youth because this company will soon present members became a major theme of the the most representative face of the conference. industry whether we like it or not. In fact increasing youth involvement By doing this we are able to reveal in the Union was a strand of discussion something of the future character of our which ran through all plenary and anti-worker adversaries, the shipowners workshop sessions. and stevedoring companies, and clearly Connected to this was a call to grasp the need for designing a sustain- strengthen the delegates’ system. able fight against them. Every crew and every department We can only muster our own forces if needs its own active delegates to hold we can clearly identify and analyse who the organization together. we are up against. Delegates are the blood running And vice versa, we can only really through the Union. target our opponents if we know They ensure rank and file control of ourselves and educate ourselves, which the Union and provide inspiration for 23 Election of Officers Port Roundup: Barry Crawford has retained the Port Roundup: position of President of the Napier Mt Maunganui Tauranga Napier Branch and Alan Burke has retained his position as Vice-President, for this by Phil Spanswick by Bill Connelly financial year. Around and Code of Practice for Health and We have recently ratified the Owens about Safety in Port Operations Cargo Company The port is On 1 April 2005 I attended a one-day Collective Agree- unusually quiet at seminar on “Maritime Worker Fatigue”, ment with the Rail, the moment with run by the Maritime Safety Authority Maritime and most of the seasonal exports just about (MSA), and also in attendance was the Transport Union which brings together finished for this year. General Secretary Trevor Hanson and all of the Owens Union members in Ohope Beach Accommodation in National Vice-President Joe Fleetwood. one Collective Agreement for the first New Zealand I found the seminar both interesting time. and enlightening, but found that the Congratulations to the delegates and Members should be aware that the content was more directed towards members of both Unions for their resolve holiday accommodation at Ohope Beach seamen and fishermen, with no particu- to gain the Collective Agreement. is now at a premium, because we now lar emphasis placed on shore based On Thursday 24 February an only have the one unit available for personnel who service the vessels. Auckland delegation met with our rental. I have written to the MSA address- Executive to discuss the concept of a Vacancies are still available com- ing my concerns, and requested that Northern Region Alliance and working mencing each Sunday, on a weekly should something of relevance in closer together. basis. relation to stress and fatigue come out of This meeting was followed on 18 Bookings can be made through the any future meetings that the MSA give May with a meeting with Whangarei Napier Branch, by contacting the serious consideration to it being in- and Auckland Seafarers to continue Secretary either at the Union Office, his cluded in the “Code of Practice for discussions on the Northern Regional home or on his mobile telephone Health and Safety in Port Operations.” Alliance. number. We are currently in negotiations with Gold Coast Accommodation Ballance Agri-Nutrients to renew their Collective Agreement and we have in Australia initiated bargaining with P&O Ports. Please note that the confirmation period for bookings is now SIX MONTHS, which put quite simply means that members nationally can now book six months in advance. The next vacancy is a two-week period commencing Saturday 3 Decem- ber to 17 December. 2005 Negotiations Omniport negotiations have been completed and our members have a new collective agreement in place for the next two years, with an immediate increase of 3% and a further increase of 3% in a year’s time. It was gratifying that this employer has seen fit to recognise our members, employed on a casual basis, in retaining their relativity with their permanent counterparts, in that they have also received the same percentage increase for the next two years. The Omniport agreement was ratified and signed off by the General Secretary on the 16 May 2005. Negotiations with Hawkes Bay Stevedoring Services and Tolls have broken down, with every likelihood that both of these will go to mediation in the Tauranga/Mt Maunganui Branch and Auckland Local 13 Maritime Union discussing the Northern not too distant future. Regional Alliance: from left to right, Phil Spanswick, Craig Harrison, Tony Gibbons, Brian Harrington, Dave Phillips, Terrance Tai, Marty Westhead, Selwyn Russell, Denis Carlisle and Russell Mayn (photo by Corrine Paraore)

24 they get into power. It may be a new service but they Port Roundup: Remember 1991 when National put certainly are not new ships. The MSC in place the Employment Contracts Act Teresa, according to the Captain, is the and the ramifications it had on the pick of the fleet – the fleet being the Bluff union movement throughout New MSC Teresa, MSC Jeanne, MSC Paola, by Ray Fife Zealand, we suffered more so than most MSC Lucia and MSC Federica. other unions and we must ensure that These ships will be running between Mid year has come this does not occur again. Tauranga, Lyttelton and Wellington. about with the Do not be complacent, make sure The Teresa is 31 years old and looks port experiencing you vote and that your vote goes every inch of it with very poor mainte- a relatively busy towards a party that is left, centre left. nance in most areas. period considering Container Crane drivers watched there has been no rats running around on top of boxes as real growth to speak of. well as lashers seeing them down below. There has been quite a number of Below deck in one hatch on the fishing trawlers using the port to unload lower deck lids, one of the wheels was a their cargo lately due to an extremely block of rust. good fishing season. Port Roundup: We asked for the Maritime Safety Amaltal Authority to come down and have a look. Lyttelton Local 43 We found out they were already Amatal Fisheries are using unionized coming down to check out other labour once again, this is particularly by Les Wells problems found in Tauranga which I pleasing given the fact that Mainland had believe was to do with ships’ radios’ been working the trawlers in the past. One of our major emergency generator and the oil and We also had a barge in port to load a achievements this water separation plant in the bilge. shipment of coal, this due to the fact that year is getting a If this is the cream of the fleet we are there were not enough rail wagons settlement with in trouble with the rest that are coming. around to carry the coal by rail to the Lyttelton Port I can’t express enough that Tauranga, Lyttelton. Company for a Wellington and Lyttelton as the three We can only hope that this will lead three year agreement. ports of call must make sure that our to further shipments. The term of the agreement for three members are given as much protection years was strongly supported by the Southern Cross Stevedoring as we can by using every means at our members as they were looking for some disposal to make sure these ships are As with most other ports our stability over this period. brought up to New Zealand standards collective contract with Southern Cross The negotiators believe we got a or driven off the coast. Stevedoring has expired and to date we reasonable settlement but as always you Our members are entitled to a safe have not set any time frame to com- never satisfy everyone. and healthy working environment. mence negotiations. Toll Amalgamation With Toll we hope we are nearing Feedback from our members in conclusion with letters being exchanged regards to amalgamation is guarded at over the final two outstanding points. Port Roundup: the moment. One being the inclusion of our Super, The general feeling is more informa- and the second is that the local docu- tion is required before they can make ment will be appended to any national New Plymouth any decision, as this is a very important document that may be put in place. by Shane Parker issue and we must weigh up how a new Lyttelton Stevedoring Services are structure will work and the benefits it finding it very frustrating in trying to The Port is relatively will provide to the membership. get Peter Bruer around the table to talk. quiet at the moment More meetings of the working party Pacifica with slowing down are to be held, and more information of the dairy season. exchanged so that the membership are At Pacifica I believe we will be Proposed offshore kept fully informed and the right struc- moving forward with their talks in the drilling programs are ture is put in place if this is to go ahead. near future as they have now settled in yet to start. Wellington. The members of New Plymouth Elections It does my heart good to see Mr. Stevedoring Services have just enewedr The elections will be held later on in Grout saying he sees an increase in their contract with a modest increase. the year and no doubt there will be talk Coastal shipping – I hope he intends to There are still big plans to put large of which party will get whose support. share any increase he gets with his work quantities of coal through the port. Labour has put in place a lot of force on and off the ships. Our biggest worry at the moment is the proposed takeover of P&O policies that have helped the union MSC movement, but on the other hand have NedLloyd by Maersk, and the rational- made some decisions that have sup- One of the major problems to have ization that is sure to follow. ported the business community more so arisen is the new service that MSC has Wiremu Ratana, a well known local than the working class. introduced to our Coast. member is not well and is in hospital at We can only hope that the members I was called down on Sunday 1 May the moment. make the right decision, any support to to look at a ship called the MSC Teresa; I am sure all the members around the a party to the right could have a dra- what I saw horrified me even after 35 country who know Wire will be wishing matic effect on the union movement if years in the industry. him the best. 25 although we are still seeking replace- back the course was interesting, he now Port Roundup: ments for staff leaving or retiring. had a good understanding of the work One good aspect of PCCS is they are of the ITF, and would put this into one of only we believe three companies practice in our port in the future. Port Chalmers in the Southern Cross group doing alright. Sports Tourney Local 10 Branch Elections Our members are already preparing for next year’s tourney and entries so far by Phil Adams The 2005 branch elections have been will see about 20 venture to the Mount. Well with winter held and all positions bar one required a It is rumoured that most will include just about on us, ballot. the Sevens at Wellington on the way up. we are witnessing Andrew Jennings and Davey Dick Anyone considering going please a very busy time, stood for the president’s position with contact Winky as soon as possible. Davey winning in the ballot. particularly in the Delegate Training terminal where 3rd Clive Giles is the vice-president, Phil shifts and long weeks are the norm. Adams secretary-treasurer, and the new Recently we had Fred Salelea from This is making the members seek executive is Adam Law, Mike Lysaght, Auckland to train around 15 members new ways of addressing long hours and Geoff Duncan, Andrew Jennings and as delegates. 3rd shifts. Don Hill. Trustees are James Binnie and Fred stated he was very pleased with A roster is now being looked at on Graeme Hutton. the standard of the participants and this the same lines as Lyttelton to give Congratulations to those new to the is a good sign for the future. executive , you are now representing all people predictable time off and an even One good thing is that all the new spread of third shifts. your members. executive have been through delegate Although the roster met with some Having young members now training. interested in the running of the Union is resistance last time, most believe it is Retirements time to reintroduce it for the good of all. a good sign for the future, in fact the editor of the magazine showed a The roster is part of talks to conclude Peter Broere, Ben Johnson and Ray the terminal agreement and although glimmer of interest in running for the Sinclair have retired recently and will be ratified in principle some months ago, executive but obviously with his honoured by a function soon. All have some points are still to be agreed upon. political aspirations this was not made significant contributions to our By the time this article goes to print possible. Union over the years and we wish them all issues should be resolved. Good luck at the other elections Victor. a long and happy retirement. One issue that has been well received ITF Ray Sinclair a former President and is the cranedriving on third shifts. national executive member was made a All drivers state the new working Recently we had one of our members life member of the Maritime Union at system has been successful and produc- Adam Law visit Newcastle in Australia our last national executive meeting. tivity is up which is what everyone to attend ITF inspector training. Ray has played a very important role hoped given the rest periods involved. From the reports we received from in our branch and his advice and Kathy Whelan and her Australian thoughts will be missed. Port Chalmers Cargo Services counterpart, Adam worked well in the ITF environment. USA Trip Port Chalmers Cargo Services negotiations are well underway and all Ship inspections and other activities Recently I attended the Mining and are hopeful of an early settlement were undertaken and Adam reported Maritime Conference in Long Beach, California, USA. It was interesting to learn about workers’ struggles around the Pacific Rim – when you hear what is happening in other countries we can be reasonably proud of the wages and conditions we have achieved here. The main conclusion I drew was the level of solidarity among those attend- ing, and knowing the support unions in different countries extend to each other when in dispute, such as the West Coast USA dispute, Patricks dispute, Carter Holt and Mainland dispute, and more recently the strike and picket in Auckland. Long live solidarity. Our horse Ohoka Jasper has finally started to find some form running a slashing second at Forbury recently much to the relief of its backers including the General Secretary, the ITF co-ordinator, Maritime Union Port Chalmers Dunedin Branch Executive 2005: the Lyttelton branch secretary and the from left (standing) Davey Dick, Phil Adams, Clive Giles, Mike Lysaght, Adam Law, Andrew rest of us. There is more to come. Jennings, (front row) Geoff Duncan and Don Hill (photo by Victor Billot) 26 Our other horse in the North Island Negotiations involving the General has yet to race but we believe is working Port Roundup: Secretary, the Branch, the Port Company, well. and the principals from the fishing Shanghai Sam is its name and we are Wellington Waterfront company took place and resulted in the currently trying to talk the General overseas workers going back aboard and Secretary into joining the syndicate that By John Whiting shore labour being engaged for the races it. Watch this space. container packing. The vagaries of ship Despite initial difficulty in getting Amalgamation scheduling continue them activated, the Immigration Serious discussions are taking place to affect our mem- Department eventually reissued the to finalize the amalgamation plans. bers with the clear statement that foreign crew are not The proposed June conference did withdrawal of ANL permitted to work on the wharf. not happen as there are still some issues Progress and the Our Branch, together with the to sort out and a small committee is replacement vessel ANL Esprit from Wellington Seafarers, recently partici- meeting regularly to help sort out these Wellington. pated in a delegate training day at issues. This impacts particularly on our which several members took the members employed by Capital City opportunity to improve their skills and Holiday Home Stevedores but also from the marshal- knowledge in dealing with the future The Holiday Unit continues to be ling perspective on our Centreport (Port union activity on the Wellington popular with most weeks taken up. Co) members. waterfront. Any inquiries should be directed to MSC We extend our deep appreciation to Ian Quarrell on 03 4727 166 or Phil Fred Salelea for the motivating and user- Adams on 03 4728 052. MSC have also replaced their friendly training he delivered and look previous larger container ships with half forward to the follow-up. Union fees a dozen small and much older ships, the Although the fees were agreed to be oldest dating back to 1971. raised at the last Annual General Following advice from the Lyttelton Meeting, this has not yet happened. Branch the first of these ships the MSC Port Roundup: But as we need to become more Teresa was treated to a very thorough proficient and accountable the increase inspection before work commenced and Gisborne will take effect shortly. it’s pleasing to see remedial mainte- nance work is being done on these ships. By Dein Ferris Paul Corliss We intend to carefully monitor these vessels on future calls. Our branch would like to acknowl- The fat lady has edge the work of Paul Corliss on his Pacifica been and gone retirement as industrial officer of the leaving the Port Lyttelton branch of the Rail and Mari- Our negotiations with Pacifica have with slightly less time Transport Union. been concluded and a one year agree- than last year. Although we have had some differ- ment endorsed by the members. The squash ences over the years, we have always This agreement provides a wage season is over with the Company having found Paul to be informative and increase the Pacifica workforce could handled some forty odd ships so far this helpful when negotiating in our port. live with and also provisions to add two year. Our branch wishes Paul all the best GWE’s to the strength. We are currently in negotiations with in his retirement. New cranes our Employer but as of writing have not settled. General Elections A recent announcement by Having returned from our National Executive meeting in Wellington in early With the polls showing Labour and Centreport advises of the ordering of May it appears that most ports are in National neck and neck it is time to two new Leibherr container cranes to negotiation and the only thing on offer think long and hard about who to vote commence work in June 2006. is a small percentage. for and make sure everyone votes. These machines, which will replace The squash season went off without National has made it quite clear they very old and outdated cranes, will be too many hiccups due in part to the intend overturning any gains Unions very well received by our members and cooperation between the union and our have made under Labour such as time we look forward to further announce- new manager. and a half on stat days, the Holidays Act ments on reequipping the existing fleet We like many other Ports are experi- and many more. of straddle carriers. encing a few problems with ships’ crews I find it somewhat strange the CTU Self-loading alert doing or being told to do our work, campaign for 5% increases being held mainly pontoons. before an election, as I believe we should A recent incident in the Port high- Kathy Whelan from the ITF has been be waiting to get Labour back in before lighted our ongoing duty to be vigilant following this up. introducing such a campaign in election in protecting our jobs. The Port company appears to have year. We became aware that the foreign crew from the New Zealand owned done a 360 degree turnaround and now fishing vessel San Liberatore had come runs its marine services again. on the wharf and were packing cartons We will continue our contract of fish into containers. negotiations hopefully to a fair to all We challenged the fishing company’s conclusion and await further develop- right to do this. ments in our amalgamation issues.

27 The possibility of returning to the P&O/Fonterra Port Roundup: dark days of an Employment Contracts Act or similar right wing legislation Everyone is awaiting the outcome of Auckland Local 13 does not bear thinking about. the P&O Fonterra decision as to whether This is a time for clarity and resolve the 4100 cargo will remain in Auckland by Russell Mayn amongst the working people of New or move to Tauranga. Zealand to make sure that their condi- Along with this is the bid from the It seems that this tions and right to bargain collectively is Auckland Regional Holdings to gain a is another time of preserved. 90% shareholding in the Ports of uncertainty with This does not mean a free ride for Auckland. the General any of the political parties currently in So it is very much watch this space. Election just power, the tough questions should still We will report in more detail on the around the corner be asked and pressure put on these proposed amalgamation when both and the proposed politicians to deliver in the areas that are unions have a clearer picture of the final amalgamation with the RMTU. important to our industry such as package. We have to become political with the Cabotage and the use of imported The Toll conference recently held in election upon us as it is imperative for labour in New Zealand. Wellington covered the logistics chain in the Union that a centre left Government Free trade policies should firstly New Zealand and in Australia and how is returned to power in New Zealand. contain labour clauses that contain fair by using the Trans Tasman Federation As members of the Maritime Union trade policies where workers can along with other inter union accords all of New Zealand we must look at the compete on a level playing field. transport unions can best preserve the industrial policies of a political party In Local 13 the Port is extremely busy conditions at their workplaces. before we give them our vote. with the same old problems of not The resolutions agreed will deliver If a party does not have an industrial enough skilled labour to meet the peaks. practical outcomes for members em- policy then it does not deserve consider- This is the same for the conventional ployed in Toll operations. ation. Port and the container terminals. Union education “Tory times are tough times” The industry employers since 1989 have failed to address the problem of The union education programme The National Government were the number of permanent stevedores courses run by Fred Salelea the National responsible for the Employment Con- required on the waterfront, the argu- Training Officer have been very success- tract Act, other National policies were ment always seems too centered around ful in Auckland. tax cuts for the rich, selling of annual an increase in the number of part time or They have inspired the workforce holidays, no penal rates, privatization casuals required to move cargo over the into action with some excellent results at and a record that sees them constantly docks. the coal face. voting against any pro worker legisla- Our thanks to all the delegates who tion. participated in these courses and to Fred. I took the opportunity to sit in on one for a couple of hours and found them not only informative, but very entertaining. Veterans The formation of a Maritime Veter- ans Association in Auckland and nationally is well overdue, so if there are any retired or not so retired members out there willing to have a go at getting this up and running please contact Local 13. The history of the union and the members who moulded it is well worth celebrating. Seafarers move in The Auckland Seafarers Branch have now moved into Waterfront House. Local 13 extends a warm welcome to Garry and his members and we look forward to working in a closer relation- ship with our seafarer comrades. In finishing I would like to take this opportunity in thanking the National Maritime Union Auckland Branch Local 13 Vice President Dave Phillips Officers of the Maritime Union of New welcomes Prime Minister Helen Clark to the Wharfies Reunion, Point Zealand for the actions they have taken Chevalier RSA, 12 June 2005 (Photo by Terry Ryan) in defending our industry against the use of foreign labour. Touch one touch all.

28 The Tasman Maritime Federation is Port Roundup: now in place and can only strengthen New Cook our links and raise our expectations of Nelson moving forward together. Strait ferry to Methyl Bromide by Bill Lewis An all representative meeting enter service Offshore organized by Occupational Safety and Conference Health (OSH) in Nelson last month was Toll Shipping says its new leased ferry Members from attended by Duncan Murray and I. Kaitaki will enter service in August Nelson and Lyttelton Three study reports/investigations 2005. to Wellington and were presented. The 182 metre long RO RO ferry will Napier convened in New Plymouth at The Nelson Medical Officer of be the largest on the Cook Strait service, the Devon Hotel to discuss issues and Health reporting on motor neuron with capacity for 1600 passengers and remits for the NZ Seafarer Offshore Oil disease and methyl bromide concluded 600 cars, but no trains. and Gas Collective Agreement. that the cluster study did not show a The ship was built in Rotterdam for Background was presented by Mike correlation between the two as the Irish Ferries as the Isle of Innisfree in Williams to bring members up to date Nelson graph showed no increase 1995, and was chartered to P&O in 2002 with previous crewing of offshore compared with nationwide studies. as the Pride of Cherbourg, before being vessels, in particular working jointly Also further data needs to be collated chartered as the Stena Challenger on the with the Maritime Union of Australia around fumigations and health out- Stena Lines Baltic Service. with the involvement of vessels arriving comes of workers by key agencies. The Kaitaki will replace the with- and departing that country and the The Medical toxicologist for the drawn fast ferry Lynx and the freight difficulty getting a contract signed up Department of Labour says that no long- ferry Purbeck, which will be taken out with Swires (Solutions) for their supply term studies have been undertaken on of service in August 2005. vessel working out of New Plymouth. low level exposure to methyl bromide. Despite the withdrawal of these two Charterman Marine was represented The blood test readings taken by ferries, the Kaitaki will increase Toll’s by Tim Saville who gave a picture into Stevedores Services were worthy of Cook Strait passenger capacity by the future with Pohokura Tui Maari further research. around 26 per cent and its freight Kupe Maui fields being developed but A low average level was found capacity by around 47 per cent. not in the immediate future, first work however with some spiking higher. Toll NZ will pay a charter fee and an expected around year’s end. An Occupational hygienist moni- annual management fee of $1.15 million He also recognized that it was tored the air around and in the fumiga- for the initial five years of the lease, with important to keep a skilled group of tion shed three and found a low level of an option to extend it for three more seafarers employed as this assists him toxicity below danger levels and said years. and ourselves. that the shed was industry best practice. Toll’s Australian parent company, The training for those skills needed The testing was done with prior Toll Holdings, is guaranteeing the lease for new and existing workers was put notice given to the fumigators and in for the vessel, which is valued at $110 forward. stark contrast with previous operations million. A solid discussion took place on the at the port. need to work towards a MUA/MUNZ Other toxic gases have been noted in Offshore Agreement. ship’s holds from timber preservatives This is because the same employers, and other causes, and requires to be same ship owners operating in the checked with the Maritime Safety Trans-Tasman Offshore and businesses Authority to follow this up. becoming common in both countries. The MSA has only become aware of Workers need to follow this direction this issue and are working to see if the through our Tasman Maritime Federa- health and safety requirements are met. tion. MUNZ will follow this issue up until Full participation in the afternoon a satisfactory conclusion has been produced some excellent remits for our reached. contract. The workshops provided ideal conditions for members to express their views. Thanks to all groups, especially the caterers.Arthur Whittaker gave a full account of his struggle on his vessel the Pacific Chieftain to win recognition under duress, particularly the treatment by fellow workers and company. Arthur requires support from other seafarers to keep plugging away. Other issues debated were reinstate- ment of cabotage on NZ coast campaign for the right to work in our own coastal waters.

29 All the best Australian visit

It is with regret that I leave the Mari- ITF co-ordinator Kathy Whelan has forwarded Letters time Union of New Zealand, formerly to the “Maritimes” the following letter from the New Zealand Seafarers Union, a Australia. union that I have been part of since The training went well and I was 1970. Golden gloves impressed with the two guys you sent My time spent in the Union has over. allowed me to enjoy the conditions and Grant Williams from Auckland It was very pleasing to see the story wages that were fought hard for, I wish seems keen and will visit vessels published in the April 2005 edition of all my ex-shipmates the best for the without much trouble. The Maritimes about Dunedin Boxer/ future and also the union officials who I was particularly impressed with trainer Ryan Henry. are endeavouring to keep the union on- Adam Law from Port Chalmers, with a 2005 is the Centennial year of the course. bit of encouragement and work he will I Otago Boxing Association. Unity is strength and always remem- am sure be the goods. At Queens Birthday weekend the ber the jobs belong to the union. occasion was marked with a Centennial We inspected five vessels, and on Wednesday I put the two Kiwis in Social function on the Saturday night, Geoffrey Raumati charge of one of the inspections, the and the staging of the annual South Union numbers 2245, 1368 Island Golden Gloves Tournament. ‘Cape York’. Ryan Henry fought twice in the same They brought back an almanac of day in the Senior Improver Heavy- paperwork and gave an impressive weight Division, winning the semi-final report on the visit. in the afternoon and the final in the With Grant and Adam you have a evening. chance of building a network of young As Ring Announcer, I took great Foreign labour people around you in order to protect pleasure in proclaiming him champion! ourselves from the evil forces which at Ryan is a very likeable young man, I am concerned to read of foreign are at large in the industry. and the Association Committee looks workers living in containers inside We need to do it for all our own self forward to many more successes for him. Lyttelton Port Company gates. preservation and the future of the ITF Foreign ships’ crews, genuine crews, and unions. Alan McDonald are all signed on ships’ articles, and their Kia ora and fraternal greetings to Patron, Chairman, OBA Centennial ship is granted a twenty-eight day work MUNZ. Organising Committee permit when they arrive on the New Life Member and former Executive Zealand coast. Matty Purcell Member, New Zealand Seafarers’ It is obvious that these men are (ITF Assistant Coordinator Australia) Union imported cheap foreign labour and should require a visitor’s visa with a work permit attached, the same as any other New Zealand company’s immi- grant coming into our country, and be New generation of Seafarers paying New Zealand tax (to help pay for Unions at work the New Zealand unemployed they are replacing.) Please find enclosed a photo of some Lyttelton Port Company Chief of the crew members on the coastal I am writing to say I had the privilege tanker Taiko. of attending the “Unions At Work” Executive Mr Peter Davie said the “. . . the practice was normal.” The photo shows roughly three course on Wednesday 6 April in generations of New Zealand seafarers Wellington. Since when has the Lyttelton Port Company become a substandard spanning from Bosun Alby Payne to the I would like to express my (and I’m 4 trainee AB’s on either side of him, sure all others in attendance) thanks to camping ground? Has it got consent from its share- messrs Tava Vete, Peter Vete, Johnathan the officials who found time to be O’Neil and Byron Cumming. present and especially to Fred Salelea holders, Christchurch City Council, to put its port land to this use and been The employment of the trainees was (Auckland branch) who, as tutor ran the negotiated by the Auckland branch of course in such a way that we all gained inspected by Christchurch City Health Inspectors? the Seafarers with Silver Fern Shipping a lot and left on a positive note. during the 2001 contract round. I personally found the day educa- The policy of importing cheap foreign labour by shipping companies to They are the first trainee AB’s to tional and look forward to the follow up enter the Union in about twenty years courses set out in the programme. work in New Zealand should be fully investigated by the Government. and their arrival is of great significance The more courses of this nature the to us. better, as they must be beneficial to us It is a very short step from foreign workers on ships to be working ashore The trainees have been able to enter all and the union movement on the the New Zealand shipping industry via whole. in New Zealand ports, and another small step to outside the gates. our Union and so understand the importance of the Union in their Tony Mowbray working lives. 1154, Wellington Seafarers Branch Tom McMullan, 2484 [abridged letter originally sent to Christchurch They have embraced our culture Press and Christchurch City Council] easily.

30 Their arrival also strengthens the Union’s ongoing relationship with Silver Movie Preview: Regional Contacts Fern Shipping as their supplier of unionized workers, a basic but very The Take Whangarei Mobile: 021 855 121 important function for any Union. Fax: 09 459 4972 These young men are as a result able The Take is a documentary film by Address: PO Box 397, Whangarei to work as New Zealanders on New Canadian director Avi Lewis produced Zealand ships – a birthright that is not in 2004 and featuring at the New Auckland Seafarers Zealand International Film Festival in Phone: 09 3032 562 Fax: 09 3790 766 understood or accepted by the so-called Mobile: 021 326 261 “Labour” Government. July and August 2005. Address: PO Box 1840, Auckland It is hoped these new members will The economic collapse of Argentina Email: [email protected] fill vacant AB positions that arise as in 2001 pushed half its citizens below the poverty line and served as a potent Auckland Local 13 older members decide to “sling their Phone: 09 3034 652 Fax: 09 3096 851 hooks.” omen of where the world might be Mobile: 021 760 887 In this way they will be able to carry headed under globalization. Address: PO Box 2645, Auckland forward the strong tradition of unionism But citizens of that country may well Email: [email protected] be at the vanguard of a new economic and seamanship that has been left to Mount Maunganui them in these jobs. activism that wrestles corporate control Phone: 07 5755 668 Fax: 07 5759 043 away from governments and multina- Mobile: 025 782 308 P. Harvey tionals and gives it to workers. Address: PO Box 5121, Mt. Maunganui Email: [email protected] President, This documentary features Lewis Auckland Seafarers’ Branch, and No Logo author and activist Naomi Gisborne Local 38 Maritime Union of New Zealand Klein as they examine globalization and Mobile: 025 6499 697 visit an abandoned factory in Argentina, Address: 5 Murphy Road,Gisborne where workers who’ve been unem- Email: [email protected] ployed for three years take inspiration New Plymouth from the slogan ‘Occupy – resist – Phone: 06 7589 728 Fax: 06 7513 646 produce’ when they seize the deserted Mobile: 027 2755458 business and start it up again. Address: PO Box 659, New Plymouth Email: [email protected] Website: for further information and screening times of this documentary and other films Napier including the documentary “A Decent Factory” Phone/Fax: 06 8358 622 go to www.nzff.co.nz Mobile: 025 2174 289 Address: PO Box 70, Napier Email: [email protected]

Wellington Seafarers Phone: 04 3859 288 Fax: 04 3848 766 Mobile: 021 481 242 Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington Seafarers’ Retirement Fund Email: [email protected]

Wellington Waterfront updates members on insurance Phone: 04 8017 619 Fax: 04 3848 766 Mobile: 021 606 379 The rules of the Seafarers’ Retirement All members who have changed Address: PO Box 2773, Wellington Fund mean that active eligible contrib- address should send their new contact Email: [email protected] uting members have life and disable- details to the fund administrators, Wellington Stores and Warehouse Local 21 ment insurance cover. whose contact details are below. Phone: 04 3859 520 Fax: 04 3848 766 A member of the fund who is not If you have questions regarding your Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington actively paying into the fund is called a insurance cover or wish to change your Nelson “deferred member” and is not eligible contact address please contact the Phone/Fax: 03 548 7778 for this insurance cover (and does not Fund’s administrators, Jacques Martin. Address: PO Box 5016, Nelson pay for it.) They can be contacted by email, ”There are a number of SRF mem- phone or by mail, as follows: Lyttelton Local 43 Phone: 03 3288 306 Fax: 03 3288 798 bers who are not making contributions Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0274 329 620 and should be deferred members,” says or [email protected] Address: PO Box 29, Lyttelton SRF Chairman David Scott. Phone: (04) 381 0582 Email: [email protected] He says if these non-contributing Or 0800 732 752 Timaru members start paying into the Fund Mail: Jacques Martin New Zealand Phone/Fax: 03 6843 364 again, they must complete a new Limited, Mobile: 021 2991 091 Personal Statement for the insurer. P O Box 606 Address: PO Box 813, Timaru “Until this new application has been Wellington Port Chalmers Dunedin Local 10 checked and accepted by the insurer, Attention: Jan Barber Phone: 03 4728 052 Fax: 03 4727 492 these members’ insurance cover will Mobile: 027 437 7601 remain at zero.” Address: PO Box 44, Port Chalmers Mr Scott says some SRF members Email: [email protected] have not provided a new contact Bluff address when they have moved. Phone/Fax: 03 2128 189 “This is important as we are unable Mobile: 027 4475 317 to contact them should the need arise,” Address: PO Box 5, Bluff Email: [email protected] he says. 31 32