The

Issue 19 • October 2007 MaritimesMagazine of the Maritime Union of New Zealand ISSN 1176-3418 The most important word in the language of the working class is ‘solidarity.’ – Harry Bridges

www.munz.org.nzInterport 2008 • Flags of Convenience • Port roundups • International The Maritimes | Octobernews 2007 |  ELECTIONS Local body elections: why vote?

by Ruth Dyson The most compelling evi- Minister of Labour dence of the benefits to every- International studies show that one when people engage with the more people participate in their communities and show their communities, the more an interest in the political proc- successful those communities ess is shown clearly in Harvard become. But if voter turnout at Professor Robert Putnam’s Get on a Roll local elections is a measure of internationally acclaimed New Zealanders’ involvement study of regional govern- in their communities, then ments in Italy. Putnam tried to Voting in this year’s local coun- City councils and district many communities will be los- understand why, over a period cil and district health board councils provide local services ing out. of two decades, some regions elections will take place from such as water, rubbish col- While New Zealanders’ developed more successfully 21 September until 13 October lection and disposal, sewage turnout at general elections is than others. He concluded: 2007. treatment, parks, reserves, relatively high, in the last local “These communities did Voting papers will come in street lighting, roads and election of 2004 only 46 percent not become civic because they the mail and need to be sent libraries. They process building of eligible voters voted. were rich. The historical record back to your local council and environmental consents This is despite the fact that suggests precisely the opposite. electoral officer by 12 noon and administer other regula- local bodies are responsible They became rich because they Saturday 13 October. tory tasks. for a vast range of services to were civic.” Only people correctly Community boards focus on promote the social, economic, The essential ingredient in enrolled to vote will get the matters affecting your immedi- environmental and cultural the successful regions was the voting papers. ate community and represent- wellbeing of our communities. high level of participation that If you haven’t already ing these to the full city or Whether it is arranging public people had in their community. enrolled you can cast a special district council. transport, providing piped They turned out to vote, they vote. District health boards are water, maintaining streets and had effective local government, You can enrol to vote online responsible for the delivery parks, or regulating land use, they built healthy, positive at www.elections.govt.nz or of publicly funded health and the impact of local body deci- communities, and from this order an enrolment pack on disability support services for sions is often far more imme- strong civic base they created 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 an area. District health board diate and visible than that of wealth. 76 56). elections give communities the national decisions. In other words, participation opportunity to elect seven of Whatever reasons people and interaction enables people What are local elections? the 11 board members for each give for not voting, they are to build communities, to com- of the 21 boards around the The local elections happen not doing themselves or their mit themselves to each other, country. every three years. People vote communities any favours by and to knit the social fabric. to select members of councils Having a sense of belonging How do I vote? not exercising their right. and District Health Boards. For starters, if voters don’t and the concrete experience of Regional councils are re- Local council and district vote, those elected cannot social networks (and the rela- sponsible for natural resources, health board elections are done claim a strong mandate, mak- tionships of trust and tolerance environmental planning and by postal voting. This means ing it more difficult for leaders that can be involved) can bring all regulations administered at you will get and send your vot- to lead. It is less likely that great benefits to people. a regional level. ing papers back in the mail. issues will get the vigorous Putman says that most debates they deserve; and there day-to-day issues in our is more risk of decisions being communities – whether it be made that most people – the public health, crime rates, race “silent majority” – don’t agree relations, community develop- with. They could be decisions ment, teen suicide, economic that affect the value of your productivity, even simple house, the safety of your neigh- human happiness – all are bourhood, or any number of demonstrably affected by how things that impact on you and (and whether) we connect with your family’s quality of life. our family and friends and The many examples of good community. work and leadership provided By taking an interest, and by local authorities have hap- casting your vote for your local pened despite the lack of par- community leaders, you have ticipation by many in the com- nothing to lose but plenty to munity. The next local body gain. elections, in October, are an opportunity for New Zealand- ers to give their communities a better chance of success.

 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz EDITORIAL From the Editor’s Desk

Edition 19, October 2007 The Maritime Union could be described as “quality not quantity.” Although not a large union in terms of numbers, the Maritime Contents Union is respected for our leadership role in the wider Union Enrol to vote 2 movement. We support other workers in their struggles and have Editorial and contents 3 a remarkable history, both waterfront workers and seafarers. General Secretary’s Report 4 In talking to and hearing from officials and members around Update from National President 5 the country, there are a number of areas that we could improve. News 6 These few points below I think are very specific to our Union. Veterans’ Association 7 Flags of Convenience page 12 Profile: Alister Barry 11 Union meetings Flag of Convenience Shipping 12 ITF 13 Stopwork meetings are a vital part of a healthy and open union. Viewpoint: “Proud to be a docker” 16 They are educational, informative, sometimes fiery, and often Health and Safety 18 great fun. They provide an opportunity for us as organized work- CTU 19 ers to exercise our collective will and get things done. If you don’t Learning Reps 19 Phosphate ships 20 go to your local union meetings, then start going. This is prob- Port Roundups 28 ably the most important contribution you can make as a Union Obituaries 29 member. The Back Page 32 Port parochialism ‘The Maritimes’ is published quarterly by the Maritime Union of New Zealand. Port parochialism - or in other words, “my port before my Union.” This seems to be an unfortunate legacy of the post-1951 ISSN 1176-3418 splitting up of the Waterfront Workers Union into a federation of port unions. National Office: The attitude that maritime workers can somehow win by com- PO Box 27004 Spotless dispute page 6 peting with each other is against every Union principle, and also Wellington does not measure up to reality. We are going to see many changes New Zealand Telephone 04 3850 792 in port structure and operations in the next few years with the Fax 04 3848 766 Contact the ongoing pressure for hubbing and coastal feeder ports. Email: [email protected] The way to deal with this issue successfully is to use our col- Web: www.munz.org.nz Maritime Union lective strength on a national basis to ensure the best possible outcome for all members. Editor: National Office Telephone: 04 3850 792 Victor Billot Union politics Mobile: 021 482219 Fax: 04 3848 766 Email: [email protected] Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington While it is important to have a strong influence on parliament Office administrator: Ramesh Pathmanathan and support political parties that are pro-worker, we need to Email: [email protected] Editorial Board: realize that an independent and strong Union will outlast both Trevor Hanson, Phil Adams, Garry Parsloe good and bad governments. Over-reliance on the bureaucracy, and Russell Mayn General Secretary: Trevor Hanson Direct dial: 04 8017 614 legislation, “partnership” with employers and “doing things by Deadline for all Port reports, submissions, Mobile: 021 390585 the book” is a recipe for ineffectiveness. A militant, conscious and photos and letters: Email: [email protected] activist union culture is our key tool in getting results for workers. 1 December 2007 for next edition National President: Phil Adams Growing the Union Cover photo of logs being worked at Bluff Direct dial: 03 4728 052 2007 by Harry Holland (Harry writes – hey Mobile: 0274 377601 Many deunionized workers in New Zealand today struggle comrades, note the neat stow. You could Email: [email protected] with appalling treatment, poor wages and conditions. The Mari- play snooker on them.) time Union needs to have an aggressive plan to bring in maritime National Vice President: Garry Parsloe workers outside the Union. We need to improve our coverage and Direct dial: 09 3032 562 Cover quote from Harry Bridges start organizing in areas that are non-union. (1901–1990), maritime unionist and leader Mobile: 021 326261 Email: [email protected] of the ILWU Younger members More information at: www.theharrybridgesproject.org/biography. Assistant General Secretary: Russell Mayn The 1980s and 1990s saw massive attacks on workers, and Direct dial: 09 3034 652 html maritime workers in particular. We have new members coming Mobile: 021 760886 Email: [email protected] through now, who in many cases have never experienced a union. Thanks to our photographers: Terry Ryan, There is a massive gap of knowledge amongst younger people Harry Holland, Garry Parsloe, Jay, Kathy about our industrial and social history and “how things work”. Whelan, Sam Huggard, Renee Habluetzel, ITF Inspectorate: Kathy Whelan Martin Brabander, Dave Morgan, John Direct dial: 04 8017 613 It is our responsibility as a Union to educate and bring our Bisset at the Timaru Herald, and others Mobile: 021 666405 younger members forward. They need to be involved in Union Email: [email protected] meetings, brought to conferences and national meetings of the Union as observers, encouraged to become delegates and stand Communications Officer: Victor Billot for executive office in branches. Mobile: 021 482219 Fax: 03 4535 593 Within the next decade we are going to see many of our most Address: PO Box 339, Dunedin experienced members retire out of the industry. (We intend that Email: [email protected] they can be organized into our new Veterans’ Association.) By that time it is vital that we have the new generation moving up with the confidence, education and attitude to take the Mari- time Union forward into the 21st century. www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 |  COMMENT International unity pays off

by Trevor Hanson However they won’t be the ones hav- One positive move is the recent dump- General Secretary ing their wages and conditions slashed. ing of youth rates. 16 and 17 year old Unless we continue to question and resist workers are now eligible for the adult Global economy the pressures on our jobs then we will minimum wage. However the bill was wa- gets the shakes wake up one day and find the worst case tered down to make youth workers have The recent shake- scenario is now reality. to work for either three months or 200 down in the global If there is one thing history has shown hours to be eligible for the adult minimum economy is not us, it is that every gain on the job has been wage. unexpected and is the result of hard struggle. Those gains can By that stage half of them will be 18 probably long overdue. quite easily be taken away if employers get anyway. We read in the corporate-owned media the upper hand. But congratulations to Sue Bradford about “market corrections” but what we Unions need to do more to educate our for pushing on with the bill regardless, don’t get told is the human stories. members about how these issues affect us, despite opposition. At least in this one area The international economy now seems and what we can do about them. we have seen some small but real progress. to be run along the lines of a casino. The Individually we can have little impact people who do the work, the vast majority but collectively we have a chance of chang- International unity pays off for workers ing things. of the world’s population, have little or There is one good spinoff of globaliza- no control on the big decisions that affect tion and that seems to be the growing Low wages the serious issue their lives and livelihood. Those decisions ability of unions and workers to unite over are made in boardrooms for the benefit of The wage issue is probably the most international boundaries. a few. serious issue facing New Zealand today. The Maritime Union is affiliated to the The concern is that with the way that Wages are too low. International Transport Workers’ Federa- free trade agreements and free markets One argument used against wage tion (ITF). Two of the campaigns the ITF are being set up, even more power is be- increases is that they are “inflationary” has been promoting lately have been the ing handed over to private interests. The – unlike profit increases, which are fine. case of Pedro Zamora in Guatemala and Maritime Union has been questioning the Employers are allowed as much loot as the case of Mansour Osanloo in Iran. potential for casual, cut-price workers to they can get their hands on. Workers get Pedro Zamora was a dockers’ leader be moved around internationally under a pay increase and it is called a threat to who was assassinated. The ITF have been free trade agreements. civilization. pressuring the Guatemalan Government Governments, business and bureaucrats The fact is that around the world over which obviously has corrupt elements. tell us we have nothing to worry about. the last generation, the share of worker Mansour Osanloo is the leader of the generated profit going to the workers has Teheran Bus Drivers’ Union and has been become less and less. repeatedly harrassed, jailed and abused by It is now standard practice that a two the Iranian authorities. income family is the norm. On average The ITF has been running international wages, even a two income family will campaigns to support these workers, “If there is one struggle to obtain or maintain a mortgage. which can be read about on their website So we now have a huge number of extra www.itfglobal.org thing history has women workers in the workforce com- It’s a strange thing, but no matter wheth- pared to past generations, but workers are er governments are capitalist, communist, shown us, it is still struggling and the amount being paid or Islamic, they never seem to like trade as wages seems to be shrinking. Funny unions much. that every gain that. These cases remind us of the old saying It might be something to do with the fact “Touch One, Touch All.” on the job has that profits have gone up through the roof. Maritime workers in New Zealand have Workers are now being told they have had to call on the support of our interna- been the result to pay for their own retirement, education, tional friends before and we have always and even health care if they want to get had a good response. of hard struggle” seen to. We need to make sure we contribute Yet the taxes paid by corporations to- back in their time of need as well. wards an educated and healthy workforce continue to drop.

 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz COMMENT Collective action gets results for workers

by Phil Adams This situation is also made more serious The Maritime Union will continue to National President by the continued circling of global port offer our support to workers trying to and shipping operators who want to get organize and improve their conditions Union fights to keep their hands on New Zealand ports, and the throughout New Zealand. waterfront jobs safe continued efforts to make New Zealand The Maritime the experimental case for a free trade deal Having your say in the local body elections with China. Union is still en- The Union encourages all members to Experience around the world shows us countering ongoing enrol and vote in the upcoming local body that labour mobility is part of free trade problems with self- elections. By electing representatives who deals. The labour mobility is not done for loading in New Zealand ports. are pro-worker and pro-Union we can the benefit of workers, it is done to cut The whole fishing industry and its use have a positive influence on our local com- labour costs to the lowest possible level. of overseas labour has been a serious issue munities. If any incidents of self-loading are oc- for years. There has been some progress Apart from the general issues which face curring in your port, we urge you to report made with getting conditions and wage us all as citizens there is another important it immediately to your Union branch and rates tightened up. But there seems to be a reason to vote in the local elections. the National office of the Union. It is our direct link between how active the Union Many ports in New Zealand are part or duty as union members to be vigilant at all is in pointing out problems, and how fully owned by local bodies. These include times. much effort Government agencies put into Regional, District and City Councils, policing the rules. depending on the port. We should be ask- One area we are still completely unhap- Spotless dispute another success for workers’ unity ing candidates what their views on port py with is the area of self-loading. This is ownership are. when ships’ crews including fishing crews The recent lockout of hospital work- Of course next year is going to be an start doing waterfront work. The problem ers by Spotless Services and the progress even bigger fight. is especially serious when we consider made by those workers was an interesting that most overseas crews will get paid far sign of the times. less than New Zealand workers. The effect Like the Progressive supermarket lock- this will have on local jobs and wages is out last year, it shows that large groups of obvious. low paid workers are now taking collective A recent incident in Nelson reported action to get better wages and conditions. on later in this issue of the Maritimes has This is a positive sign and shows the left the Union unimpressed after a weak way forward. response from the authorities. The Maritime Union supported this ac- The attitude of the employers in this tion in those areas where the lockout was area is a disgrace and they are obviously happening (not in all cities). only motivated by their own greed, re- The most serious overall problems fac- gardless of what effect they have on fellow ing workers in New Zealand on the job are human beings. poor wages and insecurity (casualization, “There needs However we are not going to be given shift work and irregular hours). the brush off and will continue to press These on the job actions are valuable to be a strong employers and bureaucrats on the issue. because they build union membership and The other point is that despite the usual solidarity amongst workers. We cannot renewal of denials the Maritime Union is certain that rely on Government legislation to solve future attempts will be made to have short our problems. There needs to be a strong unionism term, casual labour imported from low renewal of unionism on the job. wage overseas countries to do waterfront on the job” and other work.

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 |  NEWS Victory for Spotless Workers Death of seaman leads to safety overhaul

Stevedoring companies have been told to put in place new safety recommendations fol- lowing the death of a Russian seaman at Port of Tauranga earlier this year. Nikolay Cheremnykh, 56, was crushed to death after being caught in the cogs of a gantry crane on board the Mar- shall Islands-flagged Tasman Resolution on 11 January. The accident occurred about 10.40pm and it was thought the seaman became trapped be- tween the gantry crane and the number five hatch. There were no witnesses. Two gantry cranes that strad- dle the hatches are powered by electro-hydraulic systems fitted with flashing lights. The crane driver’s visibility was restricted within the cab and was reliant on either radio contact or hand signals from a Maritime Union Bluff Branch Secretary Ray Fife hands hatchman. over a solidarity donation of $500 to the locked out Maritime New Zealand Spotless workers in Invercargill (photo by Harry Holland) noted there were no docu- mented training records for the operation of the ship’s gantry Members of the SFWU (Service The SFWU is campaigning The Maritime Union of cranes. and Food Workers Union) have for common conditions across New Zealand supported the The victim was not in pos- won a major victory against a sites to be standardised into locked out workers around session of a radio to be able to lockout by employer Spotless a single employer collective New Zealand. A delegation communicate with the crane Services. agreement. attended pickets in Auckland driver. 800 hospital cleaners, kitchen A locked-out hospital worker and in Invercargill, members of A Maritime New Zealand staff and orderlies from 12 from Rotorua, Inez Galvin, told the Maritime Union travelled accident report, which detailed hospitals around New Zealand the Daily Post on 19 July that up from the Bluff waterfront nine recommendations to en- were locked out in July 2007 by she had worked for Rotorua to join the picket lines at the sure such an accident doesn’t Australian company Spotless Hospital for 20 years. hospital. happen again, was presented Services Ltd. She had only received one Maritime Union Bluff Branch to the inquest on 29 June. The company used the pay increase in all that time Secretary Ray Fife says the Tauranga coroner Michael lockout to attack workers after – around two years ago when branch donated $500 and Cooney was told that since the strike action was considered the minimum wage was lifted joined the locked out workers accident, the Tasman Reso- to make the company join an from $10.20 to $11.25 per hour. on a march through central lution’s owners have started agreement that other hospital Galvin said that it was not Invercargill. making improvements and contractors had signed up to. enough pay for the work she The dispute with Australian have already issued a safety Spotless were forced to back does. “We have to deal with owned Spotless Services fol- alert to all their employees. down and return to nego- all sorts of things most people lows the 2006 lockout of super- Mr Cooney said he support- tiations on 24 July after the would turn their backs on market workers by Australian ed the recommendations and Employment Court said the — stuff like infections, vomit, owned corporate Progressive urged Maritime New Zealand lockout was illegal. blood. I have had an AIDS Enterprises. to make sure its recommenda- All Spotless workers will and hepatitis scare after I was tions were passed on to other receive pay increases of up to pricked by a used needle a stevedoring companies. 27% as a result of the agree- few years ago. It was a pretty ment. stressful time.”

 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz NEWS Sea-Tow Agreement

by Garry Parsloe National Vice President On 5 June 2007, the Maritime Union of Australia, the Mari- time Union of New Zealand and Sea-Tow met in Sydney to finalise an agreement for Sea-Tow to operate in and around the offshore in Western Australia. This was the third occasion that the parties had met (Janu- ary 2007 and March 2007) in an effort to come to an agreement around a document to cover this type of work. The Maritime Union of Aus- A protest march against youth rates heads down Queen Street, Auckland, Saturday 11 August 2007. tralia was represented by As- The march was followed by a concert with Chook Peas, Nesian Mystik and others. sistant National Secretary Rick Newlyn, Assistant National Secretary Mick Doleman and Western Australian Secretary Chris Cain. Youth rates Interport The Maritime Union of New New CTU Zealand was represented by National Vice President Garry bill makes 2008 Parsloe. leaders Sea-Tow director Peter Dun- it to final Entries for the 2008 Interport lop represented Sea-Tow. Sports Tourney close on 30 As we did not resolve some September 2007. elected of the wording that was to go reading The 2008 Interport will be into the agreement the parties held in Whangarei, from 10–14 A new leadership of the Coun- cil of Trade Unions, including agreed to meet again the next Green MP Sue Bradford’s bill February 2008. All members of the first woman CTU Presi- day. to pay 17- and 18-year-olds the Maritime Union are invited dent, will be formally elected At 8am on 6 June 2007 the the same as adults got voted to attend the event which is a for a four year term at the parties met again and agreed through to its final stage in Par- popular annual get together organisation’s biennial confer- on all issues. liament on 15 August 2007. and friendly competition for ence in October. As the heads of agreement The Minimum Wage (Aboli- union members. Nominations closed on 6 July has now been agreed, the par- tion of Age Discrimination) Those attending interport 2007 for the four CTU officer ties will now exchange emails Amendment Bill originally set can choose from golf, fishing positions. Helen Kelly was to check wording, then sign the out to scrap youth rates for and indoor sports (darts/pool/ nominated as President, in- document. younger workers. snooker). cumbents Carol Beaumont and Those under 18 are paid 80 The payment of the $150 Sharon Clair re-nominated in percent of the adult minimum entry fee is due with the close their roles of Secretary and Vice wage. of entries. President Maori respectively, But the Bill has now been Cheques are payable to Mari- and PSA National Secretary amended so that young work- time Union of New Zealand Richard Wagstaff as Vice Presi- ers can go onto adult rates Auckland Branch Sporting dent. All were unopposed. after 200 hours or three months and Social Fund, PO Box 2645, “I am delighted that the un- work, whichever is the lesser. Shortland Street, Auckland. Any enquiries can be di- ion movement will have such rected to Auckland Branch Lo- a strong leadership team to cal 13 Secretary Russell Mayn, carry our important work into telephone (09) 3034652, mobile the future on behalf of working 021760886 and email russell@ New Zealanders,” Ross Wilson munz.org.nz said. Entry forms can be downloaded from the “I am particularly proud Maritime Union website at the following of the emergence of three address: exceptional women in these http://www.munz.org.nz/node/146 key national leadership roles,” he said.

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 |  NEWS Veterans’ Association up and running

An national association for It was moved by Gary Ryan retired members or “veterans” and seconded by John Warren of the Maritime Union has held “that the draft constitution as its first meeting in Auckland. presented to this inaugural 27 veterans attended the meeting be endorsed as the inaugural meeting of the Mari- founding document with any time Union of New Zealand future amendments to be via Veterans’ Association at the written remits from members Point Chevalier RSA on Sun- to the next annual general day 24 June 2007. meeting.” (Carried.) The meeting was chaired It was moved by Allan Jones by Local 13 President Denis and seconded by Bill Cun- Carlisle. ningham “that given the next He said the maritime indus- few weeks will see an influx of try owed a debt of gratitude members we call for expres- to past members who had sions of interest to hold office Delegate Mariana Rakuraku and organizer Daphna Whitmore from UNITE accept struggled to put in place de- positions in one month’s time a MUNZ solidarity donation of $500 to their struggle at Gateway Hotel from the cent working conditions at sea in a two week window. Auckland Seafarers Branch Secretary Garry Parsloe (photo by John O’Neill) and on the waterfront in New If necessary a postal bal- Zealand. lot is to be held of registered He told the meeting about members. the resolution passed at the In the interim the secretarial Maritime Union of New and other interests of the veter- UNITE Mark Ross Zealand National Conference ans’ association to be adminis-

which supported the formation tered by the Secretary of Local by Garry Parsloe Gateway Auckland Seafarers Secretary of a Veterans’ Association. 13 and the Port News editor.” National Vice President The aims of the association (Carried.) were to promote comradeship Local 13 Secretary Russell Dispute It is with deep sorrow that we amongst retired members and Mayn says he hopes other record the sad loss of Mark provide a platform to en- branches of the Veterans’ Asso- by Garry Parsloe Ross. able past members to remain ciation will be set up following Auckland Seafarers Secretary Mark, an IR, aged 45, joined involved in the industry they the establishment of the Auck- National Vice President the Union as deck boy in Sep- had worked in. land branch of the Veterans’ tember of 1979. Mr Carlisle said there were Association. On 27 August 2007 the Auck- He had not long returned to land Seafarers Branch Meet- many benefits of establishing He says the next meeting of sea following a two year battle the association, as had been the Auckland branch will be ing had a report from UNITE with cancer, and was lost over- organizer Daphna Whitmore seen with the Maritime Union advised to members and will board on the seismic survey of Australia Veterans’ Associa- probably be held before the on the Gateway Hotel dispute. GeoSounder en route Tauranga Daphna gave a report on the tion. end of the year. to Singapore. An extensive There needed to be ongoing Membership of the Associa- dispute and expanded on the search failed to find him. details leading up to placing a recognition from the current tion shall be open to all retired Mark was an excellent Sea- membership for retired mem- and redundant members of the picket on the hotel. man, a great shipmate and was Daphna concluded her bers. Maritime Union of New Zea- held in high regard by all those He said the meeting needed land, their wives, husbands, presentation with a request for who sailed with him. support on the picket line and to consider the draft consti- partners and widows/wid- Mark’s father Bob Ross is tution and some machinery owers who are in receipt of a also some financial assistance. known to many as a seamen on Delegates had questions resolutions. pension. the New Zealand and Austral- It was moved by E. Dunne This includes all retired which Daphna responded to, ian coasts, and he is currently then the branch presented the and seconded Jimmy Neill members of the New Zealand retired. To Mark’s parents Bob “that this historic inaugural Seafarers’ Union and New picketers with a cheque for and Jaymie, to Mark’s wife and $500 to help assist them in meeting of intending members Zealand Waterfront Workers’ three children, the Maritime of MUNZ Veterans’ Associa- Union, which joined together their struggle with this out of Union stand with you in the control employer. tion endorse the establishment in 2002 to form the Maritime loss of a son, husband, father, of Local 13’s Veterans’ Branch. Union of New Zealand. These workers are on course comrade and shipmate. for a well deserved victory. Further that this meeting elects We also extend our sympa- officials to establish regular To contact the Veterans’ Association, thy and support to the crew, meetings, communication write to: Maritime Union of New Zealand our comrades, on the Geo- links to members and further Sounder at the time of the acci- Veterans’ Association MUNZ veterans’ objectives c/o Maritime Union of New Zealand dent, some of whom witnessed with the MUNZ national Local 13 the accident and participated executive.”(Carried.) PO Box 2645 in the extensive search. Auckland Rest in Peace Comrade.

 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz NEWS Drug testing case before Employment Court by Russell Mayn There is no simple answer, as Assistant General Secretary & we cannot just concentrate on 1908 Blackball strike Secretary, Auckland Local 13 testing. The court case between the There has to be a broad Maritime Union of New Zea- approach taken involving all centenary land and TLNZ over the stakeholders to achieve the 2008 sees the centenary of the A community theatre pro- introduction of a company outcome that everyone wants 1908 Blackball “crib-time” duction, Rain, Love and Coal- Drug and Alcohol Policy was from this process. strike, an event that led to the smoke to play Thursday and heard in the Auckland Employ- Obviously we do not agree formation of the first national Saturday night at the Regent ment Court in September. with the policy in question or unions and the first Trade Un- Theatre in Greymouth. This as you can well imagine we would not be involved in ion Federation. On the Saturday night the was an extremely complicated challenging the company. This was one of the triggers play will be preceded by a affair and was held over five It is extremely important for the formation of a national buffet meal and a concert with days. to have a fair and reasonable Labour Movement and the union choirs. The subject of Drugs and Al- policy which achieves what it complex birth of the Labour On Sunday, a seminar on cohol and their use in relation sets out to do. Party. Mahi Tupuna (the work the theme of Labourism 1908 to the workplace was funda- To leave employers unchal- of our ancestors) – Blackball – 1935 and Labourism now. mental to this case. lenged to enforce policies we Museum of Working Class His- Speakers include Eric Beard- The Maritime Union has disagree with would be wrong, tory Trust will commemorate sley, Peter Clayworth, Mark stated previously that it sup- I still firmly believe that these the event in Blackball, on the Derby, Laila Harre, Melanie ports a safe workplace and this policies have to be agreed West Coast, during Easter 2008 Nolan and Len Richardson. (A involves many issues of which between the parties to be suc- (March 21-24), with a series history tour of Blackball will Drugs and Alcohol manage- cessful. of events which will attract a also be available.) ment is only one, which should Seeking justice at this high national gathering. For those wishing to attend the not be considered in isolation. level comes at a huge financial celebrations, further information and a Some of the events include: The outcome of this case cost, but this should never registration form can be found on the A dinner at the Blackball will be decided by the judicial dominate or restrict our quest museum’s website Working Men’s Club (Friday system but what I believe has for justice. www.blackballmuseum.org.nz night, March 21) with poems become very apparent through In the next issue of Mariti- Mahi Tupuna (the work of our ancestors) from Jeffrey Paparoa Holman, – Blackball Museum of Working Class this case is how little everyone mes I will give a more detailed after dinner speeches, songs, History Trust involved at the workplace report of the case and its and launching of book, this PO Box 2, 47 Clifford Street, Blackball really understands this broad outcome. event aimed at old timers. 7804 subject. Phone (03) 732 4010 Market plus a parade From the Union point of Fax: (03) 7324015 through Blackball with floats view we have learnt an enor- e-mail [email protected] from unions and schools, to be mous amount and will have followed by a family after- to keep approaching this issue noon– which will include some with an open mind from a choir items – Saturday 10.30am position of listening to expert onwards (parade at 12 noon). advice to develop policies that fit the needs of our industry. Apology

The Maritimes (December This information was 2006) printed a report in error reported from the proceedings of the death of Keith Bedford of the 2006 National Confer- of Napier. ence of the Maritime Union. This was a mistake. Mr The Maritime Union, and the Bedford is alive, and currently Maritimes Magazine, overseas, according to his fam- apologizes for this error and ily who contacted the Union. the concern it created.

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 |  NEWS Increase in child tax Death of a worker

rebate by Peter Harvey Mr Visesio is just one of Tauranga Seafarer approximately 367 workers to Do you have a child of school It is easy sometimes in being have lost their lives through age who is working? a member of a strong Union work during the last six years An increase in the child to forget just how vulnerable and since the safety repre- rebate from 1 April 2006 now some workers are in their sentative scheme was set up allows primary or secondary work. by the 2002 amendments to the schoolchildren to earn up to The tragic workplace death Health and Safety in Employ- $2,340 a year ($45 a week) be- of South Auckland concrete ment Act. fore PAYE or withholding tax worker Esera Visesio epito- Standing behind the work- Roger needs to be deducted. mizes many of the threats to place fatality rate are of course If you employ primary or workers safety that our Union the hundreds of serious inju- Awards secondary schoolchildren, and in particular fights hard to ries suffered by workers each they earn (or are expected to prevent. year and the “sleeping giant” that is occupational disease Nominations have opened for earn) $2,340 or more a year Mr Visesio died instantly related death. the Roger Award for the worst from all employers, you will whilst working beneath a gan- Words such as carnage and transnational corporation need to deduct PAYE or with- try crane that failed and as a epidemic spring to mind in de- operating in Aotearoa/New holding tax from the payments result dropped its lifting beam scribing this problem and don’t Zealand in 2007, says organizer you make to them. on him. seem like an exaggeration. Murray Horton. The workers’ at the site were It is clear that the workers The Roger Award is organ- Weekly earnings of less than $45 aware that the crane was faulty in this particular plant were ised by the Christchurch-based and had repeatedly asked the Schoolchildren who earn less unable to protect themselves at groups, Campaign Against Manager to take the crane out than $45 a week, or who expect all from what ended up being Foreign Control of Aotearoa of action, so that it could be to earn less than $2,340 a year the death by manslaughter of a (CAFCA) and GATT Watch- safely repaired. from all employers do not have worker. dog. The crane’s cable guide was to complete a Tax code declara- The words of the relevant The “Roger” was won by faulty and so the load safety tion (IR330). safety legislation were abso- Progressive Enterprises in limits could not be activated. You don’t need to deduct lutely empty and ineffective 2006. Previous winners are: Pleas to management “fell on PAYE or withholding tax from in protecting these workers (in Westpac/BNZ, Telecom, Juken deaf ears” and under threat payments you make to them or the first instance) from the seri- Nissho, Carter Holt Harvey, of dismissal and out of pure include them on your Employ- ous hazards they faced. TransAlta Monsanto and economic necessity they car- er monthly schedule (IR348). Most worker fatalities and TranzRail (3 times). ried on operating the crane as However, you still have to injuries can be traced back to a Nominations close on 31 instructed. keep wage records for them. failure by management in some October 2007. The company appeared at way to properly protect their The judges for 2007 are: least from outward appearanc- Weekly earnings of more than $45 workers from harm. Laila Harre, from Auckland, es to operate a safe workplace. Schoolchildren who earn Unless workers are able to National Secretary of the They had safety systems in more than $45 a week, or expect freely organize and combine National Distribution Union place, a worker safety com- to earn more than $2,340 a year themselves in unions that will and former Cabinet Minister; mittee that met regularly, and from all employers need to support them in confronting Anton Oliver, from Otago, All workers who were experienced complete a Tax code declaration genuine safety issues, then the Black and environmentalist; and trained in their jobs. (IR330). You need to deduct carnage of worker death in Geoff Bertram, from Wel- But when profit and greed PAYE or withholding tax from New Zealand will continue. lington, a Victoria University met worker safety and vulner- the payments you make to them economist; Brian Turner, from ability – profit was the king and keep wage records. Christchurch, President-Elect and safety was second. of the Methodist Church and Children are entitled to a social justice activist; Paul Cor- rebate of $351 if their income liss, from Christchurch, a life is over $2,340 and they have member of the Rail and Mari- had PAYE or withholding tax time Transport Union; and Cee deductions made. Payne-Harker, from Dunedin, If they use the M tax code on Industrial Services Manager for their IR330 you can reduce the the NZ Nurses’ Organisation PAYE you deduct by $6.75 each and health issues activist. week. School children under The winner(s) will be an- the age of 18 should not use the nounced in early 2008 at an ML tax code. event in Christchurch. May the worst man win!

The Roger nomination form (in Word and PDF formats) can be downloaded online from www.cafca.org.nz (follow the Roger Award links from the Views, Analyses and Research page).

10 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz PROFILE Seafarers’ Union Witness to our times scholarships The films of Alister Barry

The Seafarers’ Union schol- arships for 2008 have been 1996 saw another major step launched. with the release of “Someone Four scholarships are avail- Else’s Country.” able to provide assistance for He says it was a decisive mo- study at an undergraduate ment. “The film was screened level. at film festivals and we got full Two scholarships are houses, and sold thousands of for study at an Institute of VHS copies. It seemed like we Technology and are valued at had touched a nerve.” $3000. Barry says the reason he has Two scholarships are for concentrated on the late 1980s study at a university and are and early 1990s period is that valued at $3000. the ‘Rogernomics Revolution’ Applications for the scholar- was the most profound period ships opened on 1 September in New Zealand political his- and close on 30 November tory since the First Labour 2007. Government. There are a number of condi- “It needs to examined and tions which applicants must fill re-examined again – it’s been to be eligible. very important.” These details of eligibility are Barry thinks that a renewed included with the application by Victor Billot The second film was “In a push for New Right policies forms which are available from could come if National is re- The movies of Alister Barry land of plenty” (2001), which the Maritime Union website, elected. should be in every union showed how mass unemploy- all Maritime Union Branch “With the ACT Party people branch and unionists’ home. ment had become a policy Offices or by contacting the who backed Don Brash’s lead- They tell the story of our tool to keep the working class Trustees at the National Office ership challenge, their second recent political history from the under control. of the Union. choice for a leader was John perspective of working people. Barry has strong connec- Key . . . they have good politi- Trustees The takeover of New Zea- tions with trade unions. In cal networks and can manipu- Seafarers’ Union Scholarship land by an anti-democratic 1981 he co-produced a video late the political levers.” PO Box 27004 ideology, the use of unem- documentary for the centennial He says the biggest challenge Wellington ployment as a political and of the New Zealand Seaman’s facing New Zealand today is economic tool, and the attack Union and he counts seafarers Online: low wages. on the New Zealand educa- amongst his friends. www.munz.org.nz “The reason we have low tion system by capitalists and He says his first venture into wages is a consequence of the bureaucrats – these are the big film-making was in 1975. New Right reforms. One of the topics that film-maker Alister As a young man he sailed main objectives of Government Barry has taken on in his docu- on a protest vessel to Mururoa before that was a living wage mentary movies. atoll to join the protests against and we have to find our way The Wellington-based French nuclear testing in the back to that. It’s central to the documentary maker has just Pacific. He captured footage state of our nation.” released “A Civilized Society”, on 16mm black and white “Someone Else’s Country”, “In a Land the third part of a trilogy of film and edited the film in his of Plenty” and “A Civilized Society” are movies entitled “The New bedroom. He was amazed by individually available on DVD for $30 each Right is Wrong.” the response. for individuals, $50 for schools and $110 (For younger members, the “I showed it to TVNZ and for institutions. Post order to Community Media Trust, PO “New Right” refers to a politi- they bought it, and screened it at 7.30pm on a Friday night.” Box 3563, Wellington cal movement that promotes Fax 04 4725259 Barry says he realized that the interests of the wealthy and Email [email protected] powerful, and is against trade film was an avenue for political unions.) expression. A special DVD set of all three movies The first movie “Someone “It was a determining event entitled “The New Right is Wrong” is also Else’s Country” (1996) dealt in my life . . . since then, when available for $70. with the hijacking of the New I haven’t been busy making a Zealand political system dur- living, I’ve always had a docu- ing the Fourth Labour Govern- mentary project on the go.” ment by a closeknit group of The first ten years he made right wing politicians and their a number of anti-nuclear and allies in the top levels of the trade union films with Russell Government bureaucracy and Campbell and Rod Prosser at big business. Vanguard Films. www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 11 ITF

• lobbying the International Labour Organization and other international bodies to work towards the elimination of the FOC system and establishment of a regulatory framework for the shipping industry • strengthening affiliated un- ions to secure solidarity for the campaign.

Some facts and figures about FOCs Over 22 per cent of the world’s vessels sail under FOCs. Around 50 per cent of passenger vessels worldwide sail under FOCs.

What’s wrong with FOC regis- tries? The ITF believes that there should be a genuine link between the owner of a vessel and the flag the vessel flies, as stipulated in the United Na- tions Convention on the Law of the Sea. In the case of FOC Flag of Convenience registries, this “genuine link” does not exist.

How do FOCs affect seafarers? Shipping Seafarers who are employed on FOC ships are often denied their basic human and trade What is a flag of convenience Similarly, shipowners are • the state’s safety and ship? union rights. This is because forced to look for the cheapest environmental record – this FOC registers do not enforce A ship flies a flag of conven- and least regulated ways of takes into account factors such minimum social standards. The ience (FOC) when it is regis- running their vessels to remain as whether or not it has ratified crew’s home countries can do tered in a country that is not competitive – and FOCs pro- and enforced International little to protect them because the country of its owner. vide the solution. Maritime Organization conven- the rules that apply on board tions. are often those of the country Why do shipowners register How does the ITF decide when of registration. Most FOC ships in FOC states? to declare a registry a flag of What is the ITF doing to seafarers are not members of convenience? challenge FOCs? Shipowners usually register a trade union, or if they are, ships in FOC states because When the ITF declares a The ITF has been campaign- the union frequently has no they have cheap registra- registry an FOC, it looks at the ing for more than half a cen- influence over what happens tion fees and low taxes or no number of foreign-owned ves- tury against FOCs by: on board. taxes at all. These states also sels that are registered to the • establishing a network of in- allow shipowners to employ state as well as at: spectors to investigate suspect Why are FOCs a security risk? • the ability and willing- cheap labour, cutting costs by ships and win back pay for In the raised security envi- ness of the flag state to enforce lowering standards of living seafarers ronment there are concerns international minimum social and working conditions for • negotiating with the own- that terrorist organisations standards on its vessels – this crewmembers. ers of FOC vessels to ensure can own and operate ships includes respect for human and FOC registries also enable that seafarers are protected by under the FOC system with trade union rights shipowners to employ a non- minimum standards, outlined impunity. Arms smuggling, the • the flag state’s social record unionised workforce. in ITF collective bargaining ability to conceal large sums – focusing, for example, on the Globalisation has helped to agreements of money, trafficking in goods extent to which it has ratified fuel this rush to the bottom. • helping to win seafarers and people, and other illegal and enforced International La- In an increasingly fierce compensation if they have suf- activities can also thrive in the bour Organization conventions competitive shipping market, fered an injury as a result of an unregulated havens that the and recommendations each new FOC promotes itself accident on board FOC system provides. by offering the lowest pos- This is because, as corporate sible fees and the minimum of investigators have found, the regulation. FOC system makes it easy for a shipowner to remain anony- mous.

12 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz ITF Koshin Maru Ariake self loading officers fail incident to intimidate

The Maritime Union of New The ITF is alerting its affili- Zealand and the International ates to the Ariake following an Transport Workers Federation incident involving officers on have written to the Govern- the ship. ment over a substantial breach On 1 July, a senior official of of labour regulations and the Maritime Union of New foreign work permits that has Zealand representing the ITF occurred in the Port of Nelson. went aboard the Ariake to ask ITF Inspector and Maritime the Master to pass on a mes- Union Nelson Branch President sage to the German owners. Bill Lewis visited the fishing This message urged the com- vessel F/V KoshinMaru No. pany to enter talks with the 1 at the Port of Nelson in the German ITF affiliate to have late afternoon of Friday 27 the vessel covered by an ITF July 2007, following reports agreement. that overseas crew members The ITF rep was met at the were discharging fish from the top of the gangway by the vessel. Chief Mate who ordered him Mr Lewis visited the vessel off the ship and was extremely and witnessed four Indonesian abusive. crew working on the wharf The Chief launched into alone helping to discharge fish. a tirade of abuse which was He visited the ship and spoke overheard by another officer to the captain, and also the who alerted the Captain, who coolstore supervisor and Tal- wisely diffused the situation by ley’s manager. inviting our rep to his cabin. Shore labour was used fol- “This was a simple mat- lowing this intervention by the ter which should have been Union. treated cordially, with respect Mr Lewis reports that the and without fuss,” says ITF co- vessel was at lay up berth ordinator Kathy Whelan. No. 1 which is not normally “Such level of abuse and lack used for fish discharge. When of respect is totally unaccept- vessels load or discharge fish able and has caused grave Seafarers on FOC ships fre- • higher casualty rates – poor quently suffer as a result of: at a public wharf stevedoring concern within the Union and safety practices lead to fre- companies supply labour and ITF and cannot be tolerated.” • very low wages or no pay quent accidents when a private fishing com- The incident follows a report at all – crew on FOC ships are • being blacklisted if they pany berth then that company received by the ITF in May frequently owed large sums make a complaint – this means uses its own labour. 2007 of harassment of Filipino of money without which they they may not be able to find Mr Lewis noted that local crew members by Russian cannot even make their own alternative employment; some workers were being denied officers. way home seafarers have even been im- work they normally carried Ms Whelan says that given • poor on-board conditions prisoned on their return home. out. the approach of the Russian • inadequate food and clean The Maritime Union of New Chief Mate against ITF repre- For more information on FOC vessels, see drinking water http://www.itfglobal.org/flags-convenience/ Zealand and the ITF have been sentatives there are concerns • long periods of work without index.cfm in touch with the authorities about the crew’s wellbeing. proper rest over the incident, seeking An apology was received • unsafe vessels – many assurances that this practice from charterers and operators FOC vessels are substandard will be clamped down on. A Maersk for the incident. because they fail to adhere to satisfactory result has yet to be scheduled maintenance pro- achieved and the Union will be grammes, which a national flag following up. state would impose

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 13 ITF We want your stuff. The Maritimes needs your photos, letters, reports, news, views and opinions. Seafarers’ Missions It’s your magazine! If there is something you’d by Kathy Whelan The Centres are manned Seafarers’ Missions play a predominantly by volunteers vital part in the International – usually older people who like to see in the Maritimes, Maritime Community. Most have little if any past associa- seafarers have visited a mission tion with the sea or its men and send it to PO Box 27004, somewhere/some time. women, but give up their time After 3 years as Chairper- freely – to open the centres Wellington, New Zealand son, I was elected Honorary so the crews can get some Secretary of the New Zealand respite from their vessels, make or email the editor at Welfare Board earlier this year. contact with family and friends I first became involved in whom they may not have [email protected] the Welfare Board and its work seen for many, many months when I took up the position through the telephone and as ITF Coordinator as the ITF internet services provided by Trust gives financial support to each centre. Centres/Missions around the Some Centres struggle to world and I am proud to say finance their daily operations, that it has supported the New all are worthy of support. Zealand Centres in many and I am very proud to be as- various ways. sociated with the Seafarers’ But the involvement was a Welfare Board and volunteer a natural one as the two are inex- little of my time and services. Information on the Seafarers’ Welfare tricably linked – both caring for Board of New Zealand and the location the welfare of seafarers. and contact points of all of its centres The NZ Seafarers’ Welfare throughout New Zealand are available on Board is the coordinating body its website www.swb.co.nz of the three Christian societies and associated agencies and groups that have an interest in seafarers’ welfare. There are Centres in 12 New Zealand ports offering various services and facilities to seafar- ers, especially foreign seafar- ers coming to our ports. With quick turn arounds of vessels and strict security codes in our ports, seafarers do not have the time or ability to go ashore and the Centres play a crucial role in the daily lives of seafarers.

14 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz ITF

Chinese seafarers are the lat- You will recall that the ITF agreement est form of expendable human master of this ship specifically commodity for employers, they rejected any claim the ITF may success on are okay to employ on cheap have on the ship and refused to rate but expendable when bona give us any information. Cape Reinga fide rates and conditions such It was only through a coor- as ITF agreements are put in dinated and targeted cam- by Kathy Whelan place. paign between Australia, New There are several questions Zealand and Germany which HMS Whimbrel The Australian ITF Inspector- to put before charterers Ham- forced this FOC company to ate has the vessel Cape Reinga burg Sud but ITF Coordinator respect workers’ rights and hu- (IMO 9226504) under target. by Bill McDonald for Australia Dean Summers is man rights and to accept their RMT/ITF Inspector, Liverpool The Cape Reinga is German heading this and will take on corporate social responsibility. owned and chartered by Ham- that responsibility. Can you please thank activ- There is an on going campaign burg Sud, and it is trading ex- to bring the HMS Whimbrel During the inspection Rich- ist Richard Rankin and the tensively on both the Austral- ard when accompanying the MUNZ members in Tauranga from Egypt were she is laid up, ian and New Zealand coasts to the Port of Liverpool as a fit- MAF Officer on the galley and for their strong position which without an ITF agreement. stores inspection was alarmed establishes a key link in our ting memorial in regards to the The vessel arrived in Tau- Battle for the Atlantic. at the quantity and quality of global networks committed to ranga on Sunday 26 August food. The meat and veges were protecting workers’ rights on This vessel played such a and a protest letter was deliv- vital role during World War in the same cooler and were the substandard FOC system. ered and an inspection carried suspect – certainly not fresh Two in defeating the blockade out, coordinated by ITF activist Yours in Unity of the Western Approaches and given the vessel was going Richard Rankin. deep sea to Cartagena in Co- Dean Summers and the Battle for the Atlantic. ITF National Coordinator The vessel has a crew of 23 lumbia, Richard was concerned She was a member of Captain including 6 Croatians and 17 Walker’s U Boat Hunters based that the quantity would be Chinese. insufficient for the duration of Due to the mutual coordinated at Liverpool. The Master, whilst initially action against Lib.Cape Reinga This gallant little vessel also the voyage (there was lots of arrogant, accepted the letter rice which was small consola- the company agreed to sign the undertook escort duties with and assured our delegation ITF/verdi agreement effective numerous convoys. She was tion.) There was also a second that the owner, operators, cooler that was locked which from 16 September 2007. present at the D-Day landings, ship’s managers and charter- Because of hard work of and she was also present as a he suspected was the food for ers are aware that the vessel the Croatians. MUA, MUNZ, Australian guard vessel at the Japanese is the subject of ITF attention. and New Zealand dockers surrender at Tokyo Bay in The ITF Inspector in Cartage- He couldn’t help himself by na will have a look at the stores especially the activist Richard September 1945. adding a snide remark, you can Rankin and also MUNZ dock- The Battle for the Atlantic on arrival and before the vessel do what you like but you will is re-provisioned. ers at Tauranga, our union and was the longest campaign of never man this vessel. the ITF Germany want to thank the Second World War, it re- Thanks yet again to Richard The Master advised Richard Rankin for responding in the you all for the great job done sulted in the loss of 2,476 ships that there will be two further down under. and claimed the lives of 35,000 trade union way he always ships entering the trade. All does. United we stay stronger. merchant seafarers. three ships have been chartered It was also reported at the with the existing manning ar- Update Best regards end of hostilities that the Ger- rangements in place but when Ali Memon man U-Boat command had also the contractual arrangements ITF Coordinator Germany The Maritimes received the following letters lost 29,000 submariners. have ended (prior to Christ- As a memorial to all parties from international ITF officers through Kathy mas) the Chinese crews on Whelan just before going to print. and to ensure that the world each ship will be replaced by does not forget and history Filipinos and ITF agreements does not repeat itself, there are will be put into place on each Comrade , moves to bring HMS Whimbrel vessel. I have received confirmation and the U534 together on the We do not know the names by our ITF affiliate in Germany Liverpool waterfront as a fit- of the other two vessels and the that Columbia Ship Manage- ting memorial for all. master would not tell Richard ment has now agreed to sign Visit the HMS Whimbrel website at www. an ITF uniform agreement to hmswhimbrel.org but that information is easy to obtain. protect the rights and condi- tions for all maritime workers employed on the FOC Cape Reinga.

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 15 VIEWPOINT Still proud to be a docker

Global companies Casualisation The Maritime Department The term Global Network ILO Dock Work Conven- of Hong Kong (until recently Terminals (GNT) must sound tion 137 provides that dock- the world’s largest container familiar to everyone’s ears by ers should be registered and port), has since February 2005 now, especially taking into should enjoy permanent or reg- issued six notices in relation account last years’ commotion ular employment that assures to the safety requirements surrounding the takeover of them an income. This conven- that must be observed during P&O by DP World. tion was agreed in 1973. container operations, and we More than half the world’s The reality in the 21st cen- are convinced that this list will container terminal capacity is tury is that dockers in many get longer. managed by a small group of ports are hired and fired at Additionally there is the is- companies, some of which are will. sue of security in ports. Every- state run organisations. These While dockers’ work in some one is entitled to work in a safe GNTs are responsible for more of the major ports is still regu- and secure environment. than 50 per cent of the world’s lated, these rules are seen by A secure port environment container throughput, and they some neo-liberal decision mak- does not go together with a by Frank Leys are setting the standards of the ers as unacceptable restrictions casual, non-registered work- ITF Dockers’ Secretary industry. on the market and no longer force. Who knows the wharves, The same operator in one practicable in modern ports. warehouses and sheds better Eighty per cent of consumer part of the world, that respects International institutions than those dockers who work goods are transported by sea, workers’ rights and maintains such as the World Bank, IMF there on a regular basis? and must at some stage be a social dialogue, might be and WTO, and regional in- They can and should play an loaded and unloaded from a acting as a union buster in stitutions such as the Euro- important role in the imple- ship. another. pean Union are key driving mentation of the International This means that at least 80 Where in one port the com- forces behind liberalisation Ship and Port Facility Security per cent of consumer goods are pany will employ the existing and deregulation. They reason Code. Their representatives handled at least twice by those registered dockers, in other that the invisible hand of the are or should be members of workers we call dockers, steve- ports it will sack the existing market will create benefits for the Port Security Advisory dores, longshoremen, wharfies workforce, specifically those all. Transport has to be cheap Committee. They are the eyes or whichever term is used. who stand up for their rights, and efficient. and ears of the Port (Facility) Let me call them dock- and employ non-unionised and Employing casual workers Security officer. ers here, first of all since that casual labour. in the ports seems to be the is what I was called when I In some cases the company preferred way to cut costs fur- Ports in the supply chain worked in the port of Ant- will even set up a “trade un- ther: dockers who are on call werp, secondly, since when the Worldwide we are confront- ion-like” institution to suggest and who you only pay a lump European Commission wanted ed with an offensive against to the outside world that the sum per shift – no overtime, no to introduce self-handling of trade union rights and the company is worker-friendly. social benefits, no social protec- goods by seafarers, the slogan effective unionisation of dock- The reality is that some of tion. This is the magic answer “proud to be a docker” reflect- ers. Goods are increasingly the world’s biggest container to the demands of capital. ed the unity of those who earn produced, packaged and sold terminals do not even employ It goes without saying that a living by handling cargo. across national borders and the their dockers. They leave that casual workers who have not When you look at the contri- economy is largely dependent to agencies that will hire work- received adequate training, are bution of dockers to the world on a global supply chain with- ers on a contractual basis and a risk to the safety of their fel- economy, one would expect out disruption. The repercus- deny them job and income low workers and themselves. that these professionals would sions of blockages in the flow security. When the terminal Work accidents hurt not only be enjoying excellent condi- of goods were demonstrated operator is challenged to as- the victims, but are also bad for tions worldwide. by the US West Coast ports sume responsibility on labour- productivity. But look at the facts, and it is dispute of 2002, and are now related issues it simply waives On the subject of productiv- clear we still have a long way common knowledge. its responsibility, stating that ity, well-trained, well-remuner- to go. Even in the ports where Another example of the it is not a party to the labour ated labour is undoubtedly acceptable standards are in vulnerability of this “just in contract and has nothing to more productive. place, these conditions are be- time” manufacturing process do with the employee. “Go Many terminal operators ing challenged. was revealed when a car plant and see the contractor”, is its now regularly use contractors had to go on part-time working answer. and casual labour. because the vessel that carried We remain convinced the containers with the spare however, that dockers around parts it needed to continue the world should enjoy the working, had run aground. freedom to join a democratic trade union, which represents them in negotiations with the employer over labour-related issues.

16 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz VIEWPOINTVIEWPOINT

This demonstrates an obvi- Competition ous but key point – that all the The port industry is already links in the supply chain are very competitive. Shippers of crucial to the end result. large quantities of goods can One of the most important set the rules. links in the chain is the port Competition can only be and its workers. Historically, beneficial when it promotes dockers have been militant and efficiency in a safe working en- well organised. They do not vironment, and the benefits of just take “no” for an answer. that efficiency are distributed Might this be the reason why among all the workers. they are seen as a major risk Competition at all costs, by factor in disrupting the flow of contrast, jeopardises the health goods? and safety of workers and pro- Those shippers of goods, motes a downward spiral for often large conglomerates, do wages and labour conditions. not like risks. So in order to You can only stretch a wire so minimise the risk of disruption far before it breaks. and maximise the profits, they At the ITF we want to want to remove this perceived emphasise once more that obstacle of organised dockers. those who earn a living from There will always be a need working in the port should be for people who handle cargo able to do this in a workplace – a need recognised even when where at least the conditions the European Commission be- as described in the core labour lieved that this could be done standards, covered in the eight as well by those who transport fundamental ILO conventions, the goods, the seafarers. are respected. Workers who enjoy little or Dockers should enjoy decent no protection are more vulner- working hours, earn fair wag- able and less likely to revolt. es, benefit from occupational Break the union and their health and safety regulations, member is the goal. Bring in work in a secure environment, the casual workers, and if they and work to high professional do not suit the purpose there standards. will be more available where We will not accept ports of “Dockers should they came from. convenience – in other words, Of course this is not the case substandard ports – in the 21st enjoy decent working everywhere. Some enlightened century. There is no need for employers rightly speak of them. hours, earn fair “human capital” – a happy Ports and terminals around worker is an indispensable part the world must ensure accept- of the company. able standards are in place wages, benefit from and that workers are free from exploitation. occupational health Frank Leys is ITF dockers’ secretary, based in London. and safety regulations, work in a secure environment, and work to high professional standards”

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 17 HEALTH AND SAFETY

“The Learning Rep is a workers’ advocate, involved in promoting the learning aspirations of workers – career progression, job enhancement, CTU Health and Safety Organizer Rosaleen Loughman with H&S rep Gary Innes reward for skill, and employability” Health and Safety Update by Rosaleen Loughman The presence of Jan White, Ruth Dyson, Reps help workers to get the training CTU Health and Safety Organizer Kerry Prendergast, and many MPs from they need and to advise them about learn- I recently started as the Health and Safety across the political spectrum at the launch, ing opportunities. Organiser with the NZCTU - and what a reflects the esteem in which the training is It is also about gaining the skills they start it has been! held. need to be active participants in their Between the launch of the Stage 3 But more than this, it signals that work- workplace, industry and the wider society. training for elected Health and Safety place health and safety is on the political The project is also about building sustain- Representatives and the Learning Reps agenda. A significant component of the able and productive industries in New graduation at Wellington, trainers days training uses a case study to assist the Zealand. and conferences, I have met more union learners collate and document facts about delegates, health and safety reps, MPs and the costs and benefits associated with Workplace Productivity Education Pro- government officials than I would have making a health and safety improvement gramme expected to meet in a lifetime! on the job. The Learning Reps and the Health and I’ve had a good induction period and I A presentation is then put together Safety rep training both support the Work- am quickly learning that health and safety along with a recommendation focusing place Productivity Education Programme is at the heart of all of the CTU’s activities. on how the improvement will impact to look at how we can work ‘smarter’ rath- on productivity. er than work harder, through the develop- Workplace Practices Stage 3 is the next step in the consolida- ment of a skilled workforce and looking at tion of skills and knowledge of health and It has been great to meet with delegates safe systems of work, as part of the seven safety representatives. So far the NZCTU drivers of productivity. So far in my short and health and safety reps and to hear the has trained over 17,000 reps at Stage One, feedback about the difference that they can time as the Health and Safety Organiser over 6,000 reps at Stage Two, and 1,000 at with the CTU, I am encouraged to see how make in their workplaces through the pro- Stage Three. motion of good health and safety practices. the CTU’s many projects, training courses and work supports each other. I’m particularly impressed with the role Learning Reps Graduation which the training received has played, For more information about: whether it be actively participating in On 23 August, the first group of Learn- health and safety management on the ing Reps graduated at a ceremony at the Health and Safety ground, through influencing work prac- CTU offices in Wellington. http://worksafereps.org.nz/ tices of work colleagues, or dealing with The learning representatives project is a Contact Monica O’Connell at [email protected] managers to improve practices around the CTU initiative, which is funded through culture of health and safety. the Tertiary Education Commission as part Learning Reps of the tripartite Skill NZ programme. http://www.learningreps.org.nz/ Stage 3 Launch The Learning Rep is a workers’ advo- Contact George Laird at [email protected] cate, involved in promoting the learning Workplace Productivity Education Programme On 8 August I attended the Stage 3 aspirations of workers – career progres- launch of the Health and Safety Rep train- http://union.org.nz/workplaceproductivity.html sion, job enhancement, reward for skill, Contact Sandy O’Neil at [email protected] ing, which has been developed in partner- and employability. ship with the CTU, ACC and Business NZ. 18 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz LEARNIING REPSCTU CTU Update Learning Reps

This was despite a protracted lockout of 800 Service and Food Workers Union members working for Spotless Services, who tried to bully their way out of the national pay agree- ment. These hospital workers stood strong collectively in their union and wouldn’t let the company starve them back to work. Their success depended on the support they received from other workers, unions and their communities, and MUNZ by Sam Huggard Russell Baines is Area played its part too, as it did last Learning Reps who completed Manager for Idea Services in year when the supermarket the first stage of their training Wellington and the Hutt Valley, supply chain workers were by Ross Wilson were honoured at a graduation and he was at the launch also, locked out. New Zealand Council of Trade ceremony at the Council of and also discussed the impor- And union campaigning Unions President Trade Unions last week. tance of literacy. against age based discrimina- The Learning Rep is a new “Our organisation made a With the labour market this tion in minimum wages for 16 representative role, elected by commitment to working with tight, wages are still stubbornly and 17 year olds saw a number the workers in an enterprise the Learning Reps project, low. of parties support a modified to play a leadership role in en- reflected in the current Collec- If we are to make any head- proposal to end youth rates. couraging workplace learning. tive Employment Agreement,” way in closing the 30% wage This is a huge step forward It is an initiative of the Coun- he said. gap with Australia we need to for thousands of young work- cil of Trade Unions, funded “Ours is a workforce where see a number of things happen, ers who when this change is through the Tertiary Education even literacy can be a struggle including much more wide- implemented will receive a big Commission as part of the tri- for some. It was a good feel- spread collective bargaining increase in pay and a recogni- partite Skill NZ programme in- ing, knowing that the impetus on an industry basis, along- tion that the work they are volving the TEC, the NZCTU, was coming from both bottom side continued efforts in skill doing is being properly paid. Business NZ and the Industry up from the workforce and development, lifting productiv- In the wider policy area, the Training Federation. from management alike. It was ity and improving the quality two key issues of retirement Last week’s event was the great to see the number of Idea of work - including security of savings and home ownership first graduation in the Learn- Services workers in the first co- hours. have been main focuses also. ing Reps project, and included hort, and I’m looking forward Improving the wages and House prices are still out- members of the Maritime to Stage 2.” working conditions of many stripping wages by 4 to 1, and Union, the Rail and Maritime Many Learning Reps are also groups of low paid workers the CTU suggested a number Transport Union and the Serv- Health and Safety reps, and in has been a major focus for the of measures to tackle this when ice and Food Workers Union time, any credits workers at- CTU in recent months. we presented our views to Nga Ringa Tota. tain through the Learning Reps We have worked with our af- a parliamentary enquiry on Robyn Campbell found out programme will be able to be filiates in the health sector who home affordability recently, about the project through in- built into an overall qualifica- campaigned hard to improve including a capital gains tax on formation from her union and tion on the skills of being a the conditions of workers in investment housing (not the was immediately interested. worker representative. aged care and hospitals. family home). There is more information about new “The thing I’m interested The recent budget boost, Unions have also cam- developments in the Learning Reps project in is literacy,” she told The coupled with a DHB contrac- paigned for years to improve in their July newsletter, accessible here Unionist at the graduation last tual requirement for aged care second-tier superannuation http://www.learningreps.org.nz/index. week. “In our workforce, lots asp?PageID=2145844904 employers to work collectively, and this year’s enhancements of people don’t have the ability is a vital part of improving pay, to KiwiSaver will mean a huge to read and write as well as conditions, and building better boost for the income levels of they could.” standards for these workers. workers and their families in She found the programme It was a direct result of union retirement. There are certainly useful. “The training was cool, organising and campaigning. problems for people on low because we could throw ideas And hospital service workers wages, and again, the solution at each other, and it was much have also had a major victory to this lies in more widespread better than doing it alone. recently, with a major nation- collective bargaining to im- When I hit a blank on my wide lift in pay and condi- prove the wages of our lowest assignment I rang up another tions for over 3,000 cleaners, paid workers. orderlies and kitchen workers. Rep and got some feedback.”

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 19 INTERNATIONAL

“The New Zealand waterfront has become embroiled in an international dispute involving war profiteering, African phosphate and Norwegian ships”

Phosphate ships targeted in international campaign

The New Zealand waterfront has become “A majority of the population is still living embroiled in an international dispute in refugee camps in Algeria. Those who involving war profiteering, African phos- remained in their homeland are subjected phate and Norwegian ships. to serious harassment from the Moroccan The Norwegian owned but UK-based occupiers. For more than 40 years the Sah- company Gearbulk exports phosphates rawis have been waiting for the fullfilment from Western Sahara. Their bulk transport of their legitimate right to self-determina- vessels regularly call in New Zealand tion.” ports including Bluff and Mount Maun- The profitable phosphate industry in ganui. Western Sahara is controlled by a Moroc- The president of the Association of Sa- can governmental phosphate company, hrawis in Norway, Sidahmed Salem, says OCP. “Gearbulk must stop the plundering of our The phosphate deposits in the country country immediately.” were one of the reasons that Western Sa- “Every single day, our friends and mem- hara was occupied in 1975, and still gives bers of our families are subjected to serious Morocco huge revenue. human rights violations from the Moroc- The exploitation is in violation of inter- can forces in Western Sahara. Gearbulk’s national law, and contributes to finance the management and owners must try to un- costly occupation. derstand what this conflict is all about, and The story on the Gearbulk shipment to realise that they are partly responsible for New Zealand was covered by the major the human rights violations in occupied Norwegian broadcaster in September 2007. Western Sahara”, says Salem. The shipping company Gearbulk is 60% The political situation in Western Sahara owned by the Norwegian Jebsen family. has parallels with the invasion and occu- The company has its main office in pation of East Timor by Indonesia between London, and is registered in Bermuda. 1975 and 1999. The last time Gearbulk sent a vessel to According to the Norwegian Support New Zealand was June 2007. At the time, Committee for Western Sahara, three parliamentarians from four countries quarters of the territory of Western Sahara protested the trade in a letter to Gearbulk has been occupied by Morocco since 1975. and Jebsen.

For more information about the Gearbulk shipment, please see www.vest-sahara.no An English translation of the Norwegian TV clip on Gearbulk working in New Zealand ports is online at http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMholJ4G9MI

20 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz PORT ROUNDUPS Auckland Seafarers Spotless dispute in Auckland by Garry Parsloe, Auckland Seafarers’ Secretary National Vice President As soon as we received the news that Spotless had locked their workers out, Russell Mayn and myself immediately visited the picket lines where I was given the opportunity to address these workers on behalf of MUNZ and the CTU Auckland Unions. In my presentation I was Auckland Seafarers President John O’Neill, Auckland Seafarer Jack Wyatt, Auckland Seafarers Secretary able to deliver both moral and Garry Parsloe and Auckland Branch Executive member Sean Kelleher at the Auckland CTU Government financial assistance. Forum I went on to explain that the Maritime Unions have had years of experience in fighting these type of employers and that this fight was one that all Auckland CTU – Government Forum workers in all Unions would need to fight collectively. by Garry Parsloe, We also heard from Anthony These Workshops were very Workers must unite together Auckland Seafarers’ Secretary Rimmel on the ACC/CTU well structured and of benefit to defeat these out of control National Vice President Advocacy Service and Linda to all those who attended. employers. On the 21 June 2007 the CTU Holt regarding the Working When the Workshops ended We also attended Delegates’ Unions Auckland held the Women’s Resource Centre, the facilitators reported back meetings at Middlemore Hos- Auckland CTU/Government before I summed up on the before I opened the Forum pital where we were able to get Forum at the Ellerslie Event importance of getting involved up to a question and answer directly involved in planning Centre in Auckland. in Unions Auckland and all the session. a strategy on how to deal with I opened the forum by giving campaigns. This session was also of great Spotless. an outline of the purpose of the At 6pm CTU Vice President value. At the end of the week Forum and the Agenda. Helen Kelly welcomed the At 8.30 we had a wrap up (Friday 4pm) CTU Unions The first hour (5pm-6pm) Prime Minister to the Forum. from the Prime Minister, Carol Auckland met to discuss how was set aside for a CTU Unions The Prime Minister then Beaumont then myself before best to support the locked out Auckland presentation. spoke at length on the impor- I closed what was a most Spotless workers. In this section we had a tance of returning a Labour productive Government-CTU All the Unions agreed that presentation from CTU Secre- led Government at the next Forum. one of the most important tary Carol Beaumont on key elections before we broke into actions was to get financial CTU projects and work areas, Workshops. support to these workers as then a presentation from the There were four Workshops: soon as possible and for that Chairman of the Auckland A. Transport with Annette reason all Unions agreed to Regional Council Mike Lee on King. assist in bucket collections all the importance of Local Body B. Economic Transformation over Auckland. Elections. with Trevor Mallard. We had set the MUNZ C. Employment Relations with bucket collection day for the Ruth Dyson. 26 July 2007 but it was called D. Working for Families and off as on the 23 July the court Employment with David ruled that the lockout was ille- Cunliffe. gal and all workers were to be re-employed immediately. This was a great decision from the Court but what can’t be understated is all the sup- port from all the Unions. This set the scene for the victory. United we stand. www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 21 PORT ROUNDUPS

This should also include a control of the hours of work. At present it is impossible to ascertain what hours a casual from a labour hire company has completed before he ar- rives at work. The real answer is to phase out casualisation and build the permanent workforce to a level that services the Industry. This may sound like heresy to employers but I believe there is an argument to say that a highly trained workforce will compete on performance. It should also be noted that our workforce is aging. We have trainees onboard some ships but this number will have to increase if we are to remain in a position to man vessels as the need for seafar- ers increases as our trading requirements expand. The Auckland Local 13 Secretary Russell Mayn, Auckland Seafarers Secretary Garry Parsloe, companies involved in this Prime Minister Helen Clark and Local 13 President Denis Carlisle at the Auckland training are to be congratulated Waterfront Reunion, Point Chevalier RSA, 24 June 2007 (photo by Terry Ryan) for their foresight. I also understand that one Port Company has introduced cadetships for stevedores, these initiatives are what is required Auckland Waterfront Local 13 and will pay dividends in the long run. New Zealand is suf- by Russell Mayn My view is that when some Training is a moveable feast as fering from a lack of tradespeo- employers, and I am referring there are no industry stand- ple following the destruction Long may the stopwork meet- of apprenticeships during the ings remain the corner stone only to a small number of the ards. When you bring casu- employers we deal with, say alisation into the mix, along 1990’s, and is now reacting and of the decision making process trying to fast track trainees to within our Union. that they want to work with with the increasing pressure to the Union and come to an allow labour hire companies fill the void created by poor At a recent meeting held in planning. Auckland Local 13 had a great agreement, this is really just to fill the peaks, employers window dressing. The real are exposing our Industry to Our industry could find itself turnout, over two hundred in the same situation if it is not members attended to debate meaning of working with the incalculable risks. Union is to get agreement from I have some sympathy for careful, and continues to focus the Port Company Collective on casualisation at the expense Employment Agreement along the Union to implement com- the position that our employ- pany policy. ers face if they introduce high of commitment to a sustainable with the day to day issues the future. I am confident that the Local is involved in. We make no apology for standards within their compa- challenging this view and will nies and retain a permanent Union will support any com- Many employers see our pany that takes up the chal- regular meetings as outdated carry on challenging compa- workforce. They face the pos- nies who work under this pre- sibility of being undercut by a lenge to introduce an Industry and a hangover from the past. standard that will create a safer To them stopwork meetings text. The conditions and hours competitor who is using casual of work seafarers and dockers untrained labour to maximise workplace. are just an inconvenience to the This will not be easy but if shipper and to the company. undertake are different from returns. other industries and the profits There is no simple answer left in the too hard basket will They are in fact the highest result in an increasing number decision making forum within generated are substantial. but to not address this will be The gains in productivity to the long term detriment of of injuries and inefficiencies in the Union, and the arena for the Maritime industry. members to voice their views since Port Reform have been our Industry. evident and this has meant an A big thanks to all of the and direct the officials on fu- membership who attended the ture policies and strategies. upheaval for workers and their Industry Minimum families within our Industry. stopwork meeting and took Without these meetings I be- A step forward would be Yet when you analyse the part in the debate regarding lieve we would quickly become to introduce an Industry increase in remuneration for their future, this was one of the inefficient and cumbersome. minimum for induction and these changes it seems that best meeting we have had in Perhaps this is how some training for all casual workers Maritime workers have not recent times. employers view us at present, within our Industry that assure received their share. “Touch One Touch All” or could it be that in reality the every Maritime worker that Safety standards are high in Maritime Union is unwilling they can feel confident that some companies yet in others to settle for mediocrity when the person they are working there is room for improvement. it comes to the conditions and alongside is competent. agreements our members work under.

22 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz PORT ROUNDUPS

Together we are confident we Let’s hope I was not a little Wellington can achieve two trainees as a premature in giving Minister of Methyl start with NZ Swires. We have Transport Annette King a good Seafarers a training module in place rap for being a person that is bromide use that we are modifying for our finally known for doing the job by Joe Fleetwood trainees. Also we have ironed she was elected to do. suspended out some teething problems with Maritime New Zealand Delegates Toll and we are currently on track on Picton Comrades, the branch would Finally after 10 months of to engage deck trainees in the like to thank you personally for negotiating the branch has offshore. waterfront taking up the battle of ensuring reached an agreement. The Toll that the rogue employer abides New Zealand / MUNZ Collec- OMS Fumigation with methyl by the collective agreement tive agreements will run for a bromide has been halted at May have a couple of vessels that is in place, and also having two year term. Shakespeare Bay at the Port of coming on line later this year to deal with the crawling of During the term of the Marlborough. and early next year. certain individuals to the boss. agreement we have set up the The decision by the port company comes after extensive Maritime and Interislander Op- Strait Shipping Farstad/MUA Offshore meeting erations Council to deal with community concern about the outstanding issues. We are currently under way Members, I attended the use of the toxic gas. The issue We have engaged ship board with contract talks to renew the meeting in Melbourne on had become a major issue in representatives to work along- expired Seafarers’ agreement. 30/31 August 2007 on behalf of the local elections and several side the employer to deal with the Union. public meetings have been the refit of the Arahura. Other issues We discussed many issues held. with the offshore in Australia The decision has resulted in NIWA SFWU where we have many Kiwi sea- a major export log shipment farers working for Farstad. to India being held on the It has been agreed between The Wellington branch with Their was an extensive wharves. the Maritime Union of Aus- other members of the working agenda to get through, and The Shipping Gazette report- tralia and the Maritime Union class took advantage of the also a great Powerpoint on the ed on 15 September that the of New Zealand that the New Harry Potter book launch by exciting times ahead for us all port company, local forestry Zealand Government research strategically positioning people in the offshore. A full report industry and the Government vessel Tangaroa has been en- outside the major book shops, will follow. were negotiating with Indian gaged by Geosciences Australia which resulted in raising dona- authorities on alternative fu- in Canberra on a one off 47 day tions of $300 dollars for the Quote migants. trip on the Australian coast. locked out hospital workers. Port Marlborough chief The vessel will retain a full I would like to thank those “Militant trade unionists executive Des Ashton says that Kiwi crew based the RV South- that attended and also the should not become dizzy with methyl bromide would have ern Surveyor on Australian organizers of the day. a victory nor should they been phased out eventually as terms and conditions. This was become despondent with a an ozone depleting substance, only achieved due to the close Open Coast Policy defeat. and the decision had nothing working class relationship we We need to keep our balance to do with its toxicity. have with the MUA in conjunc- Comrades, we believe the in both of the above situations Local workers and groups tion with the Trans Tasman big multi national ship owner and learn from our victories such as Guardians of the Federation. Maersk has pulled away from and our defeats.” legal proceedings seeking Sounds have continued to voice their opposition. Offshore interpretation/clarification on Dare to struggle Reaction from some for- Section 198 of the Maritime Dare to win Transport Act. est industry bosses has been Tidewater Marine If you don’t fight predictably negative. However The Maritime Unions and You lose. Great to see Tidewater back the Shipping Federation are as few CEOs and managers are in NZ waters again with a still seeking a more definitive directly exposed to indus- long term contract for the Yeo meaning to Section 198 and trial poisons on the job, unlike Tide, maybe looking at another the open coast policy as to workers, their lack of concern vessel this year. The Union and fully protect the New Zealand for health and safety is not Tidewater have agreed that coastal shipping industry. surprising. Tidewater will become party to The intent of the Act was to The Maritime Union repre- the current New Zealand multi allow a foreign vessel to carry sents some workers in Picton, party collective agreement. coastal cargo whilst transiting but not directly on the water- on an international voyage. front. The Union intends to Swires NZ Then it was to leave and support any workers if they continue on its international feel they have been exposed to Swires have a long term ves- voyage and NOT to trade on methyl bromide on the job. sel on its way, and may have dedicated coastal shipping The Maritime Union con- more in the pipe line, routes in direct competition tinues to urge the immediate Branch President Mike with our home grown shipping phase out of methyl bromide Clark and I met with Swires companies, which has seen the in favour of new fumigant NZ Manager Andy Neville to constant demise of NZ coastal solutions. discuss the first ever entry of shipping. deck trainees into the offshore.

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 23 PORT ROUNDUPS

Alan McDonald addresses the August stopwork meeting of the Port Chalmers Meetings Dunedin branch, Maritime Union of New Zealand It is indeed heartening to see the good turnouts at meetings, which means interesting meet- ings with good debate. While we have such good turnouts it indicates the Union is in good heart as these gath- erings are the opportunity for members to put their points of view which is debated and hopefully some good comes of it all. Also Alan McDonald’s seafar- ers’ reports are well received.

Local Body Elections In the next month or so, local body elections will take place and it is hoped all members will exercise their democratic rights and vote. Local member Alan McDon- ald is running and told the last meeting he is standing to try and hold on to the record of most unsuccessful candidate in local body elections. Currently we are in discus- The Sheds are currently em- Our branch hope that this is Port Chalmers sions with the Company to ploying more forklift drivers as the end of the record and he look at manning a three crane the Fonterra workload in- gets voted in this time. Good Dunedin operation over 24 hours. creases. Morale seems to have luck Alan. A proposal of sliding 10 hours picked up around there. Local 10 was put to a full meeting and KiwiSaver although agreed in principle the Port Chalmers Cargo Services Recently we had WISF Fund by Phil Adams meeting wanted more informa- These lads have been busy Director Susan Leuchars in tion in regard to how it works Greetings from the Deep South. even without Dennis Lobb port to talk on KiwiSaver. and what effect it will have on The weather has a spring who was injured recently on a Her talk was informative and the workforce as we have had feel about it and the work log ship. Dennis is due back to hopefully made up the minds to change our hours of work particularly in the terminal has work shortly. of those interested in joining every year for the last three slowed down. This gives the The rest have been busy on KiwiSaver. years and it is wearing thin. company the chance to train up fish, logs, cement and fertilizer, Since then some anomalies During these talks we are in- new entrants and get the yard and have recently gained the regarding KiwiSaver have been viting younger members of the tidied up before the next busy chip ship work previously found and at present we are Executive so they can witness export season starts. done by the Port Company. seeking answers to some of the what goes on when meeting A new sideloader has just Recently the two lads there finer points. But we hope mem- with management. arrived which will alleviate who were on a 24 hour guaran- bers will join KiwiSaver for the All this is taking place at a the workload of the existing tee have been elevated to full tax incentives and $1000 entry time when we are receiving sideloaders particularly when 40 hour week workers. Noel amount. remits for the upcoming nego- the busy season starts. Currie continues to serve us tiations. Asphalting around bad well as delegate at Port Chalm- Sporting success patches around the terminal It is gratifying to see some ers Cargo Services. Congratulations to terminal should see driving conditions thought has gone into the member Dave West whose improve. remits and in particular remits Holcim daughter Popa has been Also the fourth crane is up from our members in the shed, selected for the New Zealand and running and is certainly which we hope will see a The branch is currently nego- Under 14 Girls Basketball speeding up the turnaround of whole revamp of their section tiating a 2 year agreement for Team, which includes a trip to vessels in the Port. of the collective agreement. the five lads at Holcim Cement. Australia and the USA to play Training of the drivers for We have recently negotiated It is hoped by the time the in tournaments. the new cranes is taking place with the company an agree- magazine goes to print the Popa is seeking sponsorship and younger members are ment for working rail around agreement will be signed and and this will be discussed at being taught to drive the older the sheds at night. Graham sealed, as money is the last our Executive Meeting. green cranes before moving Wright, the delegate for the sticking point. onto the two ‘big blues’ (new lads around there, is doing a cranes.) sterling job and attends our executive meetings to convey concerns from the sheds.

24 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz PORT ROUNDUPS

Drugs and alcohol Interport Sports Tourney The problems of drugs and Entries close for Interport Wellington Lyttelton alcohol on the job has raised 2008 soon and it appears a Rank and file report by Clinton its head again and our Branch large contingent will be head- Waterfront Norris, Lyttelton Branch Executive warns those who continue ing to Whangarei for the event. Member, Toll Stevedores to take banned substances to Good luck to all participants. by John Whiting The months of July and August consult with an official so as to Since the last issue of “The have been busy months for get help. New Generation Ships Maritimes” Maersk have us with having to seek skilled The Branch cannot and will removed their coastal feeder The Port Company are workers on several occasions not defend members who con- service and this has impacted making plans to deepen our from the Ports of Timaru and tinue to flaunt this as a serious adversely on us with the loss of harbour to take the new Mae- Napier to help us with our accident causing injury could the weekly ship call. rsk 6100 vessels, and are also peak times. meet with dire consequences. It appears that the Wellington advertising for many positions We have worked bulk cargos at the Company. cargo is being moved by rail. Illness of Gypsum and Palm Kernel This can only be positive Centrepac along with our regular car, log, Members off work with ill- for our branch leading to an banana, containers and steel ness at the moment are Neville increase in our numbers into This Company, which is cargo vessels. Scoles, Dennis Lobb, Sean the future. an associate body of the Port We also discharged a full Duffy and also Davey Dick’s We believe Port Chalmers Company, operates vanning shipment of concrete railway wife Sharon. We wish them all is now the No. 1. Port in the and devanning alongside the sleepers imported from China a speedy recovery. South and by taking the bull container terminal and over re- and just recently loaded a ship- by the horns and setting up cent times has seen an increas- ment of a locally made con- Horse to take these larger vessels we ing volume of work resulting veyor in sections for Brisbane. are establishing ourselves as a Ohoka Jasper has won again in more employment. In our down time (LOL) we major port. and continues to amaze us This increasing workforce are also busy with vacuuming The current and former although he is starting to give have elected to join MUNZ and steam cleaning of import- members of the Union can take some big starts to other horses and have decided to pursue ed vehicles. a lot of credit for where we are and is rumoured he may be a collective agreement. The All the staff at Toll Owens today and this should not be heading to the USA to race Branch has initiated bargaining Lyttelton would like to wish underestimated. over there. on Centrepac and we antici- Brian Tallott (Bushy) all the pate getting round the table to best in his retirement after 37 Delegate training Well that’s it from Port secure an acceptable collective. years in the industry. Chalmers, we look to the We would also like to wish Union education and safety future with a positive outlook Centreport Garry Briggs all the best for a officer Bob Riwai from Local but we all know with the vola- Matters currently being dealt full recovery from his recent 13 is organizing a delegates’ tile nature of shipping it cannot with at the Port Company back operation. training day in our Port soon, be taken for granted. include intensive negotiations We are still experiencing a so those interested please let Remember to attend meet- on putting in place a retire- shortage of skilled permanent the Secretary know. ings and to take an official ment policy acceptable to our labour and are hoping for our with you when summoned by members. This has to deal with two GWEs to be promoted up Aussie Trip management. Be proud to be a fairly high age group profile to full time 40/7 employment part of a Union that well and So far five members will be in the workforce and serve the within the next month or two. truly punches above its weight attending the Maritime Union needs of the workforce into the The month of July was a and represents its members of Australia Conference in future. safe working month for the in a way that has made our Sydney in April next year, Ian The preliminaries of ne- company with no reported Union the major Union on the Quarrell, Andrew Jennings, gotiating a drug and alcohol accidents or injuries although waterfront. Tank Lysaght, Paul Napier and policy have also been dis- we had a near miss with a log Long may it continue. Albie Patton. This should be a cussed in conjunction with the falling from the deck of a log great experience for them. RMTU and EPMU and we are vessel while loading and just determined to negotiate with missing the two wharf hands. Alliance Conference the Company in good faith to With this being reported there are now safe practices The Alliance Party are hold- achieve a policy that is fair and put in place for wharf hands ing their Annual Conference non-punitive, and not random while loading logs on the deck in Dunedin during Labour test based. of a log vessel. Weekend and I have been The need to aim for an We were fortunate to have asked to open the Conference. outcome that reflects our na- Chief Executive of Toll Owens I am honoured to speak at the tional policy and incorporates Sean Bolt call in on us during Conference. up–to–date developments is also paramount. the month, sitting in on a gen- eral discussion with our local Union Organizer/President Les Wells and ourselves.

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 25 PORT ROUNDUPS

Maritime Union Bluff Branch joins the Spotless picket in Invercargill, from left, Secretary Ray Fife, President Tauranga Harry Holland and executive member Ivan Pollock Mount Maunganui

by Phil Spanswick Greetings from the sunny Bay of Plenty. The breakdown in the amalgamation with the RMTU has not gone down well with the membership here in Mt Maunganui as the members of both MUNZ and RMTU could see the benefits of the amalga- mated Union here in the Bay. Discussions with formalis- ing the region with Whangarei, Auckland Seafarers, Local 13 and ourselves is ongoing and we hope the region will be finalised by Christmas 2007. Negotiations are still ongo- ing over the TLNZ Collective and Quality Marshalling Col- lectives. Along with the RMTU we are working slowly through a Prospects of hundreds of Most of the workers they combined Collective with Toll conversions of more farms to locked out are on about the Bluff Owens. dairying and current prices minimum wage and could not The Branch has been able to by Ray Fife and on farm conversions costs afford to go without pay while contribute to the Toll Owens come to about one and a half Spotless tried to starve them drug and alcohol court case million dollars a farm. into submission. Prospects which is set down for the week A new dairying factory is to We were able to get members There is a lot of excitement of 10 September 2007. be built near Bluff to cater for to their picket line, and on their about opportunities that look With the Kiwifruit sea- the increase in milk production street march through the busi- to be heading Southland’s way. son drawing to a close, we in the region. ness district of Invercargill and Concessions let for oil anticipate some difficulties There is also the prospect further supported them with a exploration both on and off with NZL regarding the extra that Solid Energy plan to cash donation. shore and some fairly hyped number of casuals that are on build a lignite to diesel factory They really appreciated our comments about what this will their books. in Southland that will make more aggressive support at mean sets the tone. A number of ITF ship visits 40,000 barrels of fuel a day. the picket line as most were Our region’s port company have taken place with Richard Opportunities abound, but women, new to picketing and South Port, will put formal Rankin and Peter Harvey lead- there are huge challenges, like did not really know how to servicing tenders to the three ing the charge. providing the right decision treat the scab workers that consortia awarded oil explora- At our Special Meeting on 11 making about infrastructure Spotless had employed. tion permits of the Great South July 2007, attended by Garry and environmental challenges. There was a successful out- Basin. Parsloe and Russell Mayn, we come as the courts ruled that The significant spin-off hopefully have put to bed the Locked Out Spotless Workers Spotless had illegally locked business from the exploration issues of National Affiliation out the workers and they were would include berthing vessels Our Branch was involved and we would like to thank the able to get a wage increase to and supplying goods such as in supporting these workers National Officers and Branches bring them in line with other fuel, drilling materials, lubrica- while locked out by Spotless who were positive about help- workers in their industry. tion, cement, food and other Services in Invercargill. ing to resolve this issue for the Over 800 low paid hospital Branch. consumables. Branch Elections It is predicted that the service workers throughout Our casual members are anx- consortia will spend in excess New Zealand were locked out We were able to fill all posi- iously awaiting the report on of $1 billion investigating the by their employer Spotless tions without the need to hold Casualization being carried out Great South Basin over the next Services because the company an election. by the Department of Labour. 5 years. refused to offer the same terms Elected were, President: Hopefully it will be good news The first initial benefits will and conditions as all the District Harry Holland, Secretary: for the casuals. be jobs for seafarer members Health Boards and a collective Ray Fife and executive Ross once the seismic vessels arrive. agreement covering service and Tangney, Ivan Pollock, Terry There is prosperity for our support workers in hospitals. Osborne and Chris Barrett. dairy farmers who are touted Spotless Services is a huge All the best to the officials to have incomes that were only Australian multinational and executive and we hope the a dream eighteen months ago. company. membership gets behind them and supports them fully.

26 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz PORT ROUNDUPS Napier by Bill Connelly

Around and about: Although not the busiest period of the year for our mem- bers in permanent employment, they are still working regular hours on a daily basis to turn around a vastly different array of shipping. This is likely to continue un- til the port hits its busy period, around early February 2008.

Members who have recently left the industry Two members from Southern Cross Stevedoring – Napier Branch, formerly Hawkes Bay Stevedoring Services Limited, have left the industry recently Destroyed containers with the remains of a cargo of “Australian reds”, Port of Timaru due to injuries sustained in the (photo by John Bisset, courtesy of the Timaru Herald) workplace and after having spent many months off on Accident Compensation. They are: Robbie had been working as a casual for many years and Gisborne Timaru John Winter jumped at the opportunity to by Dein Ferris by Kevin Forde John joined the Napier be in permanent employment Branch on 17 June 1974 and in 2002. Robbie was an integral Winter is traditionally the quiet The Timaru branch will be hav- was one of our older serving part of the Union in the employ time for us in the port. While it ing its AGM later in September. members, who took a keen of the Company. has been slow lately, this year There has been lots of cross- interest in the Union and the Readers might remember we have had a bonus of extra hiring to the port company and health and well being of his Robbie as the bare-footed golf- shipping namely Kiwifruit ves- out of port to Lyttelton, Port workmates. er, who took part in the annual sels (eleven to be precise.) Chalmers and Bluff with a fair In his younger days on the “Hackers and Knackers” golf As well as local fruit, product bit of local work on fertilizer, waterfront he was a vital part competition. His photograph was transported in from Opo- fish boats and Tasman Orient. of the then “Wharfies over was shown in a previous issue tiki and Tauranga. As stated a We have written a letter to 30’s” soccer team, and a keen of the “Maritimes”. nice little bonus. Thanks to the Maritime New Zealand about golfer and always up for a Robbie left on 5 August 2007 skills of the guys and girls (be- Tasman Orient vessels where challenge, be it on the sporting and the Branch and the mem- lieve me there are not too many we have lots of concerns with field or some other avenue. bership wish him well in his around who load this type of cranes creeping and can’t find Some would say his biggest future endeavours. cargo as quickly or efficiently neutral. We don’t believe they sporting interest was horse rac- as these people) we have been are up to scratch, and there is a ing, but not me. Kelcold told there will be more Kiwi’s safety issue here. There are rumours that a I can always remember when Negotiations seem to have next season. yellow union might be coming we took the telephone out of stalemated, with the parties Our staple diet the JNL into town. We are remaining Ohope holiday accommoda- failing to agree in mediation. vessels have changed owner- vigilant. tion, John asking the question A full meeting of the mem- ship. We hope the status quo We recently had an unusual “How do I get my bets on with bership was held on 25 June remains. incident aboard the Nexoe- the TAB now”, thank goodness 2007 to bring them up to date We are currently in negotia- Maersk which encountered for mobile phones. with progress to date and also tions with Southern Cross Ste- bad weather on its voyage John you are already missed to listen to the Company’s offer. vedores. Our contract expired from New Plymouth. A dozen by your workmates, but they The membership rejected in January and we are waiting containers were badly dam- and I know where you live and the Company’s offer and put for Steve Bell to respond to our aged including two that were no doubt we will visit you from forward a counter offer, which claims at the time of writing. filled with cases of Australian time to time. John left on 29 is currently being discussed. red wine. April 2007 and the Union and We are hopeful of reaching an One estimate in the local the membership wish him well. agreement. paper suggested that each con- Robbie Williams Gold Coast accommodation in tainer held around 1100 cases Australia of wine, around 26,000 bottles Unlike John Winter, Rob- all up. bie Williams was one of our This apartment will be for younger members, who joined sale shortly and is going to be the Napier Branch on 26 August put on the market on 3 2002 as a Guaranteed Wage November 2007 at the wish of Earner (GWE). the membership of the Branch. www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 27 Remembrance plaque including the Merchant Navy Memorial Merchant Navy unveiled in Featherston, 2007 Retired Federal Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia John Coombs Recently I attended an unveil- and his wife Gwen recently made a special trip to New Zealand to visit Bunny Milne, ing of a special plaque which wife of the late Jimmy Milne, former Secretary of the Wellington Branch of the was attached to the war memo- Watersiders Union, August 2007 Letters rial of two wars in the main street at Featherston in the Wairarapa. Paddy returns My friend and former col- league Jim Woods was there with his family and as we South Pacific Shipping Dear Editor, waited for the bus load of vet- Your kind review of my erans to arrive from Wellington liquidation book Paddy the Wanderer we talked about the function has prompted me to write to we were about to witness. ask whether any members of by Kathy Whelan R. Hill NZMSG This was in fact recognition MUNZ – or friends – have any of the role played and total de- Some 9 years after the collapse R. Walton NZMSG recollections or photographs of gree of participation of the men of South Pacific Shipping, the J. Chandler NZMSG this famous Wellington seafar- in the Merchant Service in both liquidation process has finally K. Swatridge NZMSG ing dog of the 1930s, that they wars, particularly – due to the been completed. G. Clark NZMSG may be prepared to share with passage of time – the Second The ITF represented all B. Dickson NZMSG readers. World War. crews and all departments M. Falconer NZMSG The success of Paddy, which Whilst acknowledging the throughout this process and in C. Osborne NZMSG went into reprint three weeks active role that Bro Speydon the early stages filed claims for R. Frazer AMEA after publication, has prompted of the Auckland Branch of the and obtained the money for the P. Grimwood AMEA my publishers HarperCollins Merchant Navy Association secured claims (wages, PAYE R. Knight AMEA and me to look at producing a had also played, the honours and holiday pay). P. Gilbert NZSU more definitive Paddy book, go to Ian Dymock President of We also filed claims for the M. Burke NZSU including our 1930s photos of the Wellington Branch of the unsecured amounts such as K. Davis NZSU him, the Wellington wharves, Association for having done redundancy. There were 310 B. Surgay NZSU some of the ships he travelled more than anyone in a practi- unsecured creditors totalling P. Andrews NZSU on etc plus much extra infor- cal sense to have plaques laid $23,207,157.71 and a distribu- M. Bernard NZSU mation on the social conditions throughout New Zealand in tion of 9.3 cents in the dollar H. Jacobs NZSU and people at that time which recognition of the Merchant has been determined. R. Marconi NZSU were not used in the first book. Seafarers who also served and Most crew have now re- M. Brown NZSU They will, we hope, enhance gave their lives in the World ceived their payments from I. Gardner NZSU the original book (which will Wars. the liquidator (Pricewater- K. Jacomb NZSU also feature in this second Through the Association Ian houseCoopers) but inevitably, W. Koteka NZSU book) of this amazing dog has also done sterling work in with the passage of time, some A. Thompson NZSU and the times that he and his getting pensions and medical addresses and contacts have W. Walker NZSU friends lived through. assistance to veterans of the changed. We are looking for E. Wilson NZSU If anyone has any informa- war. the address and IRD number of Contact Kathy Whelan, ITF, tion, please contact me on 09 It is a record well worth the following ex-crew members Telephone (04) 801 7613 5757 586, Mobile 021 819 323, recording and I would think of SPS to finalise the payout Email [email protected] email [email protected] or by a record within a record was process. or send details to PO Box 27004, post: Dianne Haworth, PO Box agreed with Jim and I - that Wellington 25-653, St Heliers, Auckland we never thought we would 1740. attend a service honouring Anything, however small, is Merchant Seafarers in Feath- of interest! erston. Thank you all Well done Ian and thanks. Dianne Haworth Dave Morgan (Former President, New Zealand Seafarers Union)

28 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz PORT ROUNDUPS

Obituary George Brabander George Brabander carries a young passenger to safety from the wreck of the Wahine, by Kathy Whelan 10 April 1968. This famous photo appeared in the Evening Post. George Brabander (AB, Union number 1492, retired) died in UK on 25 June 2007 aged 76 from cancer. George and his wife Tess and son Martin He then settled into the rail ferries for came to New Zealand from UK in Decem- the last decade of his seagoing career be- Very sorry to hear of George’s death. ber 1963. fore returning home to live in the UK and What a steadying force he was as George almost immediately joined fulfill a long time promise to his wife Tess delegate and advisor at meetings. the Seaman’s Union and shipped out on who had never overcome her homesick- Convey my sympathy to his wife coastal vessels such as the Kokiri and ness. and son. I spoke to George while he Echo, later joining the Aramoana and then Although the UK was once again his was here, the union missed his force- Wahine. home, he never left New Zealand and all ful arguments, and down to earth He was on board when the Wahine sank his friends here, especially because New attitude to negotiations. and all who knew George would have Zealand was the home of his pride and joy I remember George in the early expected no less of him than the role he – son Martin, daughter-in-law Erin and days on the Wahine, though new to played in risking his own life to save others. grandson James. the coast, and I think to union dis- The picture published with this article is To Tess, Martin, Erin and James – our putes. He could muster a sound and a small illustration of the bravery he and sincere and heartfelt sympathy. Your loss very forceful argument. his fellow crew members showed on that in indeed shared by us. At the time of the Wahine disaster, fateful day. I remember the manner in which he George was a highly intelligent, strong was all over the place, organizing opinionated man with a set of principles and doing so much to keep things that he never flinched from so it was no moving, telling others what should surprise that he became active in Union be done. affairs almost immediately. As an assessor to the award nego- (As he frequently did in negotia- A very quick thinker with a sharp articu- tiations George was almost without tions with railways – I mean in the late mind it was not long before he became equal – his friend Harry (Kane) could nicest way!) a valued and important member of the outflank him depending on the I believe the picture of George in Union negotiating team – calculating the subject. the Evening Post carrying that young costs and effects of proposals whilst the Harry was a gun on how a proposal boy ashore at Seatoun, spoke volumes officials did the negotiating – no employer for leave systems might work, but if it about George and his priorities. could put anything or anyone up who was the value of a particular offer put He was an argumentative bastard could match him. on the table George was without peer. but a very good and down to earth Dave Morgan In the mid 1980s George did a stint in Former President seaman, mate and delegate, someone the offshore industry and survived yet NZ Seamen’s (Seafarers) Union who could be depended on. another maritime catastrophe – this time He is missed. in the air. Jim Woods Former Secretary The helicopter transporting the crew to NZ Seamen’s (Seafarers) Union and from the vessel Lady Rachael, which was standing by the oil rig Benreoch, crashed – and by some miracle did not explode.

www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 29 OBITUARY

He would sling off at unions The union’s strength, as well who had lawyers for presi- as Bill’s personal power base, dents, or who ran to the law was established and continual- in any dispute. He couldn’t ly bolstered at the regular stop fathom why a union would work meetings up and down willingly surrender authority the country. over the lives of workers to These packed meetings, “some bastard with a sheep- where everyone could have skin on his swede.” For him, their say, were often extremely the Labour Party, too, was heated and unruly and they part of the “bullshit brigade” didn’t all make the same deci- and “Micky Savage was only sions on important matters. But a frontman for a bunch of Bill had a way of weaving the turncoats”. strands together into a power- But, for me, it was not Bill ful movement. the gladiator who was great, He brushed aside the cow- it was Bill the wise, practical ards who tried on old bully- leader, comrade and friend, ing, standover tactics, which who was great. had been such a curse through He was great because he much of the union’s history. always inspired courage and As a result, the rank and file, commitment in the people supported by Bill’s bottom-up around him. During the Walsh leadership style, were able to years, rank and file demands overthrow the old ‘auction for major changes to the lives block’ recruitment practice and of seafarers had been building replace it with a union-run up like water behind a dam roster system. The union had and so when the old despot carved out a little bit of social- died in 1963, a flood of democ- ism in the maritime industry. racy was released. Seamen were employed by the When he returned, his father Within the union then there industry, not by the shipping Obituary: confronted him in the garden, were powerful competing po- companies. briefly interrogated him and litical factions, dominating and On the international front, William then knocked him over - not larger-than-life personalities, Bill put an enormous effort into for running away to sea, but dangerous criminal elements the peace movement in New for taking on the delegate’s po- and tons of wild idealism Zealand and the Pacific. He led ‘Pincher’ sition before having mastered – all this in the context of the protests against French nuclear all the skills involved in being tumultuous sixties. The union testing and fought against the Martin a seaman. needed someone like Pincher visits of American nuclear Later Bill would always who could offer direction and warships. (1923–2007) say, “To be a delegate, you’ve discipline to the struggle as He developed strong solidar- got to be the hardest worker.” well as allow flax roots ini- ity links with black workers in By Mick Williams Another time he got sat on his tiative to flourish. He did this South Africa during Apartheid, arse was at his first negotia- brilliantly. For him, the union helped build up Fijian and William (Pincher) Martin. Born September tions after he had taken over as was not just another pressure other Pacific union movements 1923, Wapping, England, arrived in New president of the union in 1964. group, it was a way of life, a and reopened close relations Zealand 1927. Died June 12, 2007, Before talks began, Bill way of struggle for a better with the Maritime Union of Lyttleton aged 83. President of the New launched into a speech about Zealand Seamen’s Union (1964 – 1973). world. Australia. how the shipowners had paid During his decade as Bill left office in 1973 and for their wealth with the blood president, a string of the most went back to sea, continuing as Pincher was the ultimate Kiwi of generations of seamen. He significant achievements in the a sea-going national councillor. union man – the sort of work- ended his tirade with, “Noth- union’s history were made. He felt that his role as an ers’ leader you aspired to be. ing is too good for the work- These included reorganising official should come to an end. He became one of those rare ers!”, to which the bosses’ chief the port-dominated and frac- He couldn’t bear the thought of union officials who genuinely negotiator said, “Alright, Mr tious structure into a nation- becoming a bureaucrat. believed in flax roots democ- Martin, we’ll give the workers ally-coordinated fighting force, Modern unionism, he used racy and did all he could to put nothing.” laying the foundations for the to say, was becoming led by it into practice. That was Bill. With his state-owned New Zealand seat-warmers and intellectuals. He liked recounting his first strength went good humour Shipping Corporation, the “You don’t need a university big lesson in taking on a lead- and humility. He despised setting up of the Pension Fund degree to tell the boss he’s a ership role: he had disobeyed people who tried to make big and forcing the practice of bastard.” his wharfie father and gone to names for themselves and equal time on and off. But, at the same time he be- sea during the Second World was not slow to show it. He These involved protracted lieved that all young seafarers War, and almost before he had confronted F.P. Walsh and sur- campaigns against hostile should receive a good sound gained his sea legs he had been vived, insulted Norman Kirk to governments and slave-driving education. He used to insist elected ship’s delegate. his face and gave FOL leaders shipowners. that all members read ‘Against like Len Hadlee and Tom Skin- the Wind’, the history of the ner their pedigrees for collabo- union, and learn about global rating with the government issues, particularly interna- and accepting knighthoods. tional solidarity.

30 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz NOTICES

Bill, himself, like many of his Maritime Union Branch and Local Contacts generation of seamen, was very Jack (John) Whangarei widely read, with a keen inter- Mobile: 021 855121 est in international politics. Fax: 09 459 4972 Harry Akula Address: PO Box 397, Whangarei Some members used to accuse him of being anti-socialist by Tony Archer 0768 Auckland Seafarers because he tried to reign in “ul- Phone: 09 3032 562 It is with great sadness I tra-leftists”, “Peking parrots” Fax: 09 3790 766 advise that John passed away Mobile: 021 326261 or “anarchist hotheads”, but 16 August 2007, peacefully at Address: PO Box 1840, Auckland he often said that the people Email: [email protected] Palmerston North Hospital, he admired most were V. I. aged 89. Auckland Local 13 Lenin and other early Marxists, John was a member of the Phone: 09 3034 652 and the genuine communists New Zealand Seaman’s Union Fax: 09 3096 851 of his day like E.V. Elliot and Mobile: 021 760887 having joined in February 1949. Harry Bridges, whom he knew Ray Young Address: PO Box 2645, Auckland He was a true friend, great Email: [email protected] personally. shipmate, and a good laugh. However, his belligerent by Kathy Whelan Mount Maunganui He shipped out as a boy of character kept him clear of Phone: 07 5755 668 In the last copy of the Mariti- Russian English descent on Fax: 07 5759 043 Party membership. He could mes we acknowledged the 90th Merchant ships involved in Mobile: 0274 782308 not stomach any form of dog- birthday of a great seamen, convoys during the Second Address: PO Box 5121, Mt. Maunganui matism or hero worshipping. Email: [email protected] staunch unionist and good and World War and was sunk by Dave Clarke tells a story of loyal friend – Ray Young. German torpedoes. Gisborne Local 38 when he and Pincher were Sadly we report that Ray He later traded on the South Mobile: 025 6499697 on a delegation to the Soviet Address: 5 Murphy Road,Gisborne died on 4 September 2007 after American run on tramp ships Union. Early one morning their Email: [email protected] a fairly short but hard fought finally ending up in New hosts woke them up to go on illness with his dear and be- Zealand. He met Francie Sandi- New Plymouth the obligatory visit to Lenin’s loved wife Eileen at his side. lands from Feilding in the Mobile: 021479269 mausoleum. They knocked Address: PO Box 659, New Plymouth Those of us who knew Ray, Midland Hotel in Wellington, and knocked on Pincher’s door Email: [email protected] and there are many of us, are they joined the New Zealand without any luck until finally the richer for it – a finer person Lighthouse Keeping Service Napier Bill yelled out grumpily, “I’m Phone/Fax: 06 8358 622 you will never meet. and had a family. not getting out of bed just to go Mobile: 027 6175441 To Ray’s wife Eileen who is Later he joined the Seaman’s Address: PO Box 70, Napier and see some f***ing mummy!” also our dear friend and the Union and worked on coastal Email: [email protected] Pincher spent most of his family, we stand with you in ships. retired life in Australia, where Wellington Seafarers your sorrow over the loss of John enjoyed a beer and he worked tirelessly in support Phone: 04 3859 288 Ray and mark a life that was a chat, having some strong Fax: 04 3848 766 of the campaigns of the MUA truly well lived. views about issues and politics Mobile: 021 481242 and other unions there. Paddy Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington of the world including US Crumlin wrote recently, that Email: [email protected] policy, AIDS and New Zealand his wisdom, commitment and Politics. He had praise for the Wellington Waterfront deep knowledge made him a Stanley present Labour Goverment for Phone: 04 8017 619 continuing part of Australian Fax: 04 3848 766 raising the minimum wage. history. Mobile: 021 606379 George Mills He was a proud unionist to the Address: PO Box 2773, Wellington But Bill expected that of eve- end. Email: [email protected] ryone: “You retire from the job, Our condolences go out to but you never retire from the The Public Trust are attempting Wellington Stores and Warehouse Local 21 ‘Francie’, Dale and Family. Phone: 04 3859 520 struggle.” And now he’s dead. to locate the relatives of Stanley Rest in Peace John. Fax: 04 3848 766 But “Don’t mourn” he used to George Mills said to have been Address: PO Box 27004, Wellington quote Joe Hill as singing, just born 14 January 1923. get on and “Educate – Agitate Mr Mills then living at 131 Nelson Lucknow Street, Wairoa died Fax: 03 5472104 – Organise.” Mobile: 0276222691 intestate on the 23 June 2006. Address: PO Box 5016, Nelson The following was his favour- The Public Trust have very Lyttelton Local 43 ite poem: little knowledge of him and think he may have been a Phone: 03 3288 306 O Lord above send down Fax: 03 3288 798 doves, seafarer or at least “knocked Mobile: 0274 329620 With wings as sharp as razors, around” in seafaring circles. Address: PO Box 29, Lyttelton He was a painter and decora- Email: [email protected] To cut the throats of “evil” shipowners, tor in his latter years, described Timaru Who exploit and deny seamen, as a “jockey” like physique and Phone/Fax: 03 6843 364 Mobile: 021 2991091 Of their rightful conditions and a hard man – around 5 foot, had a tattoo resembling the Address: PO Box 813, Timaru wages. Merchant Navy logo and one Port Chalmers Dunedin Local 10 of a sailing ship on his arm. Phone: 03 4728 052 Known as George Mills, he Fax: 03 4727 492 Mobile: 0274 377601 died of Alzheimer’s, and left Address: PO Box 44, Port Chalmers nothing which indicates his Email: [email protected] past or any living relatives. Could anyone who has heard Bluff Phone/Fax: 03 2128 189 of George Mills contact Kathy Mobile: 027 4475317 Whelan on 04 801 7613 or Address: PO Box 5, Bluff [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.munz.org.nz The Maritimes | October 2007 | 31

Cargo Handling, 2 July 2007 Presentation of National Certificates in Maritime Union of New Zealand Port Chalmers Branch Local 10

32 | The Maritimes | October 2007 www.munz.org.nz