Tangiwai Disaster Remembered 2 Contents Editorial ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2014

MARCH 2014 The Transport Worker The journal of the RMTU – NZ's largest specialist transport union

Tangiwai disaster remembered 2 Contents Editorial ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2014

12 Old steamer on track

The restoration of the old loco, Passchendaele, is on track for the 100th Wayne Butson anniversary. General secretary 16 Supporting Korean workers RMTU Wellington members protested outside the Korean Embassy in support of A busy year looms unfairly sacked hearty kia ora and best wishes to all RMTU members and leaders as we head Korean rail into what is going to be a very testing, stimulating and full on year for us all. workers. A year of campaigning, challenge and potential change will be in store Afor us all in 2014. We have 16 collective agreements to be negotiated and renewed this year, the largest of which is KiwiRail Group which covers 2,654 of our current 4,650 membership. We will also have to learn how to deal with the new Thomas meets modern CEO on the bridge of the good ship KiwiRail as I am sure he will have a KiwiRail 20 Board-driven agenda to implement as part of his appointment over Quinn. This agenda, whatever it is, is NOT likely to be the same as Quinn's vision – otherwise, why the change? So we are left to speculate about what Quinn wasn't doing rather than what he was. I have my views on what the Board may wish to see, which I will keep to myself at this stage. Thomas the Tank engine meets his modern counterpart at a special Auckland day. New man at the helm However, the new man Peter Reidy has certainly hit the ground running. During his first day on the job he split a role that Quinn created called GM People and Safety Cover photo by appointing a person to a new role called GM Zero Harm. This is a marked contrast Ryan Blackbourn and Palmerston North to Quinn's entry style into the company where nothing really happened for months branch secretary, Tim Kerwin lay wreaths at in terms of structural change before he began to alter course. Tangiwai. See story page 32 I support Reidy's change. I was totally opposed to Quinn joining health and safety with HR at the time for two reasons. The first is that there are few people around who are skilled at safety and HR and so the candidate pool would be slim and secondly, HR's goals (as driven The Transport Worker is published by the by the business needs) are frequently at odds with good established safety practice. Rail & Maritime Transport Union, It is undeniable that safety has slipped within KR in the last five years and P O Box 1103, Wellington, improvement has been slow and sporadic, with the major operational indicators Aotearoa-New Zealand. (SPAD A's and track warrant overruns glaring examples) steadfastly going in the Design and production by Mike Regan. wrong direction. Printed by Thames Publications Ltd, In my opinion, Quinn's legacy in rail will be more lines closed or mothballed P O Box 11-025, Wellington. than during privatisation, five siloed business units, little improvement to the safety culture, one less workshop, improved customer and stakeholder relations, improved communication and improved morale. www.rmtunion.org.nz The report card would show a pass mark but with a note saying "should have

The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The ISBN 1173-6488 tried harder". OPINION 3

Enough of rail though as the waterfront is also an active area and will see plenty of action during 2014. The Port of Tauranga's (POT) container terminal at Sulphur Point is currently operated Trouble likely by C3-employed staff supplemented by a group of full time Port of Tauranga-employed crane drivers and a small pool of straddle operators from Independent Stevedoring Limited (ISL). Part of in I&E the operation at Sulphur Point is the container "I prefer a Labour man, you can do safety concerns arising from lean staff- transfer (CT) site where rail and road vehicles are a deal with a Labour man," says the ing. serviced. C3 have lost the contract for the CT site property developer character played Over the summer the latest drama contract which has been won by the POT which by Sean Bean in the TV adaptation was the bullying and intimidation of is a wholly owned entity of Quality Marshalling. of David Peace's Red Riding trilogy, a a member who raised a legitimate work set in 1970's Yorkshire, a time of concern over health and safety whilst Strained relationship social upheaval, industrial unrest and assisting contractors on the Auckland political skulduggery. Electrification Project. The contractor's If I was to say that relations between man- It's a phrase that will chime with response was to demand our member agement of C3 and POT are 'strained' following many union officials. subject himself to drug and alcohol last year's ownership change which saw POT's The reality of being an RMTU shareholding within C3 lost to Asciano I would be advocate for the membership is that testing! significantly understating the level of tension. Is at some point we have to be able to Meanwhile KiwiRail has been this move the beginning of something or the end do a deal, whether it's to get the best downgraded by ACC from tertiary to of something else? You may well ask. However, possible pay and conditions, ensure primary status and one of the main time will tell with the sad reality here being that I job security or to see that workers are reasons is a failure to properly manage am talking about RMTU members, their families, properly represented on matters like contractors. their livelihoods and job security that is in doubt health and safety. The RMTU team on the I&EIC or in question. Yet again, it is we workers who pay The RMTU and its predecessors hasn't stopped trying to talk its way out the inevitable and ultimate price for boardroom have a 128-year history of successfully of these problems. Its relationship with or management games. negotiating on behalf of its members. management varies across the country Meanwhile, down the road in Port Napier Whilst it's not afraid to take action to and it knows some of them share its ISO have the pulp stevedoring contract and our support legitimate claims, it has always despair. Others appear to be hellbent members are doing the shipside marshalling. ISO sought to negotiate solutions. It knows on a collision course with the Union's operates the ships gear etc and affects the loading when to fight and when to talk. That membership. In particular, the general of the ships. There are 'issues' for us with ISO do- doesn't mean it can't be militant on ing the stevedoring already and all are aware of occasions. manage of I&E, Rick van Barneveld, this situation. Port Napier and the shipper now Which brings us to the KiwiRail In- who doesn't appear to understand the want to increase productivity and wish to use the frastructure and Engineering Industrial principles of working with organised mobile harbour cranes as they have much faster Council (I&EIC), made up of the RMTU labour. lift rates and capacity. Watch this space. and management representatives from The RMTU fears the collision will across the network who, together, keep take place at this year's KiwiRail MECA Port collectives too the infrastructure of the train set going. talks where I&E management will push All of the South Island ports have CAs to be In the past couple of years RMTU an agenda in support of more contract- renewed this year together with the safety chal- I&E members have had their share of ing out whilst hours of work benefits. lenges in Lyttelton. The future for our members woes such as an ill-considered and The RMTU remains hopeful that in Primeport Timaru under POT ownership plus devastating initiative to take $200m out this won't be the case because it knows the effects of the new inland port at Rolleston will of the operation in late 2012 which cost that the only way to make rail safe and be keeping us busy in the South. some members their jobs and dealt a provide exemplary working conditions The Transport Worker March 2014 body blow to morale. We will also be holding our first 'biennial' style is to work together. With a proud Successive failures by management conference this year in mid-October and so there history of successfully negotiating on will be no Port's Forum this year and of course to properly consult on contracting out work led to growing frustration behalf of its members the RMTU also there is the small matter of a general election to knows it takes both parties to negotiate be held with the RMTU working to ensure that and distrust and every time the Union meaningfully. we have a Labour-led government sitting on the negotiated an agreement it seemed However, if nudge comes to push, treasury benches of Parliament by year end. management broke its promise. So, let the games begin! There were a couple of very close your RMTU negotiations team won't calls involving contractors and Union hesitate to recommend action be members in tunnels, as well as other taken. 4 Health & Safety Life saving rules for a just and fair culture HIS is an initiative which resulted from the sum- Tmit of the industrial councils last July. A working group made up of management and RMTU representatives from each industrial council was convened under the chairmanship of KiwiRail's health and safety manager, Phil O'Connell. The RMTU is represented by Karen Fletcher (national H&S organiser), Howard Phillips (mechanical council & RMTU vice president), Mike Williams (freight council and Real workers in Dunedin listen to I&E management. NMC rep), Kevin Jones (I & E council), Steve Brown (mechanical coun- It's fair to say that in the past some investiga- both members and managers. Our brothers cil); Jo Carr (passenger council) and Tania tions have adopted the 'find a scapegoat' or and sisters in Britain, the RMT and the TSSA, Haraki (Interislander council). 'blame the worker' approach. This has led have been working on this sort of initiative The idea of identifying life saving rules to systemic and organisational problems in recent years and report that it has led to – those that, if highlighted and focussed being overlooked. For example, it may have real progress in health and safety. A just and on, should result in the greatest reduction been that managers turned a blind eye to fair culture doesn't mean that wilful or de- in injuries and harm – is something that has some practices when it meant the job was liberately negligent acts aren't punished but been tried in other sectors, notably aviation done quicker, even though the rules were it also doesn't mean that people who make and extractive industries like oil, as well as being breached. Also, the blame the worker an honest mistake, or mess up because they by rail operators and unions overseas. approach means that members are often haven't had proper training, are blamed and Done properly, the most important reluctant to report breaches for fear of the the organisation gets off scot free. rules that will contribute to a reduction in consequences. At the time of writing the working harm are picked out and given renewed Under a just and fair culture members group is surveying the health and safety emphasis by everyone – workers, union and should be confident that the underlying action teams nationwide to get a feel from management. This is allied to an approach cause will be dealt with. So if it becomes workers at the grass roots to seek opinions to investigating and dealing with incidents custom and practice for breaches to be as to whether we've identified the correct and rule breaches that is known as a just tolerated, then everybody involved – man- life-saving rules and to find out what their and fair culture. This is not a blame free agement and workers – should be educated thoughts are about the idea of a just and culture – rather it is an approach that looks and made accountable for changing it. fair culture. beyond individual actions and addresses Make no mistake, this is going to involve Those on this working party are very organisational and systemic issues as well. a big change in thinking for some people, positive about the initiative. As one con- One can't work with- tributor, who had worked out the other. Over 100 stage one health and safety reps in aviation, said: "We knew The rules are the we'd cracked it when the rules and all we are SINCE the recent KiwiRail health and safety action team elections there are pilots started to self-report looking at doing is fairly now over 100 health and safety reps who need to do stage one training. breaches." enforcing the key ones. Because of the large number the RMTU and KiwiRail are working on delivering To build a level of trust However, to have a con- rail specific, in-house training . KiwiRail Group safety templates will be used between workers and man- sistent and transparent to tailor the training and participants will be encouraged to think critically agers, where that sort of about how health and safety can be improved in their work area. The stage one approach to investigating thing occurs, won't happen training is NZQA approved and participants can apply for the unit standard breaches marks a shift in overnight but it will make

The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The 20198 if they choose. the company's approach. the workplace safer for 5 everyone. It's easy to be cynical but there are some veterans on this working group, both management Tap Root and RMTU, that are pretty excited about this kind of change. A form of accident/incident investigation for Port Napier It remains to be seen if senior managers and the wider membership alike will get on board and make it work. The rules are the rules and whilst there will be discussion about which rules should be made life saving rules (LSR), we don't have a problem with rules being enforced (fairly). The health and safety action teams (HSAT) should be encouraged to give feedback (via the survey) on whether the rules make sense to their work. The purpose of the rule is to identify the most important rules for preventing serious injury or death. Incidentally, there is currently talk (from KRG senior management) of changing the term 'life saving rule' to 'life saving behaviours'. The just and fair culture process is important for workers N May 2013 the Napier Port Company chased to serve for the movement of the pulp because: undertook a contract with Winston Pulp through the port from rail to shed, labelling n It will provide a consistent pro- IInternational (WPI) to receive, store and and then loaded to truck, to ship. marshal WPI pulp and timber for export, for This is where Tap Root investigation comes cess for decision making when break bulk vessels and containerisation. into play. a rule has been breached; The Port handled this product many years As a consequence of a forward tip of a n The process looks at the con- ago in a palletised format but lost the contract clamp machine while lowering two units of tributing factors for why a to Centre Port around 1995 - if memory serves pulp from the 4th height position from the breach occurred rather than correctly. stack the Port company undertook, through taking a blame-the-worker Somewhere along the way, Wellington its 'Just Culture' regime, to hire an Australian- approach; went through a transition of relinquishing based company Capabilities Resources to n The process will make all levels the fork machine and pallet style operation, investigate the WPI operation as a whole. of the business accountable for to engage in the current clamp method of Peter Berkholz, an experienced Tap Root safety. EG; if a rule breach is handling the pulp. investigator, led the group to look, access, custom and practice the man- The shape, size and weight of the pulp advise, and report on the WPI pulp operation agement will be held account- are pretty much a constant, though at times in full, from its commencement to the present. able for allowing the breach to we have struck inconsistencies which can give Three RMTU members were assigned to be occur; and some grief to hoist operators, particularly when part of the investigation team which assisted in n The process for dealing with there is a variable between the width of the the Tap Root analysis and its outcomes. Dave The Transport Worker March 2014 rule breaches will be consist- two packets being hoisted – 99% of the clamp Makea (pulp shed supervisor), Robert Phipps ent and fair and hopefully lifting is in unit pairs, in essence, 12 pre-wired (mechanical workshop foremen) and your encourage confidence among bales. Whereby once, expensive pallets were scribe along with other representatives within the workforce to report safety required ship loading is now done by a nest and external to the company. breaches so the root of the of hooks off the ships hook (Cranston gear) Without going into detail, the essence of the problem can be addressed. pushed through rounds of wire around the enquiry is based around four key techniques: The RMT union (UK Rail Mari- vertical centre of two bales. A unit is made up events charting; casual factor for identification; time Transport Union) says the just of six bales and bales in the most are lifted in root cause (tree); and corrective action. and fair culture process has had a 24s – or four units shipside. The investigation was very thorough,looking positive effect over there. New 'Linde' clamp machines were pur- from front to back, back to front, possibilities, 6 H&S NEWS probabilities, assumptions, actual facts and involving all, from the coal face to senior management and the supplier/reps of the Linde machine. The Tap Root method exposes all as- pects of the operation, warts and all. It is not a blame tool. It is to learn what needs to be done and what didn't get done. So it was not just about the hoist tip but an all-encompassing analysis, to ensure we are being pro-active in keeping the job safe across all parts including training, equip-

Hillside – gone but not forgotten ormer workers from Hillside He added: "KiwiRail's decision to not workshops in Dunedin gathered last bid for either the $500 million contract for FDecember 20 to mark one year since Auckland's new trains, or for some or all of the closure of their past workplace. the 4000 flat top wagons directly contrib- "We shouldn't be here today marking uted to the closure of Hillside. "Manufactur- the anniversary of Hillside's closure. Hill- ing may not have the showbiz appeal of the ... and the heart of the issue side played an important role in our rail film industry and it doesn't get you invited ment, communication, product variation, industry, and there was ample reason for to parties in Hollywood, but it remains New safety, procedure, manufacture. it to stay open," RMTU General Secretary Zealand's third largest employing industry To date we have had a brief draft sum- Wayne Butson said. "What was needed were and deserves better much support from mary of the Tap Root investigation. government ministers with a commitment government." Under the Port 'Just Culture' banner: to local manufacturing and a willingness Butson said Hillside had made a huge to engage an external scrutiniser can to take a whole-of-life view on procure- contribution to the New Zealand rail in- have its merits but also its draw backs, for ment instead of opting for the cheapest dustry and the Dunedin economy over the management and worker alike. This form products available – whatever the long past 130 years, and its workers wanted to of examination identifies not just the posi- term economic and social cost is to local reunite a year on and share some memories tives but uncovers the flaws or weaknesses communities." of their time at the site. too. To my way of thinking this was a brave step by the Port company. As opposed to companies that turn a blind eye to internal NZ Railway Road Services mishaps and cause, as we see presently in Reunion both the logging and mining industries. Woburn bus garage Heading into the new year it will be interesting to see what conclusions have All ex-garage drivers and stores been presented in the fullness of the report staff and partners welcome to a and what the findings may bring us in terms reunion on April 12, 2014 at the of change and whether corrective measures Bellevue Hotel, Lower Hutt. Starts will be applied. More importantly, how at 4pm. much is acted and delivered on. Bring your photos. Enquiries to: Hari Kamaru, Dave Marden, NMC NI ports rep. The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The 027-563-6270 NEWS International 7 Supporting Burmese workers N a show of solidarity and support for Burmese workers, IRMTU general secretary and vice president, Wayne Butson and Howard Phillips, crossed the Thai/Burma border to visit some fledgling Burmese rail unions. They were joined by ICLS general secretary Satori Yamada and ICLS president Edgar Bilayong from the Philippines. "It proved to be one of the most deeply moving and emo- tional experiences I have encoun- tered," said Phillips. "Unions are almost a forgotten concept in that (below) Wayne Butson giving solidarity gifts. on helping workers overseas. The current country. They existed when the British ruled UnionAID project in Burma is focussed on but were banned after the coup in 1962. funding, organising and training activities. There's no one left with any institutional But, says Phillips, many of the problems memory of what they are, what they do or facing these workers is far more fundamen- what they can achieve." tal and personal. For the last 18 months to two years "The British set up the rail network workers have been allowed to form unions along with dedicated housing, hospitals and under strict guidelines. The most stringent social services all of which has deteriorated of these is a restriction to individual work to near ruin today," he says. "One of the sites and, over time, the opportunity for chaps at the meeting brought a huge file similar work site union to amalgamate first of photographs showing all 200 members regionally and then nationally. companies have gone." of his union giving blood to a hospital Butson and Phillips met, for instance, Meanwhile, he says, the generals are still which has nothing. Imagine - the union is with the Yangon Carriage Repair Workers' in power and "raping" the economy "pur- supplying the blood for a hospital. They Union, the Yangon Locomotive Workers' loining huge swathes" of land and selling also wanted us to help repair their broken Union, the Mandalay Carriage Workers' to foreign entrepreneurs. oxygen generating machine – not just to Union and the Mandalay Locomotive Work- He says the For Sale sign is up in Burma. supply their oxy-acetylene plant but also ers' Union. Railway land is being given to ministers and oxygen for the hospital." Each of these mini unions must workers are rightly concerned. Meanwhile He said that although they talked to create and develop their own structures and the "capitalist vultures fill the planes" ar- the representatives about employers and organisation. They are not initially permit- riving to "suck up all the resources of poor collective agreements "their real focus is ted to consort or work with each other. little Burma". social and looking after the welfare of their However, through international sup- "Unfettered capitalism is being un- members". port and funding, trained individuals are leashed there where they are buying cheap Not only are the social services starved traversing the country, talking to workers and sucking the life out of the country." of funds but so are the work sites. and encouraging the formation of new work Phillips believes the RMTU's efforts in "Safety glasses and gloves are only site unions. Burma should go into organising and help- brought out when visitors tour the plants, The Transport Worker March 2014 "The union movement in Burma is at ing them grow the union movement and otherwise they stay in cupboards. The a very fledgling stage," says Phillips. "Ross keeping their members but adds that it's union officials wanted us to buy some to Wilson (ex RMTU general secretary and CTU really difficult to ignore the human needs protect their workers. One also wanted us president) spent last year working there of these workers. to repair the roof of the workshop which helping to train these organisers and assist "If there's one thing the RMTU should leaked so badly in the rain it caused elec- with the formation of these small unions. He do internationally for our brother and sister trical short circuits electrocuting workers. has developed a project around rail workers workers then it's helping these new unions. Basic stuff which we take for granted. The which he is keen for the RMTU to join." This is what we should be doing. We can social services - housing, welfare, hospitals, Wilson was instrumental in forming make a difference now that we are aware education – once supplied by the railway UnionAID a CTU-affiliated charity focussed of their plight." 8 Health & SAFETY Pike's lessons for us all

ragedy at Pike River Mine – How became part of the myth. and why 29 men died - and what it's Macfie was on the scene from Tgot to do with you! the beginning, reporting events and The tragedy at Pike River, its inevitabil- following up with stories focussed ity, the owners' greed, the Government's on its human cost. inaction and its lasting lessons for workers Early on she said she sensed everywhere struck home to RMTU general that this was principally going to secretary Wayne Butson who read the book be a story of profound business over the summer. He says this is an impor- failure around a company with a tant book for unionists to read. He called brand built upon "assumptions it an "engaging, sad and depressing read". and mistruths". The book, written by The Listener jour- Nine things stood out for her nalist Rebecca Macfie, describes how the in those early days including a tragedy unfolded in exquisite and excruc- false description in the company's iating detail and leaves readers in no doubt 2007 prospectus saying the coal that this was a disaster that could have – and seam had low to moderate gas, should have – been prevented. when it was well known to be Macfie said: "The Pike story made me very gassy; the walkout of three deeply angry and ashamed. I was ashamed of the company's directors at that this had happened in our country, and the end of 2006; the blowout in I felt it was a stain on the nation." costs; the collapse of the ventila- Unfortunately, she also concludes that tion shaft; improper geological the factors in place at Pike River which led exploration; and more.

to the catastrophe are also prevalent in Most of this was there in black and white properly assure the safety of the work and many other businesses and enterprises in in the company documents. This was a com- compel employers to provide a safe work New Zealand. pany that had habitually over-promised, and place still sits on the statutes books – The outstanding feature of the book says never delivered she said. essentially unchanged," said Butson. Butson is the sheer waste of human life and "These were conditions we would nor- "Macfie believes that it is a story for all New resources for so little return. mally associate with third world countries," Zealanders. This was a preventable tragedy, "The pit was mined for about a year for said Butson. "It reminded me of the lead up and many of the factors that put Pike in a pathetic 42,000 tonnes, about two ship to the Tranz Rail Ministerial Enquiry where such a fragile position are common in many loads. The price? 29 lives and about $350 Tranz Rail had put productivity and profit organisations such as overblown promises, million of capital." ahead of safety." denial of problems, solutions deferred, an The company behind the venture, Pike West Coast mine owners, safety inspec- unwillingness to listen to criticism and a River Coal, touted the coal as amongst the tors and, above all, miners and their families blatant disregard of the knowledge from best in the world. In fact it wasn't but gov- spoke willingly and openly to Macfie as she the shop floor." ernment and investors bought the story and researched her book Macfie points to the failings of the com- Men from the Mines Rescue Service, pany's health and safety system which she she said helped her build a picture of what Where the %##*# are you? describes as "comprehensive and shocking" really happened in those five days after Did you get that important notice from the and while her book focusses on Pike River, November 19. Union last month? Last year? Any time? If you believes "there is a little bit of Pike in many "Pike is really two tragedies," she said, haven’t had any mail from RMTU head office of our organisations". "That the explosion of November 19 hap- then you had better tell us where you’ve "As rail workers we are well aware of pened at all, and secondly the appalling moved to. Check your address by: how exaggeration, arrogance, denial and mismanagement of the emergency and how l talking to your branch chair who has a list deferral can affect the work environment," bureaucracy trumped effective decision- of local members and their details; says Butson. "Our record is one of improve- making. This ultimately meant the mine l going to the Union website and updating ment. But all the more reason to remain was left to blow up three more times. It is your details – http://bit.ly/exmEyL vigilant and to keep the bosses honest. because of that that the 29 bodies are still l phoning 04-499-2066; It is incumbent upon us all to be alert to entombed in the mountain." l faxing 04-471-0896 ; the gradually accumulating perils that may "People may feel that 'Pike' is over but The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The l giving us your e-mail to save on postage. gather under our very noses." the legislative framework which failed to 9

KiwiRail fails Safety nightmare partnership from Peru programme HE Rail & Maritime Transport but on a corner it is high risk. The worst safety audit Union recently called on KiwiRail possible thing that could happen is that Tto reinspect about 160,000 Peru- the track fails when a loaded passenger iwiRail is currently trying to vian sleepers in the national rail network. train is on it," he said. retrieve its tertiary status un- However, KiwiRail chief executive Jim Kerr said a 10kph speed restriction was Kder the Accredited Employer Quinn said the sleepers posed no safety immediately placed on the affected section Programme (AEP), otherwise known risk and the company would never leave of the track in the Gorge. as the partnership programme. The "things unsafe". But he pointed out the problem was recent independent audit down- According to the union, a recent in- that the equipment KiwiRail used to check graded KRG’s (KiwiRail Group) spection of a section of track in the Buller the sleepers was not working properly. status from tertiary to the primary Gorge highlighted damage to a significant Kerr said KiwiRail had agreed to switch (entry level) status. number of sleepers on a curved part of to a new process of checking sleepers, but The AEP is an ACC incentive the track. the Union wanted all Peruvian sleepers to programme where KiwiRail steps Union organiser John Kerr said many be rechecked. into the shoes of ACC and provides Peruvian sleepers were rotting from the He called the situation a "safety night- both injury prevention and injury inside. "A piece on a straight bit is low risk, mare" waiting to happen. management systems in return for a reduction in their ACC levies. Areas of failure included protection of workers from work undertaken by contractors and sub contractors. Lyttelton safety The auditor commented that “KRG had some difficulty providing evidence of formal contractors safety highlighted monitoring” and recommended KRG HE Rail & Maritime formalise its processes around moni- Transport Union and toring contractor safety performance Tthe Maritime Union and review its process of allowing of New Zealand called for subcontractors to work onsite with- a review of safety systems out a full induction. at Lyttelton Port following Emergency planning was another two recent deaths of port area of concern with the recommen- workers. dation to ensure that trials of emer- The Maritime Union gency procedures occur consistently called for a meeting with at all sites every six months. management and safety of- Evidence of health and safety ficials to discuss health and rep training was lacking with the safety at the quake-damaged majority of health and safety reps port near Christchurch, while interviewed not receiving training in the RMTU said safety needs the last two years. One of the main The Transport Worker March 2014 serious attention following criticisms voiced by worker reps was the two deaths. that corrective actions remain on the One worker died in De- during the rebuild "but the footprint is HSAT minutes without resolution. cember on board a docked fertiliser vessel entirely unchanged" making safety issues The auditor recommended better and a contractor killed in a logging truck "a worry". escalation of unresolved issues. accident in late November. MUNZ national secretary Joe Fleet- KRG has an opportunity to RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson wood charged that the port has become address the auditors concerns said the tonnage of shipments work- more dangerous since the 2011 earth- before the decision to downgrade is ers were dealing with had increased quakes as it has grown busier. finalised. 10 Health & SAFETY Serious incident in Otira Tunnel N November 6, 2013 workers in exposed to carbon monoxide and nitrogen travelled on open wagons. the Otira Tunnel were involved in dioxide fumes generated from both petrol The final serious incident occurred Othree serious safety incidents dur- and diesel combustion. Witnesses reported when, due to the incorrect orientation of ing rail recovery work inside the tunnel. The a cloud of reddish brown fumes engulfing the wagon, the crane boom hit the wall of incident prompted MBIE's high hazard unit the crew and the detector alarms sounding. the tunnel lifting the wagon from the rail. (HHU) to issue 11 improvement notices The crew did not have access to their One worker noticed but did not raise it with and three prohibition notices for KiwiRail masks and filters because they were put the ganger and almost certainly the crane to take action on. in an open wagon that was not easily ac- accident was a result of the disorientation The specialist health and safety inspec- cessible. At least three men described CO the workers suffered from the diesel fume tor for the HHU, Dave Bellett, was scathing poisoning symptoms including confusion exposure. of the safety management system and identified a long list of safety improve- Whilst the crane incident was re- ments required of KiwiRail, including Right to refuse unsafe work ported on the day the fume exposure the need for workers to be more - RMTU survey results incident was not reported until the involved with identifying the hazards following day. they face whilst doing the job, task Following the November incident the RMTU sur- In the interim, no workers received analysis and the development of how veyed a group of KRG track workers to find out how medical attention nor were any blood hazards are controlled. confident and willing they were to stop the job/task tests conducted. The incidents occurred whilst on safety grounds. The RMTU is deeply disappointed seven track workers and two LEs were Out of the 132 responses, 109 workers reported by the lack of safety management in the in the tunnel removing excess rail. to be very confident about refusing unsafe work. tunnel, particularly in light of the recent This task was required to enable the These survey results are encouraging. joint Otira Tunnel safety review. Work resumption of the TranzScenic pas- "However, the challenge is for workers to iden- Safe's HHU have identified many of the senger train services. tify when their work is not safe, to stop the job and safety failings within their improve- speak up," says RMTU health and safety organiser The job started late, at around 1pm, ment and prohibition notices issued to because the first LE drove through the Karen Fletcher."Better involvement in work plan- KiwiRail. points and there was a stand down un- ning, hazard identification and risk assessments are RMTU general secretary Wayne But- til a replacement LE arrived. At around essential for workers to have a clear picture of what son says: "It is very disappointing that 1pm the work train backed into the they're walking in to." Otira Tunnel from Otira. There were workers felt pressure from above to get six wagons: three with cranes and three the job done to the detriment of their for the rail and generators for lights. and an inability to think straight. safety and health. No one should ever put After around four hours work, they After less than an hour's rest break and productivity ahead of their own or other exited, and then re-entered to finish the job. despite a reported reluctance from the workers' safety. The RMTU will totally back Whilst exiting the tunnel with the work- crew, the men re-entered the tunnel to any of its members if they stop work on ers travelling in open wagons they were continue removing the rails. Again, the men safety grounds." RMTU launches safety campaign

THE Otira gas incident showed workers felt under pressure to get the job done and put work demand ahead of safety. The right to challenge unsafe work is fundamental and the RMTU will stand by you and support you to stop the job when safety is compromised. The RMTU has launched a new safety campaign encouraging members to refuse unsafe work and contact the RMTU for advice. A poster is being produced bearing the message: If the job's not safe – just say NO The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The 11 MBIE rulings Sequence of events 0730-0800 MBIE are seeking improvement from KiwiRail in the following areas: Staff arrived at Otira. n Improve the hazard management system for rail maintenance tasks to involve employees undertaking the work. This involvement can include 0800 task analysis, risk assessments and the development of hazard controls; Safety briefing and preparations to enter the tunnel. n Improve gas awareness for employees working in tunnels; 0845 n Ensure that the person who supervises work in tunnels is a holder Loco ran through the points causing delay of three hours. of a gas tester certificate of competence and that supervision is their 0845-1200 sole task; Down time. n Ensure employees working in tunnels wear self-contained self-rescue 1225-1240 sets at all times and are trained in the use of the device; Staff sat on EWR wagon next to locomotive stopping at ap- n When locomotives are used with work crews inside tunnels, a set of prox. the 121km mark. Doors closed, two fans operating. locomotive engineer safety rules be developed for the particular tunnel and wagon configuration; 1240-1520 n Improve the document control process so that only the latest version The rail was uplifted onto the three forward wagons. is available to employees; Petrol generators powered lighting and winch. n Introduce a change management process so that deviations from 1520-1530 documented procedures can be approved and recorded. If changes Staff rode out – two in the cabs, seven on the wagons. to documentation are made, as well as a document control process, a 1530 change management process should be in place to ensure all workers The tunnel doors are opened at the request (LE). are familiar with and able to carry out the changes; 1530-1545 n Install a real time gas monitoring system that displays and records Gas exposure experienced. Brakes released to allow the gas readings inside the tunnel. CO and NO2 should be monitored; train to get out of the tunnel quicker. NO power was n Introduce a trigger action response plan to manage gas events in the applied. Both NO2 and CO alarms went off. tunnel so that workers can quickly respond and protect themselves in a gas event; 1545 n In the event of a gas exposure, a medical treatment process should Train stopped on western side of bridge 50. be developed that clearly outlines the expected treatment for the 1545-1610 exposure levels; and Lighting rearranged. n When re-rail work is being undertaken in the tunnel, surplus track 1610-1615 should be removed at the time. Train travelled back in to tunnel with staff travelling again Prohibition notices require KiwiRail to: on EWRs. Doors closed, two fans operating. n Substitute petrol generators with safe alternative energy sources to 1615-1725 address the risk of carbon monoxide in a confined space and explo- Rail recovery task performed. sion risk; n Replace petrol engines with a safer means of power (inside the tun- 1725 nel); and Crane boom hits tunnel wall caused by incorrect orienta- n Maintenance teams enter and exit tunnel from the Arthurs Pass end tion of the wagons. where possible. If entry and exit from the Otira end is essential, a strict 1725-1730 entry protocol is to be developed. Crane issue sorted out. RMTU launches safety campaign Since the incident both KiwiRail and the HHU have investigated though 1730-1745 their reports have not been released. Rail uplift cancelled, train departed tunnel with rail recovery crew travelling in loco cabs.

Regulator backs RMTU safety message Post 1745 The Transport Worker March 2014 A catch up with person in charge at the surface who rang THE chief inspector (extractives) of WorkSafe's HHU, the area manager to tell him about the crane incident. Tony Forster, strongly supports the RMTU's safety mes- 7 November sage. He says: "If you're not satisfied with the safety situ- 1300 ation, step back and tell your employer your concern. If Area manager made aware of incident. you're still not happy contact the regulator." Tony has even gone so far as to offer tunnel work- 8 November ers his mobile phone number and encourages workers 0730 to call direct to discuss safety issues in the tunnels. His Area manager reported to regional manager. number is 027-702-3897. Source- Dave Bellett- specialist health and safety inspector, high hazards unit, MBIE. Emailed to RMTU November 20, 2013. 12 NEWS Passchendaele loco almost restored

HE restoration of the First World finally totalling 151 War memorial steam locomotive Ab locomotives by the T608, Passchendaele, has reached the late 1950s. final stages. In 1925 the When recommissioned, the historic minister of railways, arranged for Steam Incorporated, which locomotive will be able to feature on com- Gordon Coates, agreed to a proposal to specialises in the restoration and operation memorative trains, hauling appropriate name a locomotive in memory of those of heritage rail equipment, to restore it to period carriages, in association with events members of the New Zealand Railways who operating condition. marking the centenary of the war. fell in the Great War. More than 5,000 rail- After many years of work, during which Staff and volunteers, including a number waymen served overseas between 1914 and the boiler underwent major repairs and of RMTU members, at Paekakariki’s herit- 1918 (out of a total workforce of 14,000), the tender was rebuilt from the frames up, age rail operator Steam Incorporated are and 447 were killed. the locomotive began to be reassembled working on completion of the overhaul and After considering the names Somme, Le in late 2012. rebuild of the locomotive, which marks its Quesnoy and Ypres, Coates chose Passchen- The boiler was reunited with the frames own centenary in 2015. daele, the battle in which the New Zealand on December 12, 2012, and the wheels The objective is to have the locomotive Division suffered 18,000 casualties, includ- were fitted soon after. Since then many fit- operational early next year, in time for the ing around 5,000 deaths. The locomotive tings, including the rebuilt cab and running First World War centennial commemora- selected to carry the memorial nameplates boards, have been added. tions. was Ab 608. A replica of the memorial name- To date, more than $300,000 has been Ab 608, Passchendaele – the only steam plates is part of the war memorial unveiled spent on the project. locomotive officially given a name by the on Armistice Day, 2010, at Hutt workshops. Donations to the project are tax-deduct- New Zealand Government Railways in the After 50 years the locomotive was retired ible (#29197). Work remaining, includes 20th century – was the first of the class in October 1967 when its boiler required final commissioning and test-running and when introduced in October 1915. It went heavy repairs and was subsequently given is likely to cost up to $100,000, so dona- on to become the most numerous class of to the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive tions, large or small, to aid this nationally steam locomotive to run in New Zealand, Society Inc for preservation. In 1993 it was The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The important project are welcome. 13 Enjoy your holidays .....

Vacation: a period of time that a in to work when rosters can't be filled such better organised there would have been LEs person spends away from home, school, or as happened to one our members in the to cover the shifts without having to plead business usually in order to relax or travel; South Island. with members having a well-earned rest. the number of days or hours per year for which an employer agrees to pay workers He was called three times to fill holes in The Union strongly believes that a while they are not working. the roster and finally gave in when he was well-spent vacation not only recharges the spun a sob story of cancelled trains and batteries but makes for a safer and better HE overall purpose of a vacation is to unhappy passengers. work environment. allow workers time to recoup energy Our member was entitled to his full an- In the story outlined above the bosses Tlevels, spend time with family and nual leave AND entitled to spend it without admitted to making an error and in that generally wind down and relax. being hassled by the Company. Maybe they case the matter is closed. Workers on leave should not be viewed suspected he would be a soft touch but if However, it is a warning and a 'heads as a pool of idle hands waiting to be called the depot was fully staffed and the roster up' for us all. Les Box staunch Otago rail branch unionist recognised T someone's instigation we met and dedication of Brother Box to the trade at Dunedin's Toitu Museum at union movement and, more particularly, A9:30 am on January 17: Brothers his involvement with the RMTU and its Spence, Box and Kelly (pictured). Sister predecessors. He presented him with a Julia from national office was fashion- certificate of appreciation from the RMTU. ably late. Clearly, whoever picked the It seemed appropriate to capture the venue and time had failed to factor in occasion in front of a steam locomotive the tourism trade because the Museum given that Brother Box had been a steam does not open until 10am! Instead, we man during his career. The locomotive wandered along to the iconic Dunedin Railway Station to partake Josephine (a double ended Fairle) was chosen which, contrary of coffee and cakes and to engage in some very pleasant social to rumours, Brother Kelly did not actually build but Brother Box intercourse. did drive on its inaugural run from Dunedin to Port Chalmers. After consuming our refreshment we ventured back to the We all wish Brother Les Box a very long, healthy and peaceful Museum where Brother Kelly recognised the loyalty, commitment retirement.

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HE International Centre for Labour This was explored by way of four Solidarity (ICLS), held its 2013 themes; Organising in other sectors; In- Tforum in Hat Yai, a city in southern ternational solidarity; Connection with Thailand, on 16 - 18 November under the politics; and Cooperation with citizens' banner: Global workers unite – fight for organisation. another world! Speakers presented on a range of topics The forum was hosted by the State in support of these themes, with opportuni- Railway Workers' Union of Thailand (SRUT) ties given to forum attendees to ask ques- and was well attended with representatives tions or add comment. from eight nations from around the Asia- Presentations included work on the Pacific region. You may recall that the RMTU Hope Bus Project in Korea, neo liberalism hosted the 2012 ICLS forum in Wellington. and its impacts on world economies and General secretary, Wayne Butson per- workers and volunteering and cooperating formed the role of moderator during the with community organisations to achieve forum and national vice president Howard common gaols. Some were truly inspir- Phillips delivered an informative presenta- ational. tion on International Solidarity. I encourage readers to check out the One day one forum attendees partici- Hope Bus campaign at: pated in a friendship tour which started with We then travelled back in time and bit.ly/1fUQ0xX a street march from the hotel to the Hat Yai into the jungle where we visited the Railway Station and then to the local SRUT underground encampment of the offices where we were introduced to the Malaysian Communist Party (MCP) SRUT railway workers and unionists who on the Thai side of the border. The have been unlawfully, in our view, sacked MCP effectively formed an army and from their job for raising health and safety have fought Malaysian government concerns. These unionists are true heroes troops for over 25 years. They have and are paying a high personal price for developed an extensive network their actions – actions taken to save the of tunnels within a fortified hilltop lives of their fellow workers. deep in the jungle. Their actions Some years ago the RMTU gave a dona- meant they were not readily able tion to assist the Hat Yai branch of SRUT to to return to Malaysia without facing set up a shop. The shop generates revenue some form of punishment and they which is used to help support the families have no legal status in Thailand. of the sacked workers. In what I believe is a magnan- After visiting the SRUT offices we toured imous gesture, the King of Thailand the Hat Yai locomotive depot. granted the former members of the The provinces in the south of Thailand MCP the right to remain in Thailand, are not particularly safe. There is a war be- and he gifted each family a portion ing engaged by separatist groups and the of land so that they might be able to hijacking of trains and other similarly dan- maintain themselves. gerous activities have occurred. Locomotive They have since made a museum engineers wear body armour and carry of the tunnels and former encamp- firearms when they drive into the southern ment, have created a fish farm and provinces. We understand four locomo- have extensive plantations of rubber tives engineers have been killed in the last trees. They have become a sustain- year. I believe it is unsafe to put locomotive able community within this corner engineers into such a position and that of Thailand. until routes can be secured all trains into Days two and three saw us in the these areas should be suspended. When forum proper. we commemorate Workers' Memorial Day The main theme was to Identify on 28 April we will remember those fallen Strategies to Strengthen Workers' brothers and others like them. Power. Loco crew member wearing body armour for a The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The regular run. 15

and the Forest Seawall project in Japan at: bit.ly/LQE2fq Interislander Industrial Council We found that despite the fact that we are working in different countries under different regimes, we face many of the same chal- ollowing the lenges. These include: moves towards privatisation of state assets; elections last year, the role and presences of multinational organisations; increased FVern Steele was moves towards casualisation of the work force; and a reduction elected as a new ferry in secure work as well as promises made by politicians prior to operation (outside) South elections which are forgotten or not actioned when they gain the rep. Welcome on board seat of power. Vern and welcome back Check out the RMTU website for more information on campaigns to the rest of the team. and links. The IIC had a reasonably productive year in 2013 rmtunion.org.nz with three meetings held and the terms of reference Vern Steele ferry operations for this forum outside south rep. bit.ly/M9VMDl "Made my day" being agreed and signed off. There are at least four meetings planned for 2014. There have also been separate meetings of the IIC to work through a KiwiRail-initiated market study of terms and conditions for all Interislander employees. John Finch ferry operations The market study is outside north rep. being carried out by the RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson congratulated organis- same company, DSD, that ers of the State Railway Union of Thailand (SRUT) for their did KiwiRail I&E and me- success in getting 13 members – six from Hat Yai and seven from chanical roles. It is fair to Bangkok –- reinstated on full pay with no blame attached to their say there is a fair amount of records plus back pay, when they were summarily dismissed cynicism from members for some four years previously. the market study, with the "This is excellent news," said Butson. "My day has improved diverse roles that members immensely and I am rejoicing in your victory." perform. However he advised caution in their celebrations noting What is the market and the intransigent and anti-union attitude of the governor of SRT. would any comparison be "As I recall the SRT governor is hostile to the union and the relevant? Time will tell. leadership and so may struggle to sign off the reinstatement To date members have provided input on their orders." Tania Haraki Scale 1 south rep. SRUT leaders have promised to keep the RMTU informed of roles and provided position any hiccups and when the men finally return to work. descriptions, the IIC has met and gone line by line

He called their actions "brave" and looked forward to them The Transport Worker March 2014 getting back to where they belong. through the drafts that DSD The Thai workers were fighting for a safer rail network, are preparing. arguing that under-staffing, lack of safety measures and per- From here, final docu- sistent driver fatigue were rife and were the true cause of a ments are being prepared number of recent accidents. The employers thought otherwise and a list of companies is and did nothing so the SRUT took action. State Rail and the being prepared to represent government retaliated by dismissing workers and bringing in the market, then the market raw recruits. The dispute escalated and gained support from study will take place. The unionists worldwide. IIC will hold meetings in both terminals to present Chris Hanna Scale 1 north rep. the results. 16 EDUCATION RMTU supports Korean workers RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson and ITF rail section chair, Oystein Aslaksen, joined the protests in icy conditions in Korea.

HE Korean Railway Workers' international support it received Union's‚ (KRWU) 23-day long with close to 15,000 people signing Tstrike against privatisation is a petition calling on the Korean gov- over. Late last year the KRWU reached ernment and employers to respect Protest at Wellington's an agreement with the Korean Nation- railway workers' right to strike. In al Assembly to form a subcommittee addition, the ITF international day Korean Embassy called the Development of the Rail of action on December 10 and con- Industry which will include KRWU tinued protests at Korean embassies participation. after the raid on the KCTU office Despite striking for 23 days, the on December 22 demonstrated the union was unable achieve its central global significance of the struggle. The goal of stopping the Korean govern- presence of two ITF missions in Korea ment from establishing and licensing during the strike gave tremendous a private company to run the new high support to members speed Suseo KTX line. Instead the Meanwhile, repression against the union claims the government rushed KRWU has not disappeared. Dismissal through this process in a 'cowardly of some 490 members and other and legally questionable' manner. The RMTU organiser Todd Valster and members of forms of disciplinary measures for KRWU has filed a suit for the cancell- the Wellington rail branch (Metro, Interislander, many more are predicted. The KRWU ation of the operating license. I&E and Freight) stood united with members leadership is still wanted for arrest Nonetheless, the KRWU claims from EPMU, SFWU, TEU, PWU, NZCTU staff and significant success in that the strug- and the suit for damages against the Labour MP Andrew Little in support of Korean gle against rail privatization became a union and its leadership worth over railway workers who were protesting against the struggle for the whole Korean labour 7.7 billion won is still outstanding. Korean government's unpopular rail restructure/ movement. The strike also gathered Support from the international privatisation programme. The band, Brass Razoo, widespread support among Koreans community continues to be impor- played a series of rousing songs including 'I’ve from all walks of life many of whom tant as the KCTU calls for protests been working on the rail road' and a specially actively participated in the struggle around the country. The international written Korean song to mark the occasion. by sending financial and material union community is asked to keep contributions and posting signs with up their measures of protest and such slogan as: "I am not fine!" mak- demand the withdrawal of criminal ing their opposition heard through charges, the damage suit, dismissals social media and coming out in mass and disciplinary measures against the to strike protests. KRWU, and end to labour repression The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The The union is also grateful to the in Korea. 17

Protest at Wellington's Korean Embassy The Transport Worker March 2014 18 PROTEST Assaults in Auckland N the space of three days one recent weekend, five RMTU members were involved in three incidents of assault – one attack Ileft a member with a fractured jaw, another with a fractured eye socket and a third with cuts to the face and smashed glasses. Clearly Transdev are falling down in their responsibility to provide a safe work place. After a series of less serious assaults last year a security manager was employed and Maori wardens increased but these changes have not added the extra protection to keep our members safe. On January 29 a train was disabled at New Lynn due to the brakes not releasing. As this now empty service was returning to Westfield depot a male attempted to get on and was refused entry. As the train departed he climbed the outside of the train in an It would appear that these attacks are increasing and the RMTU attempt to train surf. He was then taken into the carriage. While has highlighted this in talks with Transdev in August 2013 asking inside he set off a fire extinguisher and kicked at the doors as the that a greater effort was required. It was agreed that conflict avoid- train approached Avondale station in an attempt to get off. As the ance training would be conducted – the Union is still waiting for doors opened he punched train manager Deepak Anand in the the pilot course to be run and an opportunity for some participants shoulder, and then punched Kiwirail mechanical engineer Scott to then give feedback to see if the course is viable. Wedlake twice, fracturing his jaw. The RMTU has called for those assaulted our members to be The following weekend, Saturday February 1, a group of eight prosecuted to the full extent of the law. RMTU Auckland organiser youths boarded a service at Ranui and attempted to hold open the Stuart Johnstone says: "Our members should not have to fear for doors. Train manager Wayne Clayton asked them to stop and was their safety. These are honest hard working people who, like every immediately surrounded, punched in the face several times by one other worker, deserves and expects to be able to come to work and kicked in the abdomen by two others. He received a fractured do their job and go home safely at the end of the day. This kind of eye socket for doing his job. This same group later attacked train anti-social behaviour is not acceptable and neither our members manager Deepak Manga at Swanson. His hand held device was – nor anyone else – deserves to be the butt of such treatment." knocked to the ground and as he went to pick it up he was hit by In an email exchange Transdev security manager Stephen Mor- one of the group knocking his glasses off his face. Then they were gan, wrote: "As you can imagine, we too are seriously concerned smashed by one of the group stomping on them. Deepak was about the recent events and have been working closely with the treated for a cut to his eye. police and Auckland Transport (CCTV), to identify and hold the Transdev have a few bridges to repair with members if they hope persons responsible to account." to control this situation. The International Federation of Transport He added that Transdev would seek prosecution, maximum Workers says: Rights and protections should be recognised in agree- penalty and full publicity of the cases and will serve trespass notices ments with employers, fully respected and implemented. banning the perpetrators from the rail corridor. Too often our members have felt that the finger has been In the incident involving Wayne Clayton police located the pointed at them while not enough has been done to prosecute group and are presently taking action via the youth justice system actual offenders. They also complain of a clear lack of support, and in the assault to Deepak Manga and Scott Wedlake police ar- action and understanding of what it is like for members when they rested the offender who has been charged with serious assaults. have been the victim of similar unprovoked attacks.

Unions have a long tradition of international solidarity.

Becoming a Kiwi Solidarity member is a modern way of expressing that solidarity and helping vulnerable workers in developing countries in our region get a fairer deal. Sign up to UnionAID today UnionAID is the only New Zealand overseas aid agency that places workers’ rights at the centre of its work. tel: 04 385 1334 (ext 810), fax: 04 385 6051, write: P O Box 6689, Marion Square, Wellington, email: [email protected] Or phone 0900 UNAID (0900 862 43) to automatically donate $30. The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The www.unionaid.org.nz PROFILES 19 Education is the key arran Roles, a recent graduate subsidised by the RMTU of the New Zealand Certificate in and the CTU and is run DEmployment Relations, believes by the CTU through the education is the key to success and is NZQA. something everyone should continue with Darran said: "The for life – despite decreasing funding. course was interesting The UK-trained locomotive engineer and covered a lot of in- arrived in Auckland as a new migrant in formation. In the end the 2009 and has followed – and continues to focus was on solutions follow – the principle of life-long study. and how to talk through In the past he focussed on studying social different opinions of- sciences, health and safety and electrics and fered by companies, now, having completed the above course, management and work- single manager." PHOTOGRAPH: Ant Vaughan is embarking on a study of applied manage- ers. The course helped me understand how Overall, Don has been involved with the ment while training to become a freight negotiations work, how unions represent development and running of the course for locomotive driver. He also has his eyes members and the different laws we all live 14 years and is currently putting the final on further health and safety courses and a with. In the final analysis it gave me a better touches to a Level 3 course which will focus leadership course currently being tested. insight into the whole process of negotia- on leadership skills. Darran has been a union member tions from start to finish." "This one will be more classroom- since he joined rail in Manchester in 1981. The online course is run by Don Farr based," he said. "Curiously, considering First with the NUR and later, after getting from the Wairarapa. He says: "While it is that the course focusses on employment his locomotive engineer's certificate, with only a Level 2 course it is easily adapted relations, a significant number of graduates ASLEF. He had no hesitation joining the to suit differing levels. For instance senior have been put into leadership roles within RMTU when he arrived in New Zealand. nurses and polytech teachers have com- their workplace by their bosses, which RMTU general secretary, Wayne Butson, pleted it." to me speaks of how well-respected and applauds Darran's endeavours saying: "It is He adds that the course has not been thorough it is." not only a right for our members to up skill picked up by any training institution in the The Level 2 covers five main topics: Our themselves and undertake further study but country. The CTU is the only place which rights at work; workplace relations; getting an essential part of life. It's a crying shame offers the course so he has a precise picture organised; the role of union delegates; and that this Government has slashed funding on who has completed the course since it the legal framework we all work under. to later-life learning destroying the concept started five years ago. Students are given two months to com- of life-long learning." "And I can tell you that only about 25 plete each unit. The employment relations course was union delegates have completed it – not a A true unionist ony Dreaver is one of the RMTU "When I took on the delegate's role I was delegates in Toll TranzLink in told that as long as I kept the flow of infor- TChristchurch. He's part of a team mation going between the national office that ensures our members are well repre- and the membership I was doing 90% of the sented on site. job, the rest I'd pick up as I went along."

Tony has worked for Toll for six years, And that's just what Tony has done. The Transport Worker March 2014 starting not long after he moved up to He has had the benefit of delegate training Christchurch from the deep south. Like along the way and has proved that he has a everyone who has been around for the last talent for signing up new members of staff diligent worker and an honest advocate for three years he's an earthquake survivor, into the RMTU. "Nobody's turned me down the members. The membership also values the difference is that he volunteered to yet," he says with a rueful grin. Tony's support and work, they know that if be a delegate only a year or so after the Tony is a quietly spoken person but they need help they have someone to turn February 2011 shake, taking on a role that takes his job at Toll seriously and views his to who is calm and level headed. many of our members see as demanding delegate's role in the same light. Toll branch Thanks Tony, it's people like you who and stressful. manager Doug McNichol speaks highly of make the RMTU one of the most effective "It's not too bad really," says Tony. him, knowing that he is a responsible and unions in New Zealand. 20

Thomas calls by for a visit ANY will know that Transdev, & 10. An ADL DMU ran each day running addition to GVR's own marketing, very good through its 'Spirit' programme, three services to Glenbrook and four return. patronage was experienced. With good luck, Mtogether with partners KiwiRail, Transdev staff volunteered their time all passengers who turned up at Papakura Auckland Transport and Murphy Buses ran to both learn the route to become certified station were able to be accommodated (just) shuttle trains between Papakura and the for the Mission Bush branch and to drive so the shuttle concept could be judged a Glenbrook Vintage Railway on the Mission the trains on their rostered day. Your scribe success. Bush branch. This was to give members of was assigned the role of officer in charge at It was so busy each time a shuttle train the public a novel opportunity to travel on Glenbrook and that too required gaining a was at Glenbrook there was no time for this route from anywhere on the Auckland qualification, together with some tutelage at a photo to record the occasion, so we Metro network, transferring to shuttle trains Glenbrook on the first few trips. “staged” a photo opportunity so that the at Papakura, to attend GVR’s 'Day out with The weather was fine for the weekend weekend could be properly recorded for Thomas' over the weekend of November 9 and with marketing of the shuttle trains in posterity. CAPTION COMPETITION WIN $100 prize Entries close 28 APRIL 2014. Winner will be contacted and name and entry published in the JUNE 2014 issue of The Transport Worker. Entries can be sent to [email protected] Last issue's winner

The winning entry came from Eileen Kerr of Christchurch: Intelligence, charm, brains, good looks…… and three blokes! Make up an appropriate (or even inappropriate) caption for this photo and win a cash prize of $100. The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The Around the branches 21

arly February 2013, the start of our WELLINGTON PORT BRANCH collective bargaining talks, was also and call it a day. Stoddy was raised close to for the Wellington Harbour Board as the Ethe beginning of a dispute focussed what's referred to as NZ's little Italy, Island plumber's workshop driver. After the port on the employer's wish to impose a four- Bay. Softball was a popular sport in the Bay reforms of 1988 he moved to the plant op- hour shift on permanent workers in the and it soon became one of Stoddy's passions. erator's pool where opportunities arose for cargo section and for it to be inserted inside So much so that he was selected coach of the him to show his ability as a crane operator. the collective. This of course went down like NZ representative side. In his younger days His natural ability as a coach saw him a lead balloon when presented to members he pitched with some success. However, take on the role of port trainer and as an – and rightly so. when it came to running bases his gangly NZQA assessor. Many a straddle driver and A Memorandum of Understanding figure and large feet soon had him saddled crane driver have learnt their skills from his (MOU) was proposed with strict rulings with the nickname of Flipper. He's a great expert guidance. around how, when or if it is used, limit- ideas man and even better delegator. With He saw all workers in the cargo sec- ing it to a maximum of two per week. The these skills he established what must be tion port gain NZQA certification in cargo MOU expires one day before the end of the amongst the best softball tournaments in handling. In 2006 he became chair of the collective and, most important, sits outside NZ. He's still coaching and NZ softball owes branch and was a fair and honest spokesman the collective. a lot to his enthusiasm. – always willing to go into bat for anyone At the time of writing, the employer has His work career took him briefly to Aus- getting a raw deal. still not utilised this MOU. tralia and then to a Hawke's Bay meat works Enjoy your retirement big guy and keep Warren (Stoddy) Stoddart, branch secre- before returning to Wellington to work on slugging! tary has finally decided to hang up his hook

APPY New Year from sunny Nelson NELSON PORT BRANCH where there is plenty happening. Currently, we have proposals on early May. employment status; and who gets training H On the H&S front, the branch is keen to and who gets work which causes conflict the table to form a dedicated marine team for the floating plant. Consultation started make sure members take H&S seriously, to when we are looking for unity (a collective late last year and continued with a meeting challenge themselves and others if they think effort in our workplace) regardless of em- on February 12. Positive progress has been their actions or inactions could cause harm. ployment status. made and we await a response from Port The employee participation agreement was Our branch president, Peter Hoff, was Nelson. Also, there are new roles in the signed off in 2012 so this year it is timely to injured at work in early January and due to cargo section being proposed. measure the reality against what was agreed. complications became very unwell. Thank- Our collective agreement expires in June There are plenty of challenges: to make fully he is now on the mend. We wish Peter so we are preparing for the talks to kick off sure members are treated fairly with train- a speedy recovery and our thoughts go to ing and work opportunities; the varying him and his family.

ROM the freight members we would NORTHLAND RAIL BRANCH first like to thank all the guys in the verse the expectation that we have sufficient rejected ‘has beens’ slow old trucks, just Ftrack gangs that have helped keep time to search through two or three pages able to keep in front of touring cyclists up our line open, they have done an incredible of restrictions is very unrealistic. hill. Nerves get frail having to contend with job considering the limited amount of staff, On a more positive note, while log corporate hotshots from Cram Jam City and we all appreciate their efforts. tonnage has been a little down we are still heading to beach, driving the likes of Audi On the gripe side we continue to get managing to keep Portland supplied. Dairy SUVs, jet skis in tow, taking suicidal risks. locos up here that are not fully serviced, tonnage certainly seems to be up on last These captains of industry need to think not sometimes not repaired and often not fully year, and Wellsford is still going strong. only of their trophy wives and privileged The Transport Worker March 2014 equipped. This is a real problem as we carry On the I & E front many of the boys kids, but also of other road users who cop no spares and end up robbing Peter to pay trekked down to work the Auckland block of it when things get terribly wrong. Paul just to keep the trains running. lines over Christmas, others staying locally Seriously, the point is our guys are There seems to be an expectation that to work in the yard on a major drainage further exposed by old trucks that struggle LEs are able to identify speed restrictions project. to maintain normal traffic speed, are old, from the bulletins. This was brought to With the summer holiday traffic and smokey, noisy and uncomfortable to ride light after there was a bit of confusion with ever increasing numbers of logging trucks in and with axles weighted poorly for the the placing of some speed boards. Speed due to the strong demand for export logs, job – a safety issue. So come on KR stop boards up here are vitally important as driving around the roads is becoming hairy. using the ‘line under review’ excuse and there are a lack of visible mileage pegs due Members get lumped with other regions do right by your staff. to track side growth. In the terrain we trans- 22 Around the branches NORTHLAND RAIL BRANCH [cont] On the political front our branch chair, panel. Alby reports all hopefuls are strongly The rail/port amalgamation is heading Alby Barr, has been appointed to the rail and worker rights focused. Now that’s to a conclusion and is in the hands of na- Whangarei Labour Party candidate selection winning! tional management to confirm. NORTHLAND PORT BRANCH APPY New Year to you all. We have increase for us given our small numbers without too much hassle, the rail link to recently welcomed five new mem- and the contact from the local rail branch Marsden Point is recognised as essential for Hbers to our ranks, while others (with is building momentum, to hopefully one growth. While there is no set timeline on no union background) are asking questions Northland branch. when this will occur, sooner is clearly our and considering signing up. This is a good While life ticks along up here very nicely preferred option. WAIKATO RAIL BRANCH T has been a quiet Christmas/New Year There is the issue of speeding in the yard they can monitor the speed of the locos. period, with the exception of the dispute and RCOs and ROs are receiving coaching The branch is holding its remit meeting Ithat has arisen over ARSH duties, a meet- letters if the locos go beyond the speed on Monday February 25. There has been ing with management on the February 10, limit. However the RCOs and ROs do not a lot of discussion about putting forward may help to resolve this issue. have a speed gauge readily available so that remits to improve the manning levels.

BAY OF PLENTY PORT BRANCH Once again the company are more E are preparing for a dispute Quality Marshalling, having lost a sub- worried about keeping businesses viable over the introduction of Quality stantial amount of log marshalling contracts than having any concern about job security. WMarshalling onto Sulphur Point. to ISO, are now, with the support of the Meanwhile, it's the guys at the workface Their arrival will dramatically affect the job Port of Tauranga, being moved into Sulphur who are ensuring that the high productivity security of our members. Point as its days are numbered in logs. levels remain the best in the country. $1,500 AD&D All members of RMTU are now covered by a $1,500 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit, including $500 spouse coverage and a further $500 coverage on dependent children.

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The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The Please note: To qualify for the $10,000 of additional ADB coverage, an AIL representative must visit you, obtain an enrollment form and collect premium for the first year. You may renew annually thereafter for $5. 23

HE Kamai Tunnel focus group has BAY OF PLENTY RAIL BRANCH finalised their conclusions and it is Tnow a matter of whether KiwRail put into place the report's conclusions! A date for remits is to be set. ia ora sisters and brothers, a safe and abounding new year to all, NAPIER PORT BRANCH Kthough not such a good in some something which is not quite right, fix it. Union also. All good! parts unfortunately. An ounce of prevention is worth far Union activity within C3 Napier contin- Already this year we see the forestry more than the pound of cure: "zero harm" ues within the logging section. Phil Spans- industry and the port sector coming out is a credo both company and employee wick our Tauranga-based organiser has had on the wrong side of the ledger in terms of should build into their culture. recent meetings with members, we have unwanted incidents – Napier Port included. To the day this column was written, around 12 signed up. C3 operations here It is a reminder that we must maintain vigi- Napier Port staff had borne one lost time are managerless currently, the last manager lant at all times. Most of us work in places injury in the last 764 days, and that occurred left at Christmas after approximately12 of high risk and are, at times, exposed to on the 543rd day. In this scribe's view it is months. From the writer's perspective work instances that put not just ourselves a result of some worth. things have changed since being taken but those working around or with us, in As we move toward another busy season over by Oceania. The competitive nature situations that have the potential to cause there will be increases on last year's vol- of the log marshalling at ports nationally harm. It is our responsibility to ensure we umes, both in containers and break bulk. continues to be cut throat, as the non-union do what is right to prevent any events. At The current statistics indicate the arrow has affiliated companies fight for larger pieces the end of the day (where we all want to already surpassed the previous targets. In of the business and port company bosses be at work's end) is part and parcel of our turn we see more staff engaged, permanent and their boards are keen to back them! jobs. So let's think safe. If we see or hear and casual, which will see growth in our Maintain the fight! Kia kaha.

Sickness, accident & death The New Zealand Locomotive Engineers’ Sickness, Accident and Death Benefit Fund

In the last 10 years 230 locomotive engineers had to retire due to medical reasons. They received a total payout of $4,737,097 from the above Fund. LEs who didn’t belong to the Fund and who were forced to retire did not receive anything. You could be next to miss out! For as little as $219 a year your future – or those of your next of kin – could be better assured. The Transport Worker March 2014

Contact: Julia Harrison, PO Box 813, Wellington Telephone: (04) 499-2066 Attention LEs Fax: (04) 471-0896 Join this Fund now for Email: [email protected] your own peace of mind 24 Around the branches

NAPIER RAIL BRANCH All the best for 2014. Stay safe, be safe. ia ora brothers and sisters. Well Shaun Hopper and his family the very best Christmas and New Year are over with his transfer to Invercargill with Ki- Kand 2014 is well underway. Struc- wiRail. We also welcome Hayden Anderson tures, track and signals teams are all busy to the Napier branch. Hayden has joined The branch's I&E remits will be in the Bay. It has been a warm summer so the signals team. discussed on Monday February 25 far with heat runs and an earthquake south RMTU remits will be coming up in the at 7:30am. Freight and mechanical of Napier. next few weeks, so now is the time to dis- are still to set their remit meeting Everyone in Napier would like to wish cuss and submit any remits. dates.

TARANAKI PORT BRANCH

ROM the end of last year to the start curity staff maintaining the communications Ngamotu Beach stating their protest to of 2014 has seen Port Taranaki at its of the smooth operations of a busy port. offshore deep sea drilling. Security around Fbusiest with all berths being occupied With the offshore hydrocarbon explora- Port Taranaki was on higher status, just and seven ships off port at anchor. This tion has also increased a few extra offshore in-case they ventured into the realms of an is properly a common site for most ports support (tender) vessels with the round unwelcome protest level within the port around New Zealand but in my 18 years plus the clock operation. This operation has operational area. Thankfully their protest this experience of seeing vessels of this size created new employment on fixed terms for was just a march along the beach waving anchored just off the port is the first for me. approximately 18 to 24 months, and a team their banners and voicing their protest. It was awesome to see. of crane drivers operating on a 12-hour From the Port Taranaki RMTU members It was a case of one-ship-out-one-ship-in 4-on-4-off shift cycle roster. we wish our RMTU brothers and sisters and it was great see and experience being The offshore hydrocarbon exploration around New Zealand, the staff of the na- part of the professional teams of pilots, pilot had raised concerns with Greenpeace sup- tional office and the National Management launch crew, tug crew, mooring (rope shed) porters in New Plymouth against Anadarko. Committee a great and wonderful 2014. staff and of course, the radio operators/se- These protesters raised their banners on

TARANAKI RAIL BRANCH The locomotive engineers' roster in HINGS have been pretty hectic in mice and rats. This building is a little tricker Whareroa is very unsocial and un-family Taranaki. The summer seems to have because it's owned by Fonterra and is on friendly. The LEs are becoming increasing Tavoided us and we have been hit with Fonterra land. Fonterra came down and miffed at the constant weekend work and this constant wind. proceeded to smash holes in the walls in late running trains, which doesn't make for Things have been busy at the hub there determination to look for the vermin. a happy work place. Fonterra are expanding Whareroa. The boys there are slowly getting Happy to say the mice and rats are gone but the rail siding with in the site but as is the to grips with the new operations build- the wind chill factor has made the place usual it looks like it may be a an operational ing, which has been added along side the like a fridge. So we are now in negotiation nightmare to work, with very little thought smaller more compact OP hut. The new with Fonterra to supply a new building with going into how a rail site should function area for concern for the Whareroa lads is amenities so the guys can wash their hands efficiently. Stratford are going through a bit of a

The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The the milk hut which had been infested by and have something to eat. shake up with uncertain times ahead for 25 the 10km long Kapuni branch. The LPG that TARANAKI RAIL BRANCH [cont] used to be loaded there is now being done in New Plymouth so we wait and see what means more tonnage for the rail. Some of the LEs have had a battle with the out come will be. The gangs are being kept busy with con- rosters not complying with the ROM. New Plymouth staff are keeping busy crete sleeper lays. Outside contractors came Radio reception within some parts of with a heap of extra tonnage. The LPG fuel into fix up the cool store leg in Stratford. Taranaki is patchy however, the Company sidings are due to be expanded to accom- Trouble is, and rightly so, the local track issued cellphones shouldn’t be used as a modate more gas. The port is in a constant gang won't sign off their work so the leg back up to the dodgy radio system. state of change and with more ships this remains closed for the immediate future. T has been all go in Palmy over the Christmas period, with derailments, PALMERSTON NORTH BRANCH Iloco faults/failures, heat restrictions and minder, a steam locomotive fireman and brothers and sisters that the heritage groups short staffing all contributing. I am glad to driver and now a relief team leader. His are still pushing to man their locomotives. say that our brothers and sisters did a fine passion still lies behind the controls of a DX An open letter was very loosely distributed job in working around these factors and loco where his enjoyment shines through. to KR loco engineers from a heritage group continued to maintain our services against Special mention to his lovely wife, Maria, called Steam Inc. The letter basically in- very high odds and with minimal error and, and his family for supporting him through tended to go through backdoors, directly of course, to our high standard. Christmas all the shift work, the late trains and the to the LEs, and bypass the RMTU. When will is a stressful time for any industry but more call outs. Well done Sparky and here's to they realise that LEs and the rest of us are so in a safety-critical environment like ours. another 40 years! the RMTU? It seems they still won't allow KR Well done to all for a strong and enviable We are still having issues with bullying to train professional staff to operate their in our area. The RMTU and HSAT delegates work ethic. machines on the network so I guess the The New Year brings new staff. We are working very hard behind the scenes to current stalemate will continue, which does welcome, Chris Carran, Cameron Perrson, stomp this out. The branch would like to not benefit them at all. Quite sad to see all Bradley Winchcomb (son of one of our sen- remind you all that bullying will NOT be that hard work put into the restoration of ior locomotive engineers) and Tom Te Amo accepted. Please come to your delegates if those steam engines just to have them sit in (Toll freight operator). We wish you well in you feel bullied and we will assist you with your chosen careers and look forward to dealing with the issue. You do not have to there sheds. The RMTU want to help but ap- your growth and input. be alone – we are here to help. parently our help is not an option for them. Special mention to Grant V Allen (AKA A paid branch meeting is planned for Until next time, please remember to Sparky). Sparky reached the 40 years ser- mid March to discuss and submit remits for take your breaks to stay refreshed, make vice in the locomotive sector which was the 2014 MECA wage round. We would like your team leader or rosters aware that you celebrated by many people on the job and to see another good turnout. Remember, would like to be finished on rostered time retired staff. Stories and photos were shared YOU are the Union so come forward and – it is your right! And spell it out if you have over a fine spread. Sparky has had many help make a change. to. Hard of hearing can be an issue when achievements over his years, becoming a We have also heard from our loco sector discussing relief!

T appears that we all (except the rail ferry Aratere) survived the Christmas HUTT WORKSHOPS BRANCH Iperiod. The main building here (Plant that can bring us some further savings. We shipment to South Africa in February after 1) was closed for three weeks to allow the hope to compile some examples for the several delays dating back to 2013), a DBR asbestos contractor to do his thing prior to nest issue. loco and the damaged rail breakdown our LEAN and structural re-strengthening Our workloads remain variable but we crane. It would appear that the locomotive projects getting underway – hopefully later are hungry for additional work to ensure fleet is still in good nick and required for this year. There is an isolated section requir- we can flatten out the highs and lows. ZHC service. The Transport Worker March 2014 ing special attention however that should conversions are continuing and there are a The Aratere (the ship with two shafts be sorted by the time you read these notes. handful of locos being overhauled. We have but only one propeller) and its associated As a result of the above, the work-groups had some unfortunate staff departures in costs may have a negative impact upon us that had to shift all their gear out for the con- recent months due to ill health, retirement all this financial year. Whilst we have some tractors have now had the opportunity to and the constant lure of better pay and/or very creative accountants in the company, reposition things as they brought everything working conditions across the ditch. even they may struggle to hide the true costs back and set it up with the much-heralded I was asked to comment on the parking- that this latest failing will bring. The edict LEAN culture thought(s) in mind. Word has up of surplus locomotives on site however, to control spending and the resurrection of it that the LEAN consultants have identified to date the only items stored here are the the sinking-lid policy have come into play a number of non-value-add tasks/operations surplus Ganz Mavag EMUs (destined for in the interim. What we should all look for- 26 Around the branches

HUTT WORKSHOPS BRANCH [cont] A corked brew hhhh, election time! Much full-bodied directionless enthusi- ward to is the TAIC report (and that of any like selecting a good bottle asm combined with a slightly im- other investigative body) and the company's Aof wine. Last term's vintage mature aftertaste of self centred response. Accountability will be raised and was another dismal failure. indulgence leaves a lingering we shall see if heads roll as called for in When selecting a reputable impression of an insatiable Parliament late last year. bottle of political vintage, one need for instant wealth and By the time you read this, our new must be prepared to experi- self-gratification. CEO Peter Reidy should be firmly in the ence the odd corked bottle So-called pests and fun- hot-seat vacated by Jim Quinn. I would or two. An experience we gal diseases such as unions, hope that our general secretary has had can well do without. Not political dialogue, public con- the usual one-on-one with him and will only does it incur an ex- sultation, social considerations report on that meeting in this issue orbitant cost, you must and more which were quickly (Unfortunately,the meeting will take place endure an overwhelming and ruthlessly dealt with by a after deadline - Ed.). Given that the new attack on the senses. liberal spraying of back door CEO is from an infrastructure background, Depending on what deals, new industrial legislation it will be interesting to see if he reshuffles side of the political divide and short-sighted quick fix solu- the deck chairs – based, of course, on riding you sit, you could argue that it tions with the help of international orders received from the Board. Reidy was simply requires another term to pressure. Unfortunately, such tentatively scheduled for a site visit in late mature. However, our advice is to spraying endangered vital micro February so we hope to bring you a note hastily vacate the offending mate- organisms such as rare home on this in the next issue. rial into one of the few surviving grown industries and businesses, Our final paid union meeting last year socially provided spittoons. The essential state-owned utilities and was held in early December. Our guest very real fear is, if one partakes environmental watchdogs. speakers were Anna Kenny from the United of such vintage for too long, you The J K vineyard has the Credit Union, the Rt Hon Winston Peters could become somewhat aloof to ideal harsh soil conditions for and our own inimitable general secretary. all social needs while slowly tak- a memorable vintage includ- Anna gave us an insight to the financial ben- ing on an irreversible skin shade ing a low wage economy, ever efits of hooking up with a Credit Union and of blue for which, short of ampu- growing poverty, sub standard we recommend readers who want to save a tation, there is no known cure. housing, fewer skilled labourers, few dollars and/or get a cost-effective loan Take a well matured two-term mass redundancies, un-regulated actively consider it as an alternative to other bottle of John Key vintage for ex- industrial deaths, state-owned financial institutions. Winston, as expected, ample. industry closures, a never-ending gave a rousing speech on politics and over Were one stoic enough or downward spiral of dog-eat-dog the last 20 years or so and an overview of NZ somewhat naive enough, to open industry acquisitions and increas- First's vision for rail and shipping (you can such a volatile political vintage, ing unemployment – all topped read his speech if you GoogleTM dated Dec one would instantly be over- with the OECD's highest suicide 6 2013). Wayne wrapped up our union's whelmed with an aroma of self- rate per capita. industrial progress this year including the styled well-aged corporate greed The warnings for all to see is international scene, and finished off with from barrels created from the fin- the well being of the core root an insight into what we can expect in 2014. est ideologically grown, right-lean- stock at the expense of the upper Other upcoming events for us include a ing oak to achieve that desirable foliage. Disaster awaits! health and wellness seminar, an introduc- elixir of economical growth. Fortunately, there is hope. tion to the new H91 accident reporting Let it breathe. You will then In the proper hands, this grape form, a reshuffle of the HSAT team, a new pick up subtle bouquets of could make an exceptional vin- local HSE advisor and continuing hot hands-free governance. tage. The imperfections can be debates at our fortnightly LCC meetings. This grape, with a potential of eliminated with the steady hand of For the rail-based readers, you are being one of the finest, through a master vintner and a dedicated aware that the MECA is up for renegotia- inept handling, has befallen a fate team of socially grounded pas- tion so we hope that you have exercised despised by wine-makers: the $5 sionate devotees. the opportunity to modify and/or fine bin specials. tune your pay and conditions by way of Its blend of long-suffering Mani Raumati the remit process. The Union wage round aromas infused with a youthful Wine critic

The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The bargaining team needs your input so that 27 they can determine how best to represent our interests when they get around the HUTT WORKSHOP BRANCH [cont] table with management. Whilst the date is yet to be confirmed, our December notes. They work tirelessly Please remember that we have a General it will be on a Saturday at a hall near you. for us and do a heck of a good job. We Election this year. Are YOU enrolled to All you will be required to do is get there acknowledge that at times they must feel vote? Have any of your teenage children/ and vote. like an octopus that is having its tentacles Whanau/etc reached voting age? If so, get We need a rail and shipping-friendly pulled in all directions by the branches but them enrolled because we need everybody government in power! they somehow continue to deliver a sterling to play their important part in the running Finally, a belated note of thanks to service to us all. Thank you to Wayne and of the country. our National Office team, omitted from his team. Arohanui.

ia ora, to all our fellow brothers WELLINGTON RAIL BRANCH and sisters from the capital. We Ktrust and hope you had a safe and ly, late last year, Brian, whanau and friends considerable time and much effort that the enjoyable festive season. farewelled Gayle at the local whenua tapu branch can advise of a major upgrade of an We start with a big congratulations to chapel. Such long-term unselfish devotion RMTU presence within both the Wellington Antony Thomas for successfully completing was heartfelt within the Wellington ranks. Interisland lodge and departure terminals. sign-off for his freight locomotive engineer's The branch also acknowledges the loss of To celebrate, the branch will be providing certificate and to long-serving and much Joe Nichol's wife and Moe Whare's recent Interisland members with a weekend bar- respected member, Dave Aiona, for his loss of a much loved family member. To becue in the near future. successful transfer from Tranz Metro to Wel- you all our sincere sympathies. Kia kaha. Special thanks to the local management lington freight. It is pleasing to see natural We are pleased to advise that after a for their blessings and encouragement progression at play for the many years of brief period of meaningful consultation the throughout the process. Thank you Peter service. Well done guys! standardisation upgrade of the Hutt Road and team. On a more sorrowful note we wish to I&E depot has commenced. In short, more As always the IMP machinery is working acknowledge the extraordinary levels of favourable, practical considerations were overtime in Wellington with the greatly ap- love and devotion shown by Brian Avison, agreed upon for a more realistic practical preciated assistance of volunteer delegates. a once senior and highly respected member functioning RMTU presence within the Remember, no delegate, no IMP! of Tranz Metro Wellington, who was left depot. Although the implementation pro- Finally the branch acknowledges the with no option than to resign from his life- cess is in the early stages, it is envisaged ever increasing numbers of new employees time career as a train manager to care for his that a successful outcome will become the into Tranz Metro with a strong emphasis on lovely wife Gayle as she struggled through a national standard for I&E depots. part time passenger operators. We welcome long period of terminal illness. Unfortunate- On the subject of upgrades it is with you all into the fold.

LENTY of challenges for our KiwiRail members, both at the Interislander MARLBOROUGH RAIL BRANCH Pand freight, with the issues related to is making the poor decisions in KiwiRail KiwiRail are planning another flurry of the Aratere’s failing last year. Our terminal with the temporary Aratere replacement, activity with warranty and other work on members have been providing the best the Stena Alegra, being unable to take foot the new wagons to be done in the Picton customer service under the circumstances passengers and lacking stabilisers! Some mechanical depot. The manufacturers will and freight has been flat out running the are asking is the Stena another Aratere! be doing the warranty work and other container transfer operations needed Ironically the oldest ferry in the fleet is the improvements will be done by KiwiRail because of the lack of a second rail ferry. staff's favourite because at least it is a rail staff. Plenty of questions being asked about who ferry and KiwiRail owned. The Transport Worker March 2014 APPY New Year 2014. Members had MARLBOROUGH PORT BRANCH a collective sigh of relief with the So all good for now. ficers would go to eight if there was a retire- Hannouncement that proposals to Long term member Ken Bose retired ment but Port Marlborough have decided move the ferry operations to Clifford Bay recently. We wish Ken a long, happy and to retain nine officers. So again, all good. have been shelved. The uncertainty caused healthy retirement. Ken retiring enabled Members are preparing for the renewal while the proposal was being considered Bernard McManaway to take up a full time of the Port Marlborough/RMTU collective or just being in limbo caused a lot of stress position in the port security centre. Con- agreement which expires at the end of June for our Picton members, their friends and gratulations Bernard. this year. Another piece of work will be families as many were unable to plan for After the last wage round there was introducing a new D&A policy for Port Mar- the future when the future was unknown. concern that the number of port security of- lborough this year. Busy times ahead. 28 Around the Branches

CANTERBURY RAIL BRANCH Linwood. Our fear is that ad hoc solutions IRST the good news – at long last the volume of freight is only going one way for will become permanent by default. It's one rebuild is gathering pace. Wherever the foreseeable future, what with Synlait thing to cope with less than ideal facilities Fyou go in town it's appar- and the new Metroport coming for a few years, it's another when there is no ent. The buildings are going up on line. What we need now are end in sight. By the time you read this it'll be instead of coming down, the some politicians with vision to three years since the big February shake‚Ä¶ pubs are full of blokes in hi-viz get behind commuter services Freight is working flat out and it's gear on Thursday and Friday from Rolleston and North Can- good to see Jed O'Donoghue back driving. evenings and some of us are terbury into town. Management's loss is the RMTU's gain. The actually getting our houses I&E remains an area where inability of management to see KiwiRail repaired. There's plenty of morale is low. We're still paying as one entity is evident as freight is being work about and wage rates are the price for the madness of the stymied by I&E who seem to think that if climbing – something to think so-called 'Cost Improvement only they could get those trains off the track about as both the KiwiRail and Programme' in late 2012. The then it would be much easier to maintain. Toll Tranzlink documents are latest manifestation is the in- Meanwhile there are thousands of tons of up for renewal this year. ability of members to access coal sitting over on the Coast that needs The bad news is that ac- training courses as there shifting to Lyttelton. cording to the CTU the rate are now so few directly- Toll Tranzlink is also very busy. The of inflation in Canterbury is employed frontline staff that challenge is keeping staff as many people around twice that of else- we're all needed on the track. are looking at what can be earned in con- where in New Zealand – so Allied to this there seems struction and are voting with their feet. that'd be around 3%. Again to be a plethora of people Once again, a point something to think about working on planning. At one to consider in this with wage talks coming up. meeting there were seven year's wage round. Other signs of recovery managers and planners or- are that passenger numbers ganising a job that involved on the TranzScenic, both three workers! (right) Train the Coastal and Alpine ser- The mechanical people at manager Duncan vices, seem to be up on last Middleton have new smoko Brown (Christch- summer. We're hopeful that facilities which is progress. urch) and (below) KiwiRail doesn't do anything We're not hearing much about delegate training. silly like axe either of these what is planned to replace the services. At the rate Christch- loco depot at urch is recovering it would be criminal to lose tourist attrac- (from top left) tions like these. Middleton LEs We're hearing that double Peter Harmon lining is being looked at be- and Paul tween Rolleston and Christch- Swainson, and urch. Why did we rip it up in Gilbert Bryan the first place? Anyway, the (Greymouth).

LYTTELTON PORT BRANCH new inland port facility is coming on stream HE Inland Port,(or City Depot as had ruled our members were covered by at Rolleston. It's clear that the industry is the Company prefers to call it) at the wider RMTU/MUNZ-LPC collective restructuring itself without the benefit of TWoolston has been in the news of agreement. The upshot was, after a three central planning. We've always said the late, for all the wrong reasons. What's in a day hearing and nine month wait for Judge industry needs to rationalise but have name you might ask? Quite a bit if you work Couch's reserved decision, that LPC were been adamant that if such changes occur it at Inland Port (our preferred name). The successful and our members were deemed needs to be done with central government Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) insists on not to fall under the coverage of the wider intervention in order to ensure the wider City Depot and did so all the way through collective. interests of New Zealand inc are looked the hearing at the Employment Court last Which sets the scene, and the agenda, after. It seems that the change will be left to year when they appealed the decision of for 2014. Port of Tauranga has acquired a the chaos of market forces after all. Add the

The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The the Employment Relations Authority which half share in Prime Port Timaru and a large fact that Lyttelton is restricted in its ability 29 to expand because of the geography of the LYTTELTON PORT BRANCH [cont] site, and factor in the enormous pressure bers are very clear that success in bargaining the CEO seemed more concerned about on the port because of the re-build and isn't based on who is on our negotiating the leak than the health and safety of his you have a formula for a very challenging team, it's based on what our members are staff. Listen to the interview here (http:// few years ahead. prepared to do to support our negotiators www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/2584434), Inland ports are one of the ways to get in pursuit of our claims. And that means and our South Island organiser John Kerr's round the congestion. So are blue water having remits that aren't based on a whim, response, here: (http://www.radionz.co.nz/ ports and coastal shipping hubs. All of which but are deeply and widely felt issues that audio/player/2584443). means the landscape in which we conduct people care enough about to take action On a more positive note former delegate industrial relations is changing and if we over if push comes to shove. Paul Dennis has been appointed health and don't adapt and respond we risk being The other reason the inland port has safety manager for LPC. We are very pleased marginalised. Put simply, we can no longer been in the news is because of health and at this decision as we have confidence in allow our thinking to stop at the Lyttelton safety failures culminating in one of our Paul and we're sure that he will help deliver tunnel. If we aren't organising and bargain- members being hurt when a container fell a safer working environment. Well done ing in the Inland Port all our members are on his forklift. Worksafe, the new name Paul, we look forward to working with you potentially disadvantaged. for OSH, issues 'improvement notices' and in your new role. The good news is that Lyttelton is ex- highlighted a range of areas where the We're doing our bit by getting the re- periencing growing volumes, good profits company had to do better. These included cently elected health and safety reps trained and can afford to pay its CEO $1 million per lack of supervision, uneven ground, lack by the CTU and the company has come to year – so there should be plenty of cash in of signage and speed limits, excessive the party by paying for this, so it's not all the kitty to settle this year's wage round. hours, inconsistent training and induction doom and gloom. At the end of last year we had a joint as well as containers stacked seven high. A big year ahead with wage round and meeting of the Canterbury rail branch and These documents were leaked to Radio an election. Hopefully with Lianne Dalziel the LPC branch. The focus was on this year's New Zealand and received a fair amount of as mayor the Nats will shelve any mad ideas negotiations in KiwiRail and LPC. Our mem- coverage. What was disappointing was that they have for selling off local assets.

ERE in Timaru we are seeking to re- negotiate our collective agreement. TIMARU PORT BRANCH H This is in the context of Port of ers or workers. omy is humming, what with the re-build Tauranga acquiring a share in Prime Port At the time of writing we have submitted gathering pace in Christchurch and the and the recent announcement about the es- our claims, which largely seek to restore continuing boom in commodity exports. tablishment of an inland port in Rolleston. some of the terms and conditions we lost This has put pressure on wages, as there It's clear that the industry is re-structuring in the last two redundancy rounds. It's fair is a growing skills shortage in the region, itself without central government interven- to say this hasn't been greeted with delight and inflation which according to the CTU, tion. So instead of rational central planning by management. Having said that it's early is running at twice the national average. looking after the interests of New Zealand days, so who knows. By the time you read So it promises to be an interesting au- Inc, it is being left to market forces. We're this we might have a deal that we can get tumn in Timaru – once again! not optimistic about restructuring of this over the line. nature being good for New Zealand ratepay- The irony is that the Canterbury econ-

ello from sunny Timaru where TIMARU RAIL BRANCH things are in full swing tonnage from KiwiRail to start the local talks on pay This year is a very important one with Hwise and full trains are heading and progression. Staff are looking towards remits being called for the 2014 wage round north or south. increased pay and recognition and also talks. They must be in to RMTU head office The Transport Worker March 2014 Currently we are affected by heat restric- a good back pay – as per the MECA talks by end of March. tions and like so many other areas around held last wage round and developed be We note the passing of Bryan McNally's the country, train timetables are tough to KIC council reps. wife recently. We all remember Sue as manage. Some restrictions are up to 30 km Currently our yard operations' team is a young woman working at the Timaru long and at 40kph take time to travel over. very busy working big hours to cover sick Railway Station in the cafe and over the The CT site has been working very leave and annual leave. Shunts in our area years we have been spoilt with her talents hard handling large volumes of containers are busy and with the increased tonnage at as a wonderful baker and cook. Her bub- however, a very solid relationship between Primeport, more local companies are ship- bly personality will be missed by us and all rail and CT staff is keeping things running ping locally instead of railing to Lyttleton members of the branch and staff send Bryan smoothly. and Port Chalmers. and his family our deepest sympathy. The CT staff are keenly awaiting a visit 30 Around the Branches

WEST COAST BRANCH analysis, to the use of self-rescue devices. O start with a positive note, Specialist health and safety inspector Westport LEs had some success Dave Bellett spoke to our members Tafter withdrawing its goodwill and didn't pull any punches. It's up to over three months as a reaction to the us to just say 'no'. imposition of a new roster. We had, Peruvian sleepers remain a bugbear. after several meetings with manage- We're not convinced the contractors ment, advised them that unless we got that are supposed to be identifying our old roster this would continue. these things are doing their jobs prop- KiwiRail eventually accepted our posi- erly. Our structure's members are on tion and have decided to reinstate our top of the issue on bridges but we're original 13-link roster. It's a pity what Westport track gangs don't need modern equipment to very wary of what's going on elsewhere we were compelled to take action like clear rock from a slip, a sledge hammer is just fine. It's on the network. this but we're the ones that have to not the norm, however, a slip in the Gorge meant they Wage round this year: let's learn our live and breathe these rosters, along needed to break a large rock so the LIV could pass. lesson from the success of the RCOs in with our families. This is a deeply and the last round. Make sure those remits him down if we did. widely felt issue. It is a challenge to keep are focussed on deeply and widely felt The track guys are working hard to keep everyone happy in the three depots that issues, are consistent and are backed by a the trains running. We had a near miss with serve the coal route and the Midland Line. willingness to do something in support of gas in the Otira Tunnel Perhaps the company should be consider- in November last year ing LE's remuneration more seriously in the and it was only luck that forthcoming wage talks. Money does talk. prevented serious harm, In Greymouth one of our veteran LEs, or worse, happening to a George Whyte, retired late last year. George number of our members. had done over 50 years on the footplate Both national office and and was a stalwart union member, holding the Ministry of Business, office in the branch and being active work- Innovation and Employ- ing for his fellow members for much of his ment have been clear that career. Many of the terms and conditions we we have to exercise our enjoy today were fought for and preserved right to question – and by the likes of George. We should never ultimately refuse to do – (l to r) Kevin Gubb, Mike Guthrie, Robbie Harris, Jonathon Ru- forget that. We all have a responsibility to unsafe work. Prohibition bin, Mike Rubin, and Jim and Wayne Colgar. maintain our conditions of employment, and improvement notices not just for ourselves and our workmates have been issued requiring KiwiRail to but also for those who will follow us. your negotiation team. Remember, we are undertake a variety of tasks, ranging from George never forgot and we'd be letting the Union! improving hazard identification and task

OTAGO RAIL BRANCH Also not done in the case of the South Island OCM position in Christchurch. HAT happens if we, as the work- manager. Now the person appointed to that ing units for this company, lose We found that the job was to be Dun- position may well be fit for the job, but Wtrust and confidence in our man- edin based for 18 months, then it was where was the advertisement and interview ager or managers? moved to Invercargill. process? We know what happens if the company No mention of this in the advertisement If the company or this manager contin- loses trust and confidence in us. or at the interview. ues to by-pass due process, how do the very The job of Dunedin operations manager And the final pay rate was well above capable people in this company promote was advertised and what we thought was a that of the advertised position. themselves and their skills? robust process gone through. Now we all know that most jobs adver- Oh that's right over the ditch. Later, we found out that the interview tised already have a very short list for the Heat restrictions are taking their toll on notes for the four internal applicants were hiring manager, we accept that. But we also the train time table. There were plans afoot not even read by the manager doing the need to know that the selection process is to spread more ballast on the affected areas hiring – a local manager who was on the robust, equitable and that those applying but we lost a propeller. interview panel. have a chance to promote themselves fairly. And as noted in the last Transport

The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The The hirer was changed to the area Not seen to be done in this case. Worker branch notes, staff shortages are still 31 affecting our ability to get leave. It's nice to OTAGO RAIL BRANCH [cont] see that we in the south are not the only through the length of their shift. ones suffering from this problem. On a much brighter note our imme- We have several new bees, both in the diate past president (and life member) yard and out on the high iron. Good luck Jim Kelly came out of retirement to out there with your trainers. Your new perform a very pleasant task on behalf of skills are really needed. the membership. He presented recently It is hoped that by the time these notes retired member-Brother Les Box with a appear in print that the issue of the AM/ Certificate of Appreciation from the Union FM radios in locomotive cabs will finally by the South Island mechanical manage- to recognise all the years of support and be satisfactorily resolved and that the fix ment and that they do no not appreciate the participation he gave to the RMTU and its will be permanent. There would appear to importance of this equipment in helping predecessors. a genuine lack of enthusiasm being shown the locomotive engineers to remain alert

reetings from the deep south SOUTHLAND BRANCH where we are enjoying long sum- we will have farewelled Zeke (father) Wil- bull hooks TEMs that don't fit the fleet (935 Gmer evenings and working hard to son who has retired after 50 years of service recently had to have the TEM tied on with keep the economy growing. to the railways. Zeke was well known the a strop); brake pipe leakage exceeding cod Welcome back to stalwart RMTU mem- length of the country as an operations team and more. ber at South Port, Evan Lewis, who has had leader and he takes a wealth of knowledge I'm sure any operating member would some time off after surgery but is now back and experience with him. He will be missed be able add to the list. We know that many at work and keeping the flag flying for our by all in the depot as he is the last remaining are being worked on and we know that we union in Bluff. member to retire who came up through the have to be patient and keep reporting faults. The Workers' Memorial Stone is pro- ranks from the station platform to guard on The question arises though about how long gressing nicely courtesy of the CTU and both freight and passenger trains, before do we keep raising issues before we take ac- the local council. With any luck it will be in finishing up in the office. We wish both tion and simply not accept equipment that place for our Memorial Day commemora- him and Joan all the best and a long and is not up to standard? On any given day if tions on April 28. We might have to tap up happy retirement. we did take action we would probably shut National Office for a few hundred bucks We've had a couple of instances of down a third of the trains on the network. but we know the general secretary always rule breaches being addressed down here. Like everyone, we're anticipating the looks favourably on requests from his old It would appear that management have KiwiRail wage round this year and wonder- stamping ground. decided that nothing less than 100% adher- ing what will be the impact of National's The flash butt welder is doing a great ence and compliance from staff is expected. changes to employment law. We had a rally job down here, if the improvement to the On matters that affect health and safety in Invercargill late last year attended by CTU Ohai line is anything to go by. The weld- that's fair enough. president Helen Kelly, who spoke about ing on this line is complete and only have We all have to be accountable and one how the removal of the duty to conclude a few kilometres to go back and tie down of our senior members has taken the criti- bargaining with a collective agreement, to- properly . cism on the chin and volunteered to put gether with allowing employers to apply to When all this is completed the speed on his hand up to champion safe practices. the Employment Relations Authority to de- this line will be increased to 50kph. A start It's easy to slip into bad habits but we can clare bargaining over, could make it harder has been made on the Bluff branch line with all learn from what's happened. for unions to negotiate deals for workers. the formation work and ploughing out new We're hearing a lot about the Just and All very worrying. ballast. At the time of writing the welding is Fair Culture that Kiwirail and the RMTU is Now that the Select Committee process scheduled to commence very soon.

working on. We understand this will mean is over and the Government has ignored the The Transport Worker March 2014 Phil Jones, our former branch secretary, accountability will work from top to bottom objections of the CTU, we're wondering has put up his hand and offered to help our in the organisation, hardly something we what Plan B is. Yes, we'll vote for a change brothers in Christchurch keep the freight can argue against. of government this year, but it would be moving for a while. Good for Phil. He gets With that in mind we do have a few good to hear Helen Kelly calling for direct a change and good company and they get continuing issues with equipment. In no action before then. an experienced driver. In our last branch particular order these are: vibrating cabs; In the meantime, we encourage you notes we overlooked our the two newest radios that turn off while in use; radios that all to think long and hard about what you yard staff who have been signed off so well won't transmit; radios that won't receive; want out of this year's negotiations and to done Rata Shearer and Braden Hikawa. vigilance systems that send out false alerts; get organised. Our negotiators are only as By the time these notes appear in print anti-fatigue AM/FM radios that don't work; strong as our members! 32

Tim Kerwin throwing the wreath from the Tangiwai Bridge in memory of those who Disaster perished 60 years ago. remembered

HE RMTU Palmerston North branch remem- The Auckland Herald describes the circumstances bered Charlie Parker (locomotive engineer) and that led to the express tumbling into a normally sedate TLance Redman (fireman) and all the other souls river during the peak of a flash flood were "ridiculously lost at Tangiwai on the 60th anniversary of the disaster unfortunate". on December 20 last year. They wrote: An official inquiry into the tragedy At 2222 hours on Christmas Eve 1953 the Welling- essentially pointed the finger at dumb luck. However, ton-to-Auckland overnight express passenger train No that conclusion doesn't sit well with a member of an 626 plunged into the Whagaehu River at Tangiwai tak- intrepid group of mountaineers and canoeists who ing with it the first six of its eleven carriages. Of the 285 made several trips to study the crater lake in years lead- people on board only 134 survived in what was New ing up to the disaster. What they saw were rising water Zealand’s worst rail disaster and sixth most deadly. levels and temperatures and increasingly dramatic The branch commemorates this tragedy each year glacial melt. It alarmed them. A huge lahar had tum- and lays wreaths on the memorial stone and also on a bled down the mountainside in 1925, damaging but locomotive which travels slowly across the Whangaehu not destroying the Whangaehu rail bridge. The group River bridge. wrote to the government volcanologist in Rotorua and This tradition has been carried out since the dis- the Railways Department warning a similar event was aster in 1953 and usually involved the north bound brewing. The Wanganui Chronicle published a story Northerner passenger service up to its cessation. It now about their findings, but no action was taken. utilises a freight train which crosses the Whangaehu A relatively simple solution was available. A farm River close to the hour that this tragedy occurred. drain-sized pipe through the soft crust that would No one has ever been held to account for the deadly eventually give way would have provided an outlet for carnage and according to documentary maker David the glacial melt that was causing the lake level to rise. Sims who investigated the crash 11 years ago, and a Sims believes serious negligence contributed to mountaineer who warned of a potential calamity 18 the disaster. months before the unstable wall of the Mt Ruapehu Last December, freight service 390 and 218 lay crater lake burst to create a deadly lahar, the lack of wreaths in the river and at the memorial. accountability was no accident. The Transport Worker March 2014 Worker Transport The