Merged Union: CFMEU Amalgamation Update

Vale Former SUA National Secretary Pat Geraghty

Turnbull Fails To Heed Election Warning and THE MARITIME WORKERS’ JOURNAL Continues Attacks on SPRING 2016 Unions and Workers

Labor Party Commits To Stronger Cabotage and Shipping Policies Contents

4 - 17 Na tional Council MUA leadership discusses key topics including CFMEU merger, Federal Election wash up and opens new training centre 18 - 23 Jobs Embassy Constant presence in Canberra gets under Government’s skin 24 - 32 F ederal Election Close election result down to good union campaign 38 Flag-of-Convenience Senate Inquiry Recommendations include a full review of industry policy 41 Partnership Agreements Is this just a taste of things to come? 46 - 47 W ave Hill Strong MUA contingent at 50th anniversary of Wave Hill Walk Off 58 - 59 Int ernational Rank-and-file reports from Palestine 62 - 69 V ale Tributes flow in for former SUA National Secretary Pat Geraghty

Cover: All of the delegates and guests from the 2016 Quadrennial National Conference

EDITOR IN CHIEF Paddy Crumlin Communications Director Darrin Barnett Editorial Team Ashleigh Telford DESIGN Magnesium Media PRINTER Printcraft Maritime Workers’ Journal 365-375 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Contact: 9267 - 9134 Fax: 9261 - 3481 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.mua.org.au MWJ reserves the right at all times to edit and/or reduce any articles or letters to be published. Publication No: 1235 For all story ideas, letters, obituaries please email [email protected]

A selection of photos from the ‘Night of Nights’ the Quadrennial National Conference Dinner. www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 1 logging on

Paddy Crumlin opens the MUA/ITF Organising Communication Centre Logging On Paddy Crumlin

“Effectively, Australia has no Government. In reality, this means we have no ability to manage our national self-interest in a world that preys on the weak and dim-witted and invests in strong, secure and functional planning.”

NEW PARLIAMENT, SAME another era of creative and genuine the last 25 years. OLD STORY political and industrial leadership. His In this slow and painful come-uppance Malcolm Turnbull has found his Royal Commission into trade unions for Turnbull’s weak complicit and political place in history as the latest was an identified disgrace. He deceived, compliant Prime Ministership, with the sycophant and brown-nose to corporate dissembled, misled and bullied anyone worst elements of big business like the elitism, by selling out workers’ rights in his way, including the Senate, putting miners and Murdoch, he has resorted to and stripping Australia’s industrial and his mark on our national history, more union bashing as the last favour to his economic sovereign wealth. like a scar. corporate mates. He joins a mighty team dedicated After kicking the hapless Abbott to the Well we’re not going to cop it, because to the debasing of Australia’s direct kerb, Malcolm Turnbull fell over the line we are the working community of this community and democratic needs, values after an extraordinary bout of arrogance country and the international economy. and entitlements. John Howard had in calling a double dissolution - one of Our National Conference and National his war on the waterfront and coast, the greatest acts of political self-harm Council have again determined we are in the mines, in the airlines and the ever observed in the volatile forum of here for the long haul and we will fight construction industry. He expanded that national politics. for our just rights from the front. domestic battleground with a flourish What is the result? Effectively, That includes continuous rebuilding of with his weapons of mass destruction Australia has no Government. In reality, our political and industrial voice in the lie and broadened out his network of this means we have no ability to manage Australian and International community infamy to George W Bush, Dick Cheney, our national self-interest in a world that to deliver the type of political leadership Donald Rumsfeld and the cowardly Tony preys on the weak and dim-witted and to extract us from the disgraceful Blair. What a gang, what a legacy. The invests in strong, secure and functional situation we are now in. refugee flotsam of that dysfunction planning. Having won his lifelong back, organise and campaign in our “This is an exciting and important historical phase of was demonised and sent to off-shore prize, Turnbull has fallen back to the MERGER members’ interest in a larger and better- concentration camps. xenophobic, racist, ultra-nationalistic This means building a union together resourced union. our union comrades, that builds our capacity to protect Then along came Tony Abbott who policies of division, together with the with the CFMEU that loses nothing of Meetings of the joint executives of maritime workers’ rights on the job, while building extended the conservative legacy in union bashing, fear mongering and our proud history but gains everything the MUA and CFMEU resulted in the political leadership with economic demonising of trade unions, particularly in the long struggle before us. Memorandum of Understanding on on and not diminishing the strong, progressive and incompetence through the sabotaging ours and the CFMEU. Our National Conference of the principles and values that would militant history of national and international solidarity, of the Australian car and manufacturing And Hanson is back, thanks for that Members unanimously supported the underpin the merged union. The organising and campaigning.” industry, trying to kill off the Australian Malcolm. Class war against workers is merger on this basis. The Principles Memorandum of Agreement outlines the shipping and shipbuilding industry still the priority via the ABCC and other of Amalgamation resolution from the proposed structure of the new merged and attempting to strangle the steel attempts to diminish the long, proud, conference are in the front of your national union and outlines matters of new rules of the merged union and historical phase of our union comrades, and aluminium industries. He also nationally and internationally recognised resolutions booklet sent out with this joint interest and concern. together with other related matters that builds our capacity to protect had a crack at Australian maritime Australian trade union movement. Maritime Workers’ Journal. Both documents are on the following required by our National Conference of maritime workers’ rights on the job, workers’ right to access jobs in our Unions here are vitally important to the The principles lay out the basis pages comrades and will be put to Members Principles of Amalgamation while building on and not diminishing offshore sector and tried to fiddle community and economic functionality for the merger discussions with the the upcoming AGMS of our union as resolution, the final endorsement of the strong, progressive and militant with industry superannuation funds of our country both historically and CFMEU subsequent to the conference unanimously supported by National the merger would be put to you in a history of national and international - one of the great functional social, today given the international popular determination. This clearly outlines the Council. As part of the National Council plebiscite under our rules in the new solidarity, organising and campaigning. industrial and economic mechanisms rejection of the politics of elitism, retaining of our name in our division report, contingent upon and following year, as also required by the National Let’s flush the Howard, Abbott and for wealth creation and long term division, opportunism and entitlement along with our existing rules while your endorsement the AGM meetings, Conference of Members. Turnbull years of negligence and division sensible retirement policies from indulged in by most Governments over providing for the opportunity to fight the two unions would then finalise the This is an exciting and important down the place they belong. n

2 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 3 National council

MUA National Council 2016 was held from October 10 - 14 in the new MUA/ITF Organising and Communication Centre Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey

MUA On Permanent Campaign Footing

As It Heads Towards CFMEU Merger Tasmania Assistant National Branch Secretary Secretary Ian Bray Jason Campbell aritime Union of Australia going forward. discussion on the merger later in the week. National Secretary Paddy “Members at National Conference have The MUA Quadrennial Conference Crumlin used his opening determined that the way forward is a merger determined that any merger would be subject Western address at this year’s National with the CFMEU and the type of union we to plebiscite of the entire membership, Australia CouncilM to discuss the structure of the can be in defence of our rights at this time,” keeping the structure of the MUA and the Branch Secretary union’s ongoing campaign work as well as Crumlin said. name, while opening up the opportunity to Christy Cain the planned merger with the CFMEU. “The Conference Resolution (on the build up a stronger and more effective union. Appropriately, National Council was merger) was prescriptive and has conditions. There have been numerous subsequent campaigns around political issues that are held in the new MUA/ITF Organising This is a big merger and we will take it steady meetings with the membership in branches important to workers,” Crumlin said. Communication Centre on the Ground Floor and make it consistent with our political updating them on the merger discussions and “Unions need to become more integrated of the MUA National Office building in and industrial position as determined by it has been a standing item in the monthly Sydney Branch in the daily and community lives of working Sussex St, Sydney (see pages 14+15) Quadrennial Conference.” national office reports. Secretary Paul women and men to stay relevant. McAleer In addition to national councillors, Crumlin said there was robust discussion The Executive of both unions have met “We have been pushing for the Your the MUA welcomed various domestic on the future of the union - a sign of on a number of occasions where the MUA Rights at Work campaign to continue but we guests from politics and the trade union democracy at work. National Conference requirements were have to be careful how we support political movement and international guests from He said the ability of councillors to work outlined and agreed. campaigns. Political affiliation is a journey, New Zealand, PNG, East Timor, Indonesia through such lively debate and land on the A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) not a destination. and the International Transport Workers’ same page was a sign the union recognised has been finalised outlining the key industrial “We need to continue to work with Federation (ITF). what is right for the union and most and political principles of the proposed new independents and the Greens, as well as the Crumlin said the Quadrennial Conference importantly its members. union. ALP, to oppose the Turnbull Government’s earlier this year was a great success and had CFMEU National Secretary Michael There is also a Memorandum of anti-union, anti-worker agenda and set the platform for the next four years of O’Connor, National President Tony Maher Agreement (MoA) outlining the process legislative timetable on the deregulation of the union. and Assistant National Secretary Dave going forward including the drafting of shipping and reintroduction of the ABCC.” “We are an organisation based on Noonan joined the council for a panel the new set of rules of the union within the Each Branch delivered a verbal report, class struggle and this extends to our supplemented by detailed written reports. international friends and program - we are Women, Veterans, ATSI, Youth, MIF and ITF all a part of the wider struggle,” Crumlin reports were also presented, along with the said. financial outlook for the union. “There is plenty of pressure on workers National Council agreed to hold a shipping and in particular maritime workers. We have commission in December to discuss the way agreed the way forward and this is about forward for the domestic industry. progressing that agenda. We have been Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey gave working hard to deliver the outcomes from a full report back on the offshore oil and gas National Council 2016 the Conference as have the branches.” industry including the historic High Court Crumlin said it is self-evident that wealth win while Assistant National Secretary Ian and power are out of touch with decent timetable, the plebiscite by the MUA and relations policy,” Crumlin said. Bray updated attendees on the union’s key social and community values – just look at related matters. Workers have a democratic right to campaigns in towage and shipping. Donald Trump – yet the war on workers is Both the MoU and MoA were endorsed by determine the organisations they want to Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith not slowing down. the National Council for recommendation represent their industrial interests. was absent due to surgery. “The polarization of wealth has not back to the membership at the Annual “The Australian Mines and Metals New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) translated in improvements to the lives General Meetings of the Union in late Association (AMMA) and other neo-liberal National Secretary Paul Goulter discussed the of the great majority of people – just the November/early December. employer groups persist in criticising the MUA’s strategic plan, which focuses on the opposite,” he said. Further discussion between the two unions merger while promoting the use of non- model of campaigning and organising that is “War, crime, violence against women and are ongoing to finalise details of the proposed union agreements and the deregulation of vital to future growth. children, unemployment, poverty and social merger before the AGMs. migration visas.” ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver, ACTU Vice- dislocation have never been more acute. The Turnbull Government continues to Council also focused on other issues President Sally McManus, AWU National “Trade unionism is under siege because indicate that they will oppose the merger including superannuation, penalty rates, Secretary Scott McDine, TWU National we stand up to that economic and political and have made a statement that they intend precarious work, automation and the Secretary Tony Sheldon and ALP Senator elitism in defiance of their entrenched self- introducing a public interest requirement 2016 Federal Election Result, where Prime Glenn Sterle all participated in panels. interest.” for union mergers, specifically targeting the Minister Malcolm Turnbull edged out ALP ALP Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek The focus of the first two days was an MUA/CFMEU merger. leader Bill Shorten. and ITF Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline open and frank debate between councillors “This is consistent with their anti-union, “We got close to a win with Bill Shorten, Smith officially opened the new MUA/ITF MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin around the proposed merger with the at National Council 2016 anti-worker policies that are out of step with who is close to us with his family background, Organising and Communication Centre on CFMEU and management of the union community expectations and good industrial and we are committed to continuous the Thursday night of Council. n

4 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 5 NATIONAL council

economy. “National Council notes that shipping is ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said: “We are sick and an important and strategic industry sector tired of seeing our jobs being exported overseas, we that supports manufacturing, resource and agricultural supply chains, both are sick and tired of seeing cheap, unsafe products domestically and internationally. being imported into the country and we are sick and “The MUA calls on all political parties to tired of seeing exploited, cheap labour being used ensure that the principle of Buy Australian be applied to purchase of seaborne freight over local workers.” services that are a critical component of manufacturing, resource and agricultural supply chains, particularly in relation to Australian coastal shipping. “National Council notes that the ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver purchase of foreign shipping services is currently having a negative impact on the Australian Balance of Payments of around $10B annually, and that Australian coastal shipping is now almost totally under direct foreign control. MUA Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey moved a resolution supporting “National Council considers this to the ACTU’s call for all Australian political be detrimental to national security, parties to support a Buy Australian Act detrimental to Australian employment, maritime skills supply and job security, and is creating dysfunctionality in Australian freight transport supply chains.” In a statement, ACTU Secretary Dave MUA Supports Buy Australian Oliver said: “We are sick and tired of seeing our jobs being exported overseas, we are sick and tired of seeing cheap, unsafe products Act And National Shipping Policy being imported into the country and we are sick and tired of seeing exploited, cheap he Maritime Union of Australia Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and continues “MUA National Council believes that such labour being used over local workers.” to the Dandenong manufacturer Bombardier Australian Act, and the pressure was now on (MUA) has thrown its support to operate within the United States an Act would help ensure jobs are created “Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull needs as part of a specific strategy to boost the Federal politicians to act. behind the Australian Council government purchasing guidelines. and maintained locally, particularly in to stand up for working people in Australia local manufacturing economy.” “Malcolm Turnbull has made jobs and of Trade Unions (ACTU’s) Buy At the height of the GFC the US manufacturing, agriculture/food production by creating local opportunities for both “In contrast, we have seen the contract growth his political mantra, but under his AustralianT campaign that would require all unemployment rate was 9.7% now it and the offshore oil and gas industry, and workers and businesses — a Buy Australian to manufacture the Australian Defence leadership the Australian economy has major government projects and services is lower than Australia’s, with youth importantly in the service industries that Act would do this.” Force’s noncombat uniforms go to a flat-lined. to use locally manufactured goods, such as unemployment in the double digits in some support manufacturing and transport,” the “Prime Minister Turnbull has promised discounting international competitor, we “While factories like Ford are closing steel, iron, clothing and equipment. Australian regions. resolution says. to create jobs but his poorly negotiated Free don’t make the paper used in Australian down, and the major industrials like the In addition, the MUA passed a resolution MUA National Council passed a resolution “MUA National Council regards A Buy Trade Agreements don’t even sell off jobs, passports anymore, forcing the closure of a Whyalla steelworks are struggling to saying shipping is an important and moved by MUA Deputy National Secretary Australian Act as an important part of working conditions and sovereignty, they paper mill in regional Victoria, and without survive, the Turnbull Government has failed strategic industry sector that supports Will Tracey and seconded by Sydney Deputy national procurement policy that should be literally give it all away.” union pressure the submarines being built to present a credible plan for how it will manufacturing, resource and agricultural Branch Secretary Paul Keating supporting designed to support the interrelationships “Basing buying decisions just on in South Australia would have been made create jobs. supply chains, both domestically and the ACTU’s call for all Australian political between industry sectors and help create accounting principles alone does not factor entirely overseas.” “The innovation fairy is not going to come internationally. parties to support a Buy Australian Act. investment in essential sectors of the in the extra value created by ensuring that “Australian lives have also been put along and magically fix everything. We need The ACTU is calling for all Australian we have local, stable, well paid jobs. When at risk by the importation of dangerous genuine leadership from government to political parties to support a Buy Australian people have those jobs they drive demand building products containing asbestos and support local manufacturing and local jobs.” Act, which has also been backed by the Sydney Deputy and growth which in turn provides the a range of other unsafe, substandard goods. McDine said the steel industry would be Australian Workers Union (AWU). Branch Secretary revenue all Australian governments need Some of these unsafe materials have found one sector to potentially benefit from a Buy Paul Keating An ACTU statement said the Buy seconded the for our national health, education and their way into hospitals and other places Australian Act. Australian Act would generate a trifecta of resolution infrastructure.” where vulnerable people would be put at “It’s galling to see major transport benefits: jobs for Australian workers, a badly “The cheapest price today doesn’t always serious risk.” projects being built with low-quality needed boost to the Australian economy and mean value for money in the long run. If it “This Government needs to put the people imported steel, when the Australian steel would ensure government projects use safe, is made by exploited workers overseas or of Australia first, rather than the interests of industry desperately needs support. Australian made goods. robs Australian people of jobs and business multinationals.” “The Federal Government is a major This would ensure jobs are created and opportunity how much does that discount “The Buy Australian Act will ensure investor in large-scale infrastructure maintained locally. It is vital that our really cost?” Australian families have work, Australian projects, and so it should be flexing its manufacturing industry thrives and create “This is not about limiting trade, this businesses have opportunities to grow and financial muscles to ensure local steel is used much needed development and service jobs, about making sure Australian governments will ensure our infrastructure and services wherever possible. rather than being killed off like Ford this are investing tax payer dollars locally on meet the high standards that the Australian “A Buy Australian Act would force past week. every major project.” people expect and deserve.” governments to make sure that the benefits A similar ‘Buy American’ provision was “The Victorian Government recently AWU National Secretary Scott McDine of buying locally are recognised, and used by the US Government in 2009 to showed how this policy could work when it today said manufacturing workers were that local manufacturers are given every stimulate the American economy after the awarded the contract to build 20 new trams right behind the ACTU’s proposal for a Buy opportunity to fulfill government contracts.”

6 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 7 NATIONAL council

Top row, from left: ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver; (from left) ALP WA Senator Glenn Sterle, MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, Dave Oliver, ACTU Vice- President and Campaign Director Sally McManus and TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon

Union Leaders, ALP Discuss How To Middle row, from left: Senator Glenn Sterle; Sally McManus; Union leaders in Maintain Momentum Following Highly discussion.

Left: Paddy Crumlin and Senator Glenn Successful 2016 Federal Election Campaign Sterle.

panel of MUA leaders, union “Unions need to be more in the election issues such as penalty rates people worldwide. Innovation and flexibility few,” McManus said. offshore visas was a great win but you need leaders and the ALP discussed community with organising and continuous and Medicare had been led by the union means an increasing number of workers are “Tony Abbott and Pauline Hanson will to be vigilant,” Sterle said. the 2016 Federal Election campaigning,” Crumlin told National movement. being underemployed or sacked. talk about immigration, Islamophobia, “Safe rates was the best piece of campaign where the ALP Council. “We have to identify the standards “We didn’t send them to the morgue but “The money is siphoned off at the top but congestion and blame the wrong people.” legislation in 100 years for truck drivers and Acame agonisingly close to victory against a we want to live by. We need to define the they are in palliative care. Hopefully next not distributed through a large workforce as MUA National President Christy Cain then it was ripped away.” Coalition Government led by a diminished political, not have the political define us.” time we can knock them off,” Oliver said of used to be the case. welcomed ALP WA Senator Glenn Sterle to TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon Malcolm Turnbull. Crumlin cited the example of automation the Turnbull Government. “With the departure of Ford, Holden the microphone. said automation was one of the key factors Turnbull squandered a 21 seat majority in stevedoring, which is often about union “They didn’t mention ABCC or registered and Toyota, now is not the time to sign the “Glenn Sterle has been one of the main facing not just the transport industry but all to now hold just 76 of the 150 lower house busting, “so we’re mobilising … we need to organisations during the campaign but they Trans-Pacific Partnership - let’s have a Buy advocates for the trade union in the jobs as we know them. seats. The MUA was an important part ensure there is legislation on how we will also failed to address other key concerns for Australia Act instead.” Parliament,” Cain said. “Some say that 40 per cent of jobs of the ACTU-led campaign that saw an bring unemployment down. working men and women such as precarious Otherwise, this type of dislocation means “He has helped the MUA in many won’t exist in a couple of decades’ time,” effective campaign on the ground as well “Where are the industry policies work, the share economy and portability. the environment is ripe for the rise of inquiries such as fuel security and flags of Sheldon said. as in advertising and support for local ALP Australians are voting on? Then there is a “There is a tsunami about to come upon Donald Trump, Brexit and Pauline Hanson. convenience, these are the type of people we “Then we’re looking at chronic candidates. The MUA has long been close to requirement to deliver. us. The industrial revolution took many ACTU Vice-President and Campaign want in Parliament.” underemployment. That’s why we need to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. “Voters need to know where the jobs will decades but the speed of change is now Director Sally McManus said it was Sterle, a former truck driver and ongoing continually look at things such as a living MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin come from in shipping, in manufacturing, different due to exponential growth in important to keep up the fight against the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) member, wage and when people hear nothing but said the election campaign had underlined in value adding to Australian-owned technology combined with globalisation. spread of right wing populists. paid tribute to the work of the union terms like ‘innovation’ from the Turnbull the fact that unions need to be on a commodities, agriculture and services.” Oliver said that unlike historical “We need to unite because there is too movement in the campaign and elsewhere. Government, people think they’ll lose permanent campaign footing. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said key manufacturing, Google employs just 38,000 much wealth and power concentrated to the “The recent win in the High Court over their jobs.” n

8 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 9 NATIONAL council

Recommendation 1 when in Australian waters, to our national ITF Maritime 4.12 The committee recommends that the regulations. Coordinator International Affairs and Commonwealth undertake a review of the Jacqueline Smith Australian maritime sector, with a view Recommendation 9 to building on the 2012 reforms aimed at 4.20 The committee recommends that the Campaigns On The Agenda growing the Australian-flagged shipping Commonwealth consider ways to improve industry in the future. the early intervention and counselling resources available to crews on international MUA National ITF Australian Campaign Director be lost. For every rig that goes, you have Recommendation 2 vessels, including those operating on flag of Secretary and Shannon O’Keeffe, who heads the at least six offshore vessels that go with it. 4.13 The committee recommends that this convenience registers. ITF President new centre, reported on three global The time to campaign is now,” Smith said. review include a comprehensive whole-of- Paddy Crumlin campaigns led from the ITF’s new Sydney National Council paid tribute to Smith government assessment of the potential Later, Maritime International Federation campaign centre. for backing critical ITF campaigns such as security risks posed by flag of convenience International Executive Officer Mick “The ITF is serious about leading large- ICTSI and Chevron and the formation of vessels and foreign crews. Doleman hosted a panel involving Maritime scale, innovative, global campaigns that the ITF’s new Sydney campaign centre. Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) General challenge capital, raise standards, and get ITF Australia Coordinator Dean Recommendation 3 Secretary Joe Fleetwood, KPI Indonesia a better deal for workers. Summers reported on the FOC campaign, 4.14 The committee recommends that this President Rustandi Hanafi, PNG MTWU One of the campaigns targets ICTSI, which saw more than $3 million in lost review include consideration of ways to General Secretary Reg McAlister and East a rapidly growing stevedoring from wages returned to international seafarers harmonise the operations of the Australian Timorese SMETL’s Carolina Carlos. the Philippines, which is expanding in Australian waters in the past year. shipping sector across jurisdictions through All participants reported that MIF, worldwide. Summers also spoke of the Sage COAG to reduce red tape for vessel and established in 2015 to forge closer trade “What’s at stake in these campaigns – Sagittarius, which is the subject of an port operators, including cargo handling union ties in the region, was running look at ICTSI in Madagascar, where 1500 ongoing coronial inquest that led to a provisions. smoothly. n port workers earn just $20 US dollars a 4 Corners episode and ongoing Senate month,” O’Keeffe said. Inquiry into FOC shipping Recommendation 4 “They want a union and they know only The Senate inquiry has already released 4.15 The committee recommends that this Free Trade Agreements a union contract will raise their standard an interim report, that makes many review include widespread consultation with of living. They want to be part of a global references to a suite of work that the the Australian shipping industry to ensure Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) he International Transport labor movement – and they can only get MUA/ ITF have been driving and includes: that its findings are relevant and directed to • Involves 12 Pacific rim countries including there USA and Australia but Workers’ Federation (ITF) in that by coordinated multi-site workplace • The erosion of the Australian flag shared objectives for the future of the local notably, not China conjunction with the Maritime activism through the ITF.” through unfair FOC competition maritime sector. • The proposal was signed in February 2016 in Auckland but is yet to be Union of Australia (MUA) ITF Maritime Coordinator, Jacqueline • Environmental impact from FOCs ratified by governments hasT established a new campaign centre Smith, reported on the change process in • Loss of jobs and erosion of maritime Recommendation 5 • The agreement promises to “promote economic growth; support the in Sydney as the engine room of ITF the new ITF, which sees the organisation skills base 4.16 The committee recommends that creation and retention of jobs; enhance innovation, productivity and campaigning in the Asia-Pacific. shifting to focus on powerful and modern • Fuel Security the Commonwealth immediately tighten competitiveness” Addressing MUA National Council, MUA campaigning. • National Security the provisions for temporary licenses • Critics including the ACTU and MUA oppose the deal as will primarily benefit National Secretary and ITF President A former National Secretary of the • Cabotage in Australian maritime law, to flag of corporations and undermine quality of life for ordinary workers Paddy Crumlin discussed the strategy Norwegian Seafarer’s Union, Smith has led • Temporary Licences convenience vessels being used on permanent • The inclusion of so-called investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms is behind the new campaign centre, which the ITF’s maritime section of the ITF for • Sage Sagittarius coastal freight routes if they fail to pay of particular concern to unions because it gives gives foreign investors their is now leading three global flagship more than two years. • Portland dispute Australian award wages to their crew. own special legal process to sue governments campaigns of the ITF. “Right now we have some incredibly The recommendations are as follows: “We have a responsibility to reclaim dynamic campaigners working in the ITF Recommendation 6 Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) and consolidate our institutions to put our campaigns. These campaigns are vital. 4.17 The committee recommends that the • Involves the European Union along with 23 governments together global campaigns to effectively You have to go for it. You have to win,” Commonwealth adopt a broader and more • Services including energy, health, education, financial services, e-commerce, deal with the globalisation of capital,” Smith said. rigorous approach to the risk assessment postal and transport are impacted Crumlin said. Fighting for seafarer jobs is a major and oversight of seafarers working in • Leaked information suggests there have been market access requests from “The need for strong global unions has focus of Smith’s work in the ITF. Australian waters on maritime visas, and the EU negotiators to other countries to further liberalise their services never been greater. Look at the abuses Around the world, national seafarers in better share this information across relevant • The ITF has joined other global union organisations in blasting the EU for we are seeing from the neoliberal agenda countries such as Australia, US, Canada, Commonwealth and jurisdictional agencies. pushing other governments to privatise and deregulate as part of negotiations worldwide - an attack on workers, casual UK and Norway are fighting for the right • The ITF has already voiced serious concerns about TISA opening up maritime and precarious work, exploitation and to work in their own country. Recommendation 7 cabotage inequality. Free trade agreements, company 4.18 The committee recommends that the “The top one per cent already controls attacks and government regulation could Australian Government continue to work Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and Transatlantic almost all the wealth in this world – what’s see many national seafarers replaced by with international agencies, including the Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) that going to be like in 15, 20 years if we exploited workers paid $2 an hour on International Labour Organisation (ILO), • Involves the EU and Canada (CITA) and the EU and the USA (TTIP) don’t do something about it? unregulated Flag of Convenience (FOC) to improve the working conditions, safety • Unions say these agreements would result in deregulation, liberalisation and “We will have the ability through our vessels. standards, and rates of remuneration for the handing of further powers over law-making to big business amalgamated union and the new ITF Smith has established a cabotage seafarers working in international shipping. • Nearly 3.5 million Europeans said they didn’t want either deal, following a year to change how we campaign, how we taskforce, which bringing together long petition campaign deal with global employers, and how we maritime unions globally to campaign for Recommendation 8 • The ITF has been one of the harshest critics of these agreements, repeatedly mobilise workers world-wide in defence of strong cabotage laws to protect the rights 4.19 The committee recommends that the warning of little-publicised risks and inbuilt injustices their jobs and rights. of seafarers to work in their own country. Australian government look for ways to • The ITF says CETA in particular will impact seafarers and dockers by ITF Australian “For us, this is particularly the case “We know the tides are shifting. support the Maritime Labour Convention undermining maritime cabotage rules and throwing open national ports to Campaign Director predatory corporate raiders. in defence of our own in shipping, We have to establish strong cabotage Shannon O’Keeffe (MLC) to make flag of convenience shipping stevedoring, towage and port services.” arrangements now or [these jobs] will all more accountable to international law and,

10 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 11 NATIONAL council

Recommendation 1 when in Australian waters, to our national ITF Maritime 4.12 The committee recommends that the regulations. Coordinator International Affairs and Commonwealth undertake a review of the Jacqueline Smith Australian maritime sector, with a view Recommendation 9 to building on the 2012 reforms aimed at 4.20 The committee recommends that the Campaigns On The Agenda growing the Australian-flagged shipping Commonwealth consider ways to improve industry in the future. the early intervention and counselling resources available to crews on international MUA National ITF Australian Campaign Director be lost. For every rig that goes, you have Recommendation 2 vessels, including those operating on flag of Secretary and Shannon O’Keeffe, who heads the at least six offshore vessels that go with it. 4.13 The committee recommends that this convenience registers. ITF President new centre, reported on three global The time to campaign is now,” Smith said. review include a comprehensive whole-of- Paddy Crumlin campaigns led from the ITF’s new Sydney National Council paid tribute to Smith government assessment of the potential Later, Maritime International Federation campaign centre. for backing critical ITF campaigns such as security risks posed by flag of convenience International Executive Officer Mick “The ITF is serious about leading large- ICTSI and Chevron and the formation of vessels and foreign crews. Doleman hosted a panel involving Maritime scale, innovative, global campaigns that the ITF’s new Sydney campaign centre. Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) General challenge capital, raise standards, and get ITF Australia Coordinator Dean Recommendation 3 Secretary Joe Fleetwood, KPI Indonesia a better deal for workers. Summers reported on the FOC campaign, 4.14 The committee recommends that this President Rustandi Hanafi, PNG MTWU One of the campaigns targets ICTSI, which saw more than $3 million in lost review include consideration of ways to General Secretary Reg McAlister and East a rapidly growing stevedoring from wages returned to international seafarers harmonise the operations of the Australian Timorese SMETL’s Carolina Carlos. the Philippines, which is expanding in Australian waters in the past year. shipping sector across jurisdictions through All participants reported that MIF, worldwide. Summers also spoke of the Sage COAG to reduce red tape for vessel and established in 2015 to forge closer trade “What’s at stake in these campaigns – Sagittarius, which is the subject of an port operators, including cargo handling union ties in the region, was running look at ICTSI in Madagascar, where 1500 ongoing coronial inquest that led to a provisions. smoothly. n port workers earn just $20 US dollars a 4 Corners episode and ongoing Senate month,” O’Keeffe said. Inquiry into FOC shipping Recommendation 4 “They want a union and they know only The Senate inquiry has already released 4.15 The committee recommends that this Free Trade Agreements a union contract will raise their standard an interim report, that makes many review include widespread consultation with of living. They want to be part of a global references to a suite of work that the the Australian shipping industry to ensure Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) he International Transport labor movement – and they can only get MUA/ ITF have been driving and includes: that its findings are relevant and directed to • Involves 12 Pacific rim countries including there USA and Australia but Workers’ Federation (ITF) in that by coordinated multi-site workplace • The erosion of the Australian flag shared objectives for the future of the local notably, not China conjunction with the Maritime activism through the ITF.” through unfair FOC competition maritime sector. • The proposal was signed in February 2016 in Auckland but is yet to be Union of Australia (MUA) ITF Maritime Coordinator, Jacqueline • Environmental impact from FOCs ratified by governments hasT established a new campaign centre Smith, reported on the change process in • Loss of jobs and erosion of maritime Recommendation 5 • The agreement promises to “promote economic growth; support the in Sydney as the engine room of ITF the new ITF, which sees the organisation skills base 4.16 The committee recommends that creation and retention of jobs; enhance innovation, productivity and campaigning in the Asia-Pacific. shifting to focus on powerful and modern • Fuel Security the Commonwealth immediately tighten competitiveness” Addressing MUA National Council, MUA campaigning. • National Security the provisions for temporary licenses • Critics including the ACTU and MUA oppose the deal as will primarily benefit National Secretary and ITF President A former National Secretary of the • Cabotage in Australian maritime law, to flag of corporations and undermine quality of life for ordinary workers Paddy Crumlin discussed the strategy Norwegian Seafarer’s Union, Smith has led • Temporary Licences convenience vessels being used on permanent • The inclusion of so-called investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms is behind the new campaign centre, which the ITF’s maritime section of the ITF for • Sage Sagittarius coastal freight routes if they fail to pay of particular concern to unions because it gives gives foreign investors their is now leading three global flagship more than two years. • Portland dispute Australian award wages to their crew. own special legal process to sue governments campaigns of the ITF. “Right now we have some incredibly The recommendations are as follows: “We have a responsibility to reclaim dynamic campaigners working in the ITF Recommendation 6 Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) and consolidate our institutions to put our campaigns. These campaigns are vital. 4.17 The committee recommends that the • Involves the European Union along with 23 governments together global campaigns to effectively You have to go for it. You have to win,” Commonwealth adopt a broader and more • Services including energy, health, education, financial services, e-commerce, deal with the globalisation of capital,” Smith said. rigorous approach to the risk assessment postal and transport are impacted Crumlin said. Fighting for seafarer jobs is a major and oversight of seafarers working in • Leaked information suggests there have been market access requests from “The need for strong global unions has focus of Smith’s work in the ITF. Australian waters on maritime visas, and the EU negotiators to other countries to further liberalise their services never been greater. Look at the abuses Around the world, national seafarers in better share this information across relevant • The ITF has joined other global union organisations in blasting the EU for we are seeing from the neoliberal agenda countries such as Australia, US, Canada, Commonwealth and jurisdictional agencies. pushing other governments to privatise and deregulate as part of negotiations worldwide - an attack on workers, casual UK and Norway are fighting for the right • The ITF has already voiced serious concerns about TISA opening up maritime and precarious work, exploitation and to work in their own country. Recommendation 7 cabotage inequality. Free trade agreements, company 4.18 The committee recommends that the “The top one per cent already controls attacks and government regulation could Australian Government continue to work Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and Transatlantic almost all the wealth in this world – what’s see many national seafarers replaced by with international agencies, including the Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) that going to be like in 15, 20 years if we exploited workers paid $2 an hour on International Labour Organisation (ILO), • Involves the EU and Canada (CITA) and the EU and the USA (TTIP) don’t do something about it? unregulated Flag of Convenience (FOC) to improve the working conditions, safety • Unions say these agreements would result in deregulation, liberalisation and “We will have the ability through our vessels. standards, and rates of remuneration for the handing of further powers over law-making to big business amalgamated union and the new ITF Smith has established a cabotage seafarers working in international shipping. • Nearly 3.5 million Europeans said they didn’t want either deal, following a year to change how we campaign, how we taskforce, which bringing together long petition campaign deal with global employers, and how we maritime unions globally to campaign for Recommendation 8 • The ITF has been one of the harshest critics of these agreements, repeatedly mobilise workers world-wide in defence of strong cabotage laws to protect the rights 4.19 The committee recommends that the warning of little-publicised risks and inbuilt injustices their jobs and rights. of seafarers to work in their own country. Australian government look for ways to • The ITF and Seafarers’ International Union of Canada (SIU) says CETA in ITF Australian “For us, this is particularly the case “We know the tides are shifting. support the Maritime Labour Convention particular will impact seafarers and dockers by undermining maritime cabotage Campaign Director rules and throwing open national ports to predatory corporate raiders. in defence of our own in shipping, We have to establish strong cabotage Shannon O’Keeffe (MLC) to make flag of convenience shipping stevedoring, towage and port services.” arrangements now or [these jobs] will all more accountable to international law and,

10 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 11 NATIONAL council national council

MUA National Council Pays Tribute to ITUC’s Sharan Burrow former NZ union leader Helen Kelly Gives Update On Global MUA National Council observed a minute’s silence in honour of former President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Helen Kelly, who died following a battle with cancer at the age of 52.

elen was well known in trade union circles as a strong Union Direction advocate for working men and International Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Sharan Burrow addressed the MUA national women everywhere. HThe popular domestic and international council to update the progress of the various campaigns of the international labour movement. union figure rose to national prominence fighting for safer conditions in the forestry urrow, in her second term Standing up for peace and democracy “Look at the movement of refugees out and mining sectors following deaths at as ITUC General Secretary, “Right now the world is in conflict. Only of crisis – there are 60 million refugees Pike River Mine in 2010 and a string of is leading a program of 11 countries in the world are not engaged out of crisis. Our movement has a great logging fatalities. change to reinvigorate the in or supporting conflict around the world tradition of standing up for peace. Unions Helen drove around the country to Bglobal organisation. and ours is not one of them,” Burrow said. say refugees are welcome here.” support victims’ families and spearheaded “The international union movement court cases fighting for accountability for has 180 million workers,” Burrow told those workers’ deaths. National Council. She resigned from the CTU in October “We are the biggest democratic force in 2015, eight months after being diagnosed the world but let’s not kid ourselves. We’re with terminal lung cancer, despite having seven per cent organised worldwide and never smoked. that’s not enough power to tame corporate While undergoing chemotherapy, Kelly power and the capture of our governments. kept campaigning for the right to die with We have to rebuild an organising culture. dignity and the right to use medicinal “You are a fighting union, you know how cannabis to combat pain and nausea. to organise but this is a global fight. We’re Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) turning this global movement into a fighting National Secretary and International movement. We need to rebuild a fighting Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) force around the world. That’s what we need President Paddy Crumlin said Kelly had to do.” remained dignified to the very end, paying Burrow highlighted 3 major areas of tribute to her influential role in the long- campaigning for the ITUC. running Ports of Auckland dispute. “Helen was acutely aware of the Eliminating slavery tremendously demanding challenges to The ITUC has led a global campaign to fight unions and workers not just in her own modern slavery in countries such as Qatar, country but around the world,” Crumlin said. which is hosting the Football World Cup in “In the Ports of Auckland dispute there 2022,where there is a campaign to establish wasn’t anybody more committed or more benchmarks in terms of sustainable and determined to get those wharfies back in fair conditions for all workers. the gate. “This is a global fight. It’s hard to believe “After being diagnosed with cancer, Helen Kelly addresses MUNZ workers at the that it’s 2016 and we still have some of Helen faced up to it with such courage and long-running Ports of the richest countries in the world where a determination and remained dignified and Auckland dispute in 2012 person can be effectively owned by another always accepting of the great difficulties. human being,” Burrow said. “Helen is a great loss to the movement, a “If working people don’t stand up for our great loss to her family, and also our holistic week and that epitomises her selflessness - warrior. brothers and sisters who are enslaved then campaign to create a more decent and more than anybody I know. “Helen was a terrific unionist, a working who will?” functional world.” Burrow said Clark was concerned about class warrior who will be sorely missed,” International Trade Union the day-to-day plight of working people Oliver said. Fighting for decent work Confederation (ITUC) General and spent a lot of time thinking about our “The union movement in New Zealand The ITUC keeps tabs on the ruthless Secretary Sharan Burrow said she was still future. and internationally will be deeply saddened inequality and exploitation faced by many trying to deal with the fact we’ve lost a “Helen had a big future and could have by the loss of Helen.” workers around the world. friend as well as a colleague. done anything. I think of New Zealand and Kelly leaves behind her son Dylan from “Informal and precarious work is a serious “Helen’s compassion and love for people Australia as being a family and Helen was a previous marriage and long-term partner problem. More than 40 per cent of workers was boundless and her thirst for justice a national hero. This is a sad day but her Steve Hurring, whom she married in 2015, in this world are stuck in informal work. The made her a warrior for working people,” life force will be with us in the decisions we after her cancer diagnosis. conditions are so bad - no minimum wages, Burrow said. make,” Burrow said. More than 1500 people gathered for a no basic rights, no collective bargaining, no “Despite her illness, Helen was still ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver paid tribute memorial service in Wellington on October access to rule of law,” Burrow said. preparing cases for forestry workers last to someone he described as a working class 28 to pay their respects.

12 www.mua.org.au 13www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au13 national council

“Under the Liberals, shipping has continued to decline, and their recent coastal shipping reforms would have abandoned the local industry. Labor opposed and defeated this WorkChoices on Water legislation.” - ALP Policy Document

Opposite page: ALP Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek, MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, ITF Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline Smith and ALP Member for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlethwaite.

Clockwise from top left: Tanya Plibersek at the opening; Paddy Crumlin speaks before Tanya Plibersek Opens New Training the unveiling; the crowd at the opening of the MUA/ITF Organising Centre Communication Centre.

LP Deputy Leader Tanya competitive, reliable and able to respond to Having failed to pass its legislation to register” – established by Labor to allow A sustained period of certainty around importation rules. Plibersek again underlined the needs of those industries which rely on throw open Australia’s coast to foreign ships greater participation by Australians in shipping regulation is vital for the policy to • Retain the Seafarer Tax Offset and Labor’s commitment to shipping. on lower standards and costs, the Abbott- international shipping. work. consider if any additional, affordable Australian shipping in A local shipping industry is in Australia’s Turnbull Government now resorts to • Sought on several occasions to abolish The Abbott-Turnbull Government’s tax measures are needed to encourage Aopening the new MUA/ITF Organising economic, environmental and national working around the object of Labor’s laws. the Seafarers’ Tax Offset, which reduces cynical attempt to work around existing investment in Australian crewed ships. Communication Centre. security interest. This is something that all The Liberals’ legislation to deregulate tax liability for employers of Australians legislation has attracted public attention, • Actively promote the Australian Following Labor Leader Bill Shorten’s other G20 nations know and implement. Australian coastal shipping was defeated in in the international trade. especially via the MV Portland, CSL International Shipping Register, commitment to Australian shipping given Australia’s economic interest is served by the Senate in November 2015. • Shut down the Maritime Workforce Melbourne, removal of all Australian crewed including by appointing ambassadors for during Quadrennial Conference, the being able to guarantee an Australian-based This “WorkChoices on Water” legislation Development Forum. The Forum tankers and WorkChoices on Water issues. Australian shipping. ALP laid out its position in an election maritime cluster that employs Australians used cuts to wages and conditions – included industry, the Navy, unions Labor promises to: • Reinstate and resource the Maritime document. and which is dedicated to servicing effectively replacement of Australian and training organisations, and sought • Work with industry to support an Workforce Development Forum allow On its release, Labor Transport Australian needs. seafarers with foreign seafarers on lower to put in place a workforce strategy adequate level of Australian shipping it to plan and develop a system for the spokesman Anthony Albanese said: “We Under the Liberals, shipping has foreign wages – for 88 per cent of the that would promote maritime skills capability, including ensuring that our training of Australians in the maritime have an approach to shipping that’s continued to decline, and their recent claimed “industry savings”. development for Australians. defence and fuel security needs are able industry. consistent with Australia’s national interest. coastal shipping reforms would have Major Australian seafarer job losses While some investment has occurred to be reliably met. • Properly respond to the What we’ve seen around our coast with abandoned the local industry. Labor were specifically anticipated by the Abbott- (SeaRoad in Tasmania for instance), • Ensure that the national interest in recommendations arising from the the replacement of the Australian flag with opposed and defeated this WorkChoices on Turnbull Government’s modelling, as the ongoing uncertainty surrounding promoting Australian shipping is taken recent inquiry by the Senate Rural foreign ships [and] foreign seafarers being Water legislation. Australian crews were replaced by foreign policy settings for Australian shipping into account when licensing foreign and Regional Affairs and Transport paid foreign wages is a disgrace. It is not Labor believes in Australian shipping, and crews while working on the Australian coast. has prevented the making of reflagging ships to work in Australia. References Committee into the in our national interest. We’d revitalise a Shorten Labor Government will promote While Labor’s 2012 reforms remain in decisions by operators. • Stop the abuse of temporary licences increasing use of so-called Flag of Australian shipping in terms of our national the 2012 reforms and revitalise the industry place the Abbott-Turnbull Government has Reflagging decisions (which would include that has occurred in breach of the Convenience shipping in Australia.A security interests and environmental and the jobs it supports. supported the issuing of temporary licences a move to employ more Australians as crew, existing legislation by the Abbott- Shorten Labor Government will reaffirm interests as well as our economic interests.” The Abbott-Turnbull Government has to foreign ships for permanent work that and subject a ship to broad Australian- Turnbull Government. Labor’s commitment to revitalising The ALP policy document outlines the opposed Labor’s historic 2012 reform has long been done by Australian crews. level standards of regulation) are in effect • Streamline regulatory processes – for Australian shipping as a strategic party’s position: package all the way, and prevented the new The Liberals have also: significant medium to long term investment example not requiring multiple voyages industry. Australia’s shipping industry needs to be policy from doing its work. • Not encouraged use of the “international decisions by shipping operators. per permit and clarifying customs

14 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 15 NATIONAL council

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA AND THE These documents were adopted unanimously at the MUA National Council and will CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION be presented and discussed at the upcoming Annual General Meetings (AGMs) INTRODUCTION 13. The Industry rule of the MUA shall be up- the date of amalgamation, the following lifted and incorporated into the Industry provisions shall apply to the election of 1. The artiesp to this agreement are the Mar- rules of the Union. the National Offices. Memorandum of Understanding Between The CFMEU and the MUA In itime Union of Australia (MUA) and the relation to the proposed amalgamation Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy 14. TheEligibility rule of the MUA will be up- 23. The ationalN Officers shall be elected by Union (CFMEU). lifted and incorporated into the Eligibility and from the National Collegiate, namely rules of the Union. Members eligible under the delegates to all of the Divisional Confer- 1 Purpose of this agreement have a long history of commitment intends to amalgamate with the 2.The artiesp to this agreement have agreed to the old MUA eligibility rule will be allocated ences of the Union. Provided that, the Divi- and achievement of these values CFMEU, and will take all steps nec- amalgamate. to the new MUA Division. sional Secretary of the MUA Division, the 1.1 The Maritime Union of Australia that have ensured the promotion essary and available to amalgamate Divisional Secretary of the Construction (“MUA”) and the Construction of workers’ and trade union rights, with the CFMEU, including work- 3. The ermst of that agreement are set out in GOVERNANCE and General Division, the Divisional Sec- Forestry Mining and Energy Union and further reassert their inten- ing with the CFMEU to develop a this document. retary of the Forestry, Furnishing, Build- (“CFMEU”), registered organisa- tion to amalgamate into a new in- scheme of amalgamation for the 15. Subject to the National Rules, the gover- ing Products and Manufacturing Division, tions under the Fair Work (Reg- dependent and progressive union approval of the Fair Work Commis- 4. A number of matters under consideration nance of the MUA Division shall be as set and the General President of the Mining istered Organisations) Act 2009 that continues to build on that sion and the MUA’s members. are fluid as they relate to potential chang- out in the MUA Divisional Rules. and Energy Division shall between them (“the Act”), have entered into this experience and historical direction. es that the MUA and CFMEU would like to hold the positions of National Secretary, Memorandum of Understanding 4 The CFMEU make to its existing rules. 16. The Divisional Secretary of the MUA Di- National Assistant Secretary, the National (“MOU”) to reflect their mutual 2.5 The parties intend to amalgam- vision shall be the principal officer of the President and the International President. intention to amalgamate in accor- ate to establish a union that will 4.1 The CFMEU intends to amalgam- 5. The artiesp to the agreement do not seek to MUA Division. dance with the shared trade union continue this focus and direction ate with the MUA and will take extend their collective eligibility rules by vir- 24. Theposition of International President and aprogressive political and in- at the workplace, community, all steps necessary and available tue of the amalgamation. 17. A new national position of International shall be a transitional rule tied to the in- dustrial values held currently and national and international level, to amalgamate with the MUA, in- President shall be created. cumbent on the day of amalgamation. historically by both unions and the reviewed and updated by trans- cluding working with the CFMEU 6.It is the intention of the negotiating parties many unions that formed those parent governance based on the to develop a scheme of amalgama- that this document, in its final form, shall be 18. There shall be an additional National FINANCES unions since their inception. involvement and overall direction tion for the approval of the Fair submitted for formal vote to the relevant de- Vice-Presidential position which shall be of all members, including in the Work Commission and CFMEU’s cision making body of each organisation no filled as determined by the MUA Division. 25. Subject to the National Rules, the MUA Di- 2 Overarching principles following areas: members. later than 30 September 2016. vision shall be responsible for the manage- 19. The ompositionc of the National Execu- ment of its financial affairs. 2.1 The parties acknowledge the • The promotion of members’ 5 On-going consultation and 7. It is the intention of the parties that having tive Committee shall be varied to include traditional owners of the land, rec- and broader trade union and engagement finalised the terms of this document, to then the following representation; the Nation- 26. TheMUA Division shall pay capitation fees ognise their continuing custodian- workers’ rights and protections draft rules to reflect this document, and to al Secretary; the National President; the to the National Union in accordance with ship and pay our respects to their through joint industrial, polit- 5.1 The parties commit to on-going submit those draft rules for consideration of International President; the National As- decisions made by either the National Con- elders past and present. ical and community objectives discussions, consultation and all the respective organisation’s relevant deci- sistant Secretary; five (5) National Vice ference or the National Executive of the based on support through effec- joint efforts necessary to give sion making bodies by no later than 31 De- Presidents; together with four (4) other Union. 2.2 The parties share a progressive and tive organising and activity; effect to this agreement. cember 2016. members elected by and from each of the militant history of empowering MUA Division, the Forestry Division and 27. The artiesp to the agreement are satisfied and involving workers locally, na- • Integrated recruitment and 5.2 The parties will apply the values 8. Further, it is the intention of the parties that the Mining and Energy Division respec- that the current financial management and tionally and internationally around organising of members and the of mutual respect and unity in formal and final decisions in relation to the tively, and eleven (11) other members arrangement of finances is sound and ade- their industrial, social, economic, community to meet these objec- reconciling any differences that amalgamation will be made by the respec- elected by and from the Construction and quate. cultural and political needs based tives nationally. may arise between them includ- tive organisation’s relevant decision making General Division. on justice, equity, mutual respect ing in regard to their respective bodies in October/November of 2016 with a 28. A statement signed by each of the current and access. At our heart we are 2.6 The parties intend that the objects and the application of this view to consultation and/or decision making 20. The ompositionc of the National Executive National Secretaries of the relevant amal- democratic unions controlled by amalgamated organisation will agreement. with/by members in early 2017. shall include the National Executive Com- gamating unions is attached attesting to our members and we will continue continue to identify those rights mittee (as defined in 20 directly above) the current state of each organisations fi- to be so in a new amalgamated and protections and defend our RULES and the principal officer of each Divisional nancial affairs. union. We will continue to work members’ industrial, political, eco- Branch of the Union that is not otherwise to ensure that these principles are nomic, social and cultural rights 9. The name of the Union shall be the subject of a member of the National Executive Com- OTHER MATTERS reflected in our union rules. and those of workers generally ongoing discussion between the parties. mittee. against any attack and diminish- 29. The ollowingf matters will be the subject of 10. The artiesp are agreed that there will be four 2.3 The parties assert the importance ment of those fundamental rights 21. The ationalN Conference of the CFMEU is ongoing discussion. divisions of the Union. The New Division of their responsibility and com- and just entitlement of and access currently comprised of all of the members shall be called the Maritime Union of Aus- 30. The MUA will be de-registered in the course mitment to promote and defend to those rights, including through of the executives of the Divisions. Consis- tralia Division (MUA Division). of the amalgamation. social, economic and political jus- continuing to work within a broad- tent with this arrangement, the members tice along with genuine democracy er like-minded and committed of the Divisional Executive of the MUA 11. The Rules of the Union will be varied to re- 31. Membership of previous state and federally and accountability based on those network of trade unions, organisa- Division shall also be members of the flect the terms of this agreement. registered unions recognised for all purpos- values of access, equity and democ- tions and persons equally commit- National Conference, and shall have the voting entitlement set out in the current es in the Union. racy, along with acknowledgement ted to genuine united and inclusive 12. The Objects of the CFMEU and the MUA of and adherence to human and action and campaigning. rules. shall be combined and consolidated to 32. Office holders upon amalgamation and syn- civil rights for workers regardless create the Objects of the Union. The MUA 22. The current rules of the CFMEU provide chronization of elections. of sex, age and ethnicity, national- 3 Scheme of amalgamation Division shall retain its Objects in their cur- for the election of a college for the purpos- ly and internationally. rent form save that they shall be read sub- es for the election of the National Offices. 3.1 Consistent with resolution of MUA ject to the National Rules. The parties are agreed that on and from 2.4 The parties recognise that they National Conference, the MUA

16 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 17 CAMPAIGN

them to order their Australian crews to sail Two ‘slicks’ Blair Walsh and Mick the vessels to Singapore, where they will be Cross with Jacqui Lambie Jobs Embassy Proves ‘MUA Here To Stay’ sacked and replaced by foreign workers. “This attempt to undermine Australian n direct response to the Federal shipping comes despite November’s Senate Government’s complicity in the MV rejection of Mr Turnbull’s ‘WorkChoices Portland raid, the MUA decided to set on Water’ legislation, which would have up the Jobs Embassy on the lawns of allowed foreign-flagged vessels paying IParliament House in Canberra - to ensure foreign wage rates to undercut Australian those inside knew the union would not shipping companies, which are required to tolerate such belligerence from profitable pay Australian level wages. multi-nationals and their cheerleaders “Undeterred by the will of the Parliament, within the LNP Government. Mr Turnbull is now abusing a provision The first week was launched by National of existing law that allows the issuance of Secretary Paddy Crumlin and hosted by the permits for temporary use of foreign crews, Victorian Branch. They were joined by crew where no Australian crews are available. members from the MV Portland, who used “It is extraordinary that any Australian their time to meet various MPs and Senators Government would actually facilitate to tell their story. Australians being sacked because they National Women’s Liaison Officer Mich- are paid Australian wage rates, and Elle Myers, fresh from coordinating the it is unacceptable that an Australian MV Portland assembly, took the reigns Opposition Leader Bill Shorten Government would undermine the national met with the MV Portland crew of the eight week campaign. Through interest by deliberately trying to undermine wind, rain and shine Myers made sure the Australian industry.” Embassy worked with military procision Bandt. Claydon, Anne Urquart and Jill Hall, plus Bray said the fact an Australian crew was proud to be Australian, but what happened Dale Eaton, whose wife at the time was and her leadership ensured the union’s voice ALP Transport spokesman Anthony Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon. removed at 1am and replaced by a foreign to the crew of the MV Portland and now the due to give birth to their second child, resonated along the halls of parliament. Albanese later addressed the rally, as did Albanese declared: “Malcolm Turnbull crew raised a number of serious questions: CSL Melbourne is un-Australian. commented; “If this is how it’s going to be On the first day, the crew met Federal Greens Senator Janet Rice, Kennedy MP should today meet Australian shipping • What visas did the replacement crew have “Australians have been removed from run, who wants to be a part of that. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, as well as Bob Katter, ACTU President Ged Kearney, workers protesting outside Parliament to and who authorised them? their rightful place of work, and their “I’ve been at sea for 10 years. I was Shadow Infrastructure Minister Anthony ITF Australia Coordinator Dean Summers explain why he has cleared the way for them • Who in Customs and Immigration removal has been sanctioned and approved looking forward to a life at sea and now I Albanese, Shadow Employment Minister and MUA Assistant National Secretary Ian to be sacked and replaced by foreign crews processed their passports and who by this Government.” feel like there’s no career; nothing.” Brendan O’Connor, cross-bench Senators Bray. earning Third World wages. approved that decision? Crew member Warren Hopkins said Liam Conaghan said it was going to be John Madigan, Jacqui Lambie, Ricky Muir, Several MPs and Senators attended the “In recent months the Government has • Were AMSA regulations breached? workers had to complete 16 weeks at the very difficult to find another job. Glenn Lazarus and Nick Xenophon, and rally, including the ALP’s Penny Wong, Mark issued the owners of the MV Portland and • Was the harbour master informed and Australian Maritime College and 36 weeks of Week 2 Greens members Janet Rice and Adam Butler, Terri Butler, Pat Conroy, Sharon the CSL Melbourne with permits allowing what was the role of the Port Authority? sea time, in order to receive the Integrated The second week of the Embassy was handed • Who inside Government was aware of this? Ratings ticket. over to the most local branch, Southern New “As the union representing these workers, This training generally takes around two South Wales - still a decent two and a half we’re seeking answers,” Bray said. years to complete. hours away. “We’ll explore every avenue to get to the Hopkins said Australian seafarers are The attendance by the south coast bottom of this grubby episode, because we some of the best in the world and shouldn’t comrades also widened the direction of the suspect some of those in the Ministerial be expected to compete with exploited Embassy to include other workers under Wing knew what was coming and authorised foreign crews of FOC vessels. attack as a result of bad policy coming from it to happen.” “There’s no way we can compete with the Turnbull Government. The seafarers also fronted a Senate $2-an-hour and then go home and pay the As such, the South Coast Labour Council Inquiry into Flag-of-Convenience shipping. electricity bill,” Hopkins said. and its secretary joined the protest group, MV Portland crew member Zach Kinzett He added Alcoa was the recipient along with Port Kembla Bluescope metal said getting rid of domestic shipping of a subsidy from the Victorian State workers from the AWU and AMWU. companies was not in the national interest. Government that runs into tens of millions The fight for jobs coincided with a “The work hasn’t dried up,” he explained. of dollars a year. It might even be $100 historically significant day – Iron Boat Day. “Alcoa intends to continue this trade on million, but no-one knows as the numbers Iron Boat Day commemorates the day foreign-flagged ships with a foreign crew aren’t made public. in 1914 when BHP contracted shipping being paid as little as $2-an-hour, supported Michael Pawson, the chief cook, came to company Scott Feels & Co to move its cargo by the Turnbull Government which wants to the table at the end of the meeting. around the Australian coast. This would open up the Australian coast to cheap, nasty, “After listening to everything that’s just trigger the beginning of Australia’s biggest risky shipping. come out, I find it very annoying that we merchant shipping fleet – the Iron Boats. “The Turnbull Government needs to be were the ones who were pulled out of our As a result of a depressed steelmaking and reminded that Australian jobs are important beds at 1am,” he said. general manufacturing industry, the Iron – me and my fellow workers have families, “And we’re the criminals? All we wanted Boat fleet has disappeared - and along with kids, mortgages and bills to pay. was our jobs.” it many jobs, which were once considered a “Our dispute is about the right for Brett Kolpin, a Portland local, said he long-term and stable career. Australians to work in their own country was told by his wife, after reading the local Shadow Employment Minister Brendan and not be replaced by foreign-crewed paper, that it was the last voyage of the MV O’Connor spoke at the Embassy, calling on vessels paying as little as $2-an-hour. Portland. the Turnbull Government to stand up for The South Australian Branch “Ultimately, we are just Australian “You’ll never see a vessel better looked Australian workers and come clean on its ask: ‘What about jobs?’ workers in an Australian industry. I am after than the Portland,” he said. role in the MV Portland action.

18 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 19 Campaign Caption 6: Senator Glen Lazarus and National Secretary Paddy Crumlin share a joke

He was followed by South Coast Labor coast of New South Wales is bleak, with shipping and exposing the MV Portland wider Hunter region. A bus load of workers, parliamentarians Sharon Bird and Stephen the massive downturn at Bluescope and scandal.” led by Newcastle Trades Hall, joined the Jones, as well as Greens Senator Lee the decelerating mining industry, while Queenslanders held rallies with the Embassy after five hours on the road and a Rhiannon and Independent Senator John the Federal Government is acting like AMWU protesting the death of the 1am start. Madigan. everything is rosy,” Rorris said. shipbuilding industry, meat workers Shadow Employment Minister Brendan MUA Relieving Southern NSW Branch “Employment is the single most from the AMIEU protesting over live O’Connor joined the speakers, who were Secretary Mick Cross said there were only important issue in Australia. Employment exports destroying their industry and with emceed by Hunter Unions Secretary Daniel a handful of coastal ships left - and at creates taxpayers. Tax pays for health, CSIRO staff who are suffering from huge Wallace. least two of those routes, once plied by the education and services. Health, education Government funding cuts. O’Connor said the Government had an MV Portland and CSL Melbourne, were and services are what differentiates “We obviously made a huge impact on antipathy towards working men and women exploiting a loophole to employ foreign Australia from the developing world, fosters the Parliament, with many politicians from and their industries. crews. the notion of the ‘Fair Go’ and makes this all persuasions coming out and speaking in “This is systematic. This is an intentional “The time has come to reinvigorate country great.” support,” Gallagher said. systematic undermining of the maritime the shipping industry and the associated “Obviously the Liberals spent the week industry, of employment conditions and industries in mining and manufacturing. Week 3 hiding. For us the biggest statement came if it can happen to the maritime industry However the Government is taking a Week three was Queensland’s turn and they when Throsby MP Stephen Jones left the and union, it can happen to anybody in this different tack and enabling those industries used their time to highlight the importance Embassy to unfurl the ‘red ensign’ across country,” he said. to crumble,” Cross said. of the merchant shipping fleet, as well as his chest in the Lower House, taunting the Meanwhile Wallace spoke about the “Australia is an island nation and, as such, commemorating the Kirki incident which Coalition and accusing them of being un- Government’s inaction on local procurement should have a healthy domestic shipping saw 17,000 tonnes of crude oil spill from a Australian. and local content policy. industry, which provides good, skilled foreign oil tanker off the pristine WA coast “Among all the tension, it created an “The silence by the Turnbull jobs to thousands of Australian men and in 1991. almighty ruckus with both sides exploding Government, on the thousands of jobs women, many of whom are currently facing Queensland Assistant Branch Secretary and nearly causing the Speaker to smash his being haemorrhaged in manufacturing and uncertain employment prospects going Paul Gallagher said the delegation took great gavel to pieces. GOLD!” (Read more about mining, is atrocious,” Wallace said. forward. pride in setting up early every morning at Queensland’s week in Ann Gray’s report in “Local procurement should be a no- The Queensland contingency with “Our message to the Government is the Jobs Embassy. the Women section.) brainer. But the Government - at the behest ACTU President Ged Kearney simple: Save our industries and save our Gallagher noted: “Front-and-centre, of big, usually overseas, business - is turning jobs.” straight opposite Parliament House, highly Weeks 4 & 5 its back on workers, local business and the SCLC Secretary Arthur Rorris commended visible and staring down our adversaries - The reigns of the Embassy were handed over wider-community. Claydon said. And Jill Hall added: “People need job the Maritime Union of Australia for its letting them know we are ‘Here To stay’. to close friends at the CFMEU during week “Well, if Malcolm Turnbull and Michaelia “Manufacturing is our region’s third security for their families to pay their campaign and encouraged all unionists and “We combined our efforts all week with four, with the MUA members preoccupied Cash think they can walk away from largest employer, but this Government has bills and mortgages. But the Turnbull unemployed people to join the Embassy. our sacked seafarers participating in the with National Conference on the Gold Coast. Australian workers without a fight, they’re done nothing to support the industry. There government has no plan for jobs in the “The future for workers on the south Senate Inquiry into Flag of Convenience Week five was all about Newcastle and the more delusional than I thought.” were more than 1000 highly-skilled men Hunter, just job losses and uncertainty. Even MUA Newcastle Secretary Glen Williams and women working in the shipbuilding the public sector is feeling the pain, with said the Government’s actions were most industry in 2013; now there’s just a handful, services such as Medicare offices forced to recently on show in Newcastle, when as the Liberal Government sends more close down. The Turnbull government needs the NSW Police removed the Australian and more jobs offshore. Likewise, this to work harder and stand up for local jobs, crewmembers from the domestic ship CSL Government has abandoned Australian not cut them.” Melbourne, after the Federal Transport seafarers, replacing them with foreign crews An international guest in the form Department granted the company a special instead.” of RMT Southampton Shipping Branch license to flout Australian employment and Pat Conroy summed up: “Malcolm chairman Mick Stubbs took to the podium shipping laws. Turnbull leads a Government that has all to describe the situation in the UK, but “Allowing Australian seafarers be replaced but abandoned science, research, innovation not before he was introduced by the by $2-an-hour workers, on exclusively and industry. It abolished Labor’s $1 billion ever-humorous Newcastle Deputy Branch domestic routes, like the CSL Melbourne jobs plan, which would have provided Secretary Dennis Outram. which traversed between Gladstone and regions like ours with an opportunity to Newcastle, is the tip of the iceberg,” build world-class Innovation Precincts. ‘Slick the Oily Surfer’ Williams said. “When it comes to jobs, this Day 17 of Jobs Embassy was marred by “If a special licence can be used in Government’s record is abysmal. But when loss of the last Australian fuel tanker – the shipping, who is to say the Government it comes to Hunter jobs, it is absolutely British Fidelity. won’t allow other industries to exploit legal shameful. I’ll be standing shoulder-to- The original stunt of ‘Slick the Oily Surfer’ loopholes to bring in an overseas workforce, shoulder with Hunter workers to spread was still carried out - only speakers talked not subject to Australian wages and the word that our community is being about the need for job protection, as well as conditions.” irreparably damaged by Malcolm Turnbull the need to protect the environment from Also joining the effort were Hunter ALP and his Government.” dodgy foreign ships of shame. politicians Jill Hall, Joel Fitzgibbon, Pat Joel Fitzgibbon said: “Many workers who As a result, the two ‘Slicks’ (sourced Conroy and Sharon Claydon, who showed up have lost their jobs in the Hunter are 50 from Southern New South Wales Branch to support the Hunter region protesters and years of age or more and have spent most as nobody from Newcastle volunteered) the Jobs Embassy more broadly. of their working lives in the mines. They were joined by high profile speakers: ALP “This Liberal Government has done don’t have skills readily transferable to other Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler, nothing to support the jobs of today or occupations, and this Government has failed AMWU Assistant National Secretary Glenn prepare for the jobs of the future. The to deliver any support for today or direction Thompson and cross-bench Senators Jacqui maritime, mining and manufacturing for these workers’ future. Malcolm Turnbull Lambie, Glenn Lazarus and John Madigan. sectors have been particularly hard hit expects Australians to work until they’re 70, Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray The Newcastle contingency with thousands of jobs lost in the Hunter,” but can’t deliver the jobs.” said it was a disgrace that the Government

20 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 21 Campaign

favour of the ‘top end of town’. Notably this Embassy had strong “You have $10-30 billion flying out the MUA activists could be spotted in the During South Australia’s Embassy tenure, participation from all generations. While window through back-door arrangements backdrop of the Charlie Pickering television the Senate rejected the reintroduction of MUA Youth were at the forefront, a bus load and tax dodging. Turnbull has created a program, as well as Channel 7’s Sunrise the Australian Building and Corruption of retired veterans travelled from Sydney to Budget, a tax policy and a political system to program door-stop featuring Senator Lambie, Commission. attend the Embassy for one of the days. protect the rich.” Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash and The week saw the Jobs Embassy host the These retired unionists marched onto Australian Council of Trade Unions Labor Deputy Tanya Pilbersek. ACTU ‘Questions For Malcolm’ event, where the Embassy and shared their stories, President Ged Kearney said the limited Later in the day, MUA activists made MUA members figured prominently, South reminiscing about the days when there were economic spending of the Turnbull news headlines by booing Finance Minister Australian Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn progressive Governments in power. Government showed its total disrespect for Mathias Cormann and successfully disrupting said. Sydney Veterans Secretary and former children and their futures. his TV interviews with the chants “Mathias The questions created a social media Legal Officer Bill Giddins talked about how “After this Budget, our kids will not be for the Rich!” and “Malcolm Turnbull, we storm, amassing more than 15,000 tweets cheap his education was when he was at able to buy a house because he won’t tackle know what you are all about. job cuts, job under #questionsformalcolm and included the university. negative gearing. Our kids will not be able losses, money for the bosses!” following: “When I studied law, do you know how to get jobs because there is no money being On Thursday (two days after the Budget), • What about our jobs? much it cost me?” Giddins asked. put into industries. There is no jobs plan,” Shadow Employment Minister Brendan • What about our pensions? “I only had to pay for my text books and Kearney said. O’Connor made another speech at the • What about tax dodgers? my student union fees. But now, we have Community and Public Sector Union Embassy. • What about Federal ICAC? a Liberal Government trying to introduce National Secretary Nadine Flood spoke about Meanwhile former Senator Ricky Muir Newlyn said the Embassy also stood $100,000 fees which will deter many Turnbull’s attacks on public service workers. also joined the Embassy and spoke about in solidarity with New Zealand citizens Australians from accessing higher education. “The top end of town, our biggest the Government’s attack on our economic protesting changes to immigration law. “This is not equitable for our children and corporations, and the top one per cent are conditions. AMWU mourning the death of ship “In a moving event, Kiwi comrades their future. We’ve gone backwards and it’s paying nothing. 580 corporations paid not “I haven’t forgotten what it’s like to earn building under the Turnbull regime campaigning around Australia invited us to all due to the Turnbull Government.” one dollar of tax last year; they paid less penalty rates; I’ve been very vocal about that,” join their campaign to repeal Section 501 Later Labor MP Catherine King joined tax than our members in Centrelink and he said. which sees New Zealand citizens subjected the Embassy to speak to the crowd about Medicare, who are delivering public services, “The reality is that the Liberal Government was enabling companies to undermine Prior to the ‘Slick’ event, another group of to immigration detention and deportation Turnbull’s attacks on health services. earning $50-60,000 per year,” Flood said. thinks about small business. But I would Australian workers. AMWU workers had used the Jobs Embassy for no other reason or conviction but for On Tuesday morning, with that evening’s “These are people who are helping never have money to spend in shops, if I Senator Jacqui Lambie spoke as one of to highlight the declining steel industry failing a character test,” he said. impending Budget on everyone’s mind, vulnerable Australians every day. They pay didn’t get those penalty rates.” the members of the recent Fuel Security in Whyalla and they were joined by South The Tasmanian Branch, which because of protestors were invited to wear their tropical more tax than these big companies.” The Australian Services Union also joined Senate Inquiry. She estimated Australia only Australian MP Nick Champion in a media an early election couldn’t host its week, also best and visit the Cayman Islands Embassy Bray wrapped up the rally by ‘firing up’ the the Embassy in the final week to protest had 9-11 days of fuel in reserve. door-stop. joined the SA contingency. - playfully highlighting that PM Turnbull crowd. the cuts to women’s services, homelessness “I’d like to see what happens to the Also that morning, the two Slicks - Mick allegedly invests his money in offshore tax “If you are a worker earning under $80,000 programs, community legal services and country if that stops flowing, so they can Cross and Blair Walsh - were joined by Budget Week havens. dollars, this Budget delivers absolutely mental health. have a reality check,” Lambie said. a busload of MUA members and trade The final week, which also coincided with Tax dodging is a subject familiar to nothing. If you want a future for yourself, Others events included Apheda – Asbestos “I’ve had a gut full, just like Senator unionists from the Shell Harbour workers Budget Week, was taken over by the Sydney maritime workers, with three out of four and if you want job security and if you Not here Not Anywhere, joined by Indonesian Madigan has, just like Senator Lazarus has and the South Coast Labour Council. ALP Branch, which used the opportunity to companies involved in the MV Portland want a future for the next generation, this comrades Subono and Darisman who told of your jobs going.” MPs Stephen Jones and Sharon Bird joined set up the Cayman Islands Embassy - to dispute not paying a single cent in tax. Government is not the Government for you,” their stories about the prevalence of asbestos Former Senator John Madigan delivered the group to talk about Labor’s plan for the highlight the growing inequality that had Labor Senator Sam Dastyari - a fierce he said. in their home country. an impassioned speech, declaring self- region. occurred during the Abbott-Turnbull reign. supporter of tax reform - said Prime In the wake of the Budget, the nation’s The Teachers’ Federation also arrived to regulation of business did not work. Port Adelaide representative Mark Butler The idea was to juxtapose between Minister Turnbull was responsible for media gathered outside Parliament House, support Gonski Report funding and protest “Not everything is about money,” rounded off the afternoon’s speeches by the tax avoiding, multi-millionaires and perpetuating economic and social inequality. providing the MUA with the perfect the Liberal’s half-baked education funding Madigan said. “The greatest gift we can give highlighting the importance of a strong corporations, and the working men and “At the heart of this Budget is a complete opportunity to ‘photo bomb’ - capturing the plan. is the dignity of a job. domestic shipping fleet. women who pay their fair share, Bray said. and utter lie,” Senator Dastyari said. attention of the Australian community. The Australian Job Embassy was also “Often you hear the Government’s “If there’s a single country in the world, “This Budget must address some of the visited by MPs Gai Brodtman and Kate Ellis. rhetoric about there being a deficit. Well with the fourth biggest shipping task in the things that have been exposed through the Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer said the greatest deficit in Australia today is an world, where 99 per cent of our goods go Senate Inquiry into Tax Avoidance and the the most important thing to take away from integrity deficit - and our greatest export is on ships, for an island continent in a pretty release of the Panama Papers,” he said. the week’s events was that the Liberal Party our jobs.” touchy part of the world, which needs a “Every day we’re being told we need to was bad for Australian workers. Meanwhile former Queensland Senator domestic shipping industry, it’s Australia,” tighten our belts because of the current “The distinction between the MUA Jobs Glenn Lazarus took aim at the current Butler said. economic climate, and it’s always things like Embassy and the Cayman Islands tax dodgers guard: “We have a Prime Minister who “Australian crew members are the best health and education which bear the brunt embassy here on the lawns of Parliament wants to carry on about an ‘Ideas Boom’. trained seamen in the world. They know of the cuts. House in Canberra is the difference between Well I have an idea for you Malcolm; how Australian waters better than anyone. They “Meanwhile some of Australia’s most well- the working class and the ruling class,” about you start providing Aussie jobs and care about our beautiful environmental known companies and individuals are paying McAleer said. not send them overseas? assets like the Great Barrier Reef like no one very little, and in some cases zero, tax. “On the one hand, you have the trade “The manufacturing industry is almost else on the face of this earth and they’ve “Our argument is very simple: eliminate union movement, fighting for justice in our gone, and our shipping industry will be if we been replaced by foreign crews paid $2-an- the tax loopholes being exploited by multi- workplaces and communities. And on the allow it to go by the wayside. hour, working ridiculous shifts and are nationals such as Chevron and Alcoa and we other, the neo-liberal economic model which The AMWU’s Glenn Thompson made simply unable to do their work in the same won’t need to make cuts to wages, to health, seeks to strip the wealth created by workers an impromptu but powerful speech about way an Australian shipping crew can do.” to education.” and off-shored in tax dodgers’ banks for the the state of manufacturing. In recent days In its usual style, the Sydney Branch of wealthy. Australians had discovered a contract Week 6 the Maritime Union of Australia was not Throughout the final week, the Sydney to build submarines had been offered to South Australia came to Canberra to going to allow the final week of the Jobs Branch was supported by the Western France, in a bidding process which had ask questions of Malcolm Turnbull, in Embassy to fizzle out, particularly on Budget The Cayman Islands Embassy Australian, Southern New South Wales and excluded Australian manufacturers. anticipation of a Federal Budget weighted in Week. Newcastle Branches. n

22 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 23 ELECTION

Far left: National Organiser Bernie Farrelly, Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey and Queensland Branch Secretary Bob Carnegie with the gang in Mackay Left: Billy Bones waiting for Natasha Griggs to act on jobs in the Territory Bottom from far left: Ann Gray (r) with ALP’s Terri Butler (m) Tassie branch at the footy Alexander Smith with Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler Brenda Easton with Craig Hopkins in Melbourne WA Organisers Daniel Falcone and George Gakis NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor in Darwin Sydney Assistant Branch Secretary Paul Garrett with Kerry Farrell Jnr WA Branch Secretary Christy Cain with the WA gang

South Wales, Hindmarsh in SA, and Cowan events, public forums, door knocking, cemented the relationship. MUA Mobilises to Protect Aussie Jobs in Western Australia. The union was also phone banking, flyer handouts, manning The vision, input, energy and efforts active in other seats including, but certainly of pre- and Election Day polling booths, from the various branch leaders and rank- n the recent 2016 Federal Election and smelter industries. The Abbott-Turnbull attempts to destroy Aussie jobs and rights at not limited to, New England, in New South road trips, Politics in the Pub tours, and and-file activists was widely recognised by the MUA was widely commended for Government added insult to injury with work would not be taken lying down. Wales; and Corangamite, Deakin and Dunkley grass roots community organising in rural the broader trade union movement and executing its most strategic, targeted their continuous attacks on the trade union The nationally coordinated campaign, in Victoria. Along with committed teams and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island the political establishment. The increased and focused political campaign in recent movement, most notably the farce that led at the national level by Deputy National working across each state to reach voters, the communities. In the meantime, there was capacity generated in each branch for the Ihistory. The union’s combined campaign was the Royal Commission that set out to Secretary Will Tracey, Assistant National ACTU ramped up its “Build a Better Future” the ACTU Secret Army who, with the MUA’s duration of the campaign and can be utislised with the CFMEU, TCFUA, ETU and ACTU undermine and destroy the leadership of Secretary Ian Bray and National Women’s campaign by placing organisers in marginal support distributed to voters on the eve of in future industiral and political campaigns. had at its core the elevation of the message Bill Shorten and Julia Gillard, the MUA Liaison Officer Mich-Elle Myers, focused on seats, many of which crossed over with the the election, one million replica “Medicare” There is no doubt that the union’s efforts to ‘Protect Aussie Jobs’ – A message based and CFMEU. The attempts by Minister targeting marginal seats through on-the- MUA seats. The work of three MUA activists cards, promoting the need to protect our throughout the campaign helped secure on taking the most critical issues facing our for Employment Michaelia Cash, with ground campaigning across the country. for the ACTU (Aarin Moon in NSW, Monica affordable, quality public healthcare system. the outstanding results in the targeted unemployed seafarers to the national stage, the full support of her neo-conservative This was reinforced at the branch level Hinkley in Tasmania, and Christine Von Significantly, political commentators have marginal seats, and across the board. ensuring it resonated with voters and became party, to impose the Australian Building through the visionary and uncompromising Wootton in NT) was a display of unfaltering identified the Medicare campaign as a Thanks to collective hard work, the Labor a key election theme. The union successfully and Construction Commission (ABCC) leadership from branch officials, combined enthusiasm throughout the campaign. game-changer and key to the wins and close Party recorded huge swings in electorates put the attacks on our member’s jobs and and Registered Organisations bills only with the unwavering commitment from The campaign was a complex coordination results at polling booths across our targeted that had been written-off by Liberal Party their livelihoods, caused through deliberate highlighted how deep their resentment for branch staff, rank-and-file members and of MUA branches, activists, members and marginal seats. commentators. The union could not have policy decisions and inaction of the Liberal unions and Aussie workers ran. These bills, hundreds of community volunteers. It was affiliated unions that covered thousands Twice weekly co-ordination meetings with achieved this without national officials, Government, at the front-and-centre of the used to trigger a rare double-dissolution this campaign strength nationally that of kilometres and saw the union hold, and the CFMEU almost the entire length of the Will Tracey, Ian Bray and Mich-Elle Myers, Federal Election campaign. election, were met with widespread and vocal allowed us to turn our focus on key marginal participate in, many and varied election long election campaign ensured a strategically working in with the inspirational branch The reality of the appalling Liberal criticism not only from the MUA and wider seats. These seats were Bass, Braddon and activities and events. The MUA got involved co-ordinated and well-resourced campaign leadership to run the critical co-ordination Government policies for workers was union movement, but from politicians across Lyons across Tasmania, Solomon in the NT, in everything from strategic television that integrated the efforts of both Unions. of our branches, activists and members right experienced firsthand by the many thousands the floor. In solidarity with the CFMEU Leichhardt, Herbert, Dawson and Capricornia and radio advertising, state-based CFMEU At both a national and state level the unions across the country. The teams on the ground of people who lost their jobs after industry the MUA was at the heart of successfully in North Queensland, Dobell, Eden-Monaro, election launches, voter analysis and worked tirelessly together to complement displayed inspiring dedication and hard work shutdowns across the auto, maritime, steel, spreading the message that these repeated Robertson, Macarthur and Gilmore in New persuasion calls, high visibility rallies and each other’s strengths. The election further every day of the long and gruelling campaign.

24 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 25 ELECTION

Their role as individuals and a collective and the campaign was conducted in a well local commmunity and allowed the team to mercy for them and other workers and their McGarry, Paddy Neliman, and Terry O’Shane May that more than 20 people, mostly MUA directly contributed to the union’s many alligned collaboration. fine tune the union’s message. families was well received and Tasmanians was critical to our successes in the Sunshine members, would be losing their jobs at the successes. The Tasmanian Branch was able to leverage The real stars of the Tassie election responded by voting three Labor candidates State. The dedicated, enthusiastic team Hay Point coal terminal in Mackay (seat of the work that was undertaken during the campaign included sacked seafarer Zach into the House of Representatives. meant the message of “Protect Aussie Jobs” Dawson), Ian and Bob did not waste anytime TASMANIA Alexander Spirit dispute of 2015, after the Kinzett from the MV Portland and Simon In the seat of Bass, held by Liberal MP could reach across thousands of kilometres combining the dispute and industrial With the support of Ian and Mich-Elle, crew of the tanker was unfairly ‘sacked for Wright form the CSL Melbourne, who drove Andrew Nikolic since 2013, Labor candidate to cover four targeted seats. Aboriginal campaign with the wider-Federal Election Branch Secretary Jason Campbell and Deputy being Australian’ in Devonport. The erosion Zach’s ‘yellow submarine’ kombi, decked Ross Hart, a lawyer from Launceston, and Torres Strait Islander organiser and campaing. MUA on-the-ground campaigners Branch Secretary Alisha Bull, the Tasmanian of the fuel refining industry led to the loss out in the Protect Aussie Jobs logos, from managed to pull a swing of 10.1%. This saw MUA Elder Terry O’Shane, clocked up a few worked tirelessly to connect with community army of dedicated activists secured a clean of their jobs and they were replaced by Shellharbour, NSW to Melbourne Port and him comfortably win the two-party preferred extra miles driving through the Far North members to highlight that the Liberals were sweep of the three targeted seats in the state. exploited, foreign workers. This injustice boarded the Spirit of Tasmania with National contest with a final result of 56.1%. Queensland seat of Leichhardt delivering the bad for worker’s quality of life.The ‘Sacked Under exceptional leadership, Tasmanian resonated with all facets of the community Secretary TCFUA Michele O’Neil, Alisha Bull In the seat of Lyons, the union team helped message to ‘Put the Liberals Last’ through for being Australian’ TV advert began to take branch staff and comrades from affiliated - from politicians to pensioners. During the and Mich-Elle Myers. The gang spoke to the deliver a 3.5% swing to Labor candidate Aboriginal communities. on new meaning in the targeted Queensland unions, in particular the CFMEU and the Federal Election campaign, every opportunity public and members on board the vessel and Brian Mitchell. This was enough to knock-off Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey seats, and the story of the sacked tugboat TCFUA, were able to run an efficient and to continue raising awareness of the issues following their arrival in Devonport Zach and incumbent Liberal MP Eric Hutchison, who headed inland with the CFMEU, while Ian workers garnered the attention of the highly effective ground campaign that saw facing Aussie workers under the Liberal- Simon embarked on the epic ‘Politics in the had left the voters dissatisfied and frustrated and Mich-Elle cordinated the coastal run mainstream media, including television and maximum community engagement. National Government was seized upon Pub’ road tour. The Yellow Sub made heads with his out-of-touch Tory antics. with the ETU. In tandem, Queensland newspapers. The MUA worked with the CFMEU to map by the dedicated Tasmanian team. Their turn as it travelled the windy roads between Rounding out the Tasmanian trifecta Branch Secretary Bob Carnegie’s exceptional MV Portland sacked seafarers and out a highly strategic campaign plan led by presence at AFL and local football games and the north-west and south-east coasts. Along was the seat of Braddon. First-time Labor grass-root organising skills were put to work. Queensland locals hit the campaign trail Ian Bray & Michael O’Connor: John Setka other truly Tasmainan events like Agfest the way, Zach and Simon shared their stories candidate Justine Keay managed to secure a This provieded a conduicive environment to talking to average working Australians about and Sean Reardon joined forces with Noel 2016, Tasmania’s biggest Agricultural event, with thousands of people. The message that 4.8% swing and claim back the seat from the run a had campaign, totally focussed on job their plight, which made a significant impact Washington and the Tasmnaian CFMEU gang demonstrated a deep understanding of the the cruel Liberal Government showed no Liberals. The stories from MUA members, security; not only for MUA and maritime with swing voters who sympathised with particularly from unemployed seafarers, workers, but for those in the construction their situation. resonated with Justine and she has vowed to and mining industries that have also faced A swing of 6.2% to Labor in the seat of take up their cause in Parliament. unfair sackings and job losses at the hands Herbert, being contested by Cathy O’Toole The work of the leadership team cannot be of Liberal policy. When news broke in late- against the incumbent Ewen Jones, brought overstated. Additional support from ACTU the result to a knife’s-edge. Cathy won the organiser Monica Hinkley also complemented initial count by just 8 votes, triggering the the strategy. The hundereds of members and automatic recount that applies to margins of community volunteers who pledged their less than 100 votes. Almost a month after the time and energy to the union’s campaign, was election had taken place, Cathy was named critical in delivering across the board wins the victor winning by just 35 votes. for Labor. Members Dale Wright, Robbie Another tightly contested Queensland Patience, Brett Pendlebury, Mick Geeson, seat was that of Capricornia, where Labor Scott McPherson, Terry O’Sullivan, Simon candidate Leisa Neaton put up a good fight, Wright, Bobby Hall, Bonnie Crow, Ian Hill, losing to incumbent Liberal MP Michelle Tim Freeman, Steve ‘Woody’ Woodroff and Chris Green deserve a special mention. As the front page of the Tasmania’s leading

newspaper exclaimed the morning of July 3, Top from far left: Uncle Terry O’Shane doing the rounds in the it was “Adios Amigos” to the Liberals on the remote Aboriginal communities Apple Isle. Arrin Moon and Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey with the Central Coast mob QUEENSLAND Newcastle Branch activists in Armidale Up against arguably the most complex and Bernie Gallen and Ted McAulley in Cairns difficult campaign environment, the MUA’s Queensland Branch activists unified national team was able to rally the Members campaigning in Corangamite troops on-the-ground and produce Election Victorian Branch with Senator Sam Dastyari Day results that exceeded all expectations. infront of the Bill Bus The army of activists from all over the Craig Hopkins, Victorian Deputy Branch state, including MUA members Dave Lyons, Secretary Mark Jones and Zach Kinzett with Bernie Gallen, Ted McAuley, Glenn Frew, the Jobs Van Mike Barber, Ann Gray, Larry Foley, Damien Far left: Members in Melbourne

26 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 27 ELECTION

Aboriginal communities in the Territory. Griggs suffered a stunning fall from grace Far left: CFMEU and MUA leaders with the ACTU President Ged Kearney which can largely be attributed to the union’s at the Sydney leg of the joint Election campaign, which had begin long before the Campaign launch election had been called. Alp candidate Luke Left: ETU and MUA members Gosling a massive 7.7% swing his way. Billy campaigning in Cairns Bones, a skeleton mascot who had grown Bottom from far left: old and died waiting for Griggs to act on Tasmanian Branch officials Jason Australian jobs can now be retired. Campbell & Alisha Bull with Simon Wright, Jacqui Lambie, Zach Kinzett NEW SOUTH WALES and the TCFUA’ Michele O’Neil Between the Sydney, Southern New Malcolm Turnbull turns up in Queensland to speak to Deputy South Wales and Newcastle branches, the Branch Secretary Jason Miners and MUA covered almost every corner of the Damien McGarry state. Across the board, our New South MUA women in Hobart Wales branches worked hard to spread Campaign leader Mich-Elle Myers, the message and make sure the Liberals National Organiser Bernie Farrelly, were put last in the target seats of Dobell, candidate Cathy O’Toole and former Eden-Monaro, Macarthur, Gilmore and North Queensland Organiser Glenn Desmond Robertson. Members and branches also activated a handful of other seats as part of Our youngest activist in Melbourne the campaign. Sacked MV Portland workers Warren Hopkins and Dale Eaton Throughout the NSW campaign the Ted McAulley in Cairns CFMEU was right there complementing the MUA’s efforts. The ACTU and other affiliated Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey launching the campaign in Darwin showed force too. Landry by just 0.7% in the two-party maintaining his incumbency but he suffered Australian shipping industry and the jobs The Sydney Branch campaign was preferred vote. a severa swing and now only holds the seat by that come with it; stand in solidarity with our spearheaded by Assistant Branch Secretary Outside of the CBD and into the West candidate Tony Windsor. As a result Joyce Hard right National’s MP George a slim 2.5%. Indigenous communities; and secure quality, Paul Garrett and was succesful in unseating the MUA made itself present in the seat was ultimately succesful in retaining the Christensen went into the election with a safe The Queensland leg of the MUA’s affordable healthcare and education for all. a handful of Liberal Party incumbents. The of Macarthur, where a local doctor Mike rural, conservative seat but suffered a 4.7% seat and arrogance to match. However, the campaign was a tough challenge but through With immense dedication and hard work, final days of the campaign were particularly Freelander reocrded a 11.7% swing in his swing against him. tugboat job losses only served to highlight strong leadership and determination from the Northern Territory ground campaigners important when the branch led the handout favour, giving the racist Liberal MP a taste for The foresight of Glen and Mal meant the unemployment crisis. Christensen volunteers, the Liberal-Nationals were left made sure that voters were certain to punish of the ACTU’s fake Medicare cards. The being unemployed. Kerry Farrell senior and that the branch began its election campaign had presided over the biggest jump in bruised. the Country Liberal Party’s Natasha Griggs looming threat to universal healthcare junior along with the injured Dane Barringer in March. The extra few months of unemployment of any Queensland electorate. by sending her packing. Do-little-Griggs, undoubtedly struck a nerve with Sydney deserve special mentions for their tireless doorknocking, phone banking, flyering and The MUA and other unions managed to NORTHERN TERRITORY as she was not-so-affectionately named voters, which was relfected at the polls. efforts on the Macarthur campaign. attending high-visibility public events, made leverage this and had Christensen sweating. Northern Territory Branch Secretary by rank-and-filers, repeatedly condoned The branch did not waste anytime when Meanwhile in Newcastle, Branch Secretary a huge difference. This highly visible pubic Although the ALP candidate Frank Gilbert Thomas Mayor oversaw the hugely successful the attacks on Australian workers. She did it found out that notorious union-basher Glen Williams and branch campaign manager campaign saw sacked CSL Melbourne seafarer was ultimately unsuccesful he recorded a execution of a comprehensive election nothing to stop the TIO stadium and port and MUA antagonist Michaelia Cash was and member Mal Lingard notched up Craig Brady have an opportunity to question 4.5% swing in his favour – a reflection of the campaign in the seat of Solomon. Of course of Darwin being sold. stayed silent when the appearing on the ABC’s Q&A. A snap rally hundreds of kilometres in their pusuit to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten about courageous battle the campaigners fought, in the support from the national campaign Abbott/Turnbull Government ateempted was held out the front of the studios at knock off incumbent conservatives. Along Australian shipping policy at a forum in Woy a very conservative region. team, led by Will Tracey and a band of to deregulate the shipping insudtey and she Ultimo and because of the rukkus the show’s with a core group of members, seats on Woy. Craig’s question and Bill’s considered In Leichharrdt notorious union foe Warren committed and hardworking activists was pushed hard for funding cuts that would have producers invited a member into the studio the Central Coast and New England were and encouraging response helped to create Entsch was left shaken after being confronted integral to its success. ACTU organiser and seen the most vulnerable and disadvantaged audience and to ask a question. As a result targetted. further community awareness and visibility by a well-targetted campaign led by the MUA MUA member Chrissy Von Wootten was NT communities left without vital services. member Matt Lawrence was able to ask Cash In a joint effort with the meatworker’s around the union’s issues. and other unions. Entsch notably authorised central to ensuring the MUA collaborated Thomas and others launched, built and about her stance on allowing Australian union the MUA organised to knock of the On the Central Coast there were two campaign material depicting a witch, while effectively with other like-minded unions led the Aboriginal Union Network, which seafarers being replaced by cheap, exploited, Deputy Prime Minister, the gaffe-prone targetted that both the ACTU and MUA his ALP contender Sharryn Howes was in the area, namely the CFMEU, CPSU, produced significant dividends in the election developing world workers. Cash, looking National MP Barnaby Joyce. The Murdoch- were active in. Aarin Moon from the lines the only female candidate running in the ETU, AEU and United Voice. The result and has established an ongoing network flustered, did not provide an approproate owned Australian Newspaper unashamadely was seconded onto the ACTU campaign in electorate. This misogyny was called out in was a campaign packed with community for future campaigning and strengthening response and tried to blame the former ALP campaigned on behalf of Joyce by engaging Dobell and Robertson. The former of which the Sydney Morning Herald. Entsch ended up events highlighting the need to protect the the relationship between the MUA and Government for her Government’s policies. in muckracking against the independent was returned to Labor with a notable fall

28 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 29 ELECTION

from grace by Liberal MP Karen McNamara. Garry Keane rallied a fearless team of has gone on to claim national victory. In the unfair sackings of seafarers on the MV heart. SA Branch had a whopping total of 65 Top from far left: Glen and Aarin and his army of efficient comrades including, but not limited to, Mick 2016, this trend was bucked when Labor Portland under extreme and distressing members active in the “Build a Better Future” Members rally outside of Ewen Jones’s office activists helped Emma McBride win back Cross, Riley Chapman-Politis, Blair Walsh, candidate Mike Kelly, won back the seat for circumstances. With the knowledge of the campaign, with special mentions aimed at ALP’s Joel Fitzgibbon with Newcastle the historically Labor-leaning seat of Gary McCarthy, Lance Lucas and Andrew the ALP after deposing Peter Handy, who Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Matt Burnell, Karen Sewell, Luke Clothier, Campaigner Mal Lingard and branch activists Dobell. A swing of 4.7% saw Labor secure Olsen. Joined by ACTU and like-minded has subsequently been appointed as a senior Michaelia Cash’s Office, members aboard the Nick Pedler, Chad Winding, Alex Smith Members talking to members of the public in a stall in Karratha a comfortable win in the face of dirty union affiliates, the gang dedicated their Turnbull advisor. The favourable swing of vessel were roused at 1am night and forcibly and Adrian Manus. Admirably, members in Sacked seafarers Luke Clothier and tactics and online smear campaigns from time by hitting the streets and the phones, 5.7% to the Labor Party was enough to removed from the ship, only to be replaced Whyalla were active around the closure of the Alexander Smith McNamara’s team. Seafarer and Sydney speaking to voters about Labor’s guarantees return the seat to Mike, who had previously with exploited foreign workers earning as steelworks and threw their support behind Queensland campaigners with Shadow Youth Connittee chair Ryan McGibbon- for job security, fair work conditions, held it from 2007 until 2013. little as $2-an-hour. Thankfully, the true the many AWU members who lost their jobs, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese Thompson was particularly active in ousting Medicare and Gonski. While the seat of Gilmore was retained by solidarity of the branch, its members, in an act of solidarity. WA Youth activists Ryan Furtado and McNamara. The message highlighted the Coalition Liberal MP Ann Sudmalis, dubbed DUD- affiliated unions and the community did not Alex, a recently sacked seafarer from the Racheal Carter with Opposition Leader Bill Liberal MP Lucy Wicks went into the Government’s inaction on protecting Aussie malis, it came down to the wire. A swing to take this news lying down. A fighting spirit British Fidelity, did not skip a beat when Shorten election with a 3% margin in her favour in jobs. When Employment Minister Michaelia Labor candidate Fiona Phillips of 3.1% meant was maintained and carried through to the he was callously questioned by Liberal MP SA Branch members taking part in phone the seat of Robertson. The efforts of the Cash visited Nowra, union activists boldly the Liberals held the seat with a margin of election campaign. Matt Williams at a polling booth, who asked, polling Newcastle branch in campaigning for NSW asked her, why she was destroying job just 0.7%. Dud-malis will certainly have her Branch Secretary Joe Italia and Deputy “don’t you have anything better to do?”. Queensland ITF inspector Sarah Maguire Central Coast local and Labor candidate Anne prospects. Education and Safety Officer Mick work cut out for her as she attempts to win Branch Secretary Mark Jones, with their Alex was quick to respond that nothing was does her bit for the campaign Charlton saw this marging reduced to 1.1%. Cross, attracted local headlines when he back the faith of the voters in the face of unwavering team of activists, were supported more important to him than highlighting Bottom: Members take part in a Hay Point Down the coast, the Southern New loudly proclaimed Cash to be the “Dash for ongoing MUA campaigning and protest! along the way by the CFMEU and Victorian the great injustices he and his fellow workers tug rally South Wales Branch was active in Gilmore Cash” Minister after she dodged protestors by Trades Hall Council. This committed group had suffered at the hands of Liberal policy, and the bellweather seat of Eden-Monaro. hiding in a shop and running to her ComCar. VICTORIA were out in force persuading undecided and that fighting to protect Aussie jobs was The branch ran a comprehensive and For more than four decades, the party It had been a tough 12 months for the voters to ‘Put the Liberals Last’. An highlight exactly where he wanted to be. community-led campaign. Branch Secretary that has won the seat of Eden-Monaro Victorian Branch, which had to endure was ALP Senator Sam Dastyari being given Despite polling reports suggesting it a big and warm welcome to the state by wasn’t possible, Labor candidate Steve He was joined on stage by Mick Buchan, activists who bid him a safe journey as he Georganas claimed victory wuth a swing of CFMEU WA branch secretary, WA Labor embarked on the Bill Bus for its journey on a 2.4% in his favour. Senators Sue Lines and Glen Sterle, and Toll ship across the Bass Strait to Tasmania. Dave Noonan, Assistant National Secretary Before sailing off, members were able to WESTERN AUSTRALIA of the CFMEU. Working from this display of speak with him at length about the state The election campaign was not an easy ride solidarity early on in the fight, the MUA and of Australian shipping and what a Labor for the WA branch. Working in collaboration CFMEU ensured that every rally and event Government would do for the industry and with the ACTU’s Build a Better Future had a joint union presence. for jobs in general. The video filmed by Sam, campaigners for a full year leading up to The commitment and dedication of the WA which featured our seafarers, was hugely election day, a team of dedicated members team helped Labor win the seat of Cowan. popular on social media and was useful in and activists ran a comprehensive ground This was the only seat won in WA that was further spreading the union’s message. campaign targeting the key marginal seat previously held by a Liberal incumbent and Activists in Victoria were succesful in of Cowan that was being coordinated is a credit to the mature decision by the causing some upset in Liberal territory with by the CFMEU. With a focus on having WA Branch leadership to divert significant reasonable swings being recorded in favour of conversations directly with voters, an resources to Cowan and support the CFMEU the Labor candidates in Corangamite, Deakin incredible turnout of 71 volunteers working led campaign. A dsizable swing of 6.7% and Dunkley. at polling booths on election day showed the in Labor’s favour saw Ann Aly become level of commitment from the branch. Australia’s first female, Muslim Federal SOUTH AUSTRALIA The MUA and CFMEU remained solid House of Representative MP. Although a Determined to apply pressure on the and united in WA, working closely together marginal seat it has generally swayed to Coalition Government, South Australian to ensure that the union movement was the right, thus making the win a truly a Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn led his engaged in activity covering the width commendable and historic result. comrades on a crusade to have voters ‘Put the and breadth of the state. To kick off the Liberals Last’ by applying their efforts mainly campaign, the CFMEU hosted MUA officials SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE into the Steve Georganas-contested seat of and members at its launch event. Deputy ONLINE BLITZ Hindmarsh. Working alongside the CFMEU National Secretary Will Tracey attended Overseen by Assistant National Secretary Ian and ACTU, members and volunteers used and WA Branch Secretary Christy Cain Bray and National Women’s Liaison Officer every means available to show the voting made a passionate speech about supporting Mich-Elle Myers, the MUA embarked on a public why it was time to elect a Government the ALP to win the election even after the social media campaign for the history books. that genuinely had their best interests at dissapointing upset in the seat of Fremantle. Using Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as the

30 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 31 ELECTION Shipping

Temporary Licences, Security Guards, Police & Aust’s Last Tanker

he past 12 months have seen seafarers from four Australian VTHC Secretary Luke coastal ships consigned to the Hilikari speaking at scrapheap. the Melbourne rally TRather than act within the spirit of the 2012 Coastal Trading Act, the Federal Government has instead decided to allow successful companies exemptions to Australian key components, the union was able to reach Top from far left: ATSI chair regulations by granting Temporary Licences. millions of people right around the country Paddy Neliman with ATSI It began when the crew of the MV Portland with campaign messaging and content. The Coordinator Uncle Terry O’Shane – a bulk carrier owned by American-based with Palm Island locals addition of the Protect Aussie Jobs website, Aluminium miner Alcoa – found out through NT Branch Secretary Thomas SMS video messaging, and e-bulletins meant Mayor a regional newspaper that the ship would be the union could spread the word even further. sold and the route taken over by a foreign ship Ian Bray, ALP candidate Sharryn Strategic use of online advertising meant Howes, CPSU Secretary Nadine with a foreign crew. our “Sacked for being Australian” TV ad was Flood, Dale Eaton, Mich-Elle This triggered a 60-day dispute, which came watched by nearly 700,000 on Facebook Myers, Simon Blacklow to a head when at 1am on January 13 up to 30 alone in the key marginal seats targeted by Tasmanian activists busy at a stall security guards boarded the vessel and forcibly the MUA. Backed up by prime time TV and Left: Assistant National Secretary removed the remaining crew members and aboard the vessel, which became a pilot tolerate such corporate recalcitrance?” radio advertisements, the plight of Australian Ian Bray holding up the local escorted a foreign crew onto the ship. for the new qualification – the ‘integrated During the ordeal, a campaign to seafaring was resonating in communities paper the day after the election It was later revealed that Federal rating’ – combining the skills of deck and reinvigorate the general MUA shipping Australia-wide. By the time Zach, Dale and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash was engine seafarers, developed in consultation campaign was hatched and, as a result, Warren went on tour to spread the word of made aware of what would be dubbed ‘the with unions and industry to make Australian the MV Portland crew became the poster how bad the Liberals were for jobs, people Portland raid’ prior to it taking place. shipping more globally competitive. children for the intransigence of big business, knew their story from online and wanted to Commenting in a press conference the “There was a time when business, in concert with the Turnbull Federal meet them. This gave us a greater opportunity following day, National Secretary Paddy Government and workers represented by their Government. to connect with community members and Crumlin asked: “Has Australia learnt nothing unions would work together in a mutually The Victorian town of Portland and its secure Labor votes. since the infamous waterfront dispute in beneficial manner,” he said. tight-knit community also became integral to Ian and Mich-Elle were encouraged and 1998? When did it suddenly become ok to “Now we have crew members being the campaign, with numerous rallies staged in inspired by the collective efforts and support again send in security guards in the dead of stood over, while asleep in their bunks, and the district. of the union movement who posted and night to forcibly remove a workforce? This sort intimidated into leaving their ship in the At one rally, Assistant National Secretary reposted our content without prompting. By of thing shouldn’t happen to anyone in their middle of the night, as was shown on the Ian Bray declared being able to replace sharing the content it meant those not au worked closely with the MUA to ensure the industries MUA members are engaged in is workplace.” MV Portland. Australian seafarers with workers paid as little fait with union issues were able to connect. coordination of the union’s actions were in taken into account. Crumlin was one of the first crew to sail “When as a country did we decide we would as $2-an-hour on a ship should ring alarm The sacked seafarers of Simon Wright line with the ACTU “Build a Better Future” The outstanding result – 10 of the 15 and Dale Eaton again generously donated campaign. By having a direct line to Deputy seats targeted by the Union during the Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray, ACTU their time recording for the robocall. With National Secretary Will Tracey, Sally enabled campaign were won – would not have been President Ged Kearney and QLD Assistant the support of the ACTU and CFMEU those the union to keep focussed on key issues, possible without the tireless dedication of Branch Secretary Paul Gallagher meet with messages were sent to one million voters in while reaching the maximum possible the persuasion calls team. They group played Rio Tinto executives following a rally some of the targetted seats – 89% of those number of people with the MUA’s and ACTU’s a pivotal role and the will be commended for calls were listened to. messaging. their stellar effort. In the final 24 hours of the campaign, once The ACTU Voter ID calls were an important the TV and radio media blackout had been orgnising and member activating tool from CONCLUSION imposed, the social media team, coordinated the outset. The results of the calls allowed the The union’s activism throughout the election by Mich-Elle, undertook an online blitz, union movement to better target messages campaign was outstanding. Members posting one item every hour for 24 hours and map the swinging electorates efficiently. stepped up and put their heart and souls across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Major issues, such as job security, worker’s into making a difference which was reflected The efforts of the team of Ashleigh Telford, rights, accesible education and affordable in the results. Although Turnbull and his Mahla Conomos, Lauren Palmer and Michelle healthcare were identified through over-the- team of Coaltion members were ultimately Summers meant that hundreds of thousands phone conversations. succesful, their majority in the House of of people in the union and wider community Through this collaboration and the MUA Representatives is only one seat and the were reached in those integral final hours achieved unbelievable results with the ‘Put Government has a very hostile Senate to before polls opened. the Liberals Last’ message’. A god indicator contend with. Without the grass roots of the union’s efforts was the fact that by the activism of MUA and the trade union SOLIDARITY AND WORKING time the election had occurred, there were movement that majority would have likely WITH THE ACTU only 30 members of the MUA who had not been higher and the potential for a mandate From the outset of the campaign, Sally been contacted by a union volunteer. This is on many anti-worker policies would have McManus, Vice President of the ACTU, a more incredible feat when the nature of the been sealed.

32 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 33 SHIPPING industrial

contribute to the budget deficit as less net tax demonstrations of solidarity for the sacked will be collected. National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, Victorian workers over the three-month struggle. The Deputy Secretary Mark Jones, Assistant National “The Senate obviously recognised this Secretary Ian Bray and National Women’s Liaison global campaign saw action from hundreds of and refused to pass the amendments to the Officer Mich-Elle Myers with the MV Portland crew thousands of transport workers worldwide. Coastal Trading Act, sending a message to the MUA Assistant National Secretary Warren Government that a race-to-the-bottom was Smith said it was a momentous occasion, not the answer to reviving the coastal shipping that could not have been achieved without trade. the resilience and struggle of all Hutchison “It is prudent and good practice to engage workers. This dispute was won through all stakeholders when it comes to formulating a range of tactics and forms of struggle. policy, regardless of who is leading Government. Fundamental however were the actions Therefore the union is happy that the new outside the gates at the terminals. Minister has agreed to invite us to the table.” “The agreement is a major victory for the The Government and the MUA both agreed MUA and all Hutchison workers,” Smith said. that the industry needs reforming. “The key components of the former “Complete deregulation - which would open agreement have been retained. The new Assistant National Secretary up the coast to foreign, flag-of-convenience Warren Smith speaks in front of agreement has cemented the best safety ships registered in developing world countries the sacked Sydney contingent clauses in the industry - in fact any industry. like Panama - is not a solution to the waning This agreement is a step forward for workers industry,” Crumlin said. and delivers a victory for common sense over “As was highlighted in the recent Senate anti-worker ideology.” Inquiry, flag-of-convenience shipping, as The Portland crew on board the ship; staunch as ever Union Prevailed Smith also highlighted the success of the well as being a way to circumvent labour, corporate campaign against Vodafone, which environmental and safety regulation is a form is owned by Hutchison. of tax avoidance. “The targeting of Vodafone stores by “The Panama papers have begun to After 102 Days maritime workers, and the hijacking of expose worldwide business practices in tax their ‘Big Little Protest’ - turning it into our minimisation and avoidance, something ore than 100 days after 97 under Deputy President Anna Booth,” he said protest against the thuggery and corporate foreign shipping companies have been wharfies were sacked in the - referring to the fact the 97 wharfies were belligerence - was important and is an engaging in for decades. dead of night, an agreement originally sacked by text and email a couple of on-going and important part of campaign “Australian shipping companies, working between the workers and minutes shy of midnight. methodology,” he said. under Australian national regulation, Mcontainer terminal operator Hutchison was “It became notorious internationally for “This achievement is also a testament to contribute positively to the economic balance, achieved. how not to restructure a business,” Crumlin the character of all the Hutchison workers in paying tax and adhering to other local A new agreement was supported declared. who have braved wind, hail and shine at regulations including wage law. overwhelmingly in both Sydney and Brisbane “It hopefully sends a strong signal to other the two community pickets in Brisbane and “This needs to be nurtured in the national in November, which saw every worker go big maritime multi-nationals in the maritime Sydney and remained united - determined to interest, and this needs to be remembered in the back through the gate if they wished. industry in this country at the moment beat an injustice which was not acceptable in Government’s re-evaluation of shipping laws. As part of the agreement, the union won - like BHP, Alcoa and Chevron - that they are a modern workplace or society. “The MUA is invested in working an extremely handsome redundancy package, diminished and devalued by the workplace “There has been a host of industrial issues collaboratively in creating a viable which was offered on a purely voluntary basis policies of subterfuge and industrial and legal at Hutchison since the dispute has been shipping policy.” n and included the right to return. harassment of their workers as a preferred finalised, of which the union is fighting Shortly after crew members were marched down the gangway of the MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, course of action. And that workers will not and beating back the never-ending raft of CSL Melbourne, they rallied outside Pacific Aluminium’s Tomago smelter who led the talks with the company in stop fighting for their rights and the genuine HR driven madness emanating from the the Fair Work Commission, said the new respect from these companies for those management at Hutchison,” Smith said. agreement was testament to a more rights.” “Our unity and resolve to maintain a functional and mature approach to industrial Crumlin thanked members of the strong union site, and keep on struggling, relations than the company’s initial attempts ITF family and also the International will see us through - whatever the company to restructure its operations. Dockworkers Council (IDC) unions for their wants to throw at us.” n “Workers are essential to the productivity and good health of any successful enterprise, and have a social and legal right to be treated with respect and decency - regardless of commercial cycles,” Crumlin said. “Large multi-national companies have a particular responsibility, due to their scale and inherent power, to have special regard to the treatment of their workers, and should meet the highest standards of those moral responsibilities. “What started out as a shabby, mean- spirited and heart-breaking attack on an innocent workforce by Hutchison has been translated through the slow building of respect and proper involvement of those Hannah Matthewson leads the National Secretary Paddy Crumlin with workers and the Fair Work Commission Brisbane wharfies Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer

36 www.mua.org.au 37www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 37 shipping

ITF Australia can’t compete on zero taxation. The FOC The High Cost of Cheap Shipping Coordinator Dean ships pay nothing into this country - they Summers talks about pay zero. In fact, when they leave the ports, series of important and consequent impediment to holding the issues with FOC they leave us with a bill.” recommendations have the owner to account for a ship’s actions; shipping replacing It was not only the tax avoidance Australian ships been put forward by the and insufficient flag state regulatory occurring at the corporate level by the FOC Senate Inquiry into Flag-of- enforcement and adherence to standards. operators, Summers emphasised. It was ConvenienceA Shipping, after the MUA and “The egulatory,r registration and also the income tax loss from individuals the ITF were successful in having the issue compliance practices of the so-called that Australia would have to foot the bill investigated. FOC states have the potential to create for, in addition to the extra burden coming The full report is not yet available, but vulnerabilities for Australia’s enforcement from a reliance on social security as a result the Second Interim Report was issued on of laws in its maritime domain. of 1000 seafarers being unemployed. May 3, shortly before the Federal Election “These vulnerabilities add to the MV Portland crew member Zach Kinzett was called. attractiveness of FOC shipping to entities made this statement at the Inquiry, which MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin such as organised crime syndicates and coincided with the first day of the Jobs said many of the things highlighted in other entities seeking to illegally exploit Retired Rear Admiral Robert Reilly Embassy. the report were issues about which the natural resources both within and outside appearing at the Senate Inquiry “Ultimately, we are just Australian MUA and ITF had long been warning the the AEEZ (Australian Exclusive Economic workers in an Australian industry. Government. Zone).” “Without those jobs, our capacity to build We have worked this dangerous and “We’re a maritime nation,” Crumlin North American Seafarer International ships for the military would be severely security-sensitive job for 27 years with said when appearing in the Inquiry. “But Union Executive President Dave Heindel weakened and might disappear altogether. “The Australian industry has suffered even more professionalism and distinction. We have we haven’t got any leadership and we’ve contributed to the ITF submission with his Similarly, the Jones Act helps maintain a cutbacks and more ships have gone off the Australian families and mortgages. We pay tax and got to win it back, Senators. That’s all intimate knowledge of the Jones Act, saying pool of civilian seafarers who are available contribute to local businesses,” Kinzett I’m appealing to. This is not an industrial it was a policy Australia should consider. to sail on military support ships in times coast, only to be replaced, as we’ve said, by Flag-Of- said. issue or a political issue; this is a national “The United States’ cabotage law (the of need.” Convenience ships - and it doesn’t talk to the quality of Following the Federal Election on July 2, interest. And we are Australians, regardless Jones Act) has enjoyed strong bipartisan Those points have been echoed in recent the machinery, the quality of the ships.” the new Parliament agreed to continue the of whether everybody loves us.” support since its enactment in 1920. Top weeks by four-star US General Paul Selva, Senate inquiry. The ITF invited to Australia retired US US military leaders also have consistently commanding officer of the powerful With the retirement of NSW Liberal Rear Admiral Robert Reilly, who spoke backed that law throughout its history,” United States Transportation Command; Australian ships with FOC vessels would be we’ve said, by Flag-Of-Convenience ships Senator Bill Heffernan, this inquiry is now about the importance of a merchant navy Heindel wrote. Rear Admiral T.K. Shannon, commanding a detriment to the Australian environment, - and it doesn’t talk to the quality of the headed by Queensland LNP Senator Barry as a complement to the other arms of “Cabotage laws make sense on every officer of the US Navy’s Military Sealift national security and economy. machinery, the quality of the ships. It talks O’Sullivan. defence and national security in the United level, and that’s why dozens of countries Command; and other prominent US Summers added: “The Australian to the registration; it talks to the capacity Senator O’Sullivan, a former police States. around the world have their own versions leaders. industry has suffered even more cutbacks to hide completely the ownership behind detective, and deputy chair, ALP WA “Our merchant maritime community, of the Jones Act,” noted Heindel, who “The bottom line is: it makes sense and more ships have gone off the these ships. Senator Glenn Sterle, are both strong which we call the fourth arm of defence, also chairs the Seafarers’ Section of for industrialised nations to have strong Australian coast, only to be replaced, as “We can’t compete on zero wages. We supporters on the inquiry. n is absolutely critical for us to respond in the International Transport Workers’ cabotage laws - and that certainly includes terms of national crises and disaster,” the Federation. Australia,” Heindel concluded. Admiral emphasised. “They help boost national security “Vessels sailing in domestic trades This sentiment was confirmed by the and economic security, while sustaining also tend to be safer and better for the Government’s own Department of Border good jobs and an important part of the environment, because they have to comply Protection, which voiced its concerns about industrial base.” with stricter rules and regulations. The an increase in dependence on FOC in their Heindel cited a relatively recent, owners and operators and mariners are all submission to the Inquiry. independent study by highly regarded accountable.” This is an excerpt from their submission: international professional services firm ITF Australia coordinator Dean Summers “The Department notes that while a PricewaterhouseCoopers which concluded was the ITF’s key witness and he spoke significant proportion of legitimate sea the Jones Act helps maintain nearly about his experiences in dealing with FOC trade is conducted by ships with FOC 500,000 American jobs, while contributing vessel managers, captains and owners for registration, there are features of FOC billions of dollars annually to the US more than a decade. registration, regulation and practice that economy. Some of those jobs are shipboard Some of his evidence was based on the organised crime syndicates or terrorist billets, but many others are in the yards horrendous treatment of foreign seafarers groups may seek to exploit. themselves. in Australian waters. He cited the case of “These features are: A lack of “Those shipyard jobs are important the Sage Sagittarius, where three people transparency of the identity of shipowners for our national security,” he observed. were killed or died under suspicious circumstances; no one was charged and “The bottom line is: it makes sense for industrialised a proper police investigation was never carried out, despite the majority of the nations to have strong cabotage laws - and that events occurring in Australian waters. certainly includes Australia ... Vessels sailing in “It’s not easy to - for a seafarer - for a domestic trades also tend to be safer and better for the man to fall over the side of a ship. There was something much more on that day. environment, because they have to comply with stricter There was a threat and there was a very, rules and regulations. The owners and operators and very real and present threat to those seafarers,” Summers told the Inquiry. mariners are all accountable.” He also told the Inquiry that replacing

38 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 39 INDUSTRIAL industrial

MUA NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor at National Conference

Queensland Secretaries Jason Miners and Bob Carnegie address a meeting of Hay Point tug workers The Big Australian Screws The Little Worker he largest mining company company now plans to justify throwing and will be used to drive down wages and on the planet has sought another 230 workers on the scrap heap.” conditions. They put all the risks and to undermine Australian MUA Assistant National Secretary Ian liabilities on workers, and it is little more workers by encouraging Bray said there was no reason or acceptable than sham contracting. Ttowing companies to utilise partnership rationale to obliterate legally negotiated “Widely accepted conditions - such as agreements. employee terms and conditions by the most workers’ compensation, sick leave, annual In a petty and short-sighted move, profitable company in Australia’s mining leave and unfair dismissal protections Unions Celebrate BHP-Billiton has shown its contempt for history. - will not be offered to workers under Australian workers by trying to undermine “A political motivation must be partnership agreements. Fair Work-sanctioned collective agreements acknowledged,” Bray said. “The fact that a company has been in Port Hedland WA and Hay Point in “I strongly suggest BHP reconsider its chosen because of its propensity to screw Larrakia Win In Talks Queensland - by handing the lucrative actions and show a bit of loyalty to the its workers should ring alarm bells to State towage contracts to notorious union-buster Australian people, who have ensured and Federal legislators.” Rivtow Marine. the company has been such a successful MUA Queensland Branch Secretary Bob With Japanese Gas Giant The tax avoiding multi-billion dollar venture for more than 100 years.” Carnegie said the workers who were being company - which faces culpability questions More recently, Rivtow was the successful replaced had been model employees. regarding a dam disaster in Brazil which tenderer for the BHP Billiton-Mitsubishi “Some of the crew members had worked n February Northern Territory unions built, Larrakia people want fair access to well the issue. killed up to 17 people - engaged Rivtow Alliance (BMA) contract. on these tugs for more than 25 years,” celebrated the Larrakia People being paid jobs on the ships and the offshore and “The win comes as the Federal Government Marine at the end of last year in Port The MUA is calling for the contract Carnegie declared. “And every single formally included in employment talks onshore facilities, not just for themselves, but handed down the annual Closing The Gap Hedland, dumping its previous operator be reviewed, claiming the partnership one of them had been loyal, diligent and over a multi-billion dollar gas project for the Darwin locals that live with them in report, showing indigenous disadvantage is Teekay. agreement was a form of sham contracting hardworking - and for what? Ibeing built on their traditional lands. the community. still firmly entrenched. Teekay had just concluded collective intended to undermine workers’ rights and “To be rewarded with the sack. Is this Japanese energy giant INPEX has agreed “We are tired of being paid lip service “Any lift in indigenous employment will bargaining with workers from three unions safety. the kind of corporate behavior we’re going to enter tripartite talks with the Larrakia from large foreign companies. Locals, their help local communities with better health – Maritime Union of Australia, Australian The union is calling for legislative change to tolerate and allow to become more Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC) and kids and grandkids over 40-50 years of this and poverty outcomes. Maritime Officers Union and Australian to stop the the contracts spreading into commonplace? the Larrakia Development Corporation (LDC) gas plant can only be guaranteed fair access “The MUA has questioned the company’s Institute of Marine Power Engineers. other industries. “Is this the kind of intransigence the over post-construction work once the $34 to training and employment through a decision to block union involvement in the MUA Deputy National Secretary Will Bray said partnership agreements were Federal Government is going to encourage billion plant is complete. binding and non-ambiguous Agreement. training, jobs and careers campaign for Tracey said BHP’s decision was driven steadily creeping into traditionally blue by one of the world’s biggest companies? It is estimated the operational phase “The MUA put the national spotlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. by ideology and not by sensible business collar industries, as a tool to undermine “Well I hope not. And I urge BHP and of the INPEX gas plant could be up to 50 on the issue last September, when it “Who is INPEX to tell Aboriginal People considerations. workers. its partners to reconsider the precedent years. INPEX said discussions will include protested against the company failing who they can and cannot get advice and “BHP Billiton has built its fortunes on “Partnerships were originally set up they’re setting, in a time where industrial commercial business opportunities, training to live up to promises about spreading support from? the back of hard working Aussies, and it’s for doctors, dentists and professional relations is at the forefront.” and skills development, employment, as well the benefits of its gas project with the “Unions will be watching closely to a bloody disgrace that they are dismissing practitioners. They were not supposed to be Bray has been lobbying all parties at state as cultural and heritage matters. traditional land owners. ensure there is real progress and an a fairly negotiated enterprise agreement,” utilised to strip away the fundamental right and federal level to force changes to the MUA NT branch secretary Thomas Mayor “This success for the Larrakia People is a agreement is more than words on paper Tracey said. for workers to get together and collectively rules surrounding partnership agreements, said this was a big win for local Darwin people result of community agitation and the MUA - but binding towards a better future for “The company is a multi-billion dollar bargain,” Bray said. including the passing of multiple and told the ABC: “When the gas plant is protest that attracted national attention to local people.” n enterprise and it’s appalling that this same “The agreements are a legal loophole resolutions at ALP State Conferences. n

40 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 41 CAMPAIGN

Maritime Unions Victorious Public Inquiry Needed Into in High Court Ruling LNG Export Rorts

nions emerged victorious in the the decision which helps rehabilitate Australian jobs in the offshore oil and gas he long-running campaign to get to the PRRT system have further reduced While the Turnbull Government is yet High Court following a long- Australia’s international reputation for sector by responding to the 2012 Allseas case oil and gas giants operating in current and future government revenues. to make a substantive response, the push running battle against the Abbott/ adversarial and destructive attacks on the with a Bill that extended the Migration Zone Australia to pay their fair share “The PRRT system, based on voluntary for an inquiry found an unlikely ally in Turnbull Government’s efforts to trade union movement. to address a flaw in Australia’s migration law. of taxes and royalties has stepped compliance and self-reporting, operates Liberal WA Treasurer Mike Nahan. exemptU workers on vessels in the multi-billion “The offshore industry in any country’s Within six months of its election the Liberal Tup a gear amid revelations our national with limited transparency and inadequate Nahan is reportedly annoyed that dollar offshore oil and gas industry from territory must be the domain of the national National Government introduced a Bill to government will only collect a fraction of oversight.Australians need greater public billions of dollars spent by his state on domestic visa requirements. workforce as it involves the development of repeal the Migration Amendment (Offshore what it should over coming decades. confidence that they will benefit fairly from infrastructure supporting LNG projects The exemption was overturned by the High that country’s sovereign and public wealth.” Resources Activity) Act 2013 (ORA ACT) that The Tax Justice Network – of which both the exploitation of our natural resources. will not flow back to the state through the Court on August 31 following a case lodged by ITF Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline was passed by the ALP-led Parliament in the MUA and ITF are members – is callingWhat “An is immediate the PRRT? parliamentary inquiry into federally-imposed petroleum resource rent Royalty/ Financial Value PRRT revenue the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and Smith said: “It is clear that the failed 2013. for a public inquiry into the Petroleum Rent the PRRT would help clarify these issues and tax. year (Billions $AUD) (Billions $AUD) Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU). legislation and subsequent circumvention by It also introduced a Regulation under the Resourse Tax (PRRT). The PRRTinform is the primarypolicy development tax on A decade to close ago off the any PRRT system“WA would support further scrutiny into 2011-12 11.95 1.58 Speaking outside the High Court in the Australian government that was rejected ORA Act that specified an inappropriate This follows the release of modeling whichall oil andgaps gas production.in the future PRRT tax worked base. reasonably well andwhether taxpayers are receiving a sufficient collected a significant share 2012-13 14.27 1.27 Canberra following the victory, MUA Deputy by the High Court today was partly driven by visa class as a work visa to conform with the predicts that by 2021, Australia will eclipseThe PRRT is“A a robustprofit-based tax base is essential to return on government2013-14 support16.31 for offshore1.77 National Secretary Will Tracey said: “Today is international hydrocarbon players including ORA Act (the Maritime Crew Visa, which the Persian Gulf state of Qatar to become fund education, health careof the and revenues other generated.LNG projects,” said Mr Nahan, who also tax. It was initially designed to Changes to the PRRT system 2014-15 17.14 1.87 a fantastic day that again has reinforced and Chevron and Allseas. is a transit visa for visiting international the world’s biggest exporter of allow oil andgovernment gas companies services to andhave restore expanded the Budget loopholes holds and the energy2015-16 portfolio17.97 in the Barnett0.8 confirmed our right to work in our industry. “This is a great victory for the protection seafarers, not a work visa). liquefied natural gas. recover theirover investment time. “ while combined with aggressiveGovernment. tax 2016-17 n 22.31 0.8 “The High Court has backed in working of workers rights in the offshore industry all When the Senate rightly disallowed the In that year, when both recognising that these resources avoidance, the effectiveness 2017-18 32.76 0.8 belong to the Australian people. 2018-19 38.33 0.8 rights for seafarers today and should also over the world.” regulation specifying that visa, introduced a countries are forecast to pump of the PRRT system has been 2019-20 40.63 0.8 send a signal to the Australian Government AMOU President Tim Higgs said: “The Ministerial Determination (‘Immi 14/077’) and ship roughly 100 billion TheQatar tax rate onRoyalties profits is 40%. vs Australiangutted. PRRT revenue (billion AUD) - Michaelia Cash and Peter Dutton in Government has hugely overreached with effectively making the ORA Act null and void cubic metres of LNG each, particular - that they should listen to the will these tricky legislative instruments. The in complete disregard to the wishes of the Qatar’s government will receive $20 of the Senate, the Courts and the people.” Minister’s attempts to bypass existing laws Parliament. The MUA and AMOU challenged $26.6 billion in royalties from Qatar MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin and give unfettered work rights to non- Ministerial Determination (‘Immi 14/007’) the multinational companies $18 Australia said the High Court saw through the blatant Australian workers was always a terrible in the Federal Court with Justice Buchanan exploiting its offshore gasfields. $16 skullduggery and legislative trickery the idea.” validating the use by the Government of According to Treasury Did you know... Abbott/Turnbull Government had used to Ministerial Determination Immi 14/007 in a estimates, Australia will receive $14 In 2019-20, the Australian Government’s PRRT receipts from all oil Qatar is currently the largest and gas production are projected to be $0.8 billion, or less than 2% ignore the Senate and the Federal Court. Background judgment delivered on 15 September 2014. just $800 million for the same $12 LNG exporter in the world & of LNG export sales. “Unions watched the matter very closely In 2012, the Federal Court of Australia The MUA and AMOU successfully appealed volume of gas leaving its shores. is doing a much better job of $10 because it was a blatant attack on Australians’ handed down a decision in Allseas the decision to the Full Court of the Federal The TJN through its spokesman benefitting from its natural This is a decline from $1.9 billion in 2014-15 while LNG exports rights to work in their own country,” Crumlin Construction SA v Minister for Immigration Court. Jason Ward has sent a letter to resources$8 than us. increase by 137% to $40.6 billion. said. and Citizenship [2012] FCA 529 that Following the Full Federal Court Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull 2019-20$6 ROYALTIES Generous tax subsidies built into the PRRT allow the oil and gas “Bringing in often exploited foreign highlighted the issue of non-citizens being decision, within 24 hours introduced and Treasurer Scott Morrison. FORECASTED ON SIMILAR VOLUMES: industry to accumulate billions in tax credits – and the value of workers is a dangerous attack on the rights able to work on Australian offshore vessels another determination (‘Immi 15/073’) and “The [Tax Justice Network] has $4 these credits compound every year at rates as high as 18%. In 2015, and safe working conditions of seafarers, without visas when vessels were located subsequently (‘Immi 15/140’) to again allow major concerns about forecasts of QATAR AUSTRALIA the value of accumulated PRRT tax credits was nearly $190 billion. regardless of their nationality. outside the Migration Zone. cheap foreign labour in the offshore oil and gas declining or stagnant government $29.6$2 billion $0.8 billion Additionally, the PRRT is based on self-reporting and voluntary n “The MUA and the ITF welcome The then-Labor Government protected sector. revenue from the PRRT coinciding AS A $0PERCENTAGE OF LNG EXPORTS: compliance. Can we trust an industry that is notorious for 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 with Australia becoming the 23% 1.9% aggressive tax avoidance schemes, charged in the Federal Court Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey world’s largest exporter of and embroiled in ongoing disputes with the ATO? outside of the High Court with the MUA gang. liquefied natural gas (LNG),” the letter says. “LNG will soon compete with iron ore to be Australia’s largest The solution export. However, various analyses If the PRRT was working That amount would cover roughly 80% of the current annual national show that the primary resource the way it was originally education budget over the next 20 years. This revenue, which could tax on this export, the PRRT, will intended, it would generate fund our public schools, hospitals and infrastructure, is being lost. not collect any new revenue for an additional $480 billion The MUA must lead the way in demanding an immediate decades to come. in government revenues Parliamentary Inquiry into the PRRT to ensure that Australians “Concerns were raised about over the next two decades. receive a fair share from the exploitation of our natural resources. the effectiveness of the PRRT in the Henry Tax Review. Since then the scope of the PRRT has been many expanded to cover all oil and gas, $480 crucial onshore and offshore, including billion = + + + services CSG. over 20 years “Despite the expanded scope, it appears that other changes

42 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 43 WOMEN

Australian Women Say ‘NO’ To Turnbull By Mich-Elle Myers – National Women’s Liaison Officer and Election Campaign Coordinator

ever ones to shirk from a Malcolm Turnbull on the hustings. Her run- “As a result women unionists, including fight, MUA women were at in made television news headlines. Ryall was a sizable percentage of MUA women were the forefront of the election also used to star in a campaign video. involved in door knocking, phone banking campaign from the beginning. Wharfie Sue Virago ran as a Greens and attending and organising campaign NSome of the women heavily involved candidate in the seat of Blaxland achieving a events. in the campaign included Queensland’s 4% swing for the Greens. “Despite not being able to get Labor over Anne Gray, Tasmania’s Monica Hinkley, Myers said that women were particularly the line, if it was not for the work of these Northern Territory’s Chrissy Von Wooten, vulnerable to the cuts being proposed by the strong women Turnbull would have had a Tasmania Branch Deputy Secretary Alisha Turnbull Government which was enough stronger majority.” Bull and MUA National Women’s Liaison motivation to make sure women were out in The election has also seen some fresh, Officer Mich-Elle Myers, who also had the force getting their message out. female faces in the Senate and House responsibility for overseeing much of the “The vicious attacks on jobs, along with of Representatives join the ALP ranks. campaign. $115 million cuts to homeless shelters Notably the MUA helped Braddon’s Justine Sydney Branch’s Louise Ryall, did not let and changes to Medicare would have Keay, Cowan’s Anne Aly and Herbert’s being a new mum in the way of confronting disproportionately hurt women,” she said. Cathy O’Toole get across the line.

Mich-Elle Myers & Ann Gray with ACTU President Ged Kearney at the Jobs Embassy Canberra from a Woman Seafarer’s Perspective By Ann Gray - Queensland seafarer and Women’s Committee Member

rom February 22-25, it was steak. Other unions in attendance included played into our hands when an accident Queensland’s turn to man/woman the AMWU, the ASU and I saw a CFMEU triggered a traffic jam in front of the embassy. the Jobs Embassy. Can I also give flag too. ALP Senator Doug Cameron jumped out of a huge thanks to Mich-Elle Myers Also there were Warren Hopkins and Liam his car and came to talk to us, providing huge Fwho had been in Canberra for three weeks Conaghan from the MV Portland, who did photo opportunities with a great labor man. previously and showed us all the ropes. Well a successful press conference with Anthony Then about five minutes later came Clive done Mich-Elle: a great effort. Albanese. Craig Brady and Luke Clothier Palmer - what an opportunist he is. There Our group included current working from the CSL Melbourne were also there to he was standing with some of the boys seafarers (a rarity nowadays), our Assistant lend support. holding our union placard as a photo was Branch Secretary Paul Gallagher, unemployed There was a protest group from the CSIRO taken - complete hypocrisy, when those poor seafarers and stevedores and veterans - what (right next to us) who have lost hundreds workers at his mine are yet to be paid their a great bunch to have the honour of working of jobs and they were addressed by Stephen dues. It turned out to be a great morning with. We were all assigned various tasks and Jones MP, who later put up the Red Ensign apart from him. We also received toots from did them with vigour. Each day, the timing in the Parliament. Great show, Stephen Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and many of for putting up and pulling down the tents and Jones. Paddy Crumlin addressed the crowd the Labor Ministers. banners improved significantly. on Wednesday. ACTU President Ged Kearney Comrades, what solidarity was shown to us The banners themselves were fantastic, attended, as well as Greens Deputy Leader - absolutely brilliant! We were all very tired, both with their logos and size. The boys took Larissa Waters. All-in-all it was a great show but euphoric, at having done our bit for the it in turns to stand in front of the embassy of solidarity in front of Parliament. Jobs Embassy. with posters proclaiming “Toot if you agree On Wednesday night we had the pleasure And one last mention. On Wednesday we with Aussie Jobs for Aussie Workers”. of attending a Cuban Embassy event, at were visited by Jane from ‘Vintage Reds’. Great stuff. which both Paddy Crumlin and Paul McAleer What a fantastic name. She was a former We had Senators Kim Carr, Glen Lazarus, were recognised for their support of the organiser with Doug Cameron and had her Nick Xenophon and John Madigan, as well as Cuban people. Probably the only bad taste photo taken with Paddy Crumlin and the rest MPs Bob Katter and Wayne Swan turn up to was the fact Teresa Gambaro and Julie of the group. So you see, old unionists never watch. Ian Bray came from Sydney and the Bishop from the Coalition were there. One die - they just get older and drink more red. National Women’s Liaison crowd got bigger. of the highlights - both for Mich-Elle and Oh and I forgot to mention: none of Officer Mich-Elle Myers speaks The Meat Workers showed up with some myself - was meeting Charlie Tseo (renowned the Queensland group are ever going at National Conference fantastic cuts of meat and a huge BBQ. They heart surgeon) and his wife Genevieve; what to have BBQ’d sausages again . . . well at were visited by Glen Lazarus, who had a fantastic down-to-earth people they are. least for three months. You can only eat photo taken cooking their Wagyu export On Thursday, our last day, good fortune so many sausages! n

44 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 45 ATSI

The MUA delegation Gurindji Freedom ACTU Wave Hill Walk Off Day 50th Anniversary A solid delegation of MUA rank and file then Celebrations, Executive attended the Gurindji Freedom Day 50th Anniversary commemorating the historic Wave Hill Walk-Off. “The Wave Hill Walk Off, led by the and Conference courageous Vincent Lingiari, was one of the longest strikes in Australian history and should be admired and celebrated by all he ACTU Executive met in stand with today’s Indigenous leaders to The MUA was represented by Indigenous Australians for the bravery and determination Darwin in mid August ahead face up to many of the same challenges members Thomas Mayor, Terry O’Shane, of the Gurindji people who fought until they of a celebration of the 50th that present themselves to Aboriginal and Paddy Neliman, Stephen Oxley, David won their land back,” Mayor said. anniversary of the Wave Hill Walk Torres Strait Islander workers even today.” Stolpnes and Andrew Sutton along with “The union movement’s support during the Off,T roughly nine hours drive from the coast. ACTU National Indigenous Officer Kara Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey, long struggle for equality and land rights is A crowd of well wishers walks ACTU President Ged Kearney said Keys also connected the significance of National Women’s Liaison Officer Mich-Elle alongside the replica Bedford truck still remembered.” Australia is at a point where it has to the 1966 Wave Hill struggle for workplace Myers, branch officials and rank and file Mayor and the family of the late Darwin confront the continuing systematic abuses rights, with the challenges still being faced representatives from each Branch. wharfie Brian Manning organised a replica against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander by Aboriginal and Torres Strait workers The week commenced with a speech Bedford truck that led the march. The Bedford people. today, particularly unions’ fight against the from Vincent Lingiari’s granddaughter truck is an iconic symbol of the union’s “In the space of just a few days, we in the Community Development Program (CDP). Rosie Smiler who explained that in her support in the Gurindji’s long struggle. union movement will look forward and we “While the federally mandated maximum community of Kalkarindji there is still Mayor said that today, the drive from will look back,” Kearney said. wage that oppressed the workers at Wave much hardship and suffering today. Darwin to Gurindji country takes around “We will look back to a time when unions Hill is gone, the CDP remains,” Ms Keys Mayor, who stood with Rosie during nine hours but that it would have taken stood shoulder to shoulder with the said. the speeches, then challenged the union significantly longer in Brian Manning’s day as Gurindji people and Aboriginal and Torres “A program which indentures remote leaders who had travelled to Darwin to act he delivered much needed support. Strait Islander people from all nations – Indigenous workers into forced labour, on the issues raised. Mayor said that before departing Gurindji in an era of profound social conflict for offers no wage, no federal OHS and Mayor said that throughout the three country, Gurindji Corporation Chairman Australia.” Workers’ compensation protection, no days, the MUA’s delegation were active Justin Paddy thanked the MUA for being “And we will look forward to continuing superannuation and no conditions of participants in driving a progressive involved and welcomed the union and its that legacy of solidarity as we support and employment.” agenda. n members back for future anniversaries. n

46 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 47 community

Wharfies Walk for Suicide Prevention

UA Sydney Branch members “Those kids will go home and tell their Ben Higgs Steven Heighes, David parents, and that’s how the message gets McElhinney and Darren out.” Brown have done our union The Sydney Branch sponsored Mproud, completing a 14 day walkfrom the the wharfies who helped raised over Gold Coast to Sydney on Friday, October $50,000 for this important cause. 28. Branch Secretary Paul McAleer, Assistant The DP World wharfies walked over Branch Secretary Paul Garrett, MUA Youth 60km a day, challenging themselves both Activist Kerry Farrell and Harbour City physically and mentally, raising needed Ferries worker Eben Kelk joined the last leg funds and awareness for Suicide Prevention of the trip walking 40km from Avalon to Australia. Martin Place on Friday. “Six years ago, I was in a dark place” said “The Sydney Branch has been actively Heighes. involved in campaigns regarding awareness “Heaps of people helped me on the road for suicide prevention for many years now” to recovery, so it was time I gave a little McAleer said. back. “Suicide and mental illness is a scourge “As suicide affects us all, we wanted to negatively impacting our communities and stand up and make a real change.” destroying families and the lives of those “When someone is down on their luck, Visiting major cities and small affected.” start a conversation with them and ask country towns across QLD and NSW, the “As maritime workers and trade them how they are doing and then listen. Sean Howell, Ben Higgs, Darren Brown, MUA wharfies had conversations with unionists, we recognise and understand “It just might be that conversation saves Jason Webb, David McElhinney and community members about mental health the importance of highlighting these often a life”. Steven Heighes with a representative for Suicide Prevention Australia – breaking the stigma around suicide which ignored issues and doing what we can to try A big thank you to everyone who is the biggest killer of Australian men aged and overcome them.” donated and attended the event including: 25 – 44 years. The walkers were greeted at the Martin MUA Youth, MUA Veterans, Sydney Heighes says the role of education in the Place finish line by a strong turnout of Ferries, Svitzer, DP World and the CFMEU Sean Howell and Steven Heighes fight against depression is crucial, and can MUA members. NSW Construction and General Branch. start at a young age. The walk demonstrates the true spirit of You can still donate to the campaign, by “We walked past a school in Stroud, our union. clicking here: https://www.everydayhero. which is the middle of nowhere,” he said. “I always maintain that the best thing com.au/event/walkitoff “Next thing we know, we are speaking to about being a maritime worker is that we If you or somebody you know needs help, a school assembly of 20 kids, talking about help others because we can, not because we please contact Hunterlink on suicide and mental illness. have to,” Garrett said. (02) 4929 - 6625 n

From left: Sean Howell, Paul McAleer, Jason Webb, Paul Garrett, Darren Brown, Steven Heighes, David McElhinney and Ben Higgs

48 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 49 Youth

MUA Youth Youth Election Campaign Message Raft Into Goes Viral MUA Youth had so many campaign Action At highlights, it would be too hard to list them all, including appearing on National TV to discuss the plight of National Australian Shipping. Young members hit the ground running this election in taking their Conference message to new and young voters. Political messaging for young Seafarer and MUA WA Youth audiences is often hard to Committee chair Phil Swanston communicate but being young reports on National Conference themselves the youth knew how to breakthrough. They were highly active in their he Conference this year was an local communities and beyond absolute ripper. The calibre of local during the election campaign, and international speakers was participating and were present at amazing. Everyone in attendance all of the MUA campaign events Twould have left energised, reinspired and and activities. ready to take on the challenges ahead. Youth from the WA Branch produced a massively successful It is good to see the changes within the ‘Lib Life’ Gangsta video with union in sending a direct reflection of the appearances from ScoMo, Cash, membership to the Conference. The MUA The group that took part in the Youth action at Surfers Paradise Turbull, Abbott et al. was hailed as a progressive world leader in Unfortunately, the Turnbull the union movement and the international Government was ultimately connections that have been made will help successful and has opened our union for many years to come. the door for $100 thousand The MUA Youth Movement attended in Oz Youth in Canada: degrees, cuts to TAFEs, fewer force, with 19 delegates from WA. It was apprenticeships. inspiring to see so many young unionists But the youth are more engaged Struggles Are The Same than ever and can use the capacity stand up and voice their opinions at a built during the election campaign Conference level and play a part in the The MUA sent two delegates last year to the ILWU Young Worker’s to engage in other union and direction the union is taking. Something Conference in Vancouver, Rachael Carter from WA and Codey community campaigns. n the movement has been focusing on Bruekers from Queensland. This is Codey’s report. lately is actions and rallies. Some strong connections were forged, both nationally he conference was a big ‘eye and internationally, for the Youth and this opener’. There were 140 plus will serve us well in our upcoming battles. delegates from different areas, both On the first day of Conference the Youth international and within the same Movement organised an action in Surfers CanadianT province of British Columbia. Three Paradise. In the lead up to this, a lot of days of nothing but history, both locally and time and planning was put in to make internationally, and more informative issues sure it was a successful event. Upon four of current happenings that affect all young, fully loaded buses we practised some ‘sea new and also old members was amazing. shanties’ with an MV Portland theme, while The three days were dedicated to helping WA Assistant Branch Secretary we were en route. Danny Cain on the guitar motivate and inspire a whole new generation Once in Surfers, we handed out flyers and of workers and was well received by the talked to the general public about the plight attendees, many of which were ‘first timers’. of our industries. We then congregated in a The action couldn’t have gone better worked well and the public seemed to enjoy Everyone was welcomed whole-heartedly into central location on Cavill Avenue, where we and it was the kick-off to the Conference it as much as we did. a union environment that we, as a collective, inflated a small ship life raft. Upon seeing that everyone needed. You could see in the Thanks need to go to everyone involved in sometimes take for granted. the raft, a crowd began to gather and a few faces of the membership that this was not organising the action: Hannah Mathewson, The presentations were marvelous: MUA’s Codey Bruekers and Racheal Carter at the ILWU Young Worker’s Conference members jumped into the craft and the ‘sea something that would be forgotten. We tried national Youth chair, the helpers on the day engaging and informing us about what shanties’ started - with WA Assistant Branch out a new technique; we used meaningful and the whole WA branch Youth executive. continues to happen in our industries. As is only a matter of time. Solidarity was the main message Secretary Danny Cain playing the guitar. engaging conversation while handing out These Conferences aren’t just about some might know, Canadians have had the I was very blessed to join the ILWU in their and international solidarity is the In-between songs we read out important the flyers. Then we used the life raft and ‘sea having a good time. While that’s part of luck of not having to deal with a Government Young Worker’s Conference and would highly biggest message we can send to both information regarding the Australian shanties’ to get attention. it, I can tell you every young member in set against them and their livelihoods. After encourage anyone, if the opportunity arises, governments and companies. As they shipping campaign. The crowd was big and Once we had maximum attention, we attendance at that Conference left with talking to a fair few of the Youth Members, to meet and talk to these young members. say at ILWU: ‘To touch one is to touch we managed to get our story out to a good divulged the information concerning us. We something that will help them and the they could not fathom what has happened to They taught me to appreciate that, no matter all’. And the young people I met have number of people. We finished off with then finished the action with some heartfelt, union in the future. our union in the past and present with issues where you are from, the struggles are not just prove that this is the message they some good, old fashioned chanting. loud and proud chanting. The technique Know the past, own the future: MUA Youth like Hutchison - but many have the feeling it in your own backyard but in everyone’s. wish to send to everyone.

50 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 51 XXXXXXX

SA Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn MUA NT Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor at National Conference

DID YOU KNOW THERE’S Join rt health fund between 1 May 2016 A HEALTH FUND JUST and 31 July 2016 and go into the draw FOR YOU? to win a $1000 Coles Group and Myer MUA Says No To SA gift card*! Nuclear Dump We’ve been the health he MUA is gearing up for a fight Citizens Jury and public consultations have Australian law which bans national and fund for Australia’s JOIN THE MUA HEALTH PLAN in South Australia over potential concluded which is likely to be the first international nuclear waste storage * plans by the South Australian quarter of 2017. facilities in South Australia. transport and energy AND ENJOY : Labor Government to store “As late as Thursday 3 November news “We urge the SA Labor Party not to • An immediate waiver of all 2 and 3-month nuclearT waste in the state. outlets reported that the firms engaged advance plans to import nuclear waste into The MUA SA Branch has led the union to provide the economic forecasts to the South Australia. industry workers since waiting periods movement campaign and was the first Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission were “The proposed plan is high risk and • A $100 petrol or grocery voucher to say union to sign up to the No Dump Alliance. in fact biased towards the nuclear waste would have profound impacts for all South 1889. As a not-for-profit, thanks for coming on board** The SA Branch was a key organiser of the industry progressing,” SA Branch Secretary Australians for all time. October 15 rally on the steps of Parliament Jamie Newlyn said. “The Royal Commission Report • Access to a dedicated helpline and website House that drew a crowd of several “This reinforces the MUA’s strong stand dramatically overstates the benefits of mutual health fund, we’ve just for MUA members thousand in opposition to the nuclear and association with the No Dump Alliance nuclear waste dumps while downplaying • A 30-day money back guarantee^. dump proposal. and others opposed to nuclear waste the risks. partnered with the MUA The MUA continues to play a leadership dumps.” “These Report failings are still not being Call us today to find out more! role in the campaign which has included The No Dump Alliance presented a letter adequately addressed despite big questions to create a health plan presentations to the Citizen Jury from SA to all convention delegates at ALP State being asked by the South Australia *Terms and conditions apply. **See rthealthfund.com.au/group-gift-cards Branch Organiser Campbell Duignan. Conference. MUA SA Branch Secretary community. for more details. ^30-day cooling off period refund applies only when you ITF Australian Coordinator Dean Jamie Newlyn is one of the signatories. “Nuclear waste is not a business just for you. have not made a claim. Summers also presented as an expert “Many concerned citizens, including opportunity; it is a perpetual risk and witness to the citizens jury discussing the ALP members, and those of us gathered burden. inherent risks of transporting Nuclear here today support the Federal ALP policy “Accordingly, we urge you not to make any Waste product across the globe by sea. of opposition to international radioactive further financial or political commitment to The ALP Conference ultimately resolved waste import and dumping,” the letter says. advancing international radioactive waste 1300 287 609 to hold a Special Convention once the “We also support the current South plans for South Australia. n [email protected] rthealthfund.com.au/mua 52 www.mua.org.au INDUSTRIAL Rally

Members March To Malcolm Turnbull’s Office

UA members from across this Liberal government, who are complicit living standards by undermining penalty NSW rallied against Prime in destroying our jobs - and they aren’t rates, refusing to support the Gonski Minister Malcolm Turnbull, even ashamed about it,” former seafarer scheme and making cuts to Medicare. escalating the campaign and current Safety and Education Officer Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer againstM the Liberal Government. Mick Cross said. emphasised the union was at Turnbull‘s The rally kicked off at Edgecliff station, “They aren’t just doing this to seafarers. electorate office to send him a direct where MUA members marched to They are doing it to meat workers in message. Turnbull’s nearby office, in Sydney’s posh Townsville and to steel workers in Whyalla While Turnbull did not greet the electorate of Wentworth. and Port Kembla.” protesters, many passers-by honked their The crowd - overflowing onto the streets This protest was a Call To Action, as the horns in support, highlighting that job - heard about the Government’s attacks Liberal Government continues its anti- security was a key issue at this year’s on Australian seafarers and the shipping worker regime and actively diminishing election. n industry. Zach Kinzett from the MV Portland, told of being forcibly removed from his place of work by 30 security guards. MUA youth were at the forefront of this action, organising video projections detailing the plight of Australian seafarers. “On behalf of the youth, we are going to keep fighting every single day,” former chair of Sydney Youth Committee Ryan McGibbon Thompson declared. “We owe it to all the future seafarers who want to work on our coasts, and to ourselves, to keep on fighting every day. “We can’t let people like Turnbull, (Michaelia) Cash and (Eric) Abetz stop us. We’ll keep fighting - and I promise we will be back on those ships.” Patrick’s EA Nears The protestors were also showing solidarity to other workers who have been marginalised by the Turnbull Government’s refusal to support local industries. Sydney Branch Secretary Paul Completion After 18 “Workers are in a constant battle with McAleer on the megaphone Months Of Hard-Fought Our Coast. Our Jobs. Our Future. Negotiations

he Patrick Terminal terminals and many bans of various membership. Enterprise Agreement types,” he said. “Amongst all this the business was being (EA) is finally nearing “We had Patrick put out a non-union sold to Qube and our old Patrick nemesis completion following an agreement that was rejected by 98 per Chris Corrigan. Warduous 18-month campaign. cent of the workforce after a focused “The leadership in each of the At the time of writing, MUA Deputy campaign by the MUA and the suspension Branches and both the Part A and Part B National Secretary Will Tracey said of our industrial action by the Fair Work committees is to be congratulated. voting on the new agreement would likely Commission which we overturned on “The unwavering solidarity of the rank begin in mid-November following appeal. and file in the line of fire during a long several preventable errors on Patrick’s “There has been more than 45 days in drawn out campaign with the hostile behalf. Fair Work before Deputy President Booth tactics of the employer being carried “This was a campaign that involved and concerted campaign in the media out almost daily is nothing short of 28 days of stoppages across the four by Patrick to discredit the MUA and our inspirational.” n

54 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 55 rally Helping you along NSW Premier Breaks your journey Promise To Stockton Ferry Workers & Commuters With over ������ �e��e�� Maritime Super is the industry fund SW Premier Mike Baird has were told the public ferry service was being public transport option to the people of ������� broken his promise to consult put out to tender, and they would be forcibly northern Newcastle. to the maritime industry. with ferry workers before transferred to the new private operator. “Mike Baird gave a commitment to ��������� putting the iconic Stockton “This was a slap in the face to workers,,” workers – face-to-face - that there would be FerryN service out to private tender. MUA Newcastle Branch Secretary Glen full consultation with them and the local The Premier assured workers at a rally late Williams said. community. But there has been absolutely GET STARTED last year that they and their union, the MUA, “Many of them have dedicated their lives nothing. would be consulted with about their future. to this ferry service – some giving more than “To be treated in this way is appalling. Join and consolidate They heard nothing - until April, when they 30 years to delivering an efficient, top shelf It’s just another broken promise from Mike your super Extra contributions Baird.” Take advantage of The MUA is calling for a 12-month freeze compound interest on any decisions, to allow proper consultation Investment strategy to take place, and a State Government Range of investment guarantee no services will be cut. options The Stockton Ferry provides a vital link between northern Newcastle and the City. A helping hand “Our concerns are not only about Talk to us, privatisation, but also the forced transfer of ask questions the workforce to any new private operator,” Williams said. “In peak times the ferry is very well used. Adequate insurance But in winter time it may not be, and that Protect your income may bring into question the future of the and family ferry service if it is run by a private operator Financial advice MUA members were out in numbers to MUA Veterans Secretary Fred Krausert answering to its shareholders, instead of The path to protests against the sell-off speaks at the rally public needs.” n financial freedom Tools and resources Website, calculators, more We’re here to help.

Our Member Services consultants can provide general advice on super and your benefits in the RETIRE ... Fund. If you need more extensive ENJOY YOUR FUTURE or personal advice, our financial Pensions to suit your planners are on hand to help — income needs just call us on 1800 757 607.

RTBU members joined the MUA at the rally [email protected]@maritimesuper.com.au 56 www.mua.org.au Issued by Maritime Financial Services Pty Limited ABN 16 105 319 202 AFSL No. 241735

MWJ MaritimeSuper Future A4.indd 1 7/11/16 3:46 PM International

IDC & ITF Meet To Defend Dockers’ Rights ITF Youth In Palestine: The Next Steps

epresentatives of the We anticipate an active and fruitful result in such concrete outcomes.” MUA Sydney Branch Seafarer and Youth Committee member Dan Crumlin was selected to go on a solidarity International Dockworkers’ collaboration between our two organisations to Torben Seebold, ITF vice chair and ETF mission to Palestine to meet with local ITF affiliated unions. This is his report. Council (IDC) and International build dockworkers’ power around the world. (European Transport Workers’ Federation) Transport Workers’ Federation Paddy Crumlin, ITF president and chair dockers’ section vice chair, added: “Dockers fter meeting with our their own office space, as well as office Our brothers and sisters are indicative (ITF)R met in Barcelona in Spain in February of its dockers’ section, commented: “This has do hard and often dangerous work, which Palestinian comrades, there equipment. of Palestine’s strength, despite the difficult to explore how to work together to defend been a landmark event. Both organisations is rarely given the recognition it deserves. are several practical steps • Any other ways we can share circumstances they face, and serve as a dockers’ jobs and rights. are now best placed to promote and defend The ITF and IDC are committed to changing that we as young workers can information and assist each other beacon of hope and inspiration for all The one-day meeting agreed the following the rights of international dockworkers.” that.” takeA within our own unions to put in place with organising and training of young unions. statement of intent: Jordi Aragunde, IDC general coordinator, IDC European zone coordinator Anthony resolutions of support, working alongside workers in both countries. I cannot think of a worker anywhere Representatives of the International added: “Today’s meeting was designed to Tetard concluded: “Dockers face common the ITF with the regional team and other We will also speak to other Youth in the world who is currently facing the Dockworkers’ Council (IDC) and International further our joint efforts to aid and represent challenges, which demand a united affiliates in the region to assist in whatever Committees that are ITF affiliates in challenges that our comrades in Palestine Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) meeting dockers worldwide. It is a pleasure to see it response. Today we have agreed one.” n way possible. Australia - such as the TWU, RBTU & AWU face on a daily basis, under the Israeli in Barcelona today 5th February 2016 have For us in Australia, these steps will - in the hope of getting them on-board with occupation. agreed to find ways of working more closely include a report back at our next National this very important initiative. It is incumbent on us as trade unionists ITF and ETF Dockers’ together with the aim of strengthening Vice Chair Torben Youth Committee Teleconference, with With the organising capacity of the ITF to do whatever we can, as fellow workers, solidarity between dockworkers globally and Seebold speaking at the view to having the Committee and the enthusiasm & motivation of young to assist them in their struggle, as one supporting each other in fighting back against the MUA Quadrennial endorse the key points the young workers workers in all regions, we can all work and worker’s struggle is the struggle of all attacks on their working terms and conditions, National Conference communicated to us during our mission. fight together in ensuring young workers workers. and job security. These steps include, but are not limited to: everywhere are treated with the dignity In Unity, These common challenges faced by our • An exchange program for young and respect they deserve - no matter what Dan Crumlin members are the result of significant changes workers in Palestine and Australia country they come from. MUA delegate. n in maritime transport, and some employers - giving young workers from both and governments pursuing a neo-liberal agenda countries the experience and training The full delegation characterised by union busting - including they will need as the next generation through automation, the casualisation of of trade unionist. jobs and deregulation of labour standards • Financial assistance through an and protections. Collective agreements annual fundraiser that can go towards are increasingly being violated and we are concerned over health and safety conditions in ports, as well as attempts to limit dockworkers’ ability to exercise their trade union rights. We have established a joint committee to develop a strategy and plan actions urgently to tackle the key challenges and issues faced by dockworkers globally. ITF Praises ‘Panama Papers’ Exposure Of injustice & In particular, our organisations will Wrongdoing cooperate on: • Campaigning and solidarity support to The International Transport Workers’ “If Chevron and other multi-nationals secure and maintain dockworkers’ rights Federation (ITF) has welcomed revelations paid the tax they should be paying, internationally, especially in the global of tax avoidance and related activities austerity wouldn’t be an issue. We Dan Crumlin is given a tour terminal operating companies (GNTs); in the leaked Panama Papers, and hopes wouldn’t be seeing cuts in funding of the occupied territory and the exposure will lead to a change in the for education, public transport and • Managing the impact of automation, current climate of tacit approval for this healthcare. securing lashing work and respect for kind of socially damaging behaviour. “Cover up, silence, secrecy, zero ITF: Raid On CSL Melbourne A ‘National Error’ dockworkers’ jurisdiction. “Let’s look at oil and gas multinational accountability. Those are what these Chevron,” ITF President and MUA leaks have exposed. For those who have Commenting on the raid on the CSL this is another example of the Australian jobs, consume goods and boost the National Secretary Paddy Crumlin campaigned against flags-of-convenience Melbourne in Newcastle in February, Government shooting itself in the foot. economy. commented. “The ITF produced a report (FOCs) in shipping, these new facts - ITF seafarers’ section chair Dave “It is beginning to look almost like it Failing to protect cabotage last year highlighting the amount of tax shocking though they are - will not come Heindel declared: “This raid was an wants to punish the Australian people, by undermines sovereignty and has revenue which could be lost in Australia as a total surprise. error of truly national dimensions. removing their jobs and national shipping national security implications. It also through the company’s complex profit- “Since 1948 our organisation has fought The Australian Government seems industry in favour of dodging tax and has serious economic implications for shifting and tax avoidance schemes. against FOCs. Panama was the first of hell-bent on stripping away the very national labour standards.” maritime regions and communities. “The amount is shocking. What the these. It’s now the biggest. The whole FOC protections that make Australia The CSL Melbourne is the latest victim Heindel was at the time leading revelations in the Panama Papers have system is based on a culture of secrecy and the nation it is; and in doing so, of the undermining of Australia’s the seafarers group at the high brought to the public’s attention is that lack of accountability. It is a global system it is becoming an international cabotage protection laws. The ITF has level meeting at the ILO in Geneva, this kind of activity - which directly of pushing money around, using brass- embarrassment in an industry seeking repeatedly made the case for keeping such consolidating the ground-breaking disadvantages ordinary hard working plate companies and tax havens, money higher standards of governance and legislation. As the ITF cabotage taskforce Maritime Labour Convention 2008 for people - is happening all over the world, laundering and tax evasion. Those who can accountability.” has stated, 47 countries have some form international seafarers. while governments sit back and fail to take afford the most are paying the least. The Heindel noted: “Coming on the heels of cabotage law because it is good for “This latest debacle from the responsibility for the loopholes that allow innocent are going unprotected; the guilty of the ‘dawn raid’ removal of the crew their economies. With a thriving maritime Australian shipping industry will not n n IDC General Coordinator Jodi Aragunde it to continue. are going scot free.” of the MV Portland a week earlier, industry, people work in good quality be lost on anyone there,” he said. speaking at the Queensland State Conference

58 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 59 Letters Letters

AMAS Supports Vale Pat Geraghty The Men Who Changed the World the MUA With Pat’s passing we witnessed the signing-off of a remarkable man, passionate about his A Poem by Colin Hooper We the members of the Allied Merchant family, devoted to the struggle to make the world a better place. An Internationalist, socialist Seaman’s Association (AMAS) of WA are and advocate for the working class, he despised racism and epitomised how a good and Upon this Earth there are some men that few of us But they are the ones that brought us all the shocked and horrified with the demise meaningful life should be lived - and as always led by example. do know, except by the name as Sailors of the Sea, knowledge in the World, so what about a ‘Thank you’ if of Australian shipping. Is this Federal Pat believed passionately in on-going efforts towards the consolidation of the seven Yet way back in the days of old when all knew the you please. Government blind and stupid? seagoing unions, as difficult as that proved to be. He was the father of the MIDC concept in Earth was flat, these were the men who changed what As time went by and business grew and men built Australian ships and Australian manning the shipping Industry, which bought time for the Industry through retraining and changed we could see, ships of War, the Seamen carried out their daily toil, keep Australian jobs and dollars here, not shipboard management practices, which it was envisioned would lead to a more efficient and Perhaps a Wind or mighty Storm did blow them out The Merchants grew much bigger still to trade with lost overseas to multi-national companies productive Industry. to Sea, and when they did not topple from the edge, other Lands, and built the Ships designed to carry Oil, who exploit everyone they touch. He was a true giant upon whose shoulders others will continue to walk for a long time. Returned to tell the Town’s folk of the wonders they Throughout the Wars that men began to take what The Australian tanker fleet is gone. Vale Pat Geraghty: gone but never forgotten. had seen, and a few among them made themselves a others had, the Shipping firms did rub their hands with What about the national security this A truly remarkable human being. pledge. glee, Government is so paranoid about? Most of Mick Carr They would build a better ship design to take them Then Convoys travelled around the Globe with Arms our oil refineries have been shut down and Retired Nat President/Qld Branch Secretary further out, to explore the nether regions of this Earth and Goods for War, and many of these ships were lost Australia relies on all fuels being brought And despite the men in Churches screaming ‘Damn at Sea, in and supplied to every port in Australia. this blasphemy’, and comedians who doubled up with Submarines and Planes and Warships did their best So much for the big achiever, or is it the big mirth, to keep them safe, but Torpedoes, Bombs and Shells all deceiver? They got ships built with money from the ones who took their toll. Last but not least are the Port Hedland sought to gain, a profit from whatever lay beyond, And thousands of the brotherhood of good and tugs, with all union labour sacked and And so began the greedy practice of what still exists faithful friends, slipped quietly beneath the waves with replaced by whom? We wonder what you today, the merchant using money as a wand, no tales told, would call these people? And the only To create the means of access to the wealth he wants Of their courage or their passion to deliver to the reason their jobs have gone is that they are to own, to become the biggest Frog within his pond. Troops, the cargo on the deck and down below, union-minded labour. We condemn these The Merchants soon got richer and they built much Whether sweating in the Tropics stripped right down deceivers that pretend to be Australian or bigger ships, to sail much further out across the Sea, to the waist, or freezing in the North Sea Ice and Snow. act on behalf of Australia. Then with new lands discovered shipping companies These men received no medals or awards, or loud The Maritime Union will survive and were formed, and the Merchants rolled in Gold and acclaim, during Wartime nor a pension at the end, we will support the rights for all union laughed with glee, Their names were not recorded at a War memorial; members to be gainfully employed in But any thought of sharing just a small part of this they were just like cash the Governments could spend. Australian shipping. wealth, was something that had not been done before, The next time you are gathered in the dark before Sincerely, For the Merchant as the Master had the laws upon dawn, waiting quietly on the Bugles mournful sound, Barry Shaw his side, so most likely paid much better to his Whore, Spare a thought for Merchant Seamen lost in AMAS Like now things were not equal and the rich as is unarmed Cargo Ships, for they’re never spared a their way approached the ones in power to write the mention with that sound. laws, Today they still are with us manning strange and Which gave unto the Captains that the merchant had massive ships, using skills that have evolved to suit the employed, the power of life or death if he saw cause. times, Vale Pat Geraghty So the Sailors in their wisdom avoided signing onto While the Merchants and the Bankers still continue Pat Geraghty is a real leader and the hero ships, where Captains liked to use the threat of death, with the war, against united men with Bloody fines, of all. He is the witness to how Australian So the Merchants sent some gangs to search among Now the Cargo Ships are massive and the Crews cut maritime workers help the independence of the pubs, and the Sailors soon had something else to down in size, for machines now do the work of many Indonesia. dread, men, Good Bye Pat. Rest in peace in a place Vale Pat Geraghty Pat was a remarkable person and, of course, will be greatly missed. We are reassured, in our For many woke the next morning from a night out But the fines imposed on owners if the Ship delays that all of us will stay. grief at his passing, that he lived a life that brought hope, opportunity, peace, support and on the booze, aboard a listed Ship with lump on head. the Port, means the Crew and Watersiders have the Hanafi Rustandi decency to maritime and other workers in this country and across the world. Scary tales about Keel-hauling and of time spent in Ken, Former President of Indonesia’s KPI He lived his life around a determination that if you can make a contribution for the the Brig, of the lashings while some Captains laughed To deliver Ships in safely to be tied up to the Wharf, common good of anyone, then do it. He worked for the common good with his inimitable with glee, and then ensure it slips lines on time, and indomitable humour, wisdom, compassion, humility and persistent courage and raw Of Captains quoting chapters from the Bible in their In contrast to the tonnage that these mighty ships toughness in the face of many adversities. hand, as the body of the hanged slid into the Sea, now haul, the pittance that these men are paid is fine, AMMA 3 Thanks He earned, without expectation, the respect and admiration of national and international Now Sailors learned quite quickly that Unity is But still the fight continues with the smaller Coastal I am writing to you in regard to the ongoing political, human rights, corporate and trade union leaders at the highest level, while holding Strength, for at times your life depended on your mate, ship, and the ones that carry Coal, Cement and Oil, AMMA 3 EBA negotiations. I am the others’ belief and faith in him and his work from the working women and men that he So Unity and Teamwork was how a Ship got through For the Masters and their friends in the place that shipboard delegate on the Pacific Rover. unerringly and uncompromisingly represented. a storm, and freed them from what might have been makes the Laws, still replace their crews with ones from I would like to take the opportunity to At a time of deep and adversarial division nationally and internationally, Pat’s constant their fate. foreign shores, reinforce our commitment, to the delegates commitment to peace, justice and opportunity and support for all - regardless of person, This trust formed an alliance and a bond as time Then remove the work conditions won by Seamen and the rank & file, in our pursuit of a fair place and circumstance - will continue to stand as a beacon for hope and focused action for went by, until eventually the Merchants saw a need, throughout the years, and then pay them as before less and just outcome for the integrated ratings, those that wish to tread the same pathway, and also those that are in such dire need of the To negotiate with Seamen for a better way of life, but than their Whores. cooks and caterers. leadership that delivers on that hope to so many. of course behind it all there was their greed. May the spirits of the Sailors who rest in peace We the MUA realise the importance Pat has completed a long journey and, on behalf of the MUA, we wish his loving family all It was Seamen who quite early learned the ways of beneath the waves, guide their brothers ever straight of retaining our conditions and, by being of the relief, our deepest sympathies and condolences, that we can bring at this time of their other folk, their customs and their way of doing things, along the path, united by a cause and being led by a diligent grief. We hope deeply, in some small way, our heartfelt thoughts reassure them of the great And they took back home these teachings and the To where the Master and the Servant shall be seen negotiating committee, we can, I’m sure, love and belief we had in Pat - and all he strove for on their, and our behalf. skills out in the field, and how people governed all to be as one, and there is no longer any need for Greed achieve a favorable outcome. Vale Patrick Geraghty: family man, seafarer, trade unionist and leader, socialist and man without a King. or Graft. Yours Fraternally, of peace. They brought back Oils and Spices and the way to tan Laurie Oreton # 2915 Goodbye friend and comrade. a hide, and they sadly both took and brought disease. The Fight Goes On. On behalf of the MUA crew aboard the In unity, Pacific Rover Paddy Crumlin

60 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 61 TRAINING TRAINING GOOD CAUSE MUA training program Training: a delegate’s insight Dave Ball is a wharfie from Geelong, in 2015 he trekked to St Georges Basin to take part in Delegates 3 MUA approach to training and development CLOSELeadership Development Training.SHAVE FOR CHARITY The MUA training program helps delegates, Why did you decide to take part in MUA Training? veryday 36 HSRs and active members develop skills, As a delegate you are required to deal with a broad Australian women knowledge and strategies to improve the variety of issues and situations. To deal with them and Eare diagnosed with working lives of all our members. achieve some level of success you need knowledge, breast cancer with more resources and skills. The MUA training was an than 13,600 new cases are Courses are held in all branches and major opportunity to develop some of those areas. ports. Training is delivered by delegates and diagnosed each year. With What were some of the most important things you approximately 28% of all includes presentations from MUA veterans on cancer cases diagnosed MUA history and culture. took away from the training? The areas I mentioned above but also an understanding in Australian women being To register, contact your local MUA branch. of the history of the union and unionism. Also learning breast cancer, Tasmanian Courses are open to delegates, health and about the past and present leadership of the MUA and Branch member Janet safety representatives and any active members. the struggle that people lived through so that we can Harris, (Union No.9004196) Get involved! enjoy the conditions we do. decided to sacrifice her lovely locks in the name of Why do you think union-based training is Dave Ball (far right) takesmedical part in training research. at the basin important? Janet is Workplace Support Union-based (MUA) training allows our story to be told for the MUA and TT Line whilst delivering the skills and knowledge relevant to our industry. Being in a room full of wharfies, seafarers and is a tireless worker for Level 1 (2 days) Level 2 (2 days) Skills Development Program for and the many other areas our union covers, reminds women’s workplace rights This two-day course provides delegates This two-day course is for delegates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander you that workplaces are similar everywhere. It also in Tassie, raised over $3000 with essential information about with 12 months or more experience. It Delegates & Members provides you with contacts and builds relationships from MUA members for the that are essential for solidarity on the waterfront to Australian Breast Cancer performing their role in the workplace. consolidates and extends skills covered MUA is holding a dedicated three- exist. Research Foundation. Janet It can be undertaken by newer delegates in the Level 1 course. day development program to help is also an active member of in their first 6-12 months of involvement, equip our Aboriginal and Torres Strait What would you say to encourage others to take the Tasmanian Wing Chun or as a refresher for delegates who have Topics include: Islander delegates to play a vocal MUA training? Academy and her close MUA training helps explain why certain behavior in the not attended union training for some time. ■ advanced communication and active role in the representative shave contributed the lion’s workplace is expected. For example, when a workmate It is also open to active members who strategies structures of our union, and in the gets injured at work and needs a chop out or why a share of the Academy’s would like to become more involved. ■ in-depth discussion of the Fair Work Act industry more broadly. The content certain condition exists and the struggle people went annual fund-raising drive, ■ public speaking skills and location of this program will be through to achieve it. which raised $4788 all The course covers the following topics: ■ leading and organising union developed with the MUA’s Aboriginal I think that’s the main point. When you arrive in an up for the to the ABCRF. Fantastic effort, Janet, you’re ■ building a strong and effective activities in the workplace and Torres Strait Islander Committee industry that the MUA covers you have arrived in a special place that only exists because of unionism and a legend! union at work ■ workplace committees and key ATSI leaders within our solidarity. Through MUA training you quickly learn ■ role and rights of MUA delegates ■ identifying and mentoring delegates union. Contact your branch for more that its a unique industry and the fight to protect it is MUA members sharpen ■ the structure and democracy ■ ITF workshop information. ongoing and that everyone needs to play a role. their negotiation skills in Port Adelaide of the union ■ negotiation skills ■ our history and culture ■ solving problems in the workplace Seagoing Delegates (3 days) ■ essential legal and technical Level 3 Delegates - Leadership This new course is for MUA delegates information, including key aspects Development Program (4 days) at sea. It deals with the specific of the Fair Work Act This advanced courses is aimed at challenges and issues faced by ■ communication skills MUA experienced delegates, workplace delegates in this unique environment. W.G. McNally Jones Staff ■ introduction to the ITF: MUA leaders and up-and-coming new The training has been developed LAWYERS members in a global context delegates. This course goes beyond the in conjunction with experienced level 1 or 2 programs. There is a youth- seafaring delegates and covers topics Tattersalls Building, Level 10, 179 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 focus, but it is not limited to young such as: Phone: (02) 9233 4744 Fax: 02 9223 7859 workers. Admission is by expression of Offices also in Perth & Fremantle interest. Two three-day workshops will be ■ effective on-board union PERTH: (08) 6142 6200 FREMANTLE: (08) 6420 9580 held during 2016. organisation Email: [email protected] ■ problem solving and We have accredited specialists in Employment and Industrial negotiation skills Law & Personal Injury. We can also provide legal advice Skills Development Program for Women ■ history of the union at sea andrepresentation to all MUA members on: Members & Delegates ■ safety in the marine/offshore Litigation I Free Wills I Family Law including De Facto Relationships I Police Matters I Discrimination I Conveyancing This initiative aims to equip women jurisdiction Deceased Estates I Superannuation & Disability Claims I General Legal Advice delegates with the skills, knowledge ■ political awareness As members of the MUA you are entitled to free Wills and the first consultation is free of charge upon and confidence to play an active role in presentation of a referral letter from the MUA. the union, both at a local and national MUA Trainer Kieran Proud to be the lawyers for the MUA for over 40 years Crumlin leading training level. Contact your branch for more at St Georges Basin information. 70 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.auwww.mua.org.au 7147

p46-47 Head shave.indd 47 2/07/12 1:07 PM MAY DAY

SA Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn leading the SA Branch Delegation

Artwork being completed by MUA women

Darwin MUA May Day contingent May Day Focus On

Dumping Turnbull Large numbers Sydney march with turned out in Assistant Branch Fremantle for Secretary Joe Deakin the WA event Government on the megaphone

South Australia Branch Queensland Branch marched to the beat of blue shirts dominated a drum the Brisbane march

72 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 73 report

Digital disruption and the union response supply chains. The age of “new” manufacturing will lead to As a working class organisation we have a Issues to consider following the ACTU Digital Disruption Conference. a relative decline in E-W and N-S trade trade responsibility to advocate these new methods of By Rod Pickette, National Policy Adviser and more intra-national and intra-regional trade which is already being witnessed in SE struggle ... to agitate for change for the working class ecently the ACTU held an expanding competition and reducing So what are the types of technologies Asia. This has implications for shipping, ports as a whole important conference entitled costs to consumers but also reducing the that are driving this change? The Australian and stevedoring, on top of the pre-disposition Australia Disrupted – Australian income of workers. Jobs that involve low Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) in its of these industries to adopt labour reducing Unions in a Disrupted World. It levels of social interaction, low levels of September 2015 report entitled Technology automation technologies (note Qube’s plans reinvention and reinvigoration. It endorsed interface between management and workers raisedR important questions relevant to the creativity, or low levels of mobility and and Australia’s Future identified the following for the Port Botany to Moorebank corridor, an ACTU Framework for Growth and for the delivery of labour standards in the strategic direction of the union movement dexterity are more likely to be replaced by technologies as being likely to have the especially now it has a 50% stake in Patrick Innovation, with taskforces established to face of digital disruption to the traditional confronted by rapid and potentially automation. greatest potential to impact on Australia over Terminals). focus on: employer-employee relationship. The digital disruptive technological change. An article in the July/August 2015 the next 10-20 years: Shipping could also potentially become • Organising for growth. platforms for engagement of an increasingly There is little dispute that unions will need edition of The Atlantic showed the evidence • Information and communications more significantly automated. The European • A new union agenda - work and security in contingent workforce are isolating workers the capability to respond to the increasing technology (ICT). Union is already funding a 3.5 million-euro the digital century. from this traditional relationship, while the pace of technological change. The pace and • Advanced material manufacturing, ($4.8 million) study called the Maritime • Building policy and strategy. corporates are breaking down performance scale of technological change will further The changing nature including 3D printing. Unmanned Navigation through Intelligence • Building organisational adaptability. of work into increasingly smaller and disrupt accepted employment relationships, of workforce skills ... • Transport, including autonomous in Networks project. The researchers are • Developing and adopting alternative disconnected chunks e.g. outsourcing, and occupations as we know them and the way means that the future vehicles. preparing the prototype unmanned ship for membership models. use of partnerships as was attempted in they are rewarded, the nature and patterns • Biotechnology, including solutions for simulated sea trials to assess the costs and • Redesigning the movement to be the towage. of work, job security, career paths and of non-mining trade- diseases, climate change, fuel alternatives, benefits. At home the Australian Maritime social movement workers will need In the Third how to use the vocational Training potentially living standards. It will impact exposed sectors and and food security. College (AMC) is involved in research on future. Packages to properly capture the emerging on power relationships and where strategic the implications of our • Energy including alternative energy handling unmanned ships. In addition AP Participation in this process ensures the skills and competencies in the new jobs power lies in production processes. technology, better storage and smart grid Moller-Maersk is studying the deployment union is well placed to draw on the leading in revised or new qualifications or skill What strategies will the Australian union proximity to Asia are control. of drones on board ships and in ports for the edge strategies to continue building its sets, and to have those qualifications or movement, and individual unions like the becoming increasingly • Sensors and monitoring, including new resupply of less bulky items to ships, such as relevancy and power and to take advantage of skill sets recognised in EBAs that lock MUA, need to adopt to build stronger, more relevant to policy, nano-technology based sensor systems. spare-parts, medicines and mail and possibly digital technologies. in the connection between required job effective trade unions as well as organising While the total number of jobs in Australia to undertake hull inspections. The union’s National Conference also competencies, pay scales and coverage aimed and campaigning networks and capability especially for unions has almost doubled since 1978, and even Along the supply chain, driverless trains considered proposals to: at preventing the deskilling of the workforce. that can fight and win industrial, social organising in the supply the number of full-time jobs has increased and trucks are already operating routinely • Negotiate reduced working hours and Putting it another way we must upskill the and political justice at work and in the by 82% there has at the same time major in surface mining and firms like Wal-Mart, ensure that the available work is spread MUA covered workforce to solidify their community, in this changing world? chain. job losses occurred in manufacturing, even Deutsche-DHL and Australia Post are trialling over the greatest number of workers who centrality in the production process and Modelling conducted for the Council of though Australian manufacturing output was drone parcel delivery from suburb stationed can nevertheless continue to command to ensure all workers are organised in our Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) that technology could exert a slow but still increasing up to 2008 and is still 20% courier trucks to the home. Deutsche-DHL a “living” wage. Increased production industry based union. in its July 2015 report entitled Australia’s continual downward pressure on the value higher than it was 25 years ago, compared is also trialling driverless courier vehicles and and productivity itself mean that shorter Fourth, how to capture the power Future Workforce suggests that: and availability of work, that is, on wages with the 18% decline in employment. The use of artificial intelligence (e.g. wearing of hours is an important social response in of digitalised production processes to • Almost five million Australian jobs, and on the share of prime-age workers with net result is that total manufacturing output smart glasses in warehouses said to increase developed capitalist economies. democratise workplaces, increase worker around 40% of the workforce, face a high full-time jobs. Cities like Wollongong already had not fallen significantly until 2012, but productivity by up to 25%). We already know • Adopt mitigation strategies in confronting power at the point of production and to probability of being replaced in the next experience this phenomena. The article manufacturing employment has dramatically of the trends in port automation, which new technologies. better service the needs of society. Creative decade or two; suggested that this is the result of three fallen over a long period since at least 2002. could extend to the shuttle trains delivering • Build community alliances, one element approaches to the investment of workers • A further 18.4% of the workforce has a factors: It is the nature of that manufacturing output containers to and from inland intermodal of which involves consideration of an capital, to “socialise” managerial authority medium probability of having their roles • The current dominance of capital over that is critical to the demand for services terminals like Qube/Aurizon’s future associate membership opportunity. and decision making and to ownership of the eliminated; and labour - represented for example by the MUA members provide – shipping and Moorebank facility in Sydney. • Examining new organising and production process are important elements • Almost 70% of existing jobs in Australia declining share of national income going stevedoring. How is the union responding so far to the representation opportunities such as in of our strategic mission that require a face a high or medium probability of being to wages and the increase in inequality e.g. The changing nature of workforce challenge of technology and its impact on the marine tourism, fishing, pearling and rethink in the digital age. made redundant. research by the Australia Institute that skills, combined with the end of the union and it membership? In the tradition of diving. As a working class organisation we have The report said that computerisation will shows that the wealth of the seven richest resources boom, the decline in traditional the union, it is responding in a multi layered There are four key challenges for the a responsibility to advocate these new reshape the labour market in two key ways. people in Australia is greater than the manufacturing employment, and reversal way. union in responding to the way technology methods of struggle, in the union, in the It will: nation’s bottom 1.73 million households of Australia’s terms of trade means that the National Conference in February/ will impact on the workforce covered by the labour movement, in in the community, and • Directly substitute for labour. Recent combined. future of non-mining trade-exposed sectors March 2016 unanimously endorsed the union. to agitate for change for the working class as technological breakthroughs mean that • The hollowing out of traditional and the implications of our proximity to Asia commencement of merger talks with the One is how to extend coverage to, a whole, requiring better economic literacy, computers and robotics can potentially manufacturing jobs. Over the last 50 are becoming increasingly relevant to policy, CFMEU as part of a plan to continue to and organisation in, the new or evolving discipline, intellectual rigor and unity. replace labour in routine operations in years, there have been large changes in especially for unions organising in the supply build effective organising and campaigning occupations such as in the control centres of All these will be important challenges to diverse settings, such as autonomous the skill composition of employment, with chain. capability as well as strengthening policy and the new logistics technology and to retain the union as the pace and intensity of digital mining operations. Additionally, machine- consistent growth in employment of high- Dr Roy Green at the University of political influence. the ability to organise such workers, even disruption confronts our workplaces and learning algorithms will encroach on skill workers, a large decline in the share Technology of Sydney suggests it is time The union remains committed to if located offshore. We should not allow our industries. This is the new mitigation roles previously perceived as skilled jobs, of middle-skill workers and a smaller for a new social contract that recognises reinvigorating the Australian Transport these new occupational roles to be deemed strategy we need to be considering. There while also increasing productivity and decline in low-skill workers. the importance of industry development Unions Federation (ATUF) – as are the other “management” or “white collar” and leave are clear threats, but there are even bigger decreasing employment requirements • The dexterity of information technology – policy like restimulation of advanced partners, the TWU and RTBU. them unorganised or in the “professional” opportunities to use technology, to use for many roles that were also previously the convergence of computing power with manufacturing. This type of manufacturing In February 2016, National Officials or white collar unions. These jobs are in our our skills and our organisational capacity, untouched by information and increased diffusion of applications means is cost effective in higher wage developed attended an ACTU Leaders Forum that industry and should remain organised by the overlaid with our historic role to control communication technologies (ICT), such that labour creation from technological nations, but for supply chain unions like MUA followed up the ACTUs Australia Disrupted union. This may require rules changes. the power of capital and ensure workers’ as in the health sector; and advance is no longer keeping pace with it has the side effect of reducing demand for, Conference. The Leaders Forum aimed to Second, how we adapt our bargaining rights and decent work remain central to our • Disrupt the way work is conducted, labour destruction. and boom time growth in, long and bulky set the union movement on a pathway to strategies and the capacity to remain the mission in the digital age.

74 www.mua.org.au www.mua.org.au 75 Asbestos MMPCU BANKING APP 2.0 With an abundance of new features, banking with our NEW app has never been quicker, easier or more secure. Now available for iOS and Not Here. Not Anywhere. Android smartphones. Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA has launched its new campaign to end the manufacture, mining and use of • Fingerprint Login (iPhone 5S and above) asbestos globally. • Tap and Pay - purchases under $100 (Android devices only) • PIN Change (Debit and credit cards) e know asbestos kills. Download today! Just search for MMPCU. • Simple Balance (Simply swipe to see the Available Balance of your accounts) Everyday thousands of • Account View & Transactions (View your accounts in a vertical list) people are still exposed to • Plus lots more deadly asbestos. WWhile some people profit, other people die. The World Health Organisation says the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos- related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos. As long as Asbestos is being used anywhere, it remains a risk - everywhere. LOW RATE VISA CREDIT CARD Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is building a movement of people in Australia, to join MUA members gave the ’Asbestos: Not Here. Not ✓ Up to 55 days INTEREST with movements of people in countries Anywhere.’ campaign a ringing endorsement FREE on all purchases in South East Asia, in their efforts to see asbestos banned and eradicated. ✓ NO ANNUAL FEE for the fi rst Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, with the being undermined by illegal imports from there are at least 26 factories in Indonesia year support of the Sydney May Day Committee economies in South East Asia, where the producing commodities containing asbestos, ✓ LOW INTRODUCTORY RATE of and the Sydney Branch of the MUA, recently asbestos industry is booming. which employ in excess of 100 people each,” 7.99%p.a. for all purchases welcomed friends from Indonesia. As long as the countries surrounding us Darisman said. and balance transfers for the When Indonesian asbestos factory worker are producing everyday materials containing “We believe there are at least 7000 people fi rst 6 months Bono took the stage at the Sydney May Day this poison, new asbestos will continue to working in factories that produce materials ✓ NO FEE for additional event he declared forthrightly: “We’re here arrive in Australia. As long as asbestos is containing asbestos. And the factories are card holders because we share one common enemy. Our being used in Australia, it will continue to just the start.” enemy is capitalism.” kill working people and their families. SERBUK and LION are together trying Bono is the general secretary of SERBUK, ‘Asbestos. Not Here. Not Anywhere.’ is to build union support for the campaign in an Indonesian trade union based in West about linking the work of campaigns across each of the 26 factories. Java. It was only after working in an asbestos the globe to see asbestos bans country-by- They believe that unless there is an roof sheeting factory for 17 years that Bono country and globally. organised working class base leading the learned asbestos was in fact dangerous. We can only fully eradicate asbestos if campaign, then a ban could potentially leave REFER YOUR “We never knew. The factory owners told we work together – workers, communities those most exposed to the poison also out us it was safe,” he said. and unions – fighting the industry on the of a job. Asbestos was finally banned in Australia ground in the countries where it’s being “Firstly, there must be provisions put in FAMILY & after a protracted struggle led by workers, used. It is for this reason that the Sydney place for compensation for workers who get their communities and their unions. The May Day Committee, with the support of sick,” Darisman said. “And we know from FRIENDS struggle continues: the Asbestos Diseases the Sydney MUA, invited Bono to Australia. international experience that there are Foundation of Australia estimates in excess At a Sydney Branch meeting of the MUA, going to be many, many workers and their TO MMPCU of 600 people died directly from asbestos Bono described the experience of confronting families who will get sick. poisoning in 2015, and that Australian the asbestos factory owner in his office with a “Secondly, there must be support for the If someone you refer to asbestos deaths may not peak until 2030. sheet of asbestos produced in the factory. factories to be refitted to produce non- MMPCU applies for and

Devastatingly, the efforts at eradicating “The boss kept telling us that asbestos asbestos commodities, or support for the 11 settles on a new this poison from our communities are was safe, that there was nothing to worry workers to re-train.” Home Loan... about,” Bono recalled. “So I took a hand APHEDA is asking unionists in Australia Limited full of the dust from the floor and blew it to fund - and be ready to take action in - this time only. toward his face – he panicked and ran out of important international work. the room”. It was that moment he knew his Emily Mayo, APHEDA’s campaigns employer was lying. coordinator, laid open the invitation in Bono’s union SERBUK and activist saying the international asbestos industry OHS organisation LION were together was organised, wealthy and ruthless. spearheading the effort to get asbestos “We can defeat this industry, but only importation and production banned if we’re organised, and we act together,” Call 1300 36 2000, visit a branch in Indonesia – the world’s third largest she emphasised. “APHEDA can help build consumer of asbestos after China and India. resources, bring in expertise and build or go online mmpcu.com.au Darisman, an organiser from LION collective power that stretches across all of who accompanied Bono on his Australia the countries in which this poison is being Bono and Darisman were in Sydney for visit, described the extent of the industry used. Join APHEDA. Join the campaign”. the May Day rally in Indonesia. To find out more, or to join APHEDA, “According to our mapping to date, go to apheda.org.au

Interest rates current as at 07/11/2016 and subject to change without notice. Eligibility criteria, terms & conditions, fees & charges apply. 1. Referrer must be a member of Maritime, Mining & Power Credit Union (MMPCU) and the referee must have a new Home Loan www.mua.org.au approved and netted with a minimum amount of $150,000. Referrer and referee are entitled to one gift card each per settled loan. Split loans are considered as one loan. When the loan is settled the referee and referrer will each receive a Gift Card within 30 days. MMPCU 76 employees, directors and their immediate families are not eligible to participate. MMPCU reserves the right to discontinue the Referral promotion at any time. Maritime, Mining & Power Credit Union Ltd. ABN 11 087 650 315 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 240399.

73996 Combined MUA Journal Ad A4.indd 1 7/11/2016 11:58 am MUA A403.indd 1 “What sortof We deserve a government thatstandsupforWe agovernment deserve the government toldtheiremployerthe government theycould Australian jobs–notonethatdestroys them. Seafarers Zach andDalewere sacked when earning aslittle$2.00perhour.earning replace themwithexploited foreign workers government does own people?” JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TODAY PROTECTAUSSIEJOBS.ORG.AU PUT THE LNP LAST IT’S WHERE THEY PUT YOU IT’S WHERE THEY LAST LNP PUT THE to their this totheir 3/11/16 5:17 PM

Authorised by Paddy Crumlin, MUA National Secretary, Level 2, 365 Sussex Street Sydney