August–September 2010 seaMICA (P) 037/10/2009 Bi-Monthly Publicationvoices of the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union and Wavelink Co-operative First woman From s.E.a. in itF ExEcutivE board CONTENTS makewaves membuzz 3 SMOU ES Elected into ITF Executive Board 20 League for Golf Kakis 8 Celebrate as One United People 21 Family Connection/ Endearingly “Despicable” 9 National Day Message by NTUC Sec-Gen 22 Baking Workshop for Women Members Lim Swee Say 10 Transport and Logistics Unions’ Cluster Celebrate National Day WMI 12 A Heart to Heart talk with NTUC ASG 23 Training Calendar 25 Bunker Cargo Officers’ Course theIRfile 13 Life at Sea – No Walk in the Park lighthouse 14 e2i, SMOU and Shipping Companies Unite 16 SPF Benefits for SMOU CBA Vessels 26 Lighthouse Children’s Day Set Menu 18 AP Moller Welcomes SMOU Aboard Maersk Nautilus 27 Lighthouse October Promotion 19 Cadet’s Voyage Aboard Wallenius’ Morning Glory 13 Wavelink Building 75 Jellicoe Road #02-01 Singapore 208738 Tel : [65] 6396 0123 Fax : [65] 6339 5436 Website : www.smou.org.sg 21 Working hours: Mon to Fri : 9am to 6pm 19 Sat : 9am to 1pm Lighthouse operating hours: Mon to Thur : 11am to 9pm Fri to Sat : 11am to 10pm For enquiries on advertising in the SeaVoices, please call us. Tel : [65] 6390 1640 3 10 makewaves SMOU Es ElEctEd into ITF ExEcutivE board ITF 42nd Congress 2010, MexICo CITy, 5–12 AugusT Speaking to SeaVoices, Ms Liew declared, “I am humbled yet count myself privileged to be in a position where I can make a difference by being more than just a voice but the hand that can build up stronger unions in the region and beyond.” Every four years, the International At the conference, SMOU General Secretary, Mr Thomas Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Tay was re-elected as 1st Vice Chair of the APSRC and a global union federation with 760 member of the ITF Fair Practices Committee (FPC) and the affiliated trade unions with 4.69 million FPC Steering Committee. members in 154 countries, holds its The ITF held its biggest ever and first congress in Latin congress to determine its policies for America, on 5 to 12 August 2010. Some 1,376 participants transport unions all over the world and representing 368 unions from 112 countries convened at the 42nd Congress held in Mexico City. Among them was to elect valuable contributing transport SMOU GS, Mr Thomas Tay, ES, Ms Mary Liew, IR Manager, union leaders who would drive ITF Mr Gwee Guo Duan and IR Officer, Mr Terence Tan. policies forward. Among the highlights of the congress was the first ever youth conference; a highly successful climate change conference and the election of a new President for the organisation. t the ITF 42nd Congress, SMOU Executive Secretary, Mr Paddy Crumlin, national secretary of the Maritime Union AMs Mary Liew was elected a member of the ITF of Australia (MUA), was elected as the new ITF President. As Executive Board; affirming the union’s position as a voice President, he will hold the organisation to account between for the unions in the Asia Pacific region. Ms Mary Liew congresses, which set its policy for the following four years. continued as a member of the ITF Congress’ Credentials Crumlin is the twenty-second person to take on the post. Committee. seavoices newsletter aug sep 2010 3 makewaves GS Thomas Tay and ES Mary Liew extend their congratulations to the new chair of the Seafarers' section, Chairman, nd Well done to newly-elected ITF President, Mr Paddy Crumlin Mr David Heindel (2nd from left), 2 Vice- Chair, Mr Tomas Abrahamson (centre) and 1st Vice-Chair, Mr Yoji Fujisawa The newly-elected ITF President said: “I’m excited to be SMOU congratulates ITF's President, SMOU's Executive able to take on this new role and play my part in moving the Secretary and our Singapore delegates on their elections. The work of the ITF, its hundreds of affiliated unions and their union would also like to salute the outgoing ITF President, millions of members forward through the implementation Mr Randall Howard for his leadership and contribution. of a comprehensive organising programme focused on trade union regeneration and revitalisation.” Congratulations to the delegates from Asia/Pacific region who were elected into the ITF Executive Board: Australia Paddy Crumlin Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) India C. A. Rajasridhar All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) Indonesia Hanafi Rustandi Kesatuan Pelaut Indonesia (KPI) Japan Yoji Fujisawa All-Japan Seamen's Union (JSU) Japan Kouichi Watanabe General Federation of Private Railway & Bus Workers' Unions (SHITETSU-SOREN) Korea Dong-Sik Bang Federation of Korean Seafarers' Unions (FKSU) Philippines Johnny Oca Jr Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) Singapore Mary Liew Singapore Maritime Officers' Union (SMOU) Sri Lanka Leslie Devendra Sri Lanka Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) david cockroFt rE-ElEctEd as ITF GEnEral sEcrEtary “There’s never been a bigger or more successful ITF flag of convenience campaign; Congress. These last two weeks have been filled with and the dockers’ port intelligence opportunities to come together, learn from each other, database scheme – the latest tool and forge new paths for the future,” said ITF General in the campaign against ports of Secretary David Cockroft. convenience. This year’s 42nd Congress, held in Mexico City, focused on The congress concluded with union the theme Strong Unions – Sustainable Transport, where affiliates committing themselves ITF GS, Mr David Cockroft the policy document and strategy was debated in the anew to campaigning for fairer and section conferences, plenary sessions and workshops. safer work at sea, on land and in the With globalisation and new technology leading to a greater air. The presence of the ITF congress in Mexico City also integration of transport functions, unions must themselves helped ITF affiliates stand alongside Mexican comrades, deliver a coordinated response that cuts across the various and join them in their fight for decent conditions and for ITF sections. their jobs. It ended with a mass rally through the streets of Mexico City to call for trade union rights. Among the issues debated over were ITF’s commitment to the Year of the Seafarer 2010 and the fight against piracy; SMOU congratulates David Cockroft on his election as campaigns for safe rail and road; a new focus for the ITF’s ITF General-Secretary. seavoices newsletter 4 aug sep 2010 makewaves SMOU GS, Mr Thomas Tay presents a token of appreciation to Mr Brian Orrell Congratulations to Singapore delegates who were Congratulations to the newly elected officials from the elected: Seafarers’ Section: Singapore Port Workers Union General Secretary, Mr Ameer Chair David Heindel (USA) Hamzah, as member of ITF Fair Practice Committee (FPC) 1st Vice-Chair Yoji Fujisawa (Japan) and ITF Dockers’ Section Committee. 2nd Vice-Chair Tomas Abrahamson (Sweden) National Transport Workers Union Deputy ES, Mr Tan Boon SMOU would also like to extend their gratitude and Toy, as Vice-Chair of Asia/Pacific Region, ITF Road Transport appreciation to retired Chairman of the Seafarers' Section, Workers’ Section Steering Committee. Mr Brian Orrell and wish him all the best. ITF youth HerE to stay Many may refer the young, representing the under 35’s, as the future of the labour movement. But, the ITF Youth want to be regarded as the present – here to stay, to develop the work of the ITF and to push the labour movement forward. In full agreement and supporting the work of young transport workers are two active members of SMOU – Mr Gwee Guo Duan, IR Manager and Mr Terence Tan, IR Officer. Young ITF “Young transport workers have a lot of power, energy and zeal. When you put like-minded individuals from all over the world together with a single purpose, you create a dynamic group that can move the labour movement forward.” Gwee Guo Duan, SMOU IR Manager and ITF Youth Representative ITF Asia Pacific Regional Secretary Mr Mahendra Sharma, and ITF General Secretary, Mr David Cockroft together with our Young SMOU seavoices newsletter aug sep 2010 5 makewaves SMOU Es spEaks up For youth and womEn ITF 42nd Congress 2010, MexICo CITy, 5–12 Aug On reaching out to the women in Singapore, the delegates applauded when Ms Liew cited an example of how Singapore’s National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) recognised the importance of women by proactively organising initiatives such as the Women "Back To Work with U" programme, to help train and equip women who wished to return to the workforce. The programme, which was headed by the NTUC Womens’ Development Secretariat, has helped place over 6,000 women in their workplace and organise them as members of unions since 2008. Ms Liew was pleased to hear that ITF had recommitted itself towards working with women transport workers to continue supporting women’s rights through strengthening collective bargaining; challenging occupational gender segregation; and fighting back against exploitation and discrimination. Mr Remo Di Fiore with the SMOU delegation Ms Liew, on behalf of women transport workers, urged fellow comrades to fully support the women even as they adopt the next four years work programme. “I would like “We can't build Strong Unions without including the to thank Sister Alison McGarry, Nishi Kapahi together with Young and the Women.” our Chair, Diana Holland and the Women Committee – you have done a great job to support our Women workers. Let's In her opening statement at the ITF 42nd Congress Plenary continue the good work!” Session, Ms Mary Liew, SMOU Executive Secretary spoke on a subject which was close to her heart – the role of youth and women in the union movement.