Maritime Workers Journal Summer 2021 by Maritime Union Of Australia

EXPOSED: Unlicensed ships on our coast p32 HARD FOUGHT: New deal at DP World terminals p22 WINDFALL: 8,000 new jobs a year forecast for offshore wind p42 NEW RULES: Council calls for Female and First Nation positions on union executive p8

THE MARITIME WORKERS’ JOURNAL SUMMER 2021

HERO

VALE JOHN COOMBS p6

HEROES

www.mua.org.au

CONTENTS 6 WHARVES STOP Waterside workers nationwide tribute to labour hero John Coombs

8 COUNCIL CALLS

Rules changes & recommendations go to members

14 SHIP STRATEGY

Seafarers descend on Parliament as election looms

18 WATERFRONT WARS

3 down, 1 to go, as wharfies fight for change at nation’s terminals

26 THIS COULD BE COVID

One man’s story of surviving the virus

32 UNLICENSED

Foreign ships trading on the Australian coast illegally

33 BODY OVERBOARD

Covid clusters prompt union call for crew vaccinations

34 SETTING SAIL

MUA crew all aboard a FOC to Korea

42 WINDFALL

Up to 8,000 jobs tipped for multibillion dollar offshore wind projects

46 BOSSKEEPER

Corporate dole bludgers making off with millions

50 CAPITAL OFFENSIVE

Workers capital flexes its muscles

58 VOICE

Seafarer Vicki Morta speaks out for First Nations

60 TRIBUTE

Life membership medal for Mick Carr, Lake Illawarra survivor. Union leader

COVER: John Coombs with wife Gwen, Jennie George, ACTU secretary and Port Botany wharfies celebrate court victory. PHOTO: Dean Sewell/The Sydney Morning Herald INSIDE COVER: Maritime workers join March4Justice protest against rape and violence in the workplace, the home and The House, Town Hall, Sydney, 15 March, 2021

EDITOR IN CHIEF Paddy Crumlin DESIGN Louise@LX9Design.com PRINTER Spotpress

Maritime Workers’ Journal 365-375 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Contact: (02) 9267 9134 Fax: (02) 9261 3481 Email: journal@mua.org.au 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 journal@mua.org.au

LOGGING ON

Logging on VALE COMRADE COOMBS It is a great thing to achieve in anyone’s life’s ambition a measure of success. It is a far greater thing if that measure of success is founded on support for others to live better, fairer, decent and dignified lives. That was John’s measurement – for our members, for dockers and seafarers internationally, for his family, for the disabled. He helped to construct the scaffolding of human and civil rights, regardless of gender, race, age, geography, politics and industry. John never sought popularity or recognition. He was always loyal, dependable and reliable. He was completely predictable in that he would always make the hardest of decisions in the interests of our membership. With the humour and wit of the waterfront, his wonderful values and courageous persistence changed his and our lives and world for the better. Vale our dear comrade.

MORE OF THE SAME

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Australia has a supply chain crisis because the MUA is exercising a legal right to take protected action to overcome the intransigence of some stevedoring companies and reach a reasonable agreement. As always the issues will be resolved with a bit of maturity and effort. But by all reports some of the same stevedores had a private meeting with disgraced former industrial relations minister Porter at the start of Covid to seek the removal of all MUA industrial bargaining rights during the life of the pandemic. At the same time those stevedores were telling their employees they would not provide masks as part of the PPE kit because they didn’t make any difference. Say what? Hypocrisy is shaky ground on which to build

industrial trust. They not only failed to build any trust, they also effectively removed what trust existed at that time. The ACCC allows foreign ship owners to form cartels and engage in monopoly behaviour to set freight rates. It is the only industry in the country allowed to do so under exemptions to the Trades Practices Act. And they do it to the greatest extent possible, despite consistent advocacy identifying this rort and corporate abuse. The freight cost of moving one container by ship has increased by around 700- 1000 % during Covid and under that exemption. What a crew! Big names like Maersk, MSC, CMA-CGM are all in on the rort. They all have their noses in the trough. And the ACCC have their noses somewhere else. Maersk in particular has been making public statements saying they are bypassing certain Australian ports because of industrial action by the MUA. Maybe they are advising PM Morrison on how to maximise distortion and fake news. I’ve got some news for them. Morrison doesn’t need any further encouragement They could easily form a new alliance with some in the stevedoring industry based on a new commitment - the Hypocrisy Oath. And so, the stevedoring workers at the Covid frontline, 24/7, are blamed by employers and the media, where real journalism has mostly been replaced by rent-a-story. Even regulators like the ACCC that want to do nothing about high-seas robbery forcing up the price of everything coming to Australia by ship, are happy to repeat the unfounded allegations and add a few more of their own. Their figures are not properly researched, but unfounded allegations based on hearsay, selective research and political influence. So, in effect the ACCC and their political masters want to reward an international shipping industry

Left to right: Mike Fleming, Paddy Crumin, John Coombs and Dave Morgan

riddled with tax evasion, wage slavery and avoidance of any regulatory accountability, while blaming Australian wharfies for exercising their legal rights.

CAN’T LIE STRAIGHT IN BED

What about Morrison? He’s an Australian PM behind the wheel of a run-away truck and has never learnt how to drive. And we’re all sitting in the back seat with not enough seat belts to go around. I suppose he has some skills. He’s certainly a consummate liar. Malcom Turnbull and the French government are pretty good at the game too, but they’ve recognised a superstar in their dealings with him. Malcolm couldn’t see him coming. Remember that image of Morrison – with his arm around Turnbull on the steps of Parliament House www.mua.org.au

– saying you can trust me, buddy? Turnbull was completely blindsided by Morrison’s false declaration of heartfelt moral commitment to his leadership. Ha! Ha! It beats me why we need $30 billion submarines when we have poverty, homelessness and a health and education crisis in this country. And anyway we won’t see a periscope for 30 years. There’s an old saying in politics, when a government is on the nose, they start a war or pick a fight to get the electorate’s mind off what a shithouse government they lead. Well Mr Morrison has learnt that one. He picked a blue with the French on the way to declaring war with the Chinese and developed a new policy to introduce nuclear energy into our defence industry. Where do we get these guys from? The policy is based on exploiting the electorate’s anxiety www.mua.org.au

and fear resulting from his negligent mismanagement of the Covid response. So as a smother he makes national security the issue. It’s also not terribly helpful when China underwrites the success of the Australian economy through purchasing the lion’s share of our iron ore and other commodities. Morrison’s nickname should by Polyfilla because there is no brickwork. The real question that follows this extraordinary new policy direction is why are we spending $30B of taxpayers’ hard-earned wages when BHP, Gina Rinehart and the other multinationals exploiting our sovereign wealth and don’t pay their share? The real national security issue is the critical need for a merchant fleet that has never let the country or any government down in war and peace. Morrison is the latest of a long line

of Liberal/National governments to institutionalise a policy of actively destroying a truly essential Australian industry – an industry in which one in every eight seafarers died in the defence of their country in World War 2. But no doubt he and his corporate mates and the pirates of the international shipping industry have plenty of 40ft containers full of lies and bullshit to spin their way out of that as well.

FINAL WORD

Labor leader Anthony Albanese attended our national council as he has always done. He repeated his commitment to those Australian merchant seafarers abused, abandoned and neglected during so many Coalition government terms of office. He has never budged on his commitment to us. And that’s no lie. •

VALE JOHN COOMBS

WHARVES STOP for waterfront hero Maritime workers take off their hard hats in honour of John Coombs

t was John Coombs’ last nationwide stoppage. On September 9 as he was laid to rest, maritime workers in ports around the coast downed tools. The nation’s trade paused. Towering quay cranes raised their booms in the air like metal arms in salute. At change of shift waterside workers stood in silence. Ships, cranes, tugs and trucks sounded their horns. In every port and on each ship, delegates read the national secretary’s eulogy honouring John’s life. At Port Botany the skipper of OOCL container vessel alongside sounded his ship’s horn. Atop one of the cranes a young comrade played Solidarity Forever over speakers. Under the hook the wharfies sang along. On the water the Shirley Smith Fire Tug put on a show with all hoses to a chorus of tugs. On the Melbourne docks tributes from cranes, straddles and trucks and ships echoed eerily through the empty city streets under lockdown. When word reached the masters of the ANL Warrnambool and the TS Pusan, they too sounded the ships horns At Toll Melbourne, seafarers gathered on board their Bass Strait cargo ship, a dozen workers on the wharves standing in silence below. When the horns sounded, fists

There would not be a union if it was not for John Coombs” Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Paddy Crumlin

were raised in the air. On the bunkering vessel Absolute in Fremantle, seafarers took off their hard hats and held them to their hearts, the ships Red Ensign flying at half-mast. At the nearby container terminals wharfies stood in silence in the rain as the horns sounded. In Kwinana Navy Submarine Gear Ships, MV Besant and Stoker played a duet. At Flinders Ports, Adelaide, a crowd of 40 wharfies, first bowed their heads then, as the horns blared, raised their fists in the air chanting “MUA here to stay”. Wharfie Michael Ibbotson’s

drone hovered above filming the ceremony. On the David Allen dredge in Newcastle four seafarers stood at the stern, the Red Ensign at half-mast. In Darwin, Geelong, Port Kembla, Kwinana, Brisbane – in all ports and on all vessels still flying the Australian flag – the chorus of tributes sounded. “There would not be a union if it was not for John Coombs,” Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Paddy Crumlin told the online funeral service, while announcing the nationwide stoppage. “The employers under the Howard Government made a determination to come after the MUA, including the seafarers, to destroy the union,” he said. Greg Combet, former union industrial officer, ACTU leader and minister under the Rudd and Gillard governments gave an emotional tribute to his former mentor. “The waterfront dispute was won due to John’s courage and truth,” he said. Greg recalled a Lord Nelson moment when John turned not a blind eye, but a deaf ear to a court order keeping Corrigan’s commercial arrangements from the public. John announced the details at a press conference outside the courtroom. www.mua.org.au

“When I said to him afterwards, ‘You know that was the subject to a confidentiality order’ he said: ‘What was that Greg, what? I couldn’t hear a thing in there.’” Jim Donovan, MUA Veterans’ Association, paid tribute to the magnificent job John did creating an industry union and for his stand during the lockout. “No one else could have given the leadership that John Coombs did during that time,” he said, thanking John’s wife of 60 years. “Gwen, if you hadn’t been there in support, he wouldn’t have got through it,” said Jim. “He told me that.” Gwen’s children and grandchildren, beside his coffin at the Goulburn service gave thanks for John teaching them the importance of taking a stand for what you believe in and his love of family. While it was his leadership during the War on the Waterfront that will go down in historyThe following year, in December 1995, John called another national strike in support of mining workers at Weipa – and helped win the day. National Secretary Paddy Crumlin paid tribute to John’s commitment to reconciliation and the empowerment of our First Nations, women’s representation in the MUA, the union

www.mua.org.au

John had a heart of 100 men.” Sydney Branch Secretary Paul Keating

amalgamation, internationalism, and workers’ super. His many other achievements included women’s representation in the MUA, super home loans, accredited industry training, ex gratia payments for wharfies suffering asbestos disease, safety bans on asbestos imports, and an aggregate wage to protect worker entitlements from conservative government attacks. John supported bans on Indonesian ships and cargo after the arrest of unionist Muchtar Pakpahan in 1996 and again against the Bunga Teratai, Bogasari and another dozen Indonesian ships during the Indonesian-backed militia violence following the Timorese vote for independence in 1999. He backed rolling bans on the Renoir and another 14 French ships in three ports on Bastille Day 1995 after the Chirac Government resumed nuclear testing in the Pacific. In 2000, 12 ships in five ports were targeted in protest against the Fiji military coup.

Among the 500 guests at his retirement function Dockside, Darling Harbour, Sydney in 2001 were former PMs Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke alongside aspiring PM Kim Beasley, labour leaders, 55 Patrick delegates and his legal team. One by one they described him as dogged, determined, tenacious, passionate, compassionate, courageous, a genuinely tough fighter, a warrior, a one-man intelligence operation, a man of integrity, a decent person, a fair person, everyone’s favourite uncle, one who inspires others, one who saved the union, one of the giants of the labour movement. A legend. Back on the wharves and ships, work resumed. “The workers wanted to show their respect,“ said MUA Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith. “‘MUA, here to stay’ arose from the 1998 struggle and we’re still shouting it to this day.” “His death was stab in the chest,” said Sydney Branch Secretary Paul Keating. “John had a heart of 100 men. Both Patrick and DP World Port Botany bosses said no to the stoppage at first. We let them know we were telling them, not asking.” Even in death John Coombs had stopped the nation. • See also page 68

The Struggles That Made Us DESIGN PRIZE Working class communities have always been thriving with a rich cultural life, and the MUA has long woven our industrial and political work into the social fabric of the communities from which we are drawn.

The Poster Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of our union, the Maritime Union of Australia are calling for submissions of a “The struggles that made us” poster or artwork that addresses or is inspired by the struggles, events or historical figures amongst Australian maritime workers. E.g. Harry Bridges, Elliot V Elliot, Jim Healy, Brian Manning, 1998 Patrick dispute, Boonaroo or Japarit, Charles “Chicka” Dixon or the Dalfram Dispute.

The Prize The winning design will attract a $5,000 prize (second place $1,000), and the artist will be flown to Sydney for the launch of the poster or artwork on May Day 2022. Submissions Submissions are open until 31 January 2022. Contact us For specifications and other details please email us at MUADesignPrize@mua.org.au

www.mua.org.au

COUNCIL

COUNCIL CONCERNS Council votes for a voice for women and First Nations to be enshrined in union rules, workers’ capital, global solidarity action and green jobs for the future

ouncil has called for the representation of women and indigenous Australians on the union executive to be enshrined in the union rules. National Secretary of the Maritime Union Division of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Mining Union, Paddy Crumlin, told councillors in October the move would ensure diversity in the union by giving indigenous Australians and women representation at the highest possible level. “If you are going to find the voice of diversity you have to find the voice in your own organisation and lock that in,” he said. Also top of the agenda was workers’ capital and how it can best leverage wage, social and environment standards. “Ultimately that’s what got us to 2050 with zero carbon,” he said. The move has led to a corporate/ government backlash. “We are at the forefront of workers’ capital,” said Paddy Crumlin. “Big banks and government are challenging industry super. They are determined that the Future Fund control workers’ retirement savings and that corporations control the Future Fund.” The National Secretary is co-chair of the Global Unions Committee on Workers’ Capital and chair of the ACTU Workers’ Capital Executive Committee, and has been invited to chair the ACTU Centre for Workers’ Capital. With about $872B in industry funds accountable to members and Environment Social Governance (ESG) values, the Morrison Government is determined to remove trade union representation from super boards and force mergers to undermine ESG principles. This is despite industry super outperforming private superannuation. www.mua.org.au

Also high on the council agenda was mobilising along global union networks during disputes, the upcoming federal elections, overcoming insecure work, the challenges of Covid, the next wave of 5G automation, the supply chains crisis and the 150th anniversary of the union. On the miners’ demerger with the CFMMEU, Paddy Crumlin said he did not want to see any split sour relations between miners and maritime workers after a century of solidarity. “The miners are dealing with an existential crisis as the world shuts down coal mining,” he said. “It would be like the world’s oceans drying up for seafarers.” The MUA is working with the mining and energy division to create new jobs in offshore wind despite ongoing court action.

Federal election

Guest speaker, opposition leader Anthony Albanese joined councillors online in a minute’s silence in honour of former MUA leader John Coombs. He described Coombs as a legend and the Patrick dispute as a fight for values. “Your members were on the front line on behalf of all working people,” he said. As well as honouring the union’s past leadership, Albanese gave a ‘shout out’ to MUA national officer and Junior Vice President of the ALP Mich-Elle Myers for her organising work on behalf of the party. The Labor leader briefed council on preparations for the upcoming federal election, reconfirming his commitment to Australian shipping and Australian seafaring jobs as ‘unfinished business’. Dave Noonan, National Secretary of the CFMMEU said he regarded

the government, employers and the Australian Building and Construction Commission as the enemy, not the miners. “So, let’s talk about how we can have an impact on the federal election,” he said. Council debated how best to contribute to a Labor victory that would bring back Australian flagged and crewed shipping. Shipping will be the focus of the union’s marginal seats campaign. Noonan congratulated the Maritime Union on the organising win at VICT terminal, Webb Dock, and the solidarity action at home and abroad against Qube. The CFMMEU national secretary said he would hold the top position only until rule changes were ratified and MUA Division National President Chris Cain could step up. In turn, Christy Cain lauded Noonan and the construction division for coming to the aid of maritime workers in time of crisis. “We could not have held the line without you,” he said. “Construction workers’ backing during both blues showed what union solidarity could achieve.”

Job security

Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Sally McManus outlined how research pinpointed insecure work as a key concern among Australian workers – whether construction workers, university lecturers, maritime workers, or gig economy workers. “We know from our work that’s strongly felt,” she said. “Bosses have found different ways to turn permanent jobs into insecure jobs – because it cheaper and gives them more power.” A recent ABC radio survey found 88% of listeners ticked job security as the big issue.

COUNCIL

Casualisation and contracting out was growing. Offshoring and the gig economy were threats. The ACTU is mobilising unions to include job security in all their campaigns and enterprise bargaining. Labor has already committed to legislating it if elected.

International

Craig Harrison, National Secretary Maritime Union of New Zealand addressed council on how the NZ Labour Government was about to announce a coastal shipping policy. The union is also lobbying for a return of the trans-Tasman trade with jobs for Australian seafarers. Scott McDine, Sydney regional office director ITF reported on the push to enable regional nations

to manufacture their own Covid vaccines while the ITF’s Asia Pacific Dockers Organiser Paul MacAleer spoke about challenges facing dockworkers organising in Southeast Asia – especially the coming of 5G and automation in inter model terminals, port privatisation in India and the upcoming general strike in South Korea. Bernie Farrelly of the Tas Bull Seafarers’ Foundation, reported on Seafarer Connect free wi-fi for ship’s crew being rolled out around the coast, benefiting around 2000-3000 seafarers each month. ITF Australia Co-ordinator Ian Bray reported on US$3.2M in backpay won for foreign crew, 382 ship inspections, 150 repatriations and the 13 Australian seafarers given jobs on FOC vessels in the past year.

Top: Labor leader Anthony Albanese reaffirms party commitment to crewed Australian shipping Left: ACTU Leader Sally McManus outlines secure jobs campaign Right: MUA National Presiding Officer Christy Cain chairs online

Organising Strategy Despite the pandemic and state lockdowns, the union has finalised 57 enterprise agreements including 28 on the waterfront and 14 in shipping and towage, Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith reported. In blue water the union had wrapped up seven of eight EAs covering MUA seafarers on government services ships. Smith also called for the union to oppose the new AUKUS alliance www.mua.org.au

and redirect the billions of dollars currently earmarked for nuclear submarines into hospitals, schools, firefighting, and renewable energy.

Offshore Wind

The MUA is leading the way in ensuring renewable energy jobs of the future for MUA members and other workers, while developing climate policy and campaigns. “Our offshore members will continue to work in offshore, especially decommissioning,” said WA Branch Secretary Will Tracey. “But the renewable sector is critical to the future for our seafaring membership. We aim to get them on the hydrogen export ships just like the gas buggies.” The Blue Economy report released in September found a potential for 5,000-9,000 jobs in offshore renewable energy in Australia by the 2030s. Meanwhile the NSW, NT and WA branches have been actively joining First Nations people opposing the development of onshore fracking and coal seam gas projects on their land. National Research Officer Penny Howard reported on bills before parliament to enable offshore wind projects to go ahead, offshore safety and decommissioning. A report for National Energy Resources Australia in February found that decommissioning and removing disused oil and gas projects would cost $52B and include 1,008 offshore wells, 57 fixed facilities and 4,960 kilometres of 82 pipelines, creating jobs in offshore oil and gas.

Shipping

A global supply chain crisis and price gouging by international shipping is helping get the union message across within the government of the importance of Australian shipping in strategic trades. “We’re getting some traction,” said Assistant National Secretary Jamie Newlyn, outlining the union’s 20-point plan to rebuild national shipping, regulate international shipping and reform the Modern-Day Slavery Act. www.mua.org.au

National Research Officer Penny Howard reported that the union’s Stopping the race to the bottom on Maritime Safety in Australia report and recommended changes to the Navigation Act and National Law, now had government support, with an independent review underway. Union relations with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority have also improved with Assistant National Secretary Jamie Newlyn representing the MUA on the new AMSA Shipping Consultative Forum.

Uluru Statement from the Heart

National indigenous officer Thomas Mayor spoke on campaign research and polling that found the percentage of Australians likely to vote yes in a referendum for a constitutionally enshrined voice in parliament has grown 8% since March 2020 to 57%. The focus now is on ensuring the referendum goes ahead in the first term of a new government in 2022. Meanwhile the union has made social compacts with the Bulgur Ukbah, Quandamooka, Jingilu Mudburra, and Gurindji First Nations to ensure they get jobs on their lands and in their waters. The union is also supporting a racial discrimination case against the Australian Electoral Commission for allegedly discriminating against Aboriginal people from remote communities.

Women & Communications

The Federal Government has failed to implement ILO Convention C190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, National Women’s Officer Mich-Elle Myers reported. The ACTU’s 2018 sexual harassment survey found nearly two thirds (64%) of women and more than one third (34%) of men who responded had been victims of workplace harassment. Meanwhile union policy is for all EBAs to include paid domestic violence leave. This is not always the case. “One in 20 EBAs do not have it in the agreements,” said Myers. “We need to fight harder.”

Myers outlined how the union is reengaging with White Ribbon under its new leadership to campaign against domestic violence.

Communications

The union has appointed Tom HarrisBrassil as its new Communications Policy Officer and engaged an ACTU IT specialist to upgrade the MUA website.

Stevedoring

WA Branch Secretary Will Tracey reported that all terminal agreements had been completed except for Patrick Stevedores, where the union is still in dispute. He said the company is attempting to tear up 50 pages of job conditions and strip away job security. Protected action is ongoing, despite conservative media attacks and company misinformation campaigns. Meanwhile DPW has mandated compulsory Covid vaccinations. Assistant National Secretary Adrian Evans said more than 90% of the workforce was fully vaccinated but 100 waterside workers’ jobs were on the line. In Victoria the state government has also adopted a ‘No jab, No job’ policy for workplaces. Union policy is to encourage members to get vaccinated, while arguing it should not be mandatory.

Youth

Border closures and lockdowns had inhibited the work of the youth committee, national organiser Aaron Moon reported. But MUA youth were now ramping up activity especially around the campaign for a Just Transition and school strikers for climate.

Veterans

Fred Krausert, president MUA veterans, highlighted government attacks on Medicare, a proposed cashless card for pensioners and the threat of war. “The conditions our forefathers fought for are disappearing,” he said. “Medicare must be protected. We don’t need nuke subs, we need peace. Peace is union business.” • (Full report next MWJ)

COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS 1. Policy and Strategy 1.1 Workers’ Capital Recommendations 1.1 That National Council: i) Note the Report ii) Acknowledge the importance of the MUA’s and ITF’s role in progressing and leading the global and Australian workers’ capital agenda and work program; iii) Requests that officials ensure they continue to explore opportunities to include a capital strategies element in union industrial, organising and growth campaigns; and iv) Authorises the National Secretary to continue to allocate resources to this body of work.

2. Organising Strategy 2.1 Bargaining overview

Recommendation 2.1: That National Council congratulate the Qube rank and file and WA branch for an outstanding and unprecedented dispute and victory. The gains made against huge odds reflect a solid and determined victory against a company that was not prepared to move at all. The sacrifice of the Fremantle wharfies and the strong leadership of the WA Branch stands for all to see in this victory against Qube

2.4 AUKUS – No to Nuclear Submarines – Jobs and health, not nukes

Recommendation 2.4: That the MUA campaigns with the peace movement in opposition to AUKUS and nuclear submarines.

3.2 Offshore Decommissioning

Recommendations 3.2.2 That National Council: i) Work with the ACTU to ensure that government follows through with promised improvements to offshore safety legislation and seek for this to be further improved.

ii) Develop a clear policy agenda to support proper decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure in Australia, and ensure that it supports good, safe jobs and environmental outcomes. As a start, this would include: a) Ensuring that the oil and gas industry cannot make the argument that there is any ‘socio-economic benefit’ to leaving oil and gas equipment in place. b) Increased transparency of the decommissioning task and when production has ceased from individual oil and gas facilities. c) Ensuring the government follows through with December 2020 plans to require oil and gas companies to provide financial assurance for decommissioning. d) Ensuring the highest possible standards for ‘deviation from removal requirements’ and what the required ‘equal or better environmental outcomes’ means. e) Supporting the establishment of WA and East Coast decommissioning yards to fully dismantle and recycle oil and gas equipment, and that it prioritises hiring workers from facilities reaching end of life. f) Identification of any gaps in the new ‘enhanced’ decommissioning framework. g) Ensure that the government’s decommissioning of the Northern Endeavour and the associated Laminaria and Corallina oil fields sets the highest possible standard for other decommissioning projects. h) Measures to ensure workers are supported as facilities shut down, for example, a training fund and priority for

work in offshore wind and hydrogen projects. iii) Raise awareness among members of the new Aging Assets policy and NOPSEMA Directions and develop strategies for gathering industry knowledge of members about decommissioning. iv) Develop union knowledge and capacity to engage directly with NOPSEMA for approvals for the process of decommissioning projects, including transparency and consultation on ‘deviations from removal requirements’. v) Seek union representation on the NERA Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA). vi) Campaign around the legislation for the Laminaria and Corallina oilfields decommissioning levy when it is introduced and ensure high standards and local dismantling and recycling are attached to work carried out using the levy. vii) Facilitate public education about the importance of full decommissioning and the jobs associated with it, and the other measures necessary to ensure emissions reduction in the oil and gas industry includes a just transition.

3.3.1 Offshore& Offshore Wind

Recommendations 3.3.5 That National Council: i) Note the report ii) Thank all the branches that made donations to ensure the Blue Economy report on the potential for offshore wind in Australia could be carried out. iii) Continue to allocate resources to ensure the MUA can effectively carry out work on developing our union agenda for securing a safe climate and good jobs in future industries. iv) Develop a strategy to get the harmonised WHS system www.mua.org.au

properly implemented for offshore renewables. This may involve allocation of resources to commission a report on international best practices or doing so through the ITF. v) Continue to develop local, regional and national campaigns to support the establishment of good union jobs in offshore renewable projects in Australia. vi) Continue to work with the climate movement and other organisations to ensure they understand the importance of a just transition, public ownership and securing good union jobs in renewable energy and other future industries as emissions are reduced. Participate in climate mobilisations that show they have properly considered and incorporated these issues into their work. vii) Continue to oppose the investment of substantial government funds into opening new onshore gas basins and pipelines opposed by First Nations such as the Narrabri and Betaloo basins.

4. Growth & Campaigns 4.1 Shipping

Recommendations 4.1 That National Council: i) The report be noted and Council endorse the continuation of the Shipping Campaign. ii) Council notes and thanks Rod Pickette for his long service and dedication to the Australian Shipping Campaign and the comprehensive submissions and policy documents produced for the benefit of the Union and alternate ALP Government.

4.5 Future of Seacare

Recommendation 4.5 That National Council: i) Note the report ii) Pursue options to secure the www.mua.org.au

future of a national Seacare workers’ compensation scheme. iii) Continue to pursue the removal of minimum employment periods from the Seacare specified disease list. iv) Continue to pursue the removal of the 2006 Ministerial Direction that allows an exemption from Seacare if an employer can secure lower cost insurance elsewhere. v) Continue to pursue the process of maritime WHS harmonisation. vi) Develop a strategy for the Seacare Shipboard Code of Practice to be taken up by HSRs and the maritime industry. vii) Develop a strategy to ensure that there are adequate numbers of trained HSRs across vessels, and that they are properly elected and able to use their full powers. viii) Support the development of temporary online delivery of HSR courses under the OHS(MI) Act, subject to quality assurance and feedback from members in those courses.

4.6 AMSA and maritime safety

Recommendation 4.6.3 That National Council: i) Continue to pursue the broad reforms to the Australian maritime safety system, outlined in the document “Stopping the race to the bottom on maritime safety”, May 2021 ii) Participate in any other AMSA consultations and reviews to achieve the best possible outcomes for maritime workers.

women who are taking on the discrimination claim against the Australian Electoral Commission. iii) National Council endorses a donation of $10,000 from National Office to the Tranby Library and Archives Project.

4.8 Women’s Report

Recommendation 4.8 That National Council: i) The MUA division support the work by the women’s committee. ii) Endorses support for 16 days of action and the campaign to ratify ILO C-190. iii) National Council will participate in and ensure the branch visibly participates in the 16 days of action. iv) recommend proceeding with the White Ribbon workplace accreditation process. v) National Council commit to ensuring the new Mutual Respect and Social Media Policy is distributed at all meetings and on branch counters. vi) The updated bullying and harassment policy is distributed to members and made available on branch counters. vii) All MUA EBAs to have Family and Domestic Violence leave over and above the NES. •

4.7 National Indigenous Officer Report Uluru Statement from the Heart

Recommendation 4.7 That National Council: i) Continues the support for the campaign for a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. ii) Supports the Aboriginal men and

UNION BUSINESS

NewTEAM

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

hris Cain, president of the Maritime Division of the Construction Forestry Maritime and Mining Union is to become national secretary of the CFMMEU. An executive meeting of the CFMMEU on 17 June voted in favour of a rule change which will enable Cain to fill the position until elections in 2023. Cain is standing on a platform of returning rank and file democracy and activism to the super union. “Thanks to wharfies and seafarers – all of you – we’ve got the best agreements in the country through militancy and struggle,” Cain said in his parting YouTube message to the branch. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of bringing the CFMMEU divisions together to be the most powerful, militant, progressive and strategic organisation in the labour movement,” he told MWJ.

The move, after 18 years as secretary of the MUA WA branch, triggered a national reshuffle of the Maritime Division. It also preceded a vote from the Mining Division, to go it alone (see overleaf). National Council has appointed former Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey to replace Chris Cain as WA branch secretary. Jason Campbell, Tasmania branch secretary remains deputy president, with Paul Keating, Sydney branch secretary and Glen Williams, Newcastle branch secretary elected to the vacant vice president positions, while retaining their branch posts. Warren Smith, assistant national secretary steps up as deputy national secretary. Former South Australian Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn and WA Deputy Branch Secretary Adrian Evans have moved to fill the assistant national secretary positions as Ian

Bray has been appointed by the ITF to replace long term ITF coordinator Dean Summers. Alongside the reshuffle, National Council, in June voted on a rule change to create two new assistant secretary positions allocated to women and First Nations people. The rule change on the assistant secretaries is to go to the membership at annual general meetings in November with the new positions included on the upcoming 2023 union elections. “The reorganisation has delivered long-term, very experienced and widely respected current officers of the union into a new restructure and responsibilities that will reinforce our union values and structure based on teamwork and more strategic thinking,” said MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. “The MUA rule change embeds a voice for First Nations people and women in the union. It is a truly www.mua.org.au

“The MUA rule change embeds a voice for First Nations people and women in the union. It is a truly historic move which again puts the MUA at the forefront of progressive change.” Paddy Crumlin

historic move which again puts the MUA at the forefront of progressive change and is in line with the national conference of members determination seeking greater diversity and representation in the union leadership.” Both Mich-Elle Myers, national women’s officer and Thomas Mayor, national indigenous officer, who currently on the executive, welcomed the move. “We are responding in the strongest way possible to the Uluru Statement from the Heart to enshrine a First Nations voice in the constitution, by leading the way and enshrining a First Nations Voice in the union constitution,” said Mayor. “The MUA has always been champion of diversity within the union, empowering women and indigenous members,” said Myers. “This rule change cements our commitment to equality and diversity.”Coo-ordinator of the International Transport Worker’s Federation, Dean Summers, has retired after nearly two decades in the role. Ian Bray has resigned his position as assistant national secretary to fill the role. Long-time Assistant ITF Coordinator Matt Purcell remains Australia’s deputy ITF coordinator.

NEW ROLES

With the new positions come new responsibilities, with more focus on a greater strategic co-ordinating role for the national shipping and the international flag of convenience campaigns. Paddy Crumlin, CFMMEU president, MUA national secretary and ITF president and dockworkers chair, maintains overall responsibility for the union and the ITF. Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith is chair of the Waterfront www.mua.org.au

Commission and responsible for Hutchison, NSS, Qube and waterfront maintenance alongside blue water shipping responsibilities with CSL, Inco and Teekay shipping, union education, safety and peace activism. “The operation of the union nationally has been fundamentally altered with broader collective responsibilities through a reinvigorated national executive,” Smith said. “The comrades who have moved on to different responsibilities outside the MUA are still effectively part and parcel of our ongoing struggles, expanding our national capacity and our ability to fight in the interests of the members.” Assistant National Secretary Jamie Newlyn will chair the shipping commission, the ITF cabotage task force and national shipping campaign in conjunction with the ITF seafarers’ section. He also represents the union on the Australian government’s maritime skills council and international campaigns. In blue water, Newlyn is responsible for Bass Strait stevedoring and shipping (Toll, TT Line and SeaRoad). He also has leadership of LNG and towage. In stevedoring, Newlyn is responsible for members at Patrick terminals. Newlyn, a wharfie and seafarer, who led the SA branch for more than 17 years, will work closely with Bray, Myers and the ITF shipping taskforce on a broader shipping campaign. The goal is for the ITF to target abuses on the ships that have replaced Australian seafarers on the coast and reclaim those trades. “I went to sea in 1988 as one of the first integrated ratings and worked a variety of ships over a decade, the majority oil tankers,” he said. “We don’t have one Australian oil tanker left on the coast. It’s a disgrace and contemptuous attack by a succession of conservative governments showing

gross negligence to national security and the Australian economy.” The campaign will also tie in Workers’ Capital to ensure companies complicit in modern day slavery on the Australian coast, will come under greater scrutiny from shareholders. The union goal is to prompt investment in more Australian-crewed vessels. A newly established Transport Forum will engage other transport unions covering road and rail, also losing cargo and jobs to Flag of Convenience shipping on the coast together with the systematic attacks on union organisation in Australian road and rail supply chains, in the campaign. “Our job is to look after the welfare of all seafarers and get Australians back up the gangway,” said Bray. “I’m currently working with the union coordinating an international campaign to defend and protect cabotage. The focus of that campaign will include holding corporations like Alcoa to account for their $3M wage theft of foreign seafarers and human rights abuses. They got rid of Australian seafarers. Now its time to bring them back.” (See Portland video on MUA YouTube) Assistant National Secretary Adrian Evans will chair the Offshore Commission. His prime responsibilities are DP World, Victoria International Container Terminal, Linx, floating production facilities, offshore oil and gas, offshore safety, youth, dredging and diving. He is also responsible for legal, governance and youth. Evans will work alongside Will Tracey on offshore wind projects and offshore oil and gas decommissioning. Evans has worked as an ITF inspector, then branch official out of Fremantle since 2007. “My key goal is improving conditions for members and keeping the bosses accountable,” he said.

UNION BUSINESS

Myers, the union’s women’s liaison officer, is also campaign co-ordinator and holds responsibility for social media. Mayor now works full time as national indigenous officer while being promoted as the first indigenous executive officer of the union. Newly appointed vice presidents Paul Keating, Sydney branch secretary and Glen Williams, Newcastle branch secretary, are on the union executive team alongside Deputy President Jason Campbell. “I’ve been an official 14 years, and it’s an honour to take that next step giving branches a voice on the national executive, continuing that tradition of branch involvement in the highest day to day decision making of the union,” Williams said.

ZOOMING IN

The 13-strong national executive now meets monthly on Zoom and face to face. “Covid triggered the necessity to meet more regularly, using digital platforms,” said Field. “It allows us to pull in others as well. That’s been really unique. The executive previously met around National Council and as required outside that. Even with border restrictions and social distancing regulations, virtual meetings will continue. There are cost and time efficiencies coming out of it too with the minimisation of travel and the flexibility to meet remotely with minimal notice.”

BRANCH RESHUFFLE

The reshuffle across national executive has also flowed on to the branches where Paul McAleer’s move to the role of ITF Asia Pacific Dockers’ organiser has seen Paul Keating step up as Sydney branch secretary and Paul Garrett as his deputy. Port Botany waterside worker Brad Dunn, formerly DP World Port Botany delegate was endorsed by the Sydney branch committee as assistant Sydney branch secretary. Adelaide waterside worker, Brett Larkin has replaced Jamie Newlyn as SA branch secretary.

In Western Australia, MUA & Offshore Alliance organiser Doug Heath has been appointed deputy branch secretary. Following WA Assistant Branch Secretary Danny Cain’s resignation (due to illness), Branch Organiser George Gakis has been appointed assistant branch secretary. Meanwhile Christy Cain returns to his role as MUA national president and takes over the role of NT assistant secretary - vacated by Thomas Mayor, until the rule change is ratified by the Fair Work Commission for him to lead the CFMMEU. “Christy has been on secondment

to the CFMMEU national office since January to work in any position that requires his extensive industrial leadership,” said Paddy Crumlin. Under the new rules any official of the CFMMEU national executive collegiate (which includes MUA National Council) can be CFMMEU national secretary. Previously only the four divisional secretaries could stand for the position or fill the casual vacancy. “Christy Cains nomination broadens out the democratic accountability across all divisions of the CFMMEU,” said Crumlin who has also been appointed president of the new union. • www.mua.org.au

COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS June

Resolution 1

National Council resolves to make amendments to the rules of the union to create two (2) additional Divisional National Assistant Secretary positions at the next quadrennial election. One to be eligible for nomination by a First Nations person and the other by a woman and also meeting all other criteria under the rules for nomination. The criteria for nomination to the positions should be examined so as to meet the union rules and any relevant legislation. The proposed amendments to the rules will be taken to a Special Meeting following this year’s AGMs in accordance with the union’s rules.

Resolution 2

Divisional National Council notes the resignation of Thomas Mayor from the Office of Northern Territory Divisional Branch Deputy Secretary of The Maritime Union of Australia Division of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union with effect from 5.00 pm on Thursday 10 June 2021. Divisional National Council resolves to appoint Chris Cain to fill the casual vacancy in the Office of Northern Territory Divisional Branch Deputy Secretary of The Maritime Union of Australia Division (Division) of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union in accordance with Rule 42 of the Rules of the Division with effect from 5.01 pm on Thursday 10 June 2021.

Resolution 3

Divisional National Council notes the resignation of Will Tracey from the Office of Divisional National Presiding Officer of The Maritime Union of Australia Division of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union with effect from 5.30pm on Thursday10 June 2021. Divisional National Council resolves to appoint Chris Cain to fill the casual vacancy in the Office of Divisional National Presiding Officer of The Maritime Union of Australia Division (Division) of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union in accordance with Rule 15(c)(iii) and Rule 42 of the Rules of the Division with effect from 8.30am on Friday 11 June 2021.

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UNIONS OPPOSE MINERS SPLIT CFMMEU and the ACTU oppose miners’ push to go it alone.

he Construction Forestry Maritime, Mining and Energy Union national executive is opposing a move by its Mining and Energy Division to split from the union after a bruising leadership battle. Hearings on the demerger proceedings commenced in the Fair Work Commission on June 8, with the Australian Council of Trade Unions also opposing the move. The miners lost their court action, but are appealing the decision. National conference of the mining and energy (ME) division voted unanimously to split from the union in February. The vote came after the ME leadership held a secret meeting with the then Federal Attorney General Christian Porter to push through new legislation in December 2020, facilitating union demergers. The ALP national conference in May resolved to repeal the legislation when elected to government. The Fair Work Act previously prevented unions leaving five years or more after amalgamation. Amendments to the Fair Work Withdrawal from Amalgamations Bill 2020, in December, did away with the time limit. They also eliminated any requirement for a postal ballot of members. ME lawyers nevertheless argued the amalgamation date

was 2018, when the MUA (and textile union) joined the union, rather than the 1992 date when the Miners Federation joined the CFMEU and before it incorporated the energy workers. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin joined CFMEU National Secretary Dave Noonan to express concern that the mining division “negotiated a secret arrangement with Minister Christian Porter behind the backs of the ACTU and the Australian trade union movement.” They noted Porter was the same minister pushing to replace unionised labour with casuals and contractors in the mines and other industries. He has since faced historic rape allegations, which he denies. The CFMMEU contends the miners failed to consult within the democratic forums of the union and wider trade union movement. CFMMEU members in all industries have always stood together through many tough times over many decades during constant political and industrial attacks – whether at the Gordonstone mine or on the Patrick picket line. “We continue to support and will fight for mineworkers’ rights to safe and secure jobs, a future in the coal industry, and in mining communities everywhere – whatever the outcome,” Crumlin and Noonan said. •

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING

3-pronged

SHIP STRATEGY LAUNCHED ITF and MUA work in tandem with road and rail industry on getting Australian seafarers back on the coast

nemployed seafarers were on the grass outside Parliament House on 22 June, as the Maritime Union launched a three-pronged campaign to get Australian-crewed ships back on the coast. The union has joined forces with road and rail industries also bleeding freight to flag of convenience shipping. At the same time, it is galvanising

the International Transport Workers’ Federation Flag of Convenience campaign to focus on foreign ships replacing Australian vessels on the coast. Maritime workers, trade unionists, and members of parliament joined the Australian seafarers outside parliament where MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin addressed the crowd.

“Shipping is an essential industry that is the backbone of the nation’s economy, but the federal government is allowing Australia seafarers to be replaced with exploited foreign workers,” he said. “The Morrison Government hasn’t just stood by and watched the decline of Australian shipping, it has actively encouraged it,” he said. The rally was followed by Labor

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leader Anthony Albanese launching the film “The MV Portland - A Documentary” by Melbourne film maker Abi Richardson at Parliament House on 23 June. The film is also streaming on MUA Facebook and YouTube. Former crew who attempted to defend Australian jobs by staging a 62-day sit-in before security guards dragged them from their bunks in the dead of night in January 2016, were at the launch, alongside Labor members of Parliament. “Since the Coalition Government was elected in 2013, we’ve lost half our remaining fleet of Australian cargo vessels, taking with them the jobs of more than 500 Australian seafarers,” said Crumlin. “This campaign isn’t just about getting Australian seafarers back up the gangways of Australian ships,” he said. “As an island nation, we need to be self-reliant, we need a strategic fleet that can ensure our fuel security and keep essential goods supplied during a conflict, economic crisis, or pandemic. “It’s about fixing a broken system,” he added. “International shipowners are using the Covid crisis to gouge freight rates, seriously impacting Australian businesses. They are using the pandemic to imprison exploited crew on board for a year, two years.” So open slather is the use of foreign ships on the coast it is also taking cargo off Australian rail and road transport. “Long haul rail is going out the back door,” said ITF Australia Co-ordinator Ian Bray. “Logistics companies are coming under increasing commercial pressure. They say they can’t compete with foreign shipping picking up and dropping off domestic cargo. They are alarmed and want to work with us to fix the problem. So, we have a broader alliance now.” Senator Glenn Sterle (ALP) organised a Supply Chain Sovereignty Forum, at Parliament House, Canberra in March. At the forum were industry heavyweights such as Pacific National, SCT Logistics, the Victorian Transport Association, Maritime Industry Australia Ltd, the Australian www.mua.org.au

“The Morrison Government hasn’t just stood by and watched the decline of Australian shipping; it has actively encouraged it.” – Paddy Crumlin National Line and Stolt Australia alongside representatives of Shadow Labor ministers and crossbenchers (including Senator Pauline Hanson). The hope is that industry collaboration might finally shift the Coalition to undertake substantive reform of its coastal shipping policy. The MUA was represented by the National Secretary, Assistant National Secretary Jamie Newlyn and National Officer Mich-Elle Myers, with support from policy adviser Rod Pickette. Other unions represented included the Rail Tram and Bus Union, the Transport Workers Union and the Australian Maritime Officers’ Union. The National Secretary linked supply chain sovereignty issues across transport modes both nationally and internationally, highlighting geopolitical concerns in the region (see overleaf). SCT Logistics founder and rail operator Peter Smith lamented the growing amount of domestic container freight being carried on temporary licence, foreign-flagged liner vessels. SCT analysis shows an almost tenfold increase in TEU carried by

foreign shipping between 2012 and 2019 (Brisbane-Fremantle and Sydney-Fremantle) and triple from Melbourne, according to departmental coastal trade licensing data. MUA analysis shows this container traffic could keep a dedicated Australian registered vessel in operation. The Palaszczuk Government has already committed to investing in Australian shipping, engaging Deloitte Access Economics to assess the viability of a new service between Townsville and Brisbane. Retired Air Vice Marshall John Blackburn, who also attended the Canberra forum, stressed supply chain sovereignty went beyond transport modes. It was also about what we should be producing in Australia and the need for Australia to have a strategic fleet. This would include supply vessels for offshore wind construction and maintenance and green hydrogen exports, as well as general cargo, fuel and a container vessel. A strategic fleet could be called on in emergencies like bushfires and floods.

CABOTAGE CAMPAIGN Newly appointed ITF Australia Coordinator Ian Bray and MUA Assistant National Secretary Jamie Newlyn, under the national secretary, are jointly heading the tightly coordinated campaign to reclaim the Australian coast. “The priority is getting Australian crew up the gangway,” said Newlyn. For Newlyn it is personal. He spent 10 years at sea, mostly on oil tankers, only to see them all disappear. “The decline in Australian shipping doesn’t leave a lot of space for optimism, but when you see the strategy we are putting forward, there’s every hope for success,” he said. Newlyn said working hand in hand with the ITF would inject new activism into the Australian shipping campaign. “We will link with the ITF cabotage

taskforce and the Flag of Convenience campaign,” he said. “The FOC campaign should be more about how to direct shipping back to flag states instead of simply trying to improve conditions for foreign crew.” Crew exploitation on FOC shipping is institutionalised; trying to solve it case by case has failed. ITF inspections of foreign ships will have particular focus around the world on vessels trading in coastal cabotage voyages where Australians have been removed, as the priority focus of the worldwide cabotage campaign. “Inspections will be targeted,” said Bray. “It’s time for the ITF to go through a renewal. Because I worked on the shipping campaign it wasn’t lost on me where I thought the gaps were. We are now focusing our inspections on charterers and

operators who have sent Australian seafarers down the gangway.” Top of the list is Alcoa, responsible for sacking the MV Portland crew. The US-based multinational is getting taxpayer subsidies and reduced royalties from both Victoria and WA only to employ exploited foreign crew on the Australian coast. In March 2020, the Isle of Man FOC bulk carrier Berge Phan Xi Pang was carrying alumina from Portland to Bunbury when the ITF discovered the Chinese crew were not being paid the Australian minimum wage. The ITF got the crew $60,000 they were owed. “The company has undermined cabotage. It is an irresponsible corporate citizen,” said Bray. “We now have proof it is responsible for millions of dollars in wage theft from foreign seafarers on our coast.”

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Record 3-year ban FOR ASWAN SHIP

Alcoa owe their Burmese crew alone $3M in backpay, according to the ITF. “We are naming and shaming these irresponsible ship owners and calling for them to be banned for two years each time we uncover abuse,” Bray said. The campaign will also use workers’ capital to highlight the serious abuses of labour and seafarers rights. “We’ve uncovered a pattern of behaviour with charterers like Alcoa – human rights abuses, wage theft and modern-day slavery,” Bray said. “We intend presenting our findings to shareholder forums to change the behaviour of these companies.” Origin is also on the union blacklist. It has four mini tankers on temporary licences for 10 years trading on the Queensland coast and another running out of Port Kembla. BP do not have a single drop of their fuel transported in Australian crewed ships. Canadian Steamship Line employs foreign crew on half their bulk carriers working the Australian coast on temporary licences. Canada’s Seafarers’ International Union and CSL have agreed that if no Canadian vessels are available for domestic cargo, Canadian seafarers must crew the foreign flagged ships. The MUA wants the same policy in Australia. In April the MUA protested in support of Canadian seafarers fighting to stop CSL undermining working conditions. “This is how our campaign links into the ITF international FOC campaign,” said Newlyn. Meanwhile National Office has prepared a number of policy documents arising from National Conference resolutions to See also strengthen the legislation ALP Conference shipping policy supporting Australian flagged p64 and crewed shipping. • www.mua.org.au

ustralia has slapped an unprecedented three-year ban on the Panama flag of convenience bulk carrier MV Maryam. The ban, which prevents the vessel entering an Australian port, was announced by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on 1 June. It comes after a tip off from unions in February and one of the longest ship detentions on record. Mick Cross, MUA Port Kembla branch secretary, called in the ITF after crew got word out they needed help. ITF inspector Dan Crumlin went on board with Cross to speak to the captain. They found the owner Aswan Trading had failed to pay key contracts, leaving the ship without fuel for the engine, power and lighting. “It’s a horrible situation,” Cross told ABC News. “The company left the seafarers with just about nothing on board – no food, water and fuel – in the most horrific conditions you can imagine. “It is absolutely unacceptable to have people lifting buckets of seawater to be able to use their toilets on board,” he said. ITF Australia coordinator Ian Bray resolved the dispute on 29 May. “A crew change was effected by helicopter,” he said. “All off signers were paid the last of their outstanding wages and taken to the airport. AMSA thanked the ITF for their assistance.” The ship’s master wrote to Bray on the crew’s return to record their thanks to the union. “We, off signers have arrived at our homes safe,” wrote Capt. Polat Soylu. “I want to thank you, Paul, Mick (and) all ITF inspectors. It is inexpressible what you have done for me and for my crew since the first day. We are grateful, thankful. “We had terrible days but you made it very easy for us by supporting us in every way,” he added. “We are appreciate (sic) that we met you. Please convey my gratitude to everyone in Maritime Union.”Arthur Rorris, Secretary, South Coast Labor Council also wrote to congratulate the union: “What a wonderfully fitting acknowledgement of another victory of the ITF/MUA and all who support you and #Uniontown. Mick, please convey our congratulations to all the comrades involved.” A month earlier AMSA banned Aswan sister ship Movers 3 for 18 months (see p56). In 2020, AMSA detained 178 ships, banning five from Australian shores for three to 12 months, according to its annual port state control report released in June. AMSA noted a 20% increase in deficiencies and a 9.2% increase in detentions. •

MUA crew sail FOC ship to Korea Five Australian seafarers have set sail on board the Marshal Islands Flag of Convenience bulk carrier MV Sincere to Korea. They replace Indonesian crew who wanted off after being ‘treated like animals’ and called on See page 34 the ITF for support.

STEVEDORING

Hard FOUGHT

New DP World enterprise agreement provides better wages and career paths, job security and union rights

he DP World enterprise agreement delivers a 10% wage increase over four years, a safer workplace, better job security, career paths and union rights, and a national automation clause. It also provides domestic violence leave, personal and parental leave, income protection, a training allowance and graduated retirement. “It was a rank-and-file outcome, from rank-and-file based negotiations,” said Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith, who led the talks. “The EBA struggle saw significant action by workers at all DPW sites.” Smith said the company came into the negotiations with a negative attitude from day one. “It attacked our income protection, attempted to outsource Cargo Care

and pushed the workforce into a fight,” he said. “Workers and the MUA did not hesitate in rejecting that approach. The company sacked workers, used the courts to impede the union and workers’ action, but in the end the collective will of the members prevailed and delivered a fantastic agreement.” Christy Cain, former WA MUA branch secretary, now national secretary elect of the CFMMEU spoke to members at DPW, Melbourne in April. Cain provided an overview of his new leadership role and his commitment to members. “We had a lot of protected action in WA with the company sacking delegates,” said Cain. “We got all the delegates back, with backpay, after being locked out the gates for 16 months. It’s a fantastic agreement. Adrian, Warren and the committees should be congratulated.” Assistant National Secretary Adrian Evans said the EA sets a new industry benchmark.

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“We got some key outcomes that give our members protection against redundancies in downturns,” he said. “And measurable triggers that make it easier to move up to permanent positions at annual labour reviews.” Paul Panozzo, DPW Melbourne delegate said the peaks and troughs (Workforce Review Mechanism) clause aims to do away with the need to make workers redundant by allowing more flexibility. A permanent Fixed Salary Employee (FSE) on the roster may enter into a job share arrangement or elect to go off the roster and downgrade to a Variable Salary Employee. VSEs may elect to downgrade to supplementary or casual workers. “In Melbourne we were mindful of the 107 FSE redundancies (from the company’s initial threat of 150) we had over the past 18 months,” said Panozzo. “We see the new clause and the workforce review mechanism as a way we can hopefully eliminate future redundancies.” Negotiating the agreement during a downturn was a huge challenge. “It was certainly hard fought,” said Garry Mamo, DPW Melbourne. “We went into the negotiations in a good position. Volumes were up. The company was doing well. But COVID hit and put us in a tough position.” Mamo, who has worked in

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management roles in small logistics companies, described DP World management as bloody minded, even about issues that were no cost to them. “In my experience you get a lot more with a carrot than a stick, but they were intent on ruling with an iron fist,” he said. “At every turn they were spiteful. A lot of what we did gain was things we’d lost over the years.” Despite the enterprise agreement system being stacked against the workers, Sydney Branch Secretary Paul Keating said the DP World agreement delivered. “We’ve put in place systems empowering workers,” he said. “The agreement improves safety and provides better rosters. We’ve increased annual wages for variable salary employees from around $70,000 to $80,000 plus.” Workers from each terminal went head-to-head with management taking the fight back to the workplace, when talks came to an impasse. “Straight out they went on the attack and tried to take our income protection off us,” said Port Botany lead delegate Clint Gaughan. “The members really sacrificed a lot. We took a lot of action to get the result – more than ever before. But we got a great outcome.”

STEVEDORING

“In the end the collective will of the members prevailed and delivered a fantastic agreement.” Warren Smith

Income protection stays and it is in the union’s name with even more benefits. “It was a tough drawn-out process,” said Panozzo. “It took a lot of unity to get an outcome.” Union delegates and HSRs are properly recognised within the agreement, as are worker meetings on company premises in rostered breaks and in some cases, beyond rostered breaks. Union stopwork meeting rights are preserved. A new clause allows for a two-hour union induction for all new employees and union training and education leave is enhanced to include paid leave to attend union conferences. Mamo said winning back public holidays for VSE workers was important. “We find out day to day what we are doing,” he said. “Getting some public holidays back in the EA helps. We volunteer to work 50% of public holidays if required.” Inter-port transfers are another job security feature retained in the agreement, with the company committing to help meet expenses, including removal costs and a travelling allowance for workers and their families. An automation clause ensures the company enters negotiations with the union nine months in advance of the introduction of any new operations. It provides for a 32-hour week to protect as many jobs as possible and 15 weeks’ pay in case of redundancy. “Raising the payout is a big deterrent for the company,” said Gaughan. Automation at DP World is still confined to its Brisbane terminal, with productivity at both its Sydney and Melbourne terminals consistently higher than its automated and semi-automated competitors. “We don’t see automation to be an issue here in the foreseeable future,” said Mamo. “But it’s nice to know we will be compensated if it ever is.” The agreement guarantees any technological change does not bring about loss of conditions of employment. “It has been a long and hardfought campaign across all four DPW terminals,” said Evans. “Now we just need to make sure we hold management to the agreement.” • www.mua.org.au

BOSSES FLOUTING AGREEMENTS

Employers are increasingly breaching long fought-out enterprise agreements.

fter two long years of protracted negotiations, stoppages and bans, combined with international union action, the Maritime Union and DP World signed off on their enterprise bargaining agreement in February. But the victory was bittersweet. Within weeks of the EBA being ratified, the company was already reneging. Paul Keating, Sydney branch secretary said management at Port Botany began outsourcing maintenance work to contractors in April. This is despite the EBA clearly stipulating it was “not the intention of the company to engage any additional contractors” with “core equipment and tasks” to be “maintained/performed and operated by employees covered by this agreement.” What’s more, when workers’ voiced their concerns over the breach, management refused to budge. This is despite the company committing in the EBA “to regular and genuine communication with employees and the union”. Port Botany waterside workers were once again in battle with management. “There was no settling it,” said Keating. “We got nowhere. Management was dismissive. They showed complete disregard for

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the workers and the enterprise agreement.” Keating said he found more and more employers were breaching agreements since the introduction of enterprise bargaining 35 years ago. “We’re seeing an escalation of employer militancy,” he said. “We need to change our course. Industry bargaining gives workers’ more power.”

“We’re seeing an escalation of employer militancy.” – Paul Keating

Assistant National Secretary Adrian Evans, who also oversees legal matters, agreed it was becoming more common for employers to breach agreements. “We generally run disputes in the Fair Work Commission, but by the time we have a decision the damage is done,” he said. “We need to consider prosecution when it comes to repeat offenders. Fair Work doesn’t have power of enforcement or prosecution.

The Federal Court does. When employers flout the rules, we will take them to court.” Evans said court action was much more time consuming and expensive compared to the Fair Work Commission, but it was increasingly the only way to get results. He cited a commission decision in favour of waterside workers who stopped work over Covid-19 safety concerns at DP World, Melbourne. At the time they were stood down and taken off pay. The Commission found the stoppage was a genuine safety dispute and ordered the company to pay all outstanding wages. “Management agreed they would,” said Evans. “But they haven’t and it’s been almost 12 months. We’ve told them if they don’t make immediate payment, we’ll take them to court.” Hutchison, like DP World, have also shown contempt for enterprise agreements, recruiting 30 casuals in the Port Botany operation. “It was a blatant breach. We have no agreement for casuals at Port Botany,” Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith reported at the March monthly stop work meeting. “Management ignored the need for an agreement with the union. We are challenging them in the Federal Court.” •

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING

4 DOWN, 1TOGO On the nation’s terminals all but one enterprise agreement has been won. At Patricks the battle continues

fter three long years of court battles, a threatened $80M lawsuit and protracted industrial action, wharfies at the robo terminal Webb Dock, Melbourne, have won their first union agreement. Victoria International Container Terminal members now join Maritime Union members at DP World Hutchison and Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal with groundbreaking EBAs locked in. Members at VICT endorsed the EBA unanimously at Melbourne onsite meetings on 30 June. As MWJ goes to press only Patrick remains in dispute. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin signed the deed with VICT on 2 July on behalf of the union in a virtual ceremony with both sides committing to work together constructively. “We hope it also ushers in a new stage of cooperation and maturity internationally between the company and the International Transport Workers’ Federation,” he said. “The outcome is a great credit to our joint campaign internationally and on the ground, particularly the role Will Tracey and his local team played in organising the workers into the union and realising the agreement over four years and fiercely contested court battles,” he added Then Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey worked with local officials and delegates signing up more than 97% of the workforce and sealing the agreement. Organising was key to getting a settlement,” he said. “When you are sitting at the table and represent the majority of the workforce, management listen.” MUA Assistant National Secretary Adrian Evans, who now takes over responsibility for VICT reports key outcomes for members include 75% of the highly casualised workforce becoming permanent, increase of the rostered permanent workforce and wage increases between 14.5% – 50% across the classifications. “Overall, it’s a massive win,” said Evans. “The outcome will see VICT workers all but match the industry in wages and conditions. It sets a solid

foundation for future improvements.” The company has withdrawn all legal action against the union. “We’ve been able to settle the legals with no payment,” said Evans. The Maritime Union was denied entry or coverage to the greenfields terminal when it opened in 2017.The company had aggressively offshored jobs (see box), at the same time cutting wages and conditions of Australian workers. “They were treating workers like robots,” said Tracey. “It’s not on to make people work 12-hour shifts without a break, 60 hours or more a week, 10 x 12 hour shifts in a row.” Under the agreement, new maintenance rosters reduce shifts by 119.6 hours annually. Roadside rosters are reduced by 182 hours and rostered days off for the operations workforce take 78 hours off the annual workload. Overtime is now paid

“When you are sitting at the table and represent the majority of the workforce, management listen.” – Will Tracey

double the salary rate which is an industry first. Workers have income protection, higher pay for higher duties, 210 hours annual leave and a $2,000 – $12,000 sign-on bonus. Delegates get four days trade union leave and training annually, a recognised committee, with paid meetings every three months. Labour and training reviews are to be held every six months. Like other terminals workers down tools when temperatures soar. The company must consult with the union before introducing change in the workplace or changing rosters. Evans said the union will work closely with management to ensure that the transition to permanency, the additional upgrades and the sign on bonuses are all implemented swiftly. “The Union congratulates the MUA members and delegates who led the campaign through to this tremendous conclusion,” said Evans. “Thanks also to Victorian Assistant Branch Secretary Rob Lumsden and National Organiser Aarin Moon. The agreement also covers the four AMOU and three ETU workers at the terminal. •

SCIENCE FICTION

on the Melbourne docks Phoney robots, wages and worker safety centre of industrial action at Webb Dock

ongtong’s family has bought a robot from Guokr Technologies to help look after grandfather.

Grandfather is sceptical. He challenges Ah Fu, as the robot is called, to a game of chess. Grandfather wins hands down. “You suck,” he declares. “A real robot would have played better.” Ah Fu is in fact a machine controlled by a young man sitting at a computer in a messy room far away, who happens to be very bad at chess. The science fiction story by Chinese writer Xia Jia is about the brave new world to come. That world has already come to the Melbourne wharves. “Australia’s first, fully automated container terminal” using “the most advanced technology” is not what VICT claim in their glossy brochures or on the company website. It is science fiction. Just like grandfather’s robot, the yard cranes, security gates and many other automated features of Melbourne’s Webb Dock are under the control of men and women sitting at computer screens in Manila. VICT is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Manila-based global terminals operator International Container Terminal Services. It has used terminal operating systems, like Navis, that allow port operations in any part of the world to be run from a central control tower in any one country. The implications are many, including the sourcing of cheap, non-union labour. The International Transport Workers’ Federation declared VICT a Port of Convenience in 2018. In March this year it called on shareholders at global shipping giant Maersk, one of VICT’s major clients, to adhere to its corporate manifesto “that suppliers stick to internationallyrecognised labour standards, respect collective bargaining and industry standards.” In June, after workers took protracted industrial action, the company finally reached agreement on a Union EBA, including a halt on any future offshoring. •

COVID

PANDEMIC HITS PORTS AND SHIPS No job, no jab mandates in three states as unions push for rapid antigen tests and pandemic leave

ozens of maritime workers have been hospitalised after a virulent Delta COVID-19 outbreak hit Sydney and Melbourne, closing one terminal. We’ve had one member on a ventilator and a dozen others off work,” said Victoria Branch Secretary Shane Stevens. “Thankfully he is now well and back home. The others are all back at work.” Ironically it was Australia’s automated VICT, Webb Dock, Melbourne terminal that was forced to temporarily close operations on September 20 for six days, after four workers tested positive. Patrick Terminals, Melbourne had a third case of a worker coming down with the virus in October, but operations were continuing. Contact tracing identified 87 close contacts with 109 employees – 32% of Patrick’s Melbourne workforce – unavailable for

work and in isolation. Hutchison and DP World in Port Botany were also impacted. “Four members at Hutchison got COVID. The one who was vaccinated is back at work, the others aren’t,” said Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith. “That says a lot.” NSW, NT and Victorian governments announced a ‘No jab, No job’ ruling in September. In NSW this was limited to workers in areas of concern. In Victoria all workers had to be fully vaccinated by November 26. “It’s a government public health order,“ said Shane Stevens. “They get no allocation without the jab. The majority of our members are okay with this, but we have some anti-vaxxers and some have an ideological view the government is coercing workers. They face having to use up their leave and possibly being stood down.”

Getting vaccinated is a work safety issue just like wearing hard hats and vests. The union condemned far right extremists who were behind protests against the government edict and attacks on the CFMEU union rooms in Melbourne. The protests and a spate of COVID clusters led to a shutdown of Melbourne construction sites. DP World Port Botany, Sydney, in September also mandated that its workforce, including contractors, be fully vaccinated by November 15. The mandate came after 15 positive cases on the wharves led to 36 workers having to isolate for 14 days and 63 off work awaiting test results. The union demanded consultation, advocating rapid antigen testing for workers who cannot or will not get a shot. DP World met with the union but, to date, has refused.

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“DPW have a mandated vaccination policy over and above NSW Health orders which is unnecessary,” said Assistant Branch Secretary Brad Dunn. “It’s the only company in Port Botany to do so. The MUA has always and will always support health orders but members losing their jobs due to company overreach and lack of consultation is not acceptable.” DP World sacked 19 MUA Port Botany members who could not provide proof of vaccination, with some later reinstated after providing vaccination certificates. A dozen waterside workers provided contraindication certificates from their GPs which were eventually accepted by a company ‘panel of doctors’. Two of the 12 were required to provide DP World with further information or face termination. The matter is back before the Commission. In Victoria, DP World sacked seven waterside workers for failing to get vaccinated. Meanwhile the branch described the late-night removal of rapid antigen testing by the NSW government as “an act of bastardry.” In a letter to members the branch strongly encouraged everyone to get vaccinated. “We do not only have responsibility to ourselves, but the community at large as part of our collective responsibility as workers,” all four branch officials wrote. Branch officials wrote to employers and government calling for paid pandemic leave in June. Workers have had to use sick leave and other leave entitlements when they contract the virus or must isolate. The Australian Council of Trade Unions continues to campaign for paid pandemic leave nationwide.

ON THE SHIPS

In September, international crew in Queensland were offered vaccines in

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The union condemned far right extremists who were behind protests against the government edict and attacks on the CFMEU union rooms in Melbourne. local ports, after a spate of ships were struck with the virus. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and employer organisations said the initiative would not only protect the health of seafarers but also strengthen Australia’s supply chains. ITF Australia Coordinator Ian Bray said international seafarers were the backbone of the economy. “But a growing number of COVID outbreaks on vessels arriving in Australian ports highlights the need for urgent action,” he said. ITF President and Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Paddy Crumlin called on the Australian government to immediately take the Queensland model to national cabinet so that it can be rolled out around the country. “Australia has legal obligations as a signatory to the Maritime Labour Convention,” he said. In recent months hundreds of crew on a dozen ships in Australian ports have been affected. Among them, on the West coast, 16 crew on board the grain carrier Ken Hou reported COVID symptoms off Albany and alarms bells rang when a seafarer found on the wharves was forced into hotel quarantine in Port Hedland. A man was airlifted to hospital in

Perth on a military plane from the Stolt Sakura oil and chemical tanker after 11 of its 22 crew tested positive. At Fremantle, three crew were evacuated from the MV Darya Krishna and a grain carrier reported 16 suspected cases among its crew. The BBC California also docked at Fremantle with at least 10 infections on the ship. In Newcastle more than half of the 21 crew of the MV Spirit of Ho-Ping tested positive to the virus. Only one person on the ship had been vaccinated. In north Queensland eight seafarers aboard the bulk carrier, Imabari Queen, contracted the virus in October, according to Maritime Safety Queensland. One man had to be flown to the Sunshine Coast COVID-19 hospital for treatment. It follows the Pan Europe LNG tanker off Gladstone, reporting 11 positive cases on board. In August a seafarer died during a high-risk crew change off the Liberianflagged bulk carrier Formosabulk Cement at anchor off the Queensland coast. Transfers at sea have become common as ports close to crew during the pandemic. The ITF has called for an end to the unsafe practice. At the peak of the crew change crisis 400,000 seafarers worldwide were unable to leave their ships after completing their contracts due to port restrictions.

WAGE RISE FOR CREW

In recognition of the sacrifices seafarers have made keeping global trade moving during the pandemic, the ITF, led by its President Paddy Crumlin and the Joint Negotiating Group of shipowners agreed to a long-awaited wage rise in September. The pay rise includes a 3% increase from January 1, 2022, with a further 1.5% increase from January 1, 2023. JNG shipowners also agreed to a 20% increase in contributions to the IBF Seafarers’ Support Fund. •

COVID

THIS COULD BE COVID One man’s story of surviving the deadly virus

t was a Monday afternoon when Port Botany wharfie Francis Bell got out of bed with a bit of a croaky voice. “I got to work, got in my machine and I got really cold,” he recalls. “I couldn’t get warm the whole time I was driving the RTG (gantry crane).” At the halfway mark, the DP World worker decided to call it a day. “I was just thinking about the big picture – about keeping the workplace safe,” he said. “I spoke to the Grade 6 (supervisor?) and said I gotta go home, because potentially this could be COVID.”

By the time the positive test result came back, Francis had all the symptoms – headaches, a cough, brain fog, fatigue. “Within a few days I had no taste and no smell at all,” he said. Francis counts himself lucky he didn’t end up in hospital. “Because I had the vaccine I was able to quarantine at home,” he said. Compared to the Influenza A that put Francis in hospital two years back, it was not so bad. He puts that down to being fully vaccinated. To this day Francis does not know how he got COVID.

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“I was very diligent at work about mask wearing and distancing,” he said. “I sprayed down all the machinery with eucalyptus oil. So it’s ironic I was the one who got it first.” The 51-year-old does have an underlying condition – Hashimoto’s disease, an auto immune affliction affecting the thyroid. And he had been to the local shopping centre in Eastlakes where he used the handy teller to get cash out. “It’s a bit of a hot spot there, with people in the housing commissions,” he said. His 27-year-old son also came down with Delta earlier. But they live apart and hadn’t been in touch at the time. His son wasn’t vaccinated and ended up in hospital. Workmates were shocked by the news Francis had COVID. “He’s a staunch union member and well respected on the wharves,” said Sydney branch assistant secretary Brad Dunn. At home Francis had to isolate from his wife and granddaughter for 16 days. “We had gloves and masks. It was full on,” he said. “Just isolating that long is a bit of a battle. But my wife and little one didn’t get sick. No one at work got sick from me. You don’t shed as much of the virus if you’re vaccinated.” Friends and relatives did their best to help the family out, dropping off food and shopping. A week back on the wharves Francis says he is not yet recovered 100%. “I’m still feeling pretty crook, ” he said. “By rights I should have had another week off. I got through it but it was a bit of a battle.” The first night after work he was in bed at 6pm. Francis still coughs as he tells his story. He is still suffering fatigue. “I forget things,” he says. “I have this haziness in my brain. When I had to go to the chemist the other day for some medication on e-script for about 30 seconds I couldn’t focus www.mua.org.au

Francis with his wife Sharon and granddaughter Serenity

... admissions wards found that COVID vaccines (including AstraZeneca) are over 90% effective against serious illness and hospitalisation... on what I had to do with my phone.’ Francis encourages others to play it safe and give it a shot. “It’s in the best interest of our families, our kids, the elderly to get vaccinated,” he said. “And it helps keep the workplace safe. We’re lucky we’ve had the ability to work. So many others have not been able to support their families.” The union movement has been pushing for pandemic leave. But like other workers who came down with COVID, Francis had to use his long service leave, sick pay, and holiday pay to cover his time in quarantine. DP World has taken a hard line about mandatory vaccination over and above NSW Health orders and is the only company in Port Botany to do so. “I hate to see anyone lose their jobs over it at my work,” said Francis. “It’s very unfortunate the company has taken this action. I’m going to

lose some good friends I’ve worked with a long time.” Francis agrees people relying on social media and the shock jocks for information on the virus is part of the problem. “I also listen to ABC and SBS to get a broad range of news,” he said.

FACTS

Data from Public Health England admissions wards found that COVID vaccines (including AstraZeneca) are over 90% effective against serious illness and hospitalisation, including the Delta variant. Nearly 5M people worldwide (4,895,640) have died of COVID among over 240M recorded cases, according to the Worldometer reference website for real-time statistics. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration has recorded 41,406 adverse reactions to 10,125,533 vaccinations in Australia since July this year. Most cases have been mild. There have been 87 cases of blood clots and five deaths arising from AZ shots compared to the 1,506 Australians who have died from COVID, according to government statistics. The US Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency received reports of 1,143 deaths following vaccination of 35M people. They note not all of these can be attributed to the vaccine. •

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING

Foreign ships trading on the Australian coast illegally

lag of convenience vessels have been carrying Australian cargo on the coast without a licence, International Transport Workers Federation inspectors have uncovered. “We have found breaches of the Fair Work Act with crew not getting award rates as required when working the coast,” said ITF Australia Coordinator Ian Bray. “We would raise the crew complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman, and they would say they were unable to investigate because the ship didn’t have a temporary licence!” So lax is the Australian government’s policing of the temporary licence system, it appears many ships no longer apply for a licence, or display their licences, while working the domestic shipping trade. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications is not enforcing the Act, the ITF contends. “We stumbled on it,” said Bray. “When we brought the matter to their attention, they said they knew nothing of the practice.” The department has since requested the ITF provide details of breaches. “We are going to shine a light on the temporary licence regime,” said Bray. “We have evidence companies don’t even apply for a licence now. We’ve uncovered cases in the past year, where we’ve found the ship could not even verify it had a licence to trade on

the coast. We are seeing this time and time again. The companies are not displaying the licence in accordance with the Act, or they haven’t even bothered to apply for one.” One example is the Marshall Islands Flag of Convenience container ship MV Wide Hotel. Crew on board complained to ITF Inspector Matt Purcell in July 2020 when the ship arrived in Melbourne. They said their vessel had been trading between the ports of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane since May. But they had not been paid their cabotage bonus on the last trip. Officials at the Fair Work Ombudsman said they did not have a licence. “The ship used to have a licence under a different name,” said ITF

“We are going to shine a light on the temporary licence regime. We have evidence companies don’t even bother to apply for a licence now.” – Ian Bray

Australia deputy coordinator Matt Purcell. “The crew say it doesn’t have a licence, Fair Work says it doesn’t have a licence and the Singaporean owner says it doesn’t have a licence. But crew produced documentation showing it is doing the coastal trade, taking containers from one Australian port to another. It’s been with Fair Work 12 months now and we haven’t heard anything about what they are going to do about it.” Bray said with only four ITF inspectors across 44 Australian ports, what they have uncovered to date was likely to be only the tip of the iceberg. “Department officials now want to sit down with us and discuss the breaches,” said Bray. “We are going to take them up on this.” He stressed it was up to the department to ensure ships complied with the Act. “We are not here to do their job,” said Bray. “Our job is to look after the welfare of international seafarers on our coast and get Australian seafarers back up the gangway.” Bray said the talks would enable the ITF to show the authorities where the gaps in the temporary licence regime were likely to exist. He would also be making some suggestions to ensure better compliance. “We are going to be asking them what they are going to do about it,” he said. •

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BodyOverboard Union calls for crew COVID tests and vaccinations as body washes up on beach and pandemic ship docks in Australia

he body of a Filipino seafarer washes up on a beach in Vanuatu. His crewmates, all but one, test positive to COVID-19. The Inge Kosan gas tanker had arrived in Port Botany from a pandemic outbreak in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on 31 March before leaving for Port Vila the next day. Not since the Ruby Princess debacle has the threat of the virus entering Australia by ship got a beep on anyone’s radar. Anyone except maritime workers, that is, who work those ships night and day. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin wrote to National Cabinet and health ministers on 20 April – warning of the significant public health threat. “We are calling for the introduction of rapid COVID testing of all crew on foreign shipping,” said Crumlin. “We ask for priority vaccinations for seafarers travelling through Australian ports. Australian stevedoring and maritime workers should immediately go into isolation following any contact with crew who test positive. Australian maritime workers should be

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designated key workers and moved to the top of the vaccination rollout.” On 4 May, after union talks with the Health Department, waterside workers, seafarers and port workers were given access to the Phase 1a Pfizer rollout.

‘How did his body come to be washed up on a beach in Vanuatu?’ Union demands for rapid COVID testing, vaccination and health support for all international crew arriving in Australian ports still stand. Crumlin said that like the Ruby Princess, the Inge Kosan had exposed the seriously flawed COVID biosecurity measures in place at Australian ports. The Ruby Princess breach led to

Australia’s first COVID outbreak – 900 infections and 28 deaths. “We haven’t learned from the debacle,” said Crumlin. “COVID testing taking place only if a ship self-declares symptoms, is completely flawed and needs to be urgently overhauled. “Had testing taken place when the Inge Kosan berthed in Port Botany in April, the COVID cases onboard would have been immediately identified and the seafarers would have received medical care – potentially saving a man’s life.” The union is calling for a full investigation into the death of the seafarer. “There are serious questions that must be answered,” he said. “How did his body come to be washed up on a beach in Vanuatu? The Inge Kosan recently left an Australian port and was carrying Australian gas. Australian has an obligation to get to the bottom of his death. “Today, on International Workers’ Memorial Day, we have a seafarer who will never return home to his family and friends in the Philippines,” he said. “His family deserve answers as to how he died and what could have been done to prevent his death.” •

FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE

On board a FLAG OF

CONVENIENCE Ten Australian seafarers relieve foreign crew and set sail in international waters

“

t was so beautiful to be back at sea,” said Victorian bosun Max Ward. “Just to get away from it all. Five weeks without social media, no email, nothing but the ocean.” Max is one of 10 Australian seafarers who went up the gangway to crew two Flag of Convenience ships this year. Both times the Australians stepped up after foreign crew wanted off. Both times the International Transport Workers Federation uncovered abuse. Both times Australian port state control stepped in and confirmed breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention. The case of the Marshall Islands

bulk carrier MV Sincere was one of the worst Matt Purcell, ITF deputy coordinator has come across in his 25 years in the job. “The Indonesian crew had only been on the ship a month and they wanted off,” he said. “They were under a constant barrage of abuse and racial vilification from the eastern European officers. They won’t try the same crap on our guys.” The seven Indonesian crew wrote to ship manager Uniteam Marine refusing to sail to the next port of Eden. They asked to be repatriated. Fanny Arhandika Trisha, one of the seafarers, said he had been at sea for a decade and never encountered the abuse and overwork he was subjected

to on the MV Sincere. The captain treated him and his crew mates like animals, he said. Matt said it would have cost the shipowner more to fly in another crew, owing to pandemic-related travel restrictions, than pay an Australian crew. After the best part of a day ringing around the union found six unemployed Australian seafarers – one from Tasmania, three Victorians and two from Newcastle – keen to take on the challenge. All had been out of work for some time. And while it was a Flag of Convenience vessel, the ITF got them Australian wages based on the current ASP Agreement including 14% superannuation, Day www.mua.org.au

for Day leave, paid quarantine, and repatriation. The bulk carrier had brought in a cargo of cement to discharge in Melbourne at the CSR plant. Its next cargo was a load of logs at Eden bound for Korea. Max had been looking for work for a year and he relished being back. “Just doing some proper seamanship was something,” he said. “All the skills you thought you’d forgotten but had to use again. We also learnt new skills. We’d never lashed logs before.” Max was a veteran of international waters and was ready to adapt to working on a foreign ship. “I’m used to being at sea a long time,” he said. “The ship was only 10 years old, but a bit run down.” The Australian crew were surprised to find the Europeans did not work Saturday and Sunday. Their contract was based on a 40-hour-week. They didn’t allocate a lookout at night. “So, we all did the lookouts,” said Max. “We all worked as a team seven days a week. They asked why are you here? But by law you’ve got to have a lookout at night.” On route the crew sailed through a typhoon. Max and the Australian team made sure the timber was properly lashed before the storm hit. He had sailed through typhoons before. In the mess room, the Europeans smoked at the table – something unheard of under Australian health regulations. The agent in Eden failed to get the Australian crew their Covid tests clearance. So, when the vessel arrived in Korea it was ordered out to anchor. “We were warned anyone caught on the wharf would go to prison,” said Max. The crew change was done by launch with everyone disembarking down the pilot ladder. But the new Burmese crew came on the day before. With no cabins or beds, they slept on the floor in the alley ways and the mess room – 19 seafarers. Max and his crew mates then spent quarantine in a pub in Qatar with 120 seafarers from all around the world. “They all had a different story to tell,” said Max. “Some had been trying www.mua.org.au

Loading logs at Eden, before setting sale into international waters, bosun Max Ward and his Australian crew mates proudly show off their union badge. PHOTOS BILL HUYBREGTS, MUA

to get off their ships over 12 months. So many countries don’t even allow a crew change. Australia was one of them.” The second vessel the ITF got ASP to manage, went smoother. The MT High Challenge took on four Australian ratings in Melbourne before sailing for Malaysia and Singapore where they paid off. The Australians got the job after four of the crew were over contract and demanded their right of repatriation. “With both ships, people went on board, did the job and got paid. It worked,” said Matt Purcell. “It’s good to get out-of-work Australians a job. That’s what it’s all about. I think more of it will happen in the future.” On August 21st ITF Australia Coordinator Ian Bray reported the crews of the MV Sincere and the MT High Challenge had both returned safely to Australia and thanked Matt, assistant Sandra Burnell and branch secretaries Mick Cross and Shane Stevens. Both crews arrived in Brisbane within 24 hours of each other for their 14-day quarantine. “I’d do it again, of course,” said Max back home in Gaffney’s Creek, regional Victoria, more shaken by the recent earthquake than his experience at sea. “I’d do it tomorrow. I enjoyed it. I prefer that to the Melbourne to Tassie run any day.” •

SHIPPING

Australian coal to China trade standoff highlights how Australia has lost control of its exports and supply chain

he video went viral in maritime circles. Captain Timur films himself arguing on the phone with the ship’s agent off the port of Caofeidian, China. “Do you mean that person will die? Because you will wait for authorities to permit to land him?” he asks. Captain Timur has a medical emergency on board. His chief cook, a Chinese national, is vomiting blood. The ill man is filmed hunched in his cabin, blood-stained tissues littering the floor. “I have called all available agents, charterers, owners. The response I got from them is shocking,” Captain Timur says. The agent says it is not possible to bring the chief cook ashore. They must wait until the office opens the next morning and apply for permission from the local authorities. “So, who is responsible if this man dies?” Captain Timur asks. “We need to bypass all those things and take him directly to a hospital.”

The captain’s message for the government officials of the People’s Republic of China is simple: “You are murderers, you kill people.” But his indignation and rage are not just directed towards the Chinese. The cook’s plight is being played out around the world as nations close their borders during the pandemic induced crew crisis. “We are seafarers, spending our lives on board in order to bring goods to your house ... what do we get? We are not even allowed to go ashore. We are not allowed to be ill ... we just have to die,” Captain Timur said. Caofeidian has both coal and container terminals. Captain Timur does not identify his ship. We do not know if it is one of dozens of vessels off the Chinese coast loaded with banned Australian coal, wine or beef exports. Whether the chief cook was caught up in a political stoush between Australia and China or was simply one of an estimated 300,000 seafarers stranded in a pandemic.

The breakdown in relations between Australia and China over the past year has seen China block Australian exports of coal, cotton, lobsters, timber and meat while also levying antidumping duties on Australian wine and barley. And, as Professor Percy Allen, former NSW Treasury Secretary, pointed out in the Australian Financial Review (“Let’s admit we targeted China first” 3 February 2021) Australia has blocked more than 100 Chinese imports, banned telecoms company Huawei from the 5G network and barred China from investing even in “non-strategic” Australian industries such as dairy and construction. At the height of the coal dispute, Bloomberg cited 66 bulk carriers loaded with $500M in Australian coal, most off the northeast ports of Jingtang and Caofeidian – ships that could not go anywhere. The ships are caught in a Catch 22 – unable to offload their cargo or sail to another port.

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Chinese importers have refused to on-sell their cargo to other ports at discount prices. Under free on board charter, a ship owner cannot order the master to deviate to a port for a crew change. The vessel could be arrested if he did. “China is a primary controller of international shipping,” said Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. “China understands the importance of supply chains. That’s why all those ships are anchored off China unable to go anywhere. Beijing says, ‘We control the supply chain, we have ownership’.” Australia has no control because it has outsourced its trade to the Flag of Convenience fleet. “We don’t control the cargo. So, if there is any geopolitical stress then immediately China shuts down our trade to show Australia ‘you don’t control shipping, we do’.” The disruption of Australia’s coal exports worth $54 billion in 2020 is also a national security issue. The National Secretary was a keynote speaker at the Supply Chain Sovereignty Forum in Canberra in March. The forum, facilitated by Senator Glenn Sterle, included large supply chain industry players such as Pacific National, Maritime Industry Australia Limited, ANL, Stolt Australia

alongside representatives of shadow Labor ministers and crossbenchers. On the MUA team was Assistant National Secretary Jamie Newlyn, MUA National Officer Mich-Elle Myers and policy adviser Rod Pickette. In his presentation the national secretary linked supply chain and sovereignty issues across transport modes in the context of geopolitical regional issues and the pandemic’s impact on Australia’s supply chain. “The real story is Australia has given away any control of shipping in an area of real interest like our iron ore and coal trades,” said Crumlin. Shipping, Crumlin stresses, is the nation’s ocean conveyor belts and we

“We are seafarers, spending our lives on board in order to bring goods to your house ... what do we get? We are not allowed to be ill ... we just have to die,” - Captain Timur

have lost control. “We’ve outsourced to the FOC fleet,” he said. “Buyers control the shipping. China has shut down our coal trade to show Australia ‘you don’t control shipping, we do’. Iron ore could be next. That’s the story. It’s geopolitical. It might also be hurting China’s own state-owned corporations, but geopolitics are more important than short term economic pain.” The Maritime Union contends

“The real story is Australia has given away any control of shipping in an area of real interest like our iron ore and coal trades.” – Paddy Crumlin

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SHIPPING

“China is a primary controller of international shipping, China understands the importance of supply chains. That’s why all those ships are anchored off China unable to go anywhere” – Paddy Crumlin Australia must control its own ships in crucial trades. “The point is, if you run your own ships and have an Australian flag on a ship, then that’s part of Australia, that’s Australian territory. Flags like Panama or Liberia aren’t going to do anything during a crisis. Their ships are controlled by Chinese state-owned corporations. So, the ships are just sitting there and the seafarers starve.” The union is calling for government to encourage investment in Australian supply chains and an Australian strategic fleet to guarantee Australian trade and sovereignty. “Shipping is essential to our export industry,” said Crumlin. “We will do our bit in delivering the outcome through workers’ capital and super fund investment.” The MUA has put forward detailed suggestions to strengthen the security of maritime infrastructure and supply chains. In November, the union put proposals to the Department of Home Affairs in response to its consultation paper on “Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Systems of National Significance.” In February, the MUA put similar proposals to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security which was reviewing government legislation including the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical

Infrastructure) Bill 2020, now before parliament. Both MUA documents acknowledge the importance of working in partnership with government to develop “proportionate requirements that strike a balance between uplifting security, and ensuring businesses remain viable and services remain sustainable, accessible and affordable.” The union said it was well aware of the need to build the resilience of critical infrastructure, especially in transport and logistics supply chains, due to international disasters such as the cyber-attacks on Toll Holdings shipping and freight operations in February and May, 2020; the MV Wakashio grounding and oil spill off Mauritius in July 2020; the Beirut ammonium nitrate port blast in August 2020; and the sinking off Japan of Gulf Livestock 1 carrying NZ cattle to China in September 2020 with the loss of over 40 lives including two Australians. It also noted evidence of gun smuggling revealed by the 2015 coroner’s Inquiry into two crew deaths in Australian waters on the Panamanian registered Sage Sagittarius coal ship. The impact of COVID-19 on international shipping and port operations also highlights potential risks to Australian shipping and port security, the union said. In its submission to the Department of Home Affairs, the union called for the

setting up of a national strategic fleet and measures to restore a “balanced” cabotage system. In its submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security the union says the government’s Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 largely omits ships and shipping. This omission “camouflages the risk to national security from over dependency on foreign ships in Australian transport supply chains and the ease of access of non- national seafarers to critical infrastructure assets.” “Because the Bill does not create certainty about the application of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act) to ships, it camouflages and leaves a gap in Australia’s critical infrastructure risk mitigation system being strengthened by the provisions in the Bill.” This is largely because Australia is almost totally dependent on foreign owned, operated and crewed ships for its sea freight trade. Meanwhile back on the unnamed ship sitting off China, the ship’s cook is finally allowed to be treated onshore – in an ambulance outside the hospital. He is then returned to the vessel. Captain Timur calls for the still sick man to be allowed to return home. Nothing more is known of his fate. •

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SEA BLINDNESS

Australia’s dependency on foreign shipping worries former Navy chief

ustralia is so dependent on foreign companies but has no authority over foreign ships. shipping that obtaining critical supplies “If you don’t have the capacity to requisition ships, during a national emergency can’t be there’s not much you can do in an emergency,” guaranteed, according to former Chief of Admiral Barrett said. Navy Tim Barrett. In the same article, Innes Willox of the Australian Admiral Barrett said Industry Group said Australia Australia was suffering “sea was now more exposed than it blindness”. “It really is a had been for decades: “We are “If you don’t have the lack of understanding of the more vulnerable to economic significance of the dependence shock than we have been quite capacity to requisition we face,” he told The Australian possibly since World War II, given newspaper. geopolitics and the fragmented ships, there’s not Admiral Barrett is a board nature of our core assets.” much you can do in an member of Maritime Industry MIAL chief executive Teresa Australia Limited, the body Lloyd told The Australian there emergency.” that represents Australian ship are now just 13 Australian– Admiral Tim Barrett owners. He said COVID-19 and flagged or controlled cargo regional tensions mean that vessels. Thirty-odd years ago “only now we are discovering there were 100. Britain still has that we are in a very parlous 470 such commercial ships. state. The issue is around resilience to fuel supplies, She said the government “has made no efforts pharmaceuticals, agricultural equipment, anything to do anything to incentivise or encourage an that’s critical to society.” Australian shipping industry. The only thing they He pointed out that a national government has are even working on relates solely to the regulation of coastal trading, which is already dominated by legal authority in a crisis to requisition civilian foreign ships.” • ships, which carry its flag or are controlled by its

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AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING

DisappearingFLEET Senate inquiry recommends ways to rebuild the Australian fleet

Senate committee has put forward 28 recommendations to promote shipping as an effective mode of transport using Australian ships and crews. Many of the recommendations are broadly in line with MUA proposals to the inquiry by the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. The committee’s recommendations are in its report titled “Policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping”. The committee’s Labor chairperson, Senator Glenn Sterle said the report sets out steps which the federal government can take immediately to strengthen the Australian maritime industry, train and employ Australian seafarers and develop a strategic fleet to support national economic and security interests. “If they aren’t going to act on the report and support the Australian maritime industry and its workforce, it’s time they got out

of the way and let us do it,” Senator Glenn Sterle said. He reminded parliament that Labor went to the last election promising to create a strategic fleet of some 12 ships. Coalition Senators on the committee wrote a dissenting minority report disagreeing with “the overall tone and position” of the recommendations and claiming they would lead to greater industry decline.

Uneven playing field

The committee found that government road and rail subsidies disadvantage coastal shipping as a viable alternative. This was compounded by the fact that heavy vehicles may not be paying an appropriate price for the use of Australian roads, and by increasing charges at Australian ports. The committee recommended that the government review the level of subsidisation across competing modes of transport to ensure that shipping is able to compete on an equal basis.

Tasmanian shipping The committee urged the government to continue funding the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme and the Bass Straight Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme and advocated other initiatives to “promote safe and cost-effective shipping while also recognising Tasmania’s unique challenges.”

Seafarers’ wages

The committee called on the government to take immediate action to “reduce the cost differential” between Australian and foreign crews. Foreign-flagged vessels should be made to pay crew wages equal to those of Australian vessels while operating in Australian waters, it recommended. “This is a central concern of the committee, as it believes this to be a key reason for the lack of Australian-crewed ships,” it said. “The committee is of the opinion that foreign seafarers are not fairly remunerated under existing arrangements and, hence,

“If (the government) aren’t going to act on the report and support the Australian maritime industry and its workforce, it’s time they got out of the way and let us do it.” – Senator Glenn Sterle 40

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strongly supports suggestions to increase wages for these mariners so that they better align with their Australian counterparts.

Foreign crew visas

The committee expressed concern that requirements to obtain a Maritime Crew Visa are inadequate and need strengthening, specifically around security, character, identity checking, and the misapplication of the MCV as a domestic work visa. It said it was also concerned about suggestions that the Maritime Crew Visa system currently allows employers to sponsor maritime workers in permissible occupations, but then subsequently transfer them to non-permissible occupations. The committee recommended stronger background checks to obtain a Maritime Crew Visa “to better align with those required for applicants applying for a Maritime Security Identification Card”. It called for a government review to determine whether the existing Maritime Crew Visa system is being exploited by sponsors to allow foreign maritime workers to be transferred to occupations which are not eligible for sponsorship. While calling on the government to retain the existing Maritime Crew Visa for seafarers on foreign ships undertaking short port calls as part of a continuing international voyage, it also recommended a new, or special conditions, Maritime Crew Visa that enables foreign seafarers to

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SeaRoad Seafarers (from the left): Shane Davies – IR, Paul Creely – IR, Phillip Tippins – CIR, Benjamin White - IR on board the new Australian registered Ro-Ro MV Liekut (below) servicing the Bass Strait trade.

See New Ships p18

be in Australia for periods of up to 45 days for one of six specified purposes.

Strategic fleet

STCW Convention requirements, and build up their experience at sea.

The Australian government should commit to establish a strategic fleet by setting up a taskforce to advise on the necessary legislative, operational, funding, and requisitioning arrangements, the committee said. The fleet would operate on a commercial basis but be available for requisition by government in times of war or crisis. It would also provide vessels for seafarers to train on, gain sea time necessary to meet IMO

The committee called for a review of maritime tax concessions “to ensure that Australia’s tax system is competitive with other jurisdictions, and that it promotes the use of Australian ships and crews.” It said Australia must have a competitive tax system to promote Australian shipping, and noted several suggestions raised by submitters which the government could pursue. •

Taxation

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING

OFFSHORE

WIND

players line up More than a dozen proposals for offshore are now on the table

hen the two men proposing four new $10B offshore wind projects for NSW walked into a meeting with Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes one Thursday in December, they found unionists Glen Williams, Dennis Outram and Penny Howard waiting for them. The state government had set the meeting up. Mayor Nelmes rang Newcastle Branch Secretary Williams to invite the Maritime Union to the table. Newcastle is a union town, and the project was about jobs – around 10,000 of them – maritime jobs, construction jobs, electrician jobs, perhaps even manufacturing jobs. What’s more the MUA is now recognised as a player in the field. “They contacted the mayor, the mayor contacted us,” said Williams. “She said we want you guys here. We got the briefing.” At the table alongside Nelmes was Oceanex Energy Australia CEO Andy Evans and Chief Development Officer Peter Sgardelis. Evans, a former executive of the Star of the South, envisages a large offshore wind port hub in Newcastle alongside a large floating offshore wind project with other projects to follow for the Illawarra, Eden and Ulladulla.

“A project of that size up here would be enormous. It would transform the region, providing decent jobs and apprenticeships.” – Glen Williams

Left: Glen Williams, Penny Howard and Dennis Outram, MUA with Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

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the port are related to coal.” Williams said the development of offshore wind did not threaten coal-related jobs. In fact, it supports the ongoing employment of power generation workers who are to be made redundant with the scheduled closure of coal-fired power stations in the region. Coal will continue to be exported in the near future, but the port badly needs to diversify – a fact not lost on management. Newcastle council has thrown its weight behind the wind project. In a resolution passed at its 8 December 2020 meeting it highlighted how large-scale offshore wind infrastructure could potentially unlock $30B of investment and create thousands of local, well paid jobs. Many of these workers could come from the resources industry. Council commended the NSW Parliament on the passing of the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Bill, paving the way for the creation of the Hunter Renewable Energy Zone. “(Offshore wind) provides for

New report found offshore wind could create as many as 8,000 jobs each year by 2030. an entirely new renewable energy infrastructure manufacturing industry to emerge in Newcastle and the Hunter, paving the way for our city to become a renewable energy hub of the entire Asia Pacific region,” council resolved. The timing is crucial. The Liddell power station in the Hunter is set to close in 2023. Another 25,000MW of coal fired electricity generation Australia-wide is due to shut down over the next 28 years. Council proposed leading a delegation of key industry, business and trade union partners to meet with the NSW Minister for Energy and Environment, advocating offshore wind be included in the Hunter Renewable Energy Zone. If ships were required to plug ➜

Main image: Jan Arne Wold, Woldcam Statoil

Oceanex is the second offshore wind contender for Newcastle. A year back Newcastle Offshore Wind Energy touted a massive 10GW offshore project. It applied for a licence from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources in January 2020. “Whoever gets the gig, we want to work with,” said Williams. “A project of that size up here would be enormous. It would transform the region, providing decent jobs and apprenticeships. There’s room up here for both of them. The port’s got plenty of land.” Newcastle is punch drunk with blows to its economic ambitions. “We missed out on the car terminal that went to Port Kembla and we missed out on a container terminal due to a dodgy state government privatisation deal,” he said. “Then Terminal 4 coal loader got knocked on the head when coal exports flatlined. This project is something the port – the whole Hunter region – really needs.” Williams estimated 88% of shipping at the port is coal related. “Our members rely on coal for our jobs,” he said. “We’ve got people on the tugs, the wharves, the linesmen, the coal loaders. Most of the jobs in

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AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING

into electricity in port it would improve air quality in ports and in the community and increase jobs, council noted. The Oceanex proposal is one of two locally and six nationally – the Cliff Head Wind and Solar Project south of Geraldton in WA, (Pilot Energy in a joint venture with Triangle Energy), Bass Offshore Wind Energy off Burnie (Brookvale Energy), the Star of the South in Victoria (Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners) and a new proposal for the Illawarra. Oceanex already has capital investment from Europe and Japan for the venture. In March, representatives of Danish Green Energy Partners approached Southern NSW Branch

Secretary Mick Cross and National Research Officer Penny Howard to discuss a $10-$15B proposal for floating wind turbines 11-24 kilometres off the coast from Port Kembla south to towards Jervis Bay. The wind farm would connect with the grid via the Dapto substation. It would also source local content including BlueScope Steel, Australian subsea cable manufacture and the Port Kembla facilities. Offshore wind would provide energy on the massive scale needed to produce the hydrogen necessary for BlueScope to convert to green steel production. Green Energy Partners envisages 6,000 person years of employment with construction starting in 2026. The company is also involved

with the Newcastle Offshore Wind of NSW project. The momentum behind the push for offshore wind projects is only set to grow. The Australian Financial Review in March reported wind power was drawing overseas interest. Australia was the most go-to destination in the Asia Pacific among the overseas infrastructure investors. “Clearly evident is the appetite for offshore wind – a sector that is major in Europe, but so far nonexistent commercially in Australia,” the AFR reported, citing the Asia Pacific Infrastructure 2021 survey. The API survey found 66% of investors plan to put capital in Australian infrastructure over the next year with the “Wizards of Oz” top of the list over Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam. “You can generate more electricity over longer periods in an offshore wind farm compared with onshore wind farm or onshore solar projects, hence the interest,” global environment lead partner at law

“Our ability to provide climate leadership ... depends on the ability of the Australian government and of our union to deliver a just transition to our members working in fossil fuel industries, and their communities” – Penny Howard

Left: MUA Port Botany wharfie Erima Dal joins student strike for climate

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firm White & Case Tim Power told the AFR. “It’s across the region in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia – offshore wind is a key focus.” Before any projects can go ahead, however, the Offshore Renewable Energy Infrastructure Act has to pass Parliament.

JUST TRANSITION

industries, and their communities,” Howard said.

BLUE ECONOMY

Meanwhile the MUA-led research project into the potential for offshore wind in Australia through the Blue Economy Cooperative Research centre released in July. The report found offshore wind was key to Australia’s clean energy future and could create as many as 8,000 jobs each year by 2030. Offshore wind is booming globally and the International Energy Agency views it as one of the three big three sources of clean energy alongside solar and onshore wind. The project brought together expertise from CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency; the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney; Saitec Offshore; and the Maritime Union of Australia with contributions from the Electrical Trades Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and Australian Council of Trade Unions. •

Main image: Jan Arne Wold, Woldcam Statoil

Despite the intense interest and capital investment at hand for offshore wind projects in Australia, it was a glaring omission in the government’s 2020 Integrated Systems Plan (ISP). The union submission to the next ISP for 2022 highlighted the absence. It also hammered the need to include jobs and a just transition in all renewable energy processes. The MUA recommends siting renewable zones closer to old generators which are facing closure, so workers can transfer to the renewable energy jobs without being uprooted from their communities and families.

“We argued the ISP was not considering the social costs of unemployment, training a new workforce and building new infrastructure,” said Howard. “This should be included in modelling. Offshore wind could be built off Newcastle and the NSW coast and could provide better employment and job transition.” The ISP is run by the government agency the Australian Energy Market Operator and was set up after grid failure led to major blackouts in South Australia in 2016. “One scenario the ISP is modelling is Australia becoming a renewable energy export superpower,” said Howard. “This makes its lack of consideration of offshore wind even more silly as of course exports are from ports adjacent to offshore wind.” “Our ability to provide climate leadership in these industries depends on the ability of the Australian government and of our union to deliver a just transition to our members working in fossil fuel

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COVID

Taxpayers fund corporate bludgers, as companies rort JobKeeper

BOSS

obKeeper, a largely union initiative, was supposed to act as a lifeline to workers and businesses who could otherwise go under during the pandemic. Evidence is mounting that the government ensured it did more to help big business than those who really needed help.

“JobKeeper turned out to be just another corporate slush fund,” said MUA Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith. “The Morrison government has ditched JobKeeper leaving millions of workers in the cold in the midst of a third wave of the pandemic due to government mismanagement and a nationwide lockdown,” said Paddy Crumlin. “But big business is off the hook and pocketing billions.” The Australian Council of Trade Unions estimates 1.1M workers lost JobKeeper payments in March resulting in 15,000 workers losing their jobs. The ACTU called for a JobKeeper 2 to cover ongoing lockdowns caused by the

federal government’s failed vaccine rollout.“The Morrison Government designed a scheme which is open to rorting – we have seen companies receiving JobKeeper paying dividends and bonuses, and now the ATO is declining to prosecute thousands of businesses who have improperly accessed the scheme,” said ACTU President Michele O’Neil. A Treasury report shows $27B of the $89B program went to businesses that made profits during COVID pandemic restrictions. The Labor opposition has called on the government to publicly reveal which businesses took JobKeeper payments despite recording profit surges during the pandemic. Dozens, from Harvey Norman to Domino’s Pizzas, profited from the scheme despite skyrocketing sales. Yet unlike New Zealand, Australia

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KEEPER has no public register of which companies received millions in taxpayer money. Labor MP Andrew Leigh has been naming and shaming companies using JobKeeper for executive bonuses and dividend payouts. Speaking in Parliament, Leigh hit out at companies abusing the stimulus scheme. Accent Group received $13M in JobKeeper – and paid CEO Daniel Agostinelli a $1.2M bonus. IDP Education received $4M and gave CEO Andrew Barkla (Australia’s highest-paid CEO on $37M) a $600,000 bonus. Star Casino received $64M in JobKeeper and gave CEO Matt Bekier an equity bonus worth $800,000. Analysis from corporate governance advisory firm Ownership Matters has shown 66 of the ASX’s top 300 companies claimed a total of $1.38B in JobKeeper payments for the six months to the end of December. One-fifth of JobKeeper payments made to major listed companies in the second half of 2020 went to firms who grew their profits during the pandemic, while 90% were making profits. On the waterfront, Qube Holdings got $30.5M in JobKeeper subsidies despite rising revenue. Management later forced workers to pay back JobKeeper despite Qube feathering their own nests with $2.78M in executive bonuses and a $2M golden handshake for retiring CEO Maurice James. While Qube has now agreed to give back $16.5M of the $30.5M in

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subsidies, the union contends it should also pay back its workers forced to refund their JobKeeper payments. “This company rorted JobKeeper to line their own pockets,” said Smith. “That money was meant to protect the jobs of workers — not funnelled into executive bonuses.” “Qube should repay the entirety of their ill-gotten JobKeeper subsidies,”

“JobKeeper turned out to be just another corporate slush fund.” – Warren Smith

he said. “Not only to Australian taxpayers, but also to their workforce.” Independent reporter Callum Foote writing for Michael West Media calls it BossKeeper. The way the government set it up, all corporations had to do to qualify in 2020 was to have a revenue downturn in one month. They could then automatically get up to six months JobKeeper even if company fortunes changed for the better overnight. For a company the size of Qube, a

revenue drop of 50% was required, but Qube reported revenue increases of 9% at the end of June compared to the same time in 2019. Its 2020 annual financial report boasted revenue of $1.9B. There is no evidence Qube’s overall fortunes dipped even for a month. Charles Pickering found JobKeeper rorts worthy of satire on his ABC Television show The Weekly. “Now given how the government’s RoboDebt scheme ruthlessly hounded a grieving mother over a couple of grand, just imagine what kind of angry robot Josh Frydenberg will deploy to claw back millions of dollars in corporate welfare,” Pickering said before airing a news clip of the treasurer sheepishly saying, “Businesses don’t have an obligation to pay back JobKeeper.” The Australian Taxation Office also appeared indifferent. The ATO is “aware that some companies have been paying dividends and executive bonuses whilst in receipt of JobKeeper”, the ATO statement read. However, “such payments do not impact a company’s eligibility for JobKeeper”. The question must be asked, how many millions in taxpayer funds has been given to friends of the Coalition Government? Qube has a close association with the Coalition, dating back to the 1998 Patrick’s lockout. Union officials report that during Qube EBA negotiations, Qube Ports management boasted they had threatened to shut down seven Australian ports if was not awarded JobKeeper. •

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING

National Waterfront Safety Unit locks in industry-wide safe work practices

he newly established National Waterfront Safety Unit aims to provide industry-wide blueprints for safe work practices, strong safety systems and support for safety activists on the job. “The idea is to have templates in place for safety, that can apply at any terminal or bulk and general wharf,” said National Safety Officer Justin Timmins. “We need a uniform approach to vessel inspections and a uniform structure around the waterfront.” The NWSU arose from an MUA Quadrennial National Conference resolution in 2020 and kicked off this year. Deputy National Secretary

Warren Smith chairs the Unit with Timmins coordinating leading health and safety reps from different companies and branches across the Australian waterfront. “Safety is without doubt an industrial issue,” said Smith. “Bosses will always tell us otherwise, as they try to separate both issues. But dying on the job in an industrial accident cannot be considered anything else but an industrial issue.” “We will never segregate safety from industrial,” he added. “We are seeking to build a cooperative and unified approach for the entire union team on the job, including the health and safety reps, the safety committee and our delegates.”

Top of the agenda for the unit are: n establishing the highest standards of safety across the Australian waterfront n working towards unified systems of work across similar operations n creating broader awareness and engagement around safety issues on the job n building support for safety reps and safety activists and their work among rank-and-file wharfies n developing collective actions, campaigns and solidarity to increase workplace safety. Timmins says the big-ticket item he is dealing with is vessel inspections. “You’ve always got to be on your

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toes,” said Timmins. “Ships are getting better, but only due to the fight and struggle we’ve put in over the years. We still get bad ships come in.” To be safe, more ships should be surveyed before they come into port on their initial visit, according to the union. Too often HSRs and safety delegates are left with the arduous task of putting control measures in place to minimise hazards and risks on vessels with many deficiencies. “Also, it doesn’t help when you have management blinded by a pursuit to maximise productivity,” said Timmins. “Some management still try cut corners and get the cargo off the vessel as quickly as possible, without putting appropriate controls in place. This is gambling on the health and safety of the workforce.” The NWSU brings together leading delegates from terminals as well as bulk and general all around the country.

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“A project of that size up here would be enormous. It would transform the region, providing decent jobs and apprenticeships.” – Glen Williams “This wealth of experience will facilitate a consistent approach to best practice in what is an extremely dangerous industry,” he said. “It is imperative we identify the safest standards and roll them out with a unified approach.” “When I started work on the waterfront 20 years ago, I looked up to the delegates as guiding lights to get me home to my family safely. They kept the boss accountable,” said Timmins. The unit is putting action plans in place to invigorate safety reps and get more members to come on the journey, get active in their workplace

and stand up for their rights. “We want to get the delegates and their workmates home to their families in one piece,” said Timmins. Rank and file representatives on the unit are Paul Williams (Queensland), John Van Dommele (South Australia), Ben Kreger (Sydney), Brett Melzner (Darwin), Greg Hannon (Western Australia), Sean MacSweeney (Port Kembla), Paul Condon (Victoria), Mark Gloeckner (Newcastle), TBC (Tasmania). The MUA is also working towards the development of a Seagoing Safety Unit over the coming months. •

WORKERS’ CAPITAL

WORKERS’

CAPITAL

y r o t c i V Woodside Petroleum suspends operations in Myanmar after unions, human rights groups and Workers’ Capital weigh in

ustralia’s Woodside Petroleum announced it would suspend operations in Myanmar after pressure from the Offshore Alliance, the Australian Council for Trade Unions and human rights groups. In February, Offshore Alliance partners, the Maritime Union of Australia and Australian Workers’ Union wrote to Woodside CEO Peter Coleman calling on the company to suspend operations in Myanmar in the wake of the military coup. “The world has watched in horror as Myanmar’s fledgling democracy and its brave people have been crushed under the weight of a military coup,” MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin and AWU National Secretary Daniel Walton wrote on behalf of the Alliance. “Efforts are underway around the world to prevail upon ethical businesses to maximise their leverage of the fledgling dictatorship before it has firmly established itself.” The Offshore Alliance has members throughout the oil and gas industry, including Woodside operations. Disturbingly, Coleman mouthed the military line of election fraud. Unlike former US president Donald Trump, however, the Myanmar military’s attempt to overturn an election result was successful. “It’s not up to us to judge the veracity of grievances [the military] have around the previous election process,” Coleman told the Energy News Bulletin on 19 February. “I understand [they] put together quite an extensive folder of grievances around the election that they wanted to be heard, and they weren’t being heard. “They were pushed up against a difficult decision point; the day of the coup was the day the new parliament was due to proceed,” he added. Next, the ACTU wrote to Woodside chair Richard Goyder asking how the company intended to observe its own human rights policy in relation to the crisis in Myanmar. The ACTU letter, signed by President Michele O’Neill and cosigned by the Australian Council www.mua.org.au

for International Development, Amnesty International, Union Aid Abroad and anti-corruption coalition Publish What you Pay, voiced concern over Coleman’s comments, stressing Myanmar’s own electoral commission had declared and endorsed the election results. “Is it tenable for Woodside to maintain a joint venture under auspice with a government led by a junta accused of genocide by the United Nations?” they asked, referring to a 2018 UN fact-finding mission. Woodside then announced it would pull its offshore drilling teams out of Myanmar and had put all business decisions there “under review” until “political stability has improved”.

The company, however, does have indirect arrangements via its business interests with the state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise. Woodside’s oil and gas projects offer Myanmar a long-term revenue stream in taxes and royalties as well as a 75% profit tax-share to its government. The ACTU has called on Woodside to disclose all contracts in Myanmar and any payments made to the Myanmar government. It has also called on Woodside to rule out any payments to the military-controlled government. “Had Woodside board of directors failed to pull their CEO into line in February, we intended writing to the trustees of all 15 major industry super funds,

“Woodside says it adheres to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights … We will keep them to their word.” – Paddy Crumlin WORKERS’ CAPITAL Unions see the Woodside policy reversal reflecting in part a victory for the power of workers’ capital. BlackRock, the world’s biggest fund manager and a key Woodside investor announced last year it would relocate its US$6.9T investments from fossil fuels, due to the climate emergency. Now the Workers’ Capital movement is urging they give human rights and labour rights abuses similar scrutiny. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, who is also Vice-Chair of the Committee on Workers’ Capital, and union pension fund trustees met with BlackRock on 7 April to raise issues about the environmental, social and governance performance of companies BlackRock invests in. Woodside has declared it has no direct commercial arrangements with the Myanmar military. www.mua.org.au

including Maritime Super, likely to invest in Woodside Energy through BlackRock and IFM Investors if not directly,” Crumlin said. “So would the ACTU. Woodside says it adheres to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and has committed to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts linked to their operations by their business relationships. We will keep them to their word.” Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific Infrastructure 2021 survey by law firm White & Case released in March found 74% of companies surveyed considered social (labour standards) and governance alongside environment, energy, water, greenhouse gases and deforestation when contemplating investing in Asia-Pacific infrastructure projects. •

Undercover in

Myanmar Labour leaders in hiding as reports of military junta crackdown grow

he Myanmar military junta has begun rounding up all labour leaders as their violent crackdown escalates, according to reports reaching Australia. General Secretary of the Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers Aung Kyaw Lin has avoided detention by going into hiding, according to union sources. The International Transport Workers’ Federation has condemned the arrests and has called on global unions to ramp up pressure on governments and corporations to isolate the junta. “The ITF is extremely concerned at reports of tanks on the streets, bullets being fired, and the abduction of student and union leaders and activists,” ITF President Paddy Crumlin said. “Being a unionist is not a crime, it is a fundamental human right.” Matt Purcell, ITF Australia deputy coordinator has been in daily contact with the Myanmar maritime union and ITF affiliate over a long-running wages dispute with local crew agent Sunrise Marine. “I can still contact them,” Purcell said. “They are changing communication channels. I don’t know where they are, but at last report they were safe.” The seafarers who took a stand over unpaid wages are also reported to be safe. “The frustrating thing for us is the company finally agreed to pay the crew US$400,000 in wages owing,” said Purcell. “We have the money in hand, but we can’t get it to the seafarers yet.” •

F IoRnE

board

5 April 2021: Flames escaped the engine room and engulfed the cargo on deck of the MPV Everest. It was the second fire on the Bahamas-flagged vessel since it was brought into temporary service in January. Fire was reported in the port side engine room when the ship was 550 NM NE of Mawson Station en route to Hobart. None of the 109 crew and expeditioners on board were reported injured. The icebreaker was safely diverted to Fremantle, using its starboard engine room. Both the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the vessel’s Dutch owners are investigating the fire. Photos supplied by Australian Antarctic Division.

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INDUSTRIAL ROUNDS

SACKED FERRY DELO REINSTATED Even on the Murray River you can be a member of the MUA

The union notched up a solid win in recent months when the South Australia branch got MUA delegate and long-term ferry operator, Errol Sonntag, reinstated to his job. Errol Sonntag is a ferry operator and MUA delegate at Radell Services Pty Ltd at Mannum on the Murray River. He was sacked in February 2021, after giving another worker a union membership form. The MUA initiated major legal proceedings through the Federal Court. Radell sought to settle before the trial and Sonntag’s reinstatement was confirmed by court orders. “It was a very expensive and time-consuming battle, but we all recognised we had to defend our delegates and our ability to organise,” said Brett Larkin, MUA branch secretary. “Winning reinstatement (with signed Federal Court orders to www.mua.org.au

“We all recognised we had to defend our delegates and our ability to organise.” Brett Larkin

that effect) was no mean achievement. The legal costs for the union – even without a trial – were in the six-figure range.” It was a lengthy battle, but a just outcome has been achieved with Sonntag being reinstated. “Even on the Murray River with Radell Services, the right to engage in union activity is protected in law. And most importantly, the MUA will do whatever is necessary to enforce that right,” Larkin reported. “With everyone together in the union, we

can achieve even more.” The court orders also directed both parties to meet and resolve the issues of breaks and penalty payments raised by the union. In recent years the MUA has also secured ferry workers a rate increase, back pay, paid annual leave, paid sick leave and personal leave along with regular annual increases. Unresolved issues include superannuation for part timers, breaks and first aid money. Larkin described the win as a ‘circuit breaker’ and incentive for Radell management to work with the union to establish a new EA and avoid ongoing litigation by agreeing to clear terms and conditions of employment. “Special thanks to MUA legal director Wendy Carr and legal officer Luke Edmonds for their unwavering assistance in achieving the outcome,” said Larkin. •

INDUSTRIAL ROUNDS

WHARFIES DETAINED AFTER COVID BREACH

A COVID safety breach at the port of Darwin forced 13 waterfront workers into a 14-day mandatory quarantine in June. Once again, the breach was due to Australian authorities relying on a ship’s master to self-declare when the vessel left the last port. Authorities subsequently uncovered the Tacoma Trader container ship arrived from Singapore short of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Police forced waterside workers who had boarded the vessel at East Arm wharf’s Linx terminal into quarantine at the Howard Springs quarantine facility 25km south of Darwin. They failed to release them after all foreign crew cleared Covid tests until the full 14 days. This is despite the union taking the

Pfizer priority for maritime workers 54

dispute to court. “This has been an extremely traumatic experience for our members, who were marched off the wharf by police and bussed straight into quarantine, including some who needed to get home to care for their children,” MUA

Assistant National Secretary Adrian Evans said. The MUA has been campaigning for foreign crew to be tested for COVID prior to Australian workers boarding vessels, but NT and federal governments refuse to implement the policy. •

Wharfies, seafarers and port workers got access the Phase 1a Pfizer vaccination rollout nationally. Since May, all maritime workers, no matter what age, have been able to apply for the vaccine as seaport workers under phase 1A.

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$2.4B OIL REFINERY SUBSIDY FLAWED A $2.4B taxpayer subsidy to keep Australia’s last two oil refineries in operation fails to address the key issues threatening Australian fuel security, the union says. “The COVID pandemic demonstrated how quickly an international crisis can impact supply chains. However, the Morrison government is leaving Australia without the stockpiles of oil and fuel, or the vessels needed to transport these essential goods in the event of a pandemic, military conflict, or climate crisis,” MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said in May. “When it comes to nations that are reliant on maritime supply chains, Australia is on its own.” The union is calling on the government to invest in a national fleet including tankers to reduce the nation’s complete reliance on foreign shipping for oil and gas.

Shane Reside Organiser - MUA Sydney Branch with Jagath Bandara ITF Asia Pacific organiser at student strike for climate rally

COVID Shots for crew

Budget Bungle

Iron Chieftain fire

Palestine solidarity

NSW Health will provide COVID-19 vaccinations to foreign seafarers shipping gas between Australian ports to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers. The department took the decision in May in response to the union call to provide vaccinations for visiting crew after one seafarer died and another 12-13 tested positive on board the Inge Kosan LPG carrier chartered by Origin Energy. MUA Sydney Deputy Branch Secretary Paul Garrett welcomed the NSW Health initiative but questioned why it failed to apply to all crew. “This first effort to vaccinate foreign seafarers who make regular visits to Australian ports is a welcome step to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers,” he said. “But it needs to be replicated at all ports and terminals.”

Australian shipping failed to get a buck in the Morrison government’s May Budget cash splash, while billions was allocated to road and rail. “We have 10% of the world’s sea trade passing through Australian ports,” said MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. “Ships are taking our commodities and manufactured products to the world, delivering fuel and essential goods to Australian consumers, and moving materials around our long coastline, throughout the pandemic,” he said. “Yet the Morrison government has again failed to make any significant investment in the industry.”

A fire on board a bulk carrier in Port Kembla in June 2018 that took five days to extinguish highlights the lack of adequate regulatory requirements and standards for selfunloading ships, an investigation has found. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation released in June this year, found the fire caused substantial structural damage to the Iron Chieftain, including breaches of two fuel oil tanks. Much of the selfunloading system was destroyed. No serious injuries or marine pollution were reported to be caused by the fire. The ship was subsequently deemed uneconomic to repair and towed to Turkey for recycling.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation condemned Israeli aggression in the occupied territories in May. Israeli attacks killed at least 212 Palestinians – mostly civilians and including 61 children – and left 40,000 people homeless. While noting the 10 Israeli civilians killed by Hamas’s rocket attacks, ITF President Paddy Crumlin said the bombing of unarmed Palestinian civilians was a breach of international law. Meanwhile, after discovering that a shipment of arms destined for Israel was arriving in Italy’s ports in May, wharfies in Italy refused to load the ship. South African dock workers also refused to offload Israeli cargo ships in support of Palestine.

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FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE

Ships of

SHAME REPEAT OFFENDER I firmly believe a common man will become a terrorist when he faces injustice and inhumanity at the hands of authorities who are misusing power,” a desperate seafarer wrote from onboard the MV Ula on 14 April 2021. “All kinds of injustice and inhumanity have been done by ship owners, flag state officers, up to Kuwait Port authorities. If it continues like this then there will either be a suicide or a terrorist attack.” Mohamed (not his real name) and his crew mates have been confined to the now abandoned and flagless Aswan Shipping Company bulk carrier for 17 months. They and their families have gone without pay for over a year. When they first sought help from the International Transport Workers’ Federation, an argument broke out and the captain imprisoned four of the crew in their cabins. “We didn’t see the sun, we didn’t see the moon, we didn’t feel the breeze, all those months,” said one. “It was like gaol.” Kuwait authorities arrested the vessel and the seafarers started a hunger strike, demanding their wages and repatriation. “Our families are suffering. So, we are joining them and suffering hunger too. We only drink water to keep us going,” one wrote. Now two Ula sister vessels have reached Australian shores. The MV Maryam was running out of fuel and food when ITF inspectors boarded the vessel at Port Kembla in February. “

The Qatari owner had failed to pay suppliers’ bills, leaving the 23 crew on the coal ship without power and lighting. Refrigerators shut down and food had to be thrown out. “Crew members could not even shower or flush toilets and had to lift buckets of water from the sea,” said NSW ITF inspector Dan Crumlin. ITF intervention resulted in deliveries of fuel, food, drinking water and cash to help seafarers recover from weeks of malnutrition. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority detained Aswan’s MV Maryam for 36 safety and Maritime Labor Convention breaches. AMSA port state control then detained a second Aswan vessel, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier MV Movers 3 at Weipa, Gulf Sarah McGuire

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of Carpentaria in March. The ITF has called on AMSA to ban Aswan from trading on the Australian coast. “Aswan has left seafarers abused, exploited or abandoned all across the globe,” said ITF Australia Coordinator Ian Bray. “It’s been blacklisted by overseas authorities and one of its bosses is on the run from the Qatari cops”. AMSA has since banned the Movers from Australian ports for 18 months and the Maryam for a record 3 years. The Uma crew were finally repatriated without pay in June.”’

ITF UNCOVERS FIJI CREW SCAM

A shipowner paying slave wages to Filipino seafarers on ferries in Fiji is under police investigation, after ITF intervention. Sarah McGuire, ITF Australia inspector reported ferry owner Goundar Shipping for offences under Fiji’s human trafficking laws in February. “More than 20 Filipino seafarers were lured to Fiji to operate an ageing ferry fleet under false pretences, only to find they got 50-70% lower wages than promised and no return ticket home,” she said. Goundar also cut workers’ food rations back to bread and tea. At least one seafarer, a cook, had a take home pay of just 40 cents per hour. He was paid for just seven hours per week, despite working 98-hour weeks. Like many of Goundar’s workforce, he worked 14 hours a day, seven days a week. Goundar breached Fiji’s human trafficking laws by withholding crew passports and forcing them to work under threat. The ITF estimates Goundar Shipping owes the seafarers collectively more than $250,000 in unpaid wages. Three workers who first sought union help were sacked and left homeless. The last two seafarers who wanted to be repatriated made it home to Cebu, in the Philippines on 29 September, with ITF help. www.mua.org.au

Danny C rumlin

CARRIER COPS TWO-YEAR BAN

FOREIGN CREW SPILL DIESEL INTO BAY

A damaged livestock carrier that was berthed at Geraldton for two months has been banned from using any Australian port for two years. AMSA issued the ban after finding the ship’s crew and the environment were at risk. The Marshall Islands-flagged Barkly Pearl was spotted 120 kilometres north of Geraldton listing to port, with a hole in its hull in November 2020. AMSA directed the ship to sail to Geraldton, saying it was concerned about its ability to reach Indonesia, its next port of call, safely. After two months, the Barkly Pearl was loaded onto the MV Falcon, a semi-submersible Heavy Load Carrier near the Abrolhos Islands, off Geraldton to safely depart Australian waters. Before it left, AMSA banned the vessel from entering or using an Australia port again for 24 months.

Inexperienced foreign seafarers who replaced Australian crew caused a diesel spill during refuelling in Port Phillip Bay, the MUA has alleged. The spill happened when the new crew were attempting to refuel the MMA Coral, a supply ship operated by MMA Offshore. MUA Victoria Branch Secretary Shane Stevens said the previous Australian crew had disembarked at Barry Beach Marine Terminal, in Gippsland, before the vessel sailed to Melbourne to refuel ahead of a planned voyage to Karratha. “This spill was the direct result of skilled Australian seafarers being replaced by a less experienced foreign crew unfamiliar with this vessel,” Stevens said. “Thankfully, our members onboard the refuelling barge immediately halted the transfer of fuel once the spill was spotted. “They believe the spill occurred because the crew of the MMA Coral instructed for the fuel to be pumped at too high a pressure.” •

FIRST NATION

Giving

Voice

MUA seafarer and First Nation woman Vicki Morta speaks out

hen Vicki Morta, Ngadjonji woman from the Atherton Tablelands, North Queensland, seafarer and award-winning union activist spoke at the National Museum of Australia in March, she received a standing ovation. Vicki spoke with passion about her work on board the bulk carrier RTM Weipa shipping bauxite between Gladstone, Weipa and Gove. She expressed her pride in doing something she loved for her family, her people and her union. Her words moved the audience of around 100 as she transitioned from pride in her achievements to grief over friends and family she has lost. Vicki spoke of the need for First Nations communities to have a Voice – a representative body – enshrined in the Australian constitution. She explained how, if Aboriginal communities are not able to speak for themselves and if the decision-making parliaments never hear directly from them, then many Aboriginal youths will continue their downward spiral into drug and alcohol abuse, depression and suicide. “It is important that every community has a voice – a voice that needs to be heard,” she said. “Our communities need someone to hear and address the issues that are there. Our First Nation people have struggled for many years dealing with the impact of health problems, the education system, land rights.

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“Why should it be so hard to be heard? Why must our children keep suffering? When can we stand together and make history for this vast nation?” – Vicki Morta “I speak from the heart because I know and I have seen what is happening around me,” she said. “And it hurts to see my people continuing going down the cycle. This is why I stand before you knowing these problems exist because I have seen it firsthand. Personally, I have family and friends with problems like mental health, drug and alcohol and suicide.” Vicki was in Canberra as part of the campaign for constitutional change. She stood alongside MUA indigenous officer Thomas Mayor, advocating the importance of First Nations people having their voice enshrined in the constitution. Also part of the MUA delegation was Mich-Elle Myers, MUA women’s officer, Jamie Newlyn, assistant national secretary, Nathan Donato, Sydney Branch, Andrew Roberts, DP World, Melbourne, Jake Gifford, and Jaydan Donato, Transdev Sydney Ferries. Vicki said constitutional change had never been so urgently needed. “In the past few months, I have watched families suffer, including my own,” she said. “Family members have taken their lives and have left a loss in people’s hearts. This is once again why our voice needs to be heard. We have too much to lose. If it doesn’t happen now, we can’t afford to be told to wait a few more generations. Our youth need our people, our elders, our culture. “Why should it be so hard to be heard? Why must our children keep suffering?” she implored. “When can we stand together and make history for this vast nation?” First Nations people would gain a voice by electing their own representatives much like representatives www.mua.org.au

of the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission were elected. Enshrining it in the constitution would ensure their voice was never silenced by conservative governments again – like the Howard Government dismantled ATSIC when it came to power. With First Nations knowledge and education, Vicki stressed children and youth would have a chance of achieving the same success in life that she has. “Sailing around the Australian coast and overseas has given me a local and global experience,” she said. “The horizon has no limits for me as I strive to improve everyday challenges that come my way.” Vicki trained as a seafarer and has worked on the RTM Weipa for seven years including as bosun. Soon she will step up as deck officer. Her work as a union activist won her a prestigious award from the Queensland Council of Trade Unions in December. The gong is dedicated to Aboriginal activists who have made an outstanding contribution to a union. “I want my voice to be heard, I want my name to be known,” she said. “Not to make a big statement about my achievements, but as encouragement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. If I can achieve this, so can you.” She said they could then go on to make positive changes in their communities. “We can change the way our children are educated,” she said. “We can change the system.” Members are encouraged to go to www.fromTheheart. com.au to sign up to the campaign that Vicki is advocating for. •

LIFE MEMBERSHIP

SURVIVOR AT SEA,

Legend on Land

Mick Carr’s first ship was the ill-fated SS Lake Illawarra that sank in the Derwent in 1975. He went on to lead the union.

ick Carr was in the rec room of the SS Lake Illawarra waiting to go on watch on the night of 5 January 1975, when the ship collided with the Tasman Bridge pylons. “She shuddered and started taking water,” said Mick. It was the 21-year-old boiler attendant’s first ship and his first voyage. He ran to the bulkhead door adjacent to the cabins and called down for everyone to get out. The third engineer stayed in the engine room trying to deballast. He never survived. The shipwright up on the fo’c’sle head was trying to drop the anchors when 127 metres of bridge decking came down. Seafarers ran to the stern of the ship and jumped as the ship sunk. Some were trying to get the lifeboats away. The Lake Illawarra was down by the head and listing with the stern well out of the water. “It was a lengthy jump going under the water and felt like an eternity before surfacing again,” he said. The ship was all but gone against a dark and rainy night. The water temperature would have been around degrees Celsius, by contemporary Bureau estimates. “Having only a pair of shorts and singlet on, it felt a lot colder,” said Mick. “It was hard to swim restricted with a life jacket, but four of us made it to a pylon and climbed up a barnacled ladder until a tug finally came to get us.” Five people unlucky enough to be driving across the bridge at the time lost their lives and seven seafarers went down with the ship. Mick was one of 35 crew who survived. He says he owes his life to the

Union. At the deck boy’s school only weeks earlier, veteran seafarer George Martindale taught the young seafarers how to survive in the case of emergency such as the tragedy that unfolded in a few short minutes that night, 46 years ago. The Union school in those days was in Newcastle at the TAFE college. Trainees stayed at the old Cross Keys Hotel where most of the real training took place. George had sailed around Cape Horn on windjammers and knew how to deal with a schooner or two while reliving his adventures. “We were an enthusiastic group, but with a training wage of $7 a week not too much damage was done,” said Mick. Mick went on from boiler attendant on the Lake Illawarra to President of the Maritime Union of Australia in a career spanning 40 years. He remained dedicated to safety at sea all his life, always encouraging younger members to go down to the Union School to learn the ropes. “Mick made a tremendous contribution to the Union over the years,” said Maritime Union National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. “He led the union delegation to Moscow for the World Youth Conference and helped raise $100,000 for the Cuban

children’s hospital in Havana.” As a union activist, Mick cut his teeth in 1977 fighting to win Australian seafarers jobs on Utah Development Company bulk carriers. The dispute was fought out over four years. ‘At the time it was the longest in history and made the Guinness Book of Records,’ Mick said. The Columbus Line picket that followed went even longer. By his side was Dave Howard, retired seafarer and one of Mick’s oldest comrades. They sailed together on oil rig tenders, tugs and bulk carriers between Weipa and Gladstone. During the Bjelke-Petersen era outlawing protests, the 1998 Patricks dispute and the Emerald picket line in support of miners, they occasionally shared a prison cell. “It was only ever a night or two,” Dave recalls. “Someone always got us out. If we weren’t let out, ships would sit alongside until we were.” Mick’s dad, Leo was both a wharfie and seafarer, his grandfather a wharfie and boxer. His uncle was also a wharfie. For a time, Mick’s son Shawn was a seafarer. Mick’s mentor was the legendary Seamen’s Union Queensland state official, www.mua.org.au

Jim Steele. Mick was on the pickup one day in Brisbane in 1988 when Jim tapped him on the shoulder. The rest is history. Mick went on to win eight elections, many hotly contested, and became Joint Branch Secretary of the Maritime Union when Jim retired in 1994. Mick went on to be branch secretary and, in 2007, National President.

Grandfather of towage

One of his first tasks as an official was the State’s tugboats, a fleet of 30 plus vessels, spread over 10 or 11 ports. “Mick was known as the Grandfather of Towage for his achievements in that industry,” said MUA Qld Branch Assistant Secretary Paul Gallagher. “Industry restructuring in the nineties saw widespread job losses,” said Mick. “We got attacked by towage companies, wanting to reduce the union crew.” Laurie Horgan, now retired, was the towage delegate. “We bargained hard and were able to negotiate good increases in salary and conditions through the leadership of Mick Carr,” he said. “We maintained four men because we argued it’s work in open seas with up to eight metre swell if there are cyclones around. “Tugs used to all have eight men,” he said. “You don’t like to see a man go, we fought vigorously to keep them.” At Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, Mick led negotiations to get line-boat crews the same deal as tug crew. It added up to a $15,000 annual wage rise.

Industry Unionism

In the lead up to amalgamation in 1993, the Seamen’s Union and the Waterside Workers Federation began working side by side. Mick had the opportunity to travel around the state inspecting Port Authority operations with WWF

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“It was a lengthy jump going under the water and felt like an eternity before surfacing again.” – Mick Carr General Secretary Tas Bull building the union case for coverage. The Commission favoured the maritime unions. “The decision itself was around 300 pages, enough to choke a donkey,” said Mick. Col Davies was WWF Branch Secretary at the time. “Mick was a pretty insightful character,” said Col. “We worked together on the amalgamation. Mick could see what was on the horizon. That gave us time to work out a strategy.”

War on the Wharves

“After the Howard Government was elected in 1997, the signs were not that hard to read,” said Mick. “We saw it coming, but when it did come it was like a sledgehammer.” The prelude to the nationwide lockout was Cairns. Mick got the picket going.

Local union delegate Terry O’Shane had taken unpaid leave off the tugs to chair the Regional Council of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Commission. Mick and Terry go back nearly 50 years to when they met during the Comalco Dispute in Weipa. “One of Mick’s grandmothers was of North American Red Indian descent, so he’s got his First Nation too,” said Terry. “Mick was always very supportive of our mob.” Terry heard International Purveyors, a stevedoring company at the port, was attempting to bypass the union. “I took the whole ATSIC Regional Council to the wharves – men and women – 12 in all,” he said. “We spent three days on the picket.” Then came the 1998 nationwide lockout. “It was capital that was on strike, not the workers,” Mick said, setting the record straight. “They locked the wharfies out.”

LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Back in Brisbane, Col and Mick ran the resistance at Fisherman Island Container Terminal with National Officer Jim Tannock.“Mick was on the Trades Hall executive and arranged for the executive meetings to be held at the Camp Solidarity picket at Fisherman Island,” Col recalls. “Mick led from the front, protesting along the railway lines where they bought the scabs in,” said long-time friend and retired Cairns delegate Bernie Gallen. “He was threatened and injured along the way.” “We all aged about 20 years,” said Mick. “But we got our members back to work.”

Fitzroy River win

The Patricks dispute was huge, but is the 2008 Fitzroy River sit-in that Trevor Munday, Mick’s deputy of 16 years, highlights as Mick’s biggest achievement. “The strategy Mick developed during the Fitzroy River dispute stands out,” said Trevor. “It was going. Mick and I went up and had a word with the crew. They refused to sail. We finished up in the Federal Court and we won.” The Union negotiated an agreement with Rio Tinto to keep four MUAcrewed vessels on the GladstoneWeipa run. “Everywhere else when shipping companies tried to remove Australian tonnage off the coast, they were successful,” said Trevor.

Internationalism

Over four decades, Mick dedicated his life to the Union and workers’ rights. Bernie Gallen, Cairns delegate, remembers Mick as a well-respected advocate for workers worldwide. “He encouraged us small port guys to be ITF inspectors, and we had quite a few wins for foreign seafarers in far North Queensland,” Bernie said. “Mick has been a true comrade,” said retired seafarer Dave Howard. “He was a true socialist – never wavered.” Over the years Mick went on union delegations to Viet Nam, Moscow and Prague, made three trips to Cuba, including for the 50th anniversary of the Revolution, as well as the USA, Mexico and Canada.

United we stand, divided we fall After 26 years in office, Mick called it a day in mid 2015, but he kept paying union dues for another five years. “I never sought to be a union official, I was just happy to have a union book,” said Mick.Since retiring, Mick has battled cancer with the same tenacity he fought the bosses over the years. As for the future, Mick says the Union badly needs to get back to a United Front. “We have all stood on the shoulders of the giants of the past,” he said. “Surely respecting the Union’s oath of Fealty is not that tough,” he said. “We’ve got to get rid of the Libs, if we want any chance of keeping Australian crewed ships and workers’ rights,” he said. “Advancing technology is a big challenge (if we want to get any of the tech jobs of the future).”

Looking back On the 46th anniversary of the sinking of the Lake Illawarra this January, Mick reflected on how both he and his father had survived maritime disasters exactly two decades apart. The Ulooloo was foundering in a cyclone off the Queensland coast in 1955. It had lost all power and was headed for the rocks. “My old dad was a coal shovelling fireman and the last fireman out of the stokehold. Water was up to their waists, the fires lost and there was little hope.” Ship’s bosun Frank Finch said it was pure luck that the big Dutch tug Starzee was steaming down the east coast and came upon them. It threw it a line and towed the vessel to safety. “The traditions of the sea are magnificent,” Union counsel told the Court of Marine Enquiry into the sinking of the Lake Illawarra in 1975. “The skill of seamen controlling huge ships the size of factories or even city blocks at speed without brakes is awe inspiring,” he said paying tribute to the breathtaking courage of seafarers who were staring death in the face while executing the master’s orders. A memorial to the Lake Illawarra tragedy still stands at the site. “If I’m still around in 2025, I might go down to Hobart for the 50th anniversary,” said Mick. •

UNION LEADER

MICK CARR

HONOURED

riends, colleagues and comrades came together at the Morningside Panthers’ Football Club in Brisbane on 27 February to pay tribute to the life’s work of former Maritime Union national president and long-time branch secretary Mick Carr. Despite border closures and pandemic restrictions, 80 members past and present joined political and labour leaders to raise a glass as National Secretary Paddy Crumlin presented Mick with his Life Membership. Laurie Horgan, long time comrade and tugs delegate was MC, with Thomas Mayor providing the welcome to country. “You’ve always been there for all our people,” said Thomas. “Your service to the union, the working class and First Nation people is second to none.” National Secretary Paddy Crumlin was a comrade and contemporary of Mick over half a century. Paddy recalled the political fervour of their youth and their lifelong fight for justice and human decency – not just for maritime workers, but other working men and women in Australia and internationally. “We all came from the same generation of young communists and www.mua.org.au

socialist activists, right in the middle of the worst threat human society has ever seen, the Cold War and the arms race,” he said. “Mick, you’ve been president, you’ve been a leader of the greatest union in this country and the world,” he said. “That’s an honour and it happened because people believed in you.” Acting Queensland state secretary Jason Miners paid tribute to his mentor for dedicating his entire life to the movement. “You set a course and took the members with you,” said Jason. “You never went off that course, comrade. We can never thank you enough. This is a celebration of a man so selfless in everything he did, so articulate, so principled. Our members sitting around here today have some of the best conditions in the country and that’s because of you, mate. You led the charge.” In response, Mick stressed that you can never achieve anything alone in the world and it was by building bridges with others that the union won so many battles www.mua.org.au

when so many times it went down to the line. “We’re a small union, but by building united fronts, we will win,” he said, stressing Australian seafarers would never have a shipping industry again without a Labor government. Special guests included the ALP federal member for Griffith, Terri Butler and NSW ALP deputy leader Yasmin Catley and her husband Robert Coombs, former Sydney Branch Secretary and MP. Peter Allen, state secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union joined Gary Bullock, State Secretary of United Voice. MUA branch secretaries Paul Keating (Sydney), Glen Williams (Newcastle) and Mick Cross (Port Kembla) flew in as did Dean Summers, outgoing ITF Australia Coordinator and Jim Donovan, MUA veterans. Those unable to attend, sent their congratulations via video put together by Jamie McMechan, Sydney wharfie and member of the MUA film unit. •

ALP

NewDeal

ALP national conference recommits to strategic fleet, Australian seafaring jobs, cabotage, workers’ capital and workers’ rights.

addy Crumlin, Maritime Union national secretary gave an impassioned speech on the crucial role of Australian shipping in the nation’s supply chains at the inaugural Labor Party online national conference on 31 March. “It’s not good enough in Australia relying on an industry of wage slavery, tax avoidance, lack of backgrounding, lack of national security,” he said, referring to the loss of Australian road, rail and sea freight to Flag of Convenience shipping. Conference adopted the shipping resolution with Mich-Elle Myers, ALP vice president and MUA national officer in the chair. The resolution retains and reaffirms the commitment to Australian shipping Labor took to the last federal election. It also recognises the need for a revitalised, strong Australian-flagged shipping industry with a secure workforce. “The nation needs a strong Australian-flagged fleet to ensure secure supply of goods essential to our economy, such as fuel, as well as to ensure the safety of our community in times of crisis,” the resolution reads in part. “Labor acknowledges that shipping is an important national strategic industry supporting many other industries such as manufacturing, energy production,

“We will ensure Australian shipping and port infrastructure is appropriately funded.” – ALP SH I PPI NG POLICY agriculture and tourism.” It notes maritime laws, safety laws and ship licencing regulation need tightening. “We will establish a strategic fleet,” the policy reaffirms. “We will ensure Australian shipping and port infrastructure is appropriately funded.” A Labor Government would also integrate commercial shipping with government requirements for naval, Customs and search/rescue/salvage/ emergency response, along with ship building and maintenance, to help

build a maritime cluster. It acknowledges that new opportunities for Australian ships will emerge with renewable energy. Mich-Elle Myers said the MUA made significant contributions to improving the ALP policy on workers’ capital during the March 30/31 conference. Crumlin spoke of the important link between workers’ capital investment and the ALPs proposed $15B National Reconstruction Fund, which will partner with the superannuation sector to build infrastructure and manufacturing industries. The ALP policy also sets out to improve shareholder rights. The ALP platform also gives clear commitment to the Uluru Statement and a First Nation voice enshrined in the constitution. It commits to worker and union rights. A Labor Government would get rid of the draconian Australian Building and Construction Commission and the Registered Organisations Commission. The full text of the ALP shipping policy is available on the MUA website (https://www.mua.org.au/news/alpconference-reaffirms-commitmentaustralian-shipping) and the full Labor Platform can be read on the ALP website (https://www.alp.org.au/ about/national-platform/). • www.mua.org.au

WOMEN

Taking a stand W

ell done to MUA WA women’s representative and seafarer Vicki Helps for running in the recent WA state election for the Upper House. “A count that went for nearly three weeks saw Vicki come within a whisker of taking a 5th spot in the upper house for South Metro,” said Mich-Elle Myers, MUA women’s official. “Congratulations Vicki, great to see members standing up.” Vicki, a seafarer on the Ocean Protector, a mother and a grandmother, is a passionate advocate for both women’s and workers’ rights. “I have a very firm belief that the only way we are going to have change is if we have some power and

Cousins

influence over decisions made in government,” she said. “We have to have a strong voice within the Labor Party.” Congratulations also go to former MUA seafarer Kyle McGinn, who was returned for a second term in the state election which saw a Labor landslide. In McGinn’s inaugural speech in May 2017, he spoke of the need to overcome the gender imbalance in politics. McGinn also recalled a horrific work death in 2012 when he was working on a rig. Two workers died on the drill floor on the day he flew in – one decapitated, one crushed to death.

“We have to have a strong voice within the Labor Party.” – VICKI H ELPS

The vessel operator ordered the cooks straight back to the galley to prepare lunch after witnessing the gore of their two workmates’ deaths. McGinn played a key role in getting the state government to make work deaths a crime in its first term. See also Violence and Harassment in the House and Home: MUA Marches4Justice p2 •

lana Elliott was the lone lines woman on the wharves when she joined Ausport Marine, Port Botany four years back. Now there are two. In March this year cousin Finnley Armstrong joined Alana and the team who tie up the ships when they come into the container, passenger and tanker terminals. “It was a yard full of 30 men and they make us feel welcome,” said Alana. “I just love, it can’t think of doing anything else. The job is not beyond a woman. I do my part.” Alana is now permanent and playing a role in the union. She was on the picket line during the dispute to stop their jobs being contracted out last year. She’s joined the youth committee, goes along to all the rallies and attended the 2020 National Delegates Conference. “I love the union,” she said. “It’s important the young ones know the struggle on the waterfront to get good wages and conditions. It wasn’t just handed to us” Finnley was just 17 when she left school to join her cousin Alana. “I love it so far,” she said. “It’s the best decision I ever made. I fit in really well. I picked the job up pretty easily. I think every girl could do it. ” •

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INDUSTRIAL ROUNDS

PREPARE FOR IRISH UNITY – SINN FÉIN Ireland’s main opposition party, Sinn Féin, has called on both the Irish and British governments to prepare for a referendum on Irish unity. Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said a united Ireland was needed to bring about real change for working people. In an address for the party’s April commemoration of Ireland’s 1916 Easter uprising, McDonald said the people of Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic “again find ourselves at a crossroads”. “In a time of lives lost and lives disrupted, the failed ways of the old Ireland have been exposed like never before,” said McDonald, who is opposition leader in the Irish parliament. She said the practical challenges posed by Covid-19 and Brexit had

reshaped and energised the conversation on a united Ireland. “Unity is being talked about in every corner of our island,” she said. “This is because Irish Unity makes sense. It’s the very best idea for the future of Ireland. “A century on from partition, people wake up every morning and know that the divided Ireland of 2021 doesn’t work for them or their families. “People’s entire lives are defined by the search for a home they can afford, by the struggle to access treatments when they are sick, working long hours and still not making ends meet, younger people starved of opportunity, and rural towns and villages left behind.” McDonald said the task of bringing about real change for workers and

families is linked “inextricably” to unification. “It would be unforgivable to emerge from this pandemic and not seize the opportunity to prepare for unity, for our new Ireland,” she said. Australian unions including the MUA have a long history of solidarity with the cause of Irish independence and reunification. • www.mua.org.au

ICTSI DOCK LEADER ASSASSINATED Manila dock workers’ leader Leonardo Escala and his four-yearold niece were shot multiple times by assassins outside Escala’s home in Tondo, Manila in February. Escala died an hour later and his niece was hospitalised. His murderers escaped on scooters. Escala was president of the union for dock workers at International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) Manila terminal. International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) President and ITF Dockers’ Section chair Paddy Crumlin said Escala’s murderers should feel the full force of the law. “What has happened here is the assassination of a trade union leader in full view of the public at his family home,” Crumlin said. “It would appear Leonardo Escala www.mua.org.au

was murdered because he dared to stand up for working people, his union and help them organise for a better future. We stand in solidarity with the members of NMPI-ICTSI union. “Local and national law enforcement authorities must urgently reconsider their approach to protecting these workers and their union leadership from any further attacks in order to combat impunity and promote a climate free from violence, intimidation and fear in which freedom of association may be fully exercised.” In response to the murder, and the numerous decisions and observations of the International Labor Organisation in relation to extrajudicial killings of trade unionists in the Philippines, the ITF repeated its

call for the Philippines government to accept an ILO high-level tripartite mission as soon as possible. The murder of Leonardo Escala has brought to at least 44 the number of labour rights defenders assassinated under the administration of Rodrigo Duterte, who became president in 2016. “Leonardo Escala was supporting his fellow dock workers to realise that right, and it seems for his leadership he has been murdered in cold blood,” said Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation. Before the shooting incident, police said Escala received several death threats from unknown senders in connection with his position in the union, according to local media reports. •

VALE JOHN COOMBS

TOUGH, COURAGEOUS, & inspirational

Paddy Crumlin remembers former MUA National Secretary John Coombs

n Behalf of the Maritime Union of Australia and the International Transport Workers’ Federation, and with great sadness it was my responsibility to inform members that John Coombs, retired national secretary of the MUA passed away on September 1, 2021, after a long illness. On behalf of our membership, officers, and staff in Australia and around the world in the wider transport industry, we extended our deepest sympathies and condolences to John’s wife Gwen, children Jenny and Stephen and their families. John was a giant of the trade union movement both here and internationally. His small and wiry stature belied the size of his courage, determination,

vision, and leadership that followed similarly in the traditions and great substance of maritime union leaders such as Jim Healy, Eliot V Elliott, Charlie Fitzgibbon, Pat Geraghty and Tas Bull. John was a waterside worker in the port of Sydney and went on to become a national official under the leadership of Norm Docker and Tas Bull, taking over from Tas on his retirement. John’s leadership was critical to the successful establishment and consolidation of transformative social infrastructure initiatives in superannuation, universal health care and maritime reforms under the Hawke and Keating Labor governments. He worked very closely with ACTU Secretary Bill Kelty and worked alongside Greg Combet when he was an MUA industrial officer and later at the ACTU.

The formation and consolidation of the MUA in the merger between the Seamen’s Union of Australia and the Waterside Workers Federation was one of John’s greatest achievements as a leader. The importance of that leadership was most clearly manifested in the Patrick dispute, where the Federal Government and Patrick Corporation entered into what the High Court found was a probable conspiracy against the Patrick workforce. They were sacked one evening all over the country and replaced with non-union labour, carefully selected, and trained to break unionism on the Australian waterfront. It was planned under Cabinet-inConfidence documents as part of a wider attempt to undermine trade unionism in the Australian workplace.

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“John was a giant of the trade union movement both here and internationally.” Paddy Crumlin Opposite: John Coombs carried on the shoulders of Port Botany wharfies after the High Court decision in 1998 PHOTO JEREMY PIPER. Left: On the picket

The great irony of John’s senior leadership in the union was that it was critical to the nation-building initiatives of the Hawke Keating government and the Australian trade union movement through the ACTU that established the social compacts of superannuation, universal health care and other reforms that remain part of the decency and quality of life for all Australian working women and men and their communities. John then spent his last years of leadership in the front line combating the attempts of the Federal Government under John Howard and Peter Reith to undermine those reforms and sever the relationship between unions, employers and government that was, and remains critical to, their ongoing success. Regardless of the fake news and political spin of the time, John’s contribution effectively identified the political and ideological nature of the attack in a way that resonates in Australia and around the world today. The Australian public and working community mobilised into one of the most extraordinary fightbacks in the face of the Patrick sackings ever seen in this country or indeed internationally. The widespread community picket lines and international support in an industry that is critical to the national interest continues to stand as a great tribute to his and the trade union movement’s ongoing importance to Australian values. The union under Charlie Fitzgibbon negotiated the first industry superannuation arrangements for maritime workers in 1967. That led to broader industry superannuation www.mua.org.au

under the Hawke government in the late ‘80s. John was a long-time board member and chair of the Stevedoring Employees Retirement Fund and subsequently Maritime Super. He was also instrumental in the consolidation of community banking that was first established by the union in the late ‘60s. He was longtime chair of the Waterside Workers Credit Union – now Unity Bank – that has consistently provided loans and mortgages for maritime workers. After retiring to care for his eldest son Garry who developed multiple sclerosis, John became a significant advocate on behalf of all MS sufferers, and the disability sector in general. Mildly spoken, formally or semiformally dressed in the style of trade union officers of that time, humble in his aspirations, but a strong and courageous leader in the tough and demanding trade unionism of the waterfront, John has left an indelible mark on both our union and the Australian aspirational way of life for a fairer, more just and economically effective nation. He was also renowned for his work on the Executive of the International Transport Workers Federation and was known for his determined advocacy for workers’ rights and trade union rights in all sectors of the transport industry and the wider trade union movement. His leadership and the prior leadership of the MUA helped lay the groundwork for the recognition of other Australian trade union leaders such as Sharan Burrow, the general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation. A person of courage and character and enjoying the great wit and sense of

humour of the Australian waterfront, John will be greatly missed. He was tough and courageous in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds; a lightning rod for galvanizing actions against injustice and elitism, and for aspirations of a genuine vision for Australian political, social, economic, and industrial rights based on access and true process. He came from the deep traditions of political and industrial activism within our union and Australian trade unions. He was an inspiration to a whole new generation of young trade union leaders who cut their teeth in the extraordinary and cynical circumstances of the Patrick dispute and are now in the forefront of trade union leadership today. John was a person of deep family values, totally reliable in his friendship and comradeship. He will be greatly missed because of the qualities of his character, and greatly appreciated for his life’s work on behalf of working women and men, particularly in reconciliation and justice for First Nations peoples over his lifetime – on the job, in office and in retirement. Again, from the MUA and ITF our deepest sympathies and condolences to Gwen and the extended Coombs family and all his brothers and sisters, comrades and friends in Australia and around the world. Vale John Coombs, a long life well lived. Rich in achievement and leaving an ongoing legacy of inspiration and determination in the face of any circumstance. Now at rest. Paddy Crumlin President ITF

VALE JOHN COOMBS

Vale

JOHN COOMBS (1940-2021)

ohn Coombs was a hugely important figure in the MUA and the broader union movement in Australia and internationally. He spent his life representing the interests of working people whom he cared for deeply. Best known to the public as MUA leader during the divisive 1998 Patrick waterfront dispute, John joined the Waterside Workers Federation in 1968 and became WWF delegate for Consolidated Cargo Care in 1972. He was instrumental in setting up the Waterside Workers Credit Union where he was chair for 27 years and the Stevedoring Superannuation Fund which he also chaired. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said, “John will be greatly missed, a person of courage and character and enjoying the great wit and sense of humour of the Australian waterfront. Tough and courageous in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, he was a lightning rod for galvanising actions against injustice and elitism, and for aspirations of a genuine vision for Australian political, social, economic and industrial rights based on access

and true process.” Former ACTU Secretary Bill Kelty described John as “a giant in the union movement” who “stood on the shoulders of others before him in the MUA and led his union in the greatest reforms and one of the most significant disputes of last century.” “John fought for and defended his members and the members of all unions,” Kelty said. “His contributions

“Humble, strategic and a man of great integrity.” Sally McManus

to the union movement and the rights of ordinary workers across the country was immeasurable.” “John was a great friend and warrior who loved his union and who was so loved by his union in return. We owe John Coombs a great debt.” Retired National President of the MUA Jim Donovan said John was “one of the few self-taught people who could grasp every position that he held, and he did it so well.

He took the job to heart and knew it was a big job, but he gave it all he had. He was a great unifier, and his leadership during the 1998 dispute was outstanding.” Former Federal Labor Minister Greg Combet said: “No one who lived through the waterfront dispute in the late 1990s could forget John Coombs’ tenacity, passion, and integrity as the leader of his union. He was a titan of the labour movement.” “He was also one of my dearest friends and colleagues for many years. All the extraordinary and wonderful experiences we shared live vividly in my memories. Farewell my friend,” Combet said. ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said: “For generations of trade

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PHOTO: GLENN LOCKITCH

Past and present labour movement leaders have paid tribute to former MUA National Secretary John Coombs, who has died at the age of 81.

PHOTO: GLENN LOCKITCH

unionists, John was the dragon slayer who led his union when they won against all the odds and all the might and power of the government and employers. Twenty-three years later unionists still shout out the defiant ‘MUA – Here to Stay!’ as under his leadership the MUA prevailed. This can never be forgotten.” McManus described John Coombs as “humble, strategic and a man of great integrity. John was much loved by all of us as, for a period, we all looked to him to lead us on picket

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lines across the country. The union movement sends all our love to his partner Gwen and his family.” International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) General Secretary Stephen Cotton paid tribute to John as “a true internationalist” who “made an incredible impact on the lives of many maritime and transport workers around the world. As executive board member and Vice Chair of the Dockers Section he was relentless in the protection of workers.” •

Opposite: John Coombs as Ned Kelly Above: On the mike Bottom row from far left: With wife Gwen on their wedding day; council vote up amalgamation; with Mick Doleman & Jennie George singing ‘Solidarity Forever’ on the picket; with Bill Kelty & Greg Combet PHOTOS: GLENN LOCKITCH, BRENDA FINLAYSON & ZOE REYNOLDS

VALE JOHN COOMBS

GLOBAL ACCOLADES s b m o o C n h o J r o f

Stephen Cotton, general secretary, International Transport Workers Federation: “John was a true internationalist who made an incredible impact on the lives of many maritime and transport workers around the world.” He was a giant of the labour movement, an internationalist who understood that the fate and fortunes of maritime workers in Australia was inevitably bound up with those in other countries around the world. An understated leader, a man of courage and character, he will be remembered as one of Australia’s true warriors in the fight against injustice and elitism.” Willie Adams, president, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, USA: “John was a working-class union leader, a hero who led from the front with dignity, intelligence, and the skills of a general fighting a strategic war. One of John’s finest hours was leading the mighty MUA in battle in 1998 against Patrick’s trying to bust

the MUA. John’s leadership in solidarity, determination, focus, discipline, and pure courage – guts – was on display not only for dockers around the world, but for the whole working class.”

Niek Stam, national necretary of FNV Havens, Netherlands: “In 1995 I met John Coombs for the first time. From that moment we were best friends and colleagues. John is a very charismatic person and very good in analysing the situation. And a great negotiator. In Rotterdam port we say, ‘You’re dead if nobody remembers you anymore.’ R.I.P. John, we will always respect and remember you.” Craig Harrison, national secretary, Maritime Union of New Zealand: “John was held in high regard by our union. His leadership of the MUA at the time of the Patrick dispute had an international impact. There is no doubt that if there had been a different outcome in that dispute, employers around the Pacific would have followed

in the attack on organised labour. As it was, the MUA stood fast, and we all benefited from the message that maritime workers are an internationally organised force to be reckoned with. The international links that were forged and strengthened at that time have remained in place ever since.”

Tony Burke, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and ALP federal member for Watson: “Scenes of workers turning up for work to be confronted by dogs and men in balaclavas sent shockwaves throughout Australia. The entire workforce had been sacked. Against the odds, resisting the might and power of government and business, John was tenacious in defence of his members, and he won. His victory empowered all workers.” Ged Kearney, federal MP and former ACTU president: “John Coombs led the MUA during one of the most infamous industrial disputes in this country’s history, the Patrick dispute, when an www.mua.org.au

Left: In the media spotlight. PHOTO: GLENN LOCKITCH Below: With Gough Whitlam, Greg Combet, Bob Hawke & Blanche d’Alpuget on his retirement. Bottom: Cover stories: union amalgamation, ANL strike & Labor shipping policy

employer conspired with the Howard government to lock out MUA members from their jobs at ports across the country in 1998. John’s role as the national leader of his union during this dispute put him forever in the hearts of union activists. He was the leader for us all. Twentythree years later, generations of union members still defiantly shout “MUA here to stay!” It is the rallying crew we will never forget. And we will never forget John.”

Dennis Daggett, executive vice president, International Longshoremen’s Association: “This has certainly been a tough year and a half. We lost some giants of our movement.” Anthony Albanese, Australian Labor Party leader: “John Coombs was a man of courage, tenacity and unbending principle. He was also a man of great empathy. He felt all too keenly the emotional toll on his members more than he felt the personal vilification levelled at him by www.mua.org.au

Howard government ministers. I will never forget the sight of John leading 2000 wharfies back through the gate. It was one of his many triumphs.”

movement was when Australia’s worst prime minister John Howard lost his safe Liberal seat when Labor was returned to government.”

John Higgins, former national presiding officer MUA: “Along with Victorian branch officials I worked very closely with John during the Patrick dispute that ran for 101 days. It started at Webb Dock on January 28, 1998, when members were locked out and replaced by a non-union workforce made up of former army personnel as well as security officers with attack dogs. It was a great victory for John and the MUA when the members at Webb Dock returned to work on the May 9, 1998. Another great victory for John, the MUA and the Australian trade

Victoria Trades Hall Council The VTHC acknowledges the passing of Maritime Union leader John Coombs, a giant of the trade union movement, who led the MUA members through the Patrick Dispute of 1998 and whose enduring legacy of solidarity and courage will live on in the hearts of unionists. Vale John Coombs. Moved Shane Stevens, MUA, seconded Melissa Slee, National Tertiary Education Union •

Yasmin Catley, NSW MP for Swansea: “Smart, sharp and determined, John was a man who understood how the power of collectivism benefited every worker in Australia. John’s courage and steadfast solidarity will remain with us forever. What a legend.”

Wally Prichard, former WA branch secretary: “I was privileged to experience John’s leadership during the first major national industrial action taken by both the seafaring and stevedoring sections of our new union in the BAAC dispute in Fremantle, 1995. He set new standards for on ground leadership and sheer guts – and he won.”

VALE COMRADE

Freddy Jones: Wharfie and League legend Many public tributes have appeared for Fred Jones (9 December 1942 – 20 March 2021) who was a Manly and Australian Rugby League legend. However, few of those reports identified Fred as a long-time wharfie and waterfront foreman who retired from White Bay in the mid 1990s as a life member of the MUA. Fred was an MUA committee member at White Bay and Glebe Island working across the Sydney waterfront prior to working for P&O in bulk and general. Fred was one of many Rugby League legends who worked on the waterfront. In his playing days of the 1960s and 1970s the big pay cheques were yet to come to professional sports people. Most of yesterday’s professionals were workers and the “at the time” waterfront flexibility suited many sports people and enabled them to play at the highest level of sporting achievement. Fred fought alongside his workmates for a better and fairer workplace until his retirement.

A Fred Jones story

Jones the Manly hooker and 1968 Australian World Cup hooker was supposed to be working with the gang down below one Saturday afternoon. The Panno stuck his head over the working hatch and shouted, where’s Jones? The unimpressed wharfies shouted back; he’s gone to the brasco. 15 minutes later the Panno returned. Where’s Jones? Covering for your mate was an art form in those days and the gang shouts back that Jones was getting some water for the gang and had gone to fill the billys. 15 minutes later the Panno, yet again, pokes his head over the hatch and shouts, where’s Jones? The wharfies, fast running out of excuses yell from below that he had to go and make an urgent phone call. The Panno retorts to the gang – Well that’s good. When he gets back tell him he just scored a try at Brookvale Oval.

Footy Career

Except for the 1964 season that he spent at Tumbarumba, Fred played

his entire career with the ManlyWarringah club, 14 seasons in all, and also captained the club. A hooker, he first gained representative honours in 1968, playing for NSW and then Australia in the World Cup, and ended the year with Manly’s grand final loss to Souths. In 1970, Fred suffered another grand final defeat before captaining the club to their first premiership title. He was a try scorer in the club’s 19–14 grand final win over Easts in 1972 and was named in Australia’s World Cup squad that went to France at the end of the year. After a four-year absence, Fred played in all three interstate matches in 1973 and finished a memorable year by leading Manly to victory over Cronulla in the grand final. His last season with Manly was in 1975 when he retired with the club’s all-time record for most first-grade games. On the night of Saturday March 20, the Manly team wore black armbands while a minute’s silence was held for Fred at Brookvale Oval. Manly coach Des Hasler told Yahoo Sports, “Fred has been such an integral part of this club particularly in its formation and its early days. He was a great competitor and great for the community when the side first originated. Our thoughts and our

prayers and our best wishes go out to all his family. He certainly won’t be forgotten.” “Fred Jones was not only a wonderful hooker, but a true gentleman,’’ Manly chief executive Stephen Humphreys said. “He made a wonderful contribution to the Sea Eagles. He will always be cherished as our first premiership-winning captain and he backed up that accomplishment to again lead the club to victory the following year. On behalf of everyone at the club, I offer our sincere condolences to Fred’s family. He has certainly left a wonderful legacy.” Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said he had “the great pleasure of meeting Fred a couple of years ago at a function and realised why he was so popular as he possessed a charismatic personality which made you feel good about the world.” “He was the player and person that made rugby league special and unique. On behalf of the game, I offer my sincerest condolences to Fred’s family and friends, as well as the Sea Eagles.” Paddy Crumlin MUA National Secretary

Warren Smith Deputy National Secretary www.mua.org.au

Tess Geraghty: Married to the union Tess Geraghty, who died in November, was a remarkable woman who played a part in every development of our union and its work for more than 60 years. Tess was the wife and partner of Pat Geraghty, a long-time leader of the Seamen’s Union of Australia. Pat was a seaman from Balmain and Tess was a nurse when they met. Pat was a little older, but Tess was probably a bit more responsible. They formed a great and durable marriage. Tess was close to every major decision Pat and the union made. As a result, she and the family were on the receiving end of many of the attacks and challenges the union faced. She never wavered in the face of those attacks and her contribution to the union equalled Pat’s over the years. In their early lives in St Mary’s the family had very little money. Pat worked up to 17 hours a day as a young Assistant Federal Secretary to Eliot V Elliot and Tess did shift work at the hospital to make ends meet. A bit of relief came when a retired seafarer sold them his house at Darlinghurst to help them along a bit and Tess ended up in a senior nursing role five minutes away at St Vincent’s. The house was an older terrace with a leaky roof and many other maintenance issues. Tess often said that if it wasn’t for Maxie Best and other seaman home on leave helping out, she would never have made it through. International guests stayed at their home along with interstate union officials and comrades. It was a critical hub of the social and political functionality of the Seamen’s Union of Australia. Tess travelled with Pat on international delegations and was as highly regarded and respected in international networks as was Pat. Tess however was not a quietly supportive partner of Pat – quite the opposite. She had strong political and industrial views and was a sharp www.mua.org.au

observer of human nature. Her particularly dynamic combination of values was further enhanced by a quick and dry sense of humour that often went very close to the bone regardless of who it may have been directed at. While Pat was a staunch communist Tess was an equally staunch catholic and their philosophical exchanges were often rich and textured. It was a relationship built on mutual respect and equal partnership between two great trade unionists and Australians in a long and demanding marriage. In later life there was both great pleasure and deep pain in Tess’s family affairs. When Tess became gravely ill, Pat was instrumental in her return to health. Pat himself then became ill and passed with her constantly at his St Vincent’s bedside. Both were visited by a long line of senior politicians and trade

unionists, seafarers and other maritime workers, corporate leaders, friends and comrades. Many senior politicians and trade union leaders acknowledged her role at Pat’s funeral. Tess lived quietly in recent years at a nursing home near Crown St. She remained very active and aware and was visited and loved by many. Our deepest sympathies and most profound condolences to Matthew, the senior financial planner at Maritime Super and Chris, who is a seafarer and their families and to Tess’s extended family and friends. Their eldest son Brian passed away a number of years ago under tragic circumstances and we also reach out to support his family in their great loss. Tess was a warm and loving woman, mother, grandmother, wife and friend, who was as tough as it took to make a life for the family and many others – particularly the sick, weak and vulnerable. Vale Tess Geraghty, a long and textured life , well lived and greatly respected. Now at rest. Paddy Crumlin, MUA National Secretary, CFMMEU International President, ITF President Maritime Super Chair

VALE COMRADE

Peter Origlass: True Unionist and Internationalist A true unionist and maritime worker, Peter was as respected as much as any member of our union in his long journey from the Fireman and Deckhands Union to become a returning officer of the MUA, a role unique in its respect and standing in our union. That role is proudly rank and file and represented the highest regard of our membership in ensuring democracy and transparency in all union electoral matters Peter was part of a unique working-class culture from the inner suburbs around the Sydney waterfront that shaped militant trade union and political action over generations. His father Nick was a well-known communist leader and trade unionist who held senior community leadership roles mayor of Leichardt and Five Dock councils. Peter was a quiet, thoughtful and natural unionist and political activist whose opinion and voice carried enormous weight within the union and progressive movement. Softly spoken, with a tremendous sense of irony and dry wit he was a keen observer of people and political and industrial developments that always translated into strong and united leadership in our union. His internationalism and active involvement in our worldwide working class and union campaigns and delegations earned him wide recognition and respect over many decades of political and industrial challenges and change. Not a job for the faint hearted , the Returning Officer’s role was his ultimate contribution to the political and industrial health of our union. Together with other returning officers he navigated the sometimes-turbulent waters of the electoral process with a steady hand based on deep wisdom, commitment and experience in our union.

A loving husband to Pauline and a friend and comrade to so many over so many years, he will be deeply missed. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to Pauline. Vale Peter Origlass, now at rest after a long and in his last years difficult passage.

Peter Reynolds: Gritty Courage

Paddy Crumlin CFMMEU International President ITF President Maritime Super Chair

Brenton Baker: Patrick veteran

Port Adelaide wharfie Brenton Baker better known as Bakes, started his career as a casual wharfie with Patrick in 1996. He travelled as an unpaid casual over to the Webb Dock peaceful assembly on a bus full of South Australian comrades which began his early commitment to mateship and the union. After going through the struggle with Patricks in 1998, he transferred to the Adelaide Container Terminal at Outer Harbour in 1999. There he was respected by his workmates for his commitment to the union and attitude towards safety on the job. On 6 March 2021, Bakes, aged 51, lost his struggle with numerous illness issues that were trying to beat him from an early age. He will be sadly missed by all his South Australian comrades. Brett Larkin South Australian Branch Secretary

Minute’s Silence

Maritime workers attending the Sydney branch monthly meeting in March stood for a minute’s silence to pay respects to recently passed Snipe seafarer Michael Daly, ferry worker Colin Frey, seafarer and cook Dave Bush, Sydney Harbour worker Stephen Brown and Newcastle seafarer and offshore crane operator Dave Wilson. Paul Garrett Sydney Branch Deputy Secretary

Peter’s oily protest against ships of shame

For many of my early working years I was as close to Peter Reynolds as you could be without being related. Peter was my introduction to the MUA at 16 years of age. I was just out of high school and wasn’t sure what to do with myself. Dad got me a start at the bulk loading terminal at 27 Berth Port Adelaide. I had hopes of a seagoing life, but it wasn’t an option at the time, and I found myself in the care of comrades like Peter. Dad came home with the MUA joining forms, put them on the dinner table and said words to the effect of, ‘Sign these! Peter Reynolds is the delo and he’ll tell you what you need to do!’ And that was it, Peter told me what I needed to do - in every aspect for several years to come. Peter was instrumental in shifting the terminal from AWU coverage and inactivity that had seen wages and conditions stagnate in that terminal and across the bulk handling sector through the 80s to early 90s. After the amalgamation of the SUA and WWF there had been considerable work done by the MUA and comrades like Billy Giddins, Rick Newlyn and others to have full MUA coverage. A solid effort to organise and build union capacity resulted in extraordinary advancement of those workers’ conditions, culminating in a particularly bitter and hard-fought win for those members to have access to the SERF as their fund of choice. Peter was uncompromising and www.mua.org.au

Keith Ridgeway: Distinguished Tenure unflinching in pursuit of the very best outcomes for the members who elected and respected him as a delegate. He never took a backwards step; had a set of principals as considered and well developed as you’d like and gritty courage to take up the real issues of working-class people. He was a keen and well-travelled surfer. He’d recite vivid details of his trips to Hossegor in France, Asia, the Pacific islands, the US and Cactus beach in South Australia. When I was crushed on the job it was Peter who was part of the team of comrades who saved my life that night. Peter’s guidance was often terse and stung a bit on the way down; it tasted like shit, but it was medicine, and you knew it was good for you. Sadly, Peter’s working life, like his personal life, wasn’t without struggle. The shifting power base emanating from enterprise bargaining, casualisation and decline in working class education frustrated Pete. He saw the opportunity to put time and effort into young people though and I was fortunate to have his counsel and support as a 21-year-old job delegate. Unfortunately, Pete’s frustrations got the better of his considered approach to industrial matters and he was summarily dismissed on a bullshit wrap. Pete’s comrades stuck by him in struggle, but it wasn’t enough to keep Pete in the job and he sadly moved on. I wasn’t in Peter’s life in the same way after I went to sea in the year he was sacked and for the last 20 years we’d only talk occasionally. There’s a terrible sadness and sense that I let the bloke down when he called me late in 2019 and I never found the time to call him back. I wasn’t aware of his health struggles and the cancer that ultimately cut his life short. Peter leaves behind his two beautiful daughters Lucy and Erin, who were his greatest source of pride. I wouldn’t be sitting here typing this if it wasn’t for Peter Reynolds – of that, I am sure. Jake Field National Executive Officer Maritime Union of Australia

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Former MUA SA Secretary Keith Ridgeway, who passed away in June, was a man of great heart and a staunch unionist throughout his maritime career. He had a long and distinguished tenure as a member and official of the mighty MUA. Originally hailing from WA, Keith came to Adelaide in the 1950s. From Adelaide he worked as a bosun, AB and Integrated Rating on many vessels, displaying his quiet but effective trade unionism and seamanship of the highest skill level and professionalism. His many vessels included the roll on, roll off Mary Holyman, trading from Adelaide to Tasmania, and later the (now) Svitzer tugboats in the 1990s. Always a reliable, balanced contributor and a man of good humour, his sturdy character showed through his commitment, experience and wisdom. His dedication to improving the lives of working people saw him

elected honorary deputy branch secretary in 1999 while working for Svitzer (Adsteam), then branch secretary in 2002 before retiring on 30 June 2003. Embodying the revered slogan of MUA veterans, Keith was “Retired from the Workforce not from the Struggle”. After his retirement he remained active in the industry as a staunch unionist and a life member of the MUA while volunteering on maritime museum vessels and cementing himself as a mentor in the craft of seamanship. His efforts to preserve Port Adelaide’s maritime history were second to none; he was involved in many local organisations including Historic Ketch Falie – HKF, South Australian Maritime Museum, the Port of Adelaide National Trust, The Merchant Navy Association and, of course, the SA Branch of the Maritime Union of Australia. Vale comrade Ridgeway, a much-loved trade union leader. •

WORKING

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nce again the annual MUA Working Waves surf comp at Soldiers Beach, Norah Head on 19 March attracted an enthusiastic crowd. This year also attracted its first female surfer, Holly Matthewson. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to our sponsors – Hunter Link, Sanbah Surf, Lang Surfboards, Maritime Super and Unity Bank.

COMP RESULTS Open Final 1st Peter Hayes 2nd James Hozac 3rd Justin Paras Longboard Final 1st Kurt Martinov 2nd Dave Raad 3rd Zac Barringer

Over 45s Final 1st Mick Lown 2nd Clinton James 3rd Scott Henderson Women’s Final Inaugural Winner Holly Matthewson

Rockhead Relay Winner SA Branch Michael Ibbotson Michael Schutze Travis Richardson

www.mua.org.au

LIMITED EDITION SAM WALLMAN SCAB-SMASHING SPECIAL SOLIDARITY POSTER - muashop.org.au

Maritime Workers Journal Summer 2021

Articles inside

NEW RULES: Council calls for Female and First Nation positions on union executive

EXPOSED: Unlicensed ships on our coast