Tribute to Robin Hood

ITF Co-ordinator Trevor Charles promoted to London

Trevor Charles, the modern day Robin Hood of the Asia Pacific, wharfie and Australia co-ordinator of the International Transport Workers' Federation shipping campaign, is now London based. For the past eight years he has led a band of wharfies and seafarers taking millions of dollars from rich and greedy ship owners and giving it back to poor and exploited seafarers on board the growing fleet of rogue ships plying Australian shores.

In September he was promoted to head the ITF actions unit in the worldwide campaign against Flag of Convenience ships that flag out to tax havens like Liberia and Panama to avoid regulations that ensure safety, conditions and wages meet world standards. Their crew are mainly exploited guest workers - third world labour who are underpaid, underfed and overworked.

In the last year the ITF Australia has inspected 800 vessels in ports nationwide, winning crew back pay in excess of $1.5 million, with 86 vessels signing up to ITF agreements.

As his Australian swansong Trevor and his band of merry men - ITF inspectors and volunteer maritime workers - ran lightning swoops on 42 visiting ships nationwide, netting $40,000 in back pay for visiting crew -- Australia's contribution to the ITF Asia Pacific week of action.

In northern Queensland ITF Inspector Graham Bragg, Branch Secretary Laurie Horgan and delegates Bernie Gallen and Peter Lamond went up the gangway of 19 ships in Cairns and Townsville to check pay and conditions. Seven vessels were subject to action, involving successful payment of around $16,000 in backwages with a further $11,000 owing to the crew of the MV West Fortune still be be resolved.

In Victoria ITF inspector Matt Purcell and a team of volunteer maritime workers inspected some 23 vessels in Melbourne, Geelong and Westernport, winning $40,000 for visiting crew. The blitzkrieg also included Adelaide.

"We had problems with a ship called the Australian Bridge which is flagged in Panama," said Matt. "They wouldn't let the crew off on shore leave. They were imprisoned on the ship."

The Filipino crew on board the New Success in Adelaide were so pleased with their new overalls, wet weather gear and boots they put a sign over the side of the ship to thank volunteer Graham Archer from Skilled Maritime Services

Other volunteers during the blitz were Dean Borg, Mark Kirkman, Bruce Paris, Bob Cumberlidge, Kevin O'Leary, Warren Finck and Kevin Bracken.

In Fremantle ITF inspector Ross Storer reports members inspected 11 ships retrieving crew around $10,000 in backpay.

All up the ITF week of action in the Asia Pacific region won more than half a million dollars for exploited crew.

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said that Trevor's promotion to London was a great recognition of the role we've played in the FOC shipping campaign.

"It reflects the level of respect the union and Trevor have around the world," he said. "It's a great accolade after 30 years in the MUA, but also great recognition for the Australian union movement. For its size Australia has amazing representation internationally for labour rights and industrial relations."

Paddy Crumlin is on the executive of the ITF and is one of a group of four currently drawing up a seafarers' bill of rights for the ILO, a template for global unionism and global union rights. Sharon Burrow, ACTU, heads up the regional ICFTU, John Maitland, CFMEU, is president of the International Chemical Energy Mining and General Workers Union covering 20 million workers from 110 countries and MUA Assistant National Secretary Mick Doleman has been appointed Vice Chairman of the ITF's Gulf campaign while Deputy National Secretary Mick O'Leary is the dockers representative at the ITF Fair Practices Committee.

Dean Summers, formerly WA assistant secretary, now takes up the position of ITF co-ordinator in Sydney.