Resolutions 2
Rules
The Objective Consideration has been given to the need to amend
the Rules of the Union to reflect current and future requirements; to remove
obsolete provisions and to comply with changes to Commonwealth Legislation has
been undertaken by the Rules Committee.
The following outcomes shall result from future amendment to
the Rules thus:
ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP
- Rule 6 shall be changed to enable the following:
- Allow the National Secretary to delegate certain tasks (Nominee)
- Delete any requirement for Entrance Fees MEMBERSHIP OF BRANCHES
- Rule 7 shall be changed to enable the following:
- Remove the reference to "Registration".
- Create greater clarity in relation to appropriate branch membership for
shore based and non-shore based employees.
- This rule is being referred to National Council for final drafting
REGISTER OF MEMBERS
- Rule 9 shall be changed to enable the following:
- The requirement for members to provide more information when altering
their details with National Office
- To include a requirement for the Union to "purge" ie. remove members from
the register when they remain unfinancial for a continuous period of 24
months. (This is a requirement of changed Commonwealth Legislation)
RULE 10 - CONTRIBUTIONS, LEVIES OR FINES
- Rule 10 shall be changed to enable the following:
- Change the heading to "Financial Obligations of the Membership"
- Remove any requirement for the payment of entrance fees
- Rectify an error concerning the due date for payments in the 4th Quarter
ie. now October 1
- Create a uniform 12 week period to apply to unfinanciality, ie. contributions
and levies
- Create a uniform application to any "deeming" provisions under the rules
- Provide a mechanism for cancellation of membership where members remain
unfinancial for a continuous period in excess of 12 months
MEMBERS SEEKING LEAVE FROM OCCUPATION
- Rule 12 shall be changed to enable the following:
- Clarify that members seeking leave membership suspended and not cancelled
- Create a cross-reference to sub-rule 10(k)
NATIONAL COUNCIL COMPOSITION
- Rule 16 shall be changed to enable the following:
- The inclusion of Women's Liaison Officer/s on National Council
QUORUMS [RULES 19 - 23]
- Rules 19-23 shall be changed to enable the following:
- To adjust downwards the requirement for a quorum at certain meetings from
15% to 10%
- To remove the need for a quorum at monthly branch meetings
- To readjust the quorum to for the conduct of AGMs and Special Meetings
for certain ports (Rule 21(a))
BRANCHES - AREAS -RULE 27
- Rule 27(b) shall be amended to make future reference to the Central NSW
Branch as "Sydney Branch"
- It is proposed that this matter be referred to National Council for final
consideration
BRANCH COMMITTEES
Rule 28 shall be changed to enable the following:
- To facilitate Branch decisions concerning the timing of Branch Committee
elections which will now not necessarily be held in conjunction with the
Quadrennial Election
- To remove reference to existing Rule 28(g) as this is now obsolete. (This
rule facilitated National Council establishing guidelines in 1995 for the
creation of Branch Committees and is no longer required)
NEW RULE 30 - WOMEN'S COMMITTEE
New Rule 30 shall be created to enable the following:
- The establishment and conduct of Women's Committees in Branches and at
a Federal level
- The manner of selection and appointment of Women's Liaison Officer/s to
National Council
EXISTING RULE 30 - OFFICERS OF THE UNION
Existing Rule 30 shall be changed to enable the following:
- The inclusion of National Women's Liaison Officer/s at Sub-Rule 30(a)
REMOVAL OF REFERENCE TO NATIONAL & BRANCH "ORGANISER"
Rule 30, 33, 39 & 42 shall be changed to enable the following:
- The deletion of any reference to "Organisers" at Branch or National level
NOMINATIONS
Rule 44 shall be changed to enable the following:
- The deferral of the opening date of Nominations which are now intended
to open on March 6 and close on April 6. (This is part of a normalisation
process that will facilitate the reduction in the ballot time for elections
being reduced from 8 weeks to 6 weeks)
- The inclusion of abbreviated, derivative or consistently used names on
the nomination sheet and ballot paper
DATE FOR ROLL OF VOTERS TO CLOSE
- Rule 45 shall be changed to enable the following:
- The Role of Voters will now be required to be closed as at 10 days before
the opening date of Nominations, approx. 11 weeks earlier than currently
applies. (This is as a result of change in Commonwealth Legislation) ELECTION
PROCEDURES
- Rule 46 shall be changed to enable the following:
- The opening of the ballot to occur on April 28. This means that when the
ballot closes as normal on 15 June the ballot period will have been reduced
to 6 weeks
- The requirement that a voter must print his or her name on the security
envelope, as well as signing it.
SUBMISSION OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
- Rule 57(a) shall be changed to enable the following:
- Allow the National Secretary to nominate certain individuals who shall
be empowered to commence disputes in any Court or Tribunal
DEFINITIONS
- Rule 62
- It is intended to amend the definition of "the Act" by:
- Deleting the "Industrial Relations Act 1988" and
- Substituting the contemporary legislation, being the Workplace Relations
Act 1996
TRANSITIONAL SECTION
- Transitional Section
- shall be deleted from the MUA Registered Rules
RESOLUTION OF THE RULES COMMITTEE
- Having heard a Report from the Rules Committee this 2004 National Conference
Delegates meeting supports the changes proposed by the Rules Committees
and commend their approval to a Special Meeting or Annual General Meeting
Organising
1. Paid union leave
The conference endorses an active campaign for paid trade union
leave (based upon best practice) to be inserted into all EA's for the purpose
of providing paid leave for members who participate in all functions of the
MUA including meetings, conferences and all trade union training.
2. Women
Conference calls on the Union to target potential women members,
both in current coverage areas and new industry/ employer groups. We recognise
the importance of an inclusive and fully participative membership and will endeavour
to attract, retain and empower women and other minority groups to establish
a more inclusive union culture and gain greater community support.
3. Training
The conference endorses the MUA campaign for training of seafarers
which is fully funded by shipping and offshore companies Failing that the conference
endorses the union funding of seafarer training and will seek to recoup all
costs from the employer for this training
4. International solidarity
This conference commends and endorses the continuing involvement
in all international links/strategies/campaigns ie. FOC, ITF, SIGTUR, SATAGWU,
Mining & Maritime. Conference also endorses the regional solidarity program
which further cements the close relationship of all the regional trade unions.
5. Website
This conference resolves that the MUA Web Site be further utilised
as an important tool in the MUA's organising efforts.
6. Stopwork meetings
That we recognise the need to attract more members to attend
the monthly meeting so this forum can be used to provide information to the
membership and rank and file participation. Monthly meetings are for all members,
and to remove Branch Reports from the National Office Reports so as to allow
more time for general business.
7. Youth Committee
Formation of an MUA youth committee and annual conference,
ensuring our union's long-term survival and activist numbers into the future.
This is also important as we have not (to date) placed resources into identifying
issues of particular concern to young members. (Similar to what we have done
with our women's committee and conferences).
8. Disputes
During time of disputes all officials' are be involved and
one official named as the contact point in the branch and to be known to all
delegates so members can get current information on that particular dispute.
9. Official visits
National Officials to visit Branches regularly.
10. Reimbursement
That the MUA seek payment or reimbursement from the companies
for members who attend Port, Branch, Site/Area and ship Committee meetings.
11. Women participation
For negotiation/site and branch committees to include a woman
where possible (minimum) in their structures, ensuring a continuous information
flow between union structures and gender issues dealt with accordingly at site
and branch levels.
12. All female delegates should be encouraged to stand for
positions.
13. Branch issues
Branches to notify all members of issues and conferences in
other ports, to improve communications and that all members are urged to attend
our Stop work Meetings
14. Union History
Union history from 1972 onwards to be recorded as a follow
on of the Seamen's Union of Australia History 1972-1972 and Wharfies 1872-1989.
The Maritime Union of Australia has a long and proud history
of struggle and victory against the odds. For over a century, there has never
been a shortage of contenders, from employers to the highest ranks of government,
willing to take on the union, its members, families and friends. The history
of the MUA, and its founding unions the Waterside Workers Federation and the
Seamen's Union of Australia is world renowned and respected.
The MUA has been active in preserving the history of the founding
union and we congratulate the National Council of the union for its work in:
- Establishing the National Veterans' Association for retired members.
- Compiling the "With These Arms" CD.
- Completing and ensuring the publication of the last written work by the
late Tas Bull.
- Encouraging the writing and publication of the final chapters of the history
of the WWF prior to amalgamation.
- Encouraging the writing and publication of "Fighting Films - A History
of the WWF Film Unit".
We congratulate the union in allocating funds and resources
to ensure that the great wealth of knowledge and experience was recorded and
not lost to current and future members of the MUA.
But the job is only half done!
We now call on the National Conference of the Maritime Union
of Australia to continue it's proud recognition of the fighting spirit and history
of the union by funding the writing and publication of the final chapter in
the history of the Seamen's Union of Australia. The history from 1872-1972 was
written by Brian Fitzpatrick and Rowan J Cahill. Respect for our history, the
working class struggle, our continued fight for national and international rights
demands the history from 1972 to the 1993 amalgamation with the Waterside Workers
Federation including the amalgamations with the Firemen & Deckhands and the
Divers be written.
Further, we call on this National Conference to support the
resolution that the final monthly editions of the Seamen's Journal be bound
to complete the day-to-day recordings of the union and its members.
We seek that the MUA National Conference support this resolution
as there is no greater tool in preparing for the next fight than to seek strength
and courage from those members who stood, fought and were victorious before.
15. Film program
That conference support the establishment of an MUA film unit
bringing together progressive, professional freelance film makers, actors and
the talent of rank and file workers. That conference support the union raising
funding for the unit from members and where possible outside organisations.
That the union provide training for members and.or staff for this project.
That the union run a film festival competition to source talent
within the union.
That conference supports the union funding the restoration
of the original WWF Film Unit production to DVD format.
That conference supports the MUA Film programme to continue
so that present members and future generations have the opportunity to learn
and understand the working history of the Maritime Union of Australia.
Finances
The financial committee of the 2004 MUA Conference recommend
that the conference endorse the National Office to have the authority to adjust
the financial structure of the Union with a view of updating procedures as follows:
Union Dues
We recommend the following:
- Credit Union S2 or 'Union Dues' account with regular deductions to be
the primary collection of union dues. Other ways to pay are PRD, Direct
Debit, Credit Card and cash.
- Internet and SMS is to be used as a tool to remind Unfinancial members
to contact the Branches in regard to members dues.
- The introduction of a National Membership card system for proof of financiality,
to be issued on an annual calendar year basis, to complement the existing
union books. We encourage the members to carry this card on them at all
times to be used as proof of membership at meetings etc. If possible to
include the oath of fealty on the back and all branch particulars and signed
by Branch Secretary
- To make the potential member's aware of what the union can do for them,
a kit with pamphlets, videos etc to be made available to assist in the promotion
of full financial membership and its benefits. To remind new and existing
members of their Oath of Fealty to the organisation
- The rates of Union dues to be adjusted to reflect a more consistent and
relevant structure than the one that currently exists. Taking into consideration
the existing multitude of levels and the huge administrative workload a
streamlining of the current system is necessary.
- More accurate and consistent information flow from Membership System for
availability of the branches and committees to assist in ensuring maximised
financiality
- That as part of sustainable financial management areas other than union
due collection, also be scrutinised including maximising the value of other
assets Property Management
- Potential Rental capacity ie. St Georges Basin/Branch buildings
- Policy be endorsed that the Union lobby the Labor Party for the abolishment
of GST on Trade Union affairs, being not-for-profit organisations
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