Council 2002
A union budget in the black, the formation of a Trans Tasman maritime federation, condemnation of US & Australian war mongering in Iraq & preparations for next years union elections
COUNCIL 2002
These were just some of the key issues coming out of the national council held in October.
Budget
This year's financial report recorded the union's first surplus ($1,774, 620) -- with real estate revaluation and sales lifting finances out of the red, despite a poor performance in the equity markets (down 3 per cent), a burgeoning legal bill( $575,126) and the one off cost of the federal elections ($336,658) most of which went on the union advertising campaign.
The major factor behind the legal bill doubling from last year was down to successful prosecution by Alan Fels of the ACCC over the union campaign to protect shore labour's right to clean ships holds in Australian ports.
"The legal bill reflects the high cost of defending working men and women under the Howard Government's anti union Workplace Relations' Act," said National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. "Our initiatives to protect the Australian shipping industry also mean legal bill will continue to be a major expenditure item ."
Casualisation of the industry is still a major problem with collecting union dues, with the union as well as compromising the union's industrial strength, with council resolving that irregular supplementary workers would now pay quarterly payment. Delegates will now be able to collect union dues alongside branch officials. But members are encouraged to pay their dues by direct debit through their bank or credit union accounts.
The new membership data bank now gives national office the ability to get daily updates on members financiality. Union contributions will go up 4 per on January 1 cent in line with average wage increases:
The base annual rates are as follows:
Division One: $671.00
Division Two: $832.00
Division Three: $891.00
Division Four $ 962.00
Division Five: $988.00
Division Six: $1,097.20
Division Seven $447.20
Division Eight $322.40
Division Nine $223.60
Division Ten $35 per quarter
Division Eleven $265.20
Division 12: $47.75 per quarter
Dues can also be paid weekly, quarterly, or Half Yearly.
Union Elections
The 2003 quadrennial elections are fast approaching and council has determined that against any further cut backs in the number of positions -- the first time since amalgamation.
Council has again voted that the union will conducts its own election, reflecting its determination to administer its own affairs.
Council once again condemned the circulation of anonymous and defamatory material during the last election, noting that while robust and constructive criticism was an important part of t democracy, publication of libellous material was a breach of the union rules.
Council further resolved to appoint Phil Byrne returning officer and Mick Ruse as deputy following the retirement of former returning officer John King.
Maritime Federation
A highlight of the council meeting was the unanimous vote to set up the Trans Tasman Maritime Federation.
Representing the recently amalgamation New Zealand unions at council for the historic decision was President David Morgan and Auckland branch secretary Terry Ryan.
The Preamble to the joint union statement endorsed at the MUA national council reads in part: "The proud history of both organisations raises the foundation for great opportunity for our organisations under the Federation's banner to grow and provide a tangible example of the International Transport Federation's mission of Globalisation of Solidarity, particularly in both our countries and the Pacific Rim."
Its aim will be to develop joint campaigns, education and political lobbies. As both New Zealand and Australian workers also share many of the same employers and have a common interest in Trans Tasman shipping, the Federation will also bring the unions together during enterprise negotiations and campaigns to protect national flag shipping in the region.
The Trans Tasman Maritime Federation will also develop a program of solidarity and exchanges with other kindred unions in the Pacific Rim with the aim of encompassing the Asia Pacific, Japan and the US under one umbrella.
In the meantime executive of the Federation will comprise national officers of the MUA and the MUNZ and will meet twice a year in alternate countries.
"It is a great achievement formalising decades of solidarity and personal friendships between our two countries," said Crumlin. "And it dovetails with international programs such as the Millennium Project which aims to develop more effective global union federations and Workers' Capital.
The MUA now boasts yet another London appointment among its ranks with union training Officer Graham Young taking a promotion with the ITF head office as senior training/industrial role. Graham joined the MUA under WIRA and has played a key role in launching the unions@work program. He is replaced by former wharfie, seafarer and OHS trainer Eddie Seymour.
Training of officials and branch staff to use the website is now in full swing with most branches posting news, events and campaign material on the union website. To ensure the internet plays the crucial role is it supposed to in the organising works strategy, newly appointed Training Officer Eddie Seymour is incorporating web training in all delegates' courses. Only 3 per cent of members are on the news lists, so it is important that all delegates are printing out news and campaign material and distributing it to members.
ITF
A report on preparations for the upcoming November week of action, the successful appointment of rank and file MUA activist Mick Killick as special ITF project officer in Dili, Timor (Killick has already helped negotiate the first EBA covering maritime workers with Darwin based company Perkins) and the success of the past years inspectorate work in Australia were all put on the table at council. Of special pride was statistics which shows that while Australia has only 2 per cent of inspectors, it has 10 per cent of ship inspections, second only to the US.
Retirements
Council recorded its appreciation of WA Branch Secretary and Deputy Presiding Officer Terry Buck, who announced he would be retiring at the end of the year.
Tribute was paid to Terry Bucks unstinting work for the union and its members over nearly three decades and three major disputes - Buckeridge, Patrick and ANL..
Council then appointed Deputy Branch Secretary Wal Pritchard as Branch Secretary and Assistant Branch Secretary Keith Mc Corriston as Deputy Branch Secretary.
Women
Best practice for women's policies and recruitment procedures and a tribute to outgoing MUA women's representative to the ACTU executive and council Marieke Van Hulsen -- these were the key women's issues discussed by council.
The National Secretary put on record the union's appreciation of the contribution by Marieka who has since left the industry.
"Marieke distinguished herself through her activity and commitment to the union and her determination to address the gender imbalance and discrimination," he said. "She held a historic position in the union, representing all maritime workers with dignity, confidence and principle. She will be a great loss."
Sue Virago will now take her place on the ACTU executive with WA seafarer Karen Wheatland, WA, being the second representative to national council.
Legal
MUA backing for the Tanner v Shergold action to unearth the secret documents revealing the full extent of Howard Government involvement in the Patrick lockout and conspiracy is still ongoing. So to the government push to delay proceedings. The matter is now back before the Federal Court.
Full reports were also provided on the union's shipping campaign (see Backing a Winner, p8) the formation of the National Veteran's Association (see Grey Power p6) and industrial matters. National Council resolutions can be downloaded from the web.
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