National Council, global strategies

Mick Carr, Paddy Crumlin and Martin Ferguson

The first sitting of national council since the union elections looks towards the New Year with the prospect of a renaissance in Australian government, shipping and workplace democracy

Five new councillors Warren Smith (Sydney), Jason Campbell and Peder Bull (Tasmania), Clem Clothier (SA) and Glen Williams (SNSW) joined national and international guests, labour leaders from kindred unions in the Australia/Pacific and ALP MPs from the key portfolios of industrial relations and transport for the union's October national council. Both Labor spokespersons for IR and transport reiterated their commitment to restoring balance in the workplace and a resurgent Australian shipping industry. (See MWJ, Spring edition)

Council deliberated on the upcoming election campaign and resolved to meet in the New Year to develop strategies in conjunction with the Australian Council of Trade Unions. It was also resolved to retain the Your Rights at Work community network.

White ribbons

In the lead up to White Ribbon Day on November 25, the National Secretary made a strong call for men in the union, both on the wharves and on ships to get behind the campaign opposing violence against women.

"There is a pervasive and widespread culture of violence against women in the Australian workplace," he said. "Not just physical violence, but verbal and emotional violence. These attacks on women are like near misses in occupational health and safety. After so many you get causality. Refusing to allow women on site committees for one is a near miss. Left alone, verbal violence will percolate into real harassment and aggression against women."

The National Secretary who along with many other industry, political and sporting leaders is a White Ribbon ambassador, stressed violence against women was not confined to men beating up their wives or girlfriends. It was about all forms of violence and aggression towards women. Denying equal opportunity for a job or in wages was a conditioning aspect promoting violence.

He called on branches to mobilise seafarers and wharfies to help distribute ribbons on November 25. Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and children.

"I want to see men among our membership getting out there and selling the white ribbons highlighting the issue," he said. "We should be out there and we should be wearing them. Let's get out there and lead from the front. Let's take it up in a real way. A lot of people don't like talking about it or are in denial because they've been part of it, seen it or grew up with it. Let's really demonstrate that we are brothers and sisters here and get the message out because if we are not prepared to do so we are really part of what is happening. Let's get organisers out, get the ribbons out and speak out against what is happening."

Assistant National Secretary Mick Doleman suggested branches organise for ribbons to fly from tug and ferry masts.

"We need to raise this issue in a blokey type union," he said. "None of us want our wives, our daughters, our sisters or our mothers, and equally our female workmates, subjected to violence."

He reminded councillors that during the Patrick dispute women played a hugely important role in the union's success.

Green ships

Council was also the launch pad for a report on shipping and greenhouse gas emissions commissioned by the union.

The Australia Institute report, which received considerable air play on radio news, found a national carbon-pricing scheme would result in fewer freight trucks on the nation's roads.

The study found that a shift from roads to sea freight would deliver cleaner environmental outcomes and assist Australia meet greenhouse reduction targets.

Shipping has green credentials. The report noted that road transport accounts for less than 40 per cent of the domestic freight task, but is responsible for over 80 per cent of freight emissions, while shipping accounts for 22 per cent of the freight task and only four per cent of emissions.

What's more the report found that Australian shipping is even greener than other shipping, because despite the age of the Australian fleet it meets tighter regulatory standards.

The National secretary said the report showed that Australian shipping should be part of the solution to meeting the challenges of climate change.

"The Howard Government's neglect of Australian shipping is yet another example of his government failing to address and plan for the inevitabilities of climate change," said Paddy Crumlin. "The environmental advantages of getting freight off our roads and onto ships are clear - not to mention the obvious safety benefits for road users. Shipping will not replace rail or road transport, but must play a key and increasing role in meeting the total freight forwarding needs of the nation."

Andrew MacIntosh, Australia Institute Deputy Director reminded councillors we only need a two degree threshold rise in temperature before sea levels will rise, swallowing real estate.

However on the current 'just in time' economic system, shipping was only competitive on long haul with room for only a four per cent increase on domestic transport.

Coastal highways

The Australia Institute report follows a parliamentary report in August highlighting the role coastal shipping can play in easing the freight burden on our roads.

The House of Representatives Transport and Regional Services Committee report The Great Freight Task: Is Australia's transport network up to the challenge? is the result of a two-year inquiry into the integration of road and rail interface with ports. It calls for ships to relieve crippling road freight load and land transport bottlenecks, by providing coastal highways.

It notes that even a small shift in favour of coastal shipping would reduce energy, consumption and emissions and calls on the government to examine the role coastal shipping could play in making freight transport more efficient. Importantly the report notes the union argument that Australian shipping quality, reliability and safety records are world standard in sharp contrast to some foreign vessels operating on our coast.

Sea transport does not require the same infrastructure investment or maintenance, but government policy needs to support the emerging investment initiatives in coastal shipping, by way of new taxation policy options, including tonnage tax regimes.

With almost a quarter of the freight task predicted to be moved by sea in 2020, the report highlights it is essential to include coastal shipping as part of a comprehensive national transport strategy.

Global deal

A new international agreement whereby seafarers from developing countries get higher pay and workers' rights competitive with anywhere in the world, while at the same time seafarers in Australia and other developing countries get job opportunities on Flag of Convenience ships in the international trade was signed off in London in August and has created great controversy amongst international shipowners.

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, who co-chaired the negotiations between representatives of the International Transport Workers' Federation and international shipowners with UK officers' union national secretary Brian Orrell, reported to Council on the far-reaching implications of the new agreement.

"For every seafarer on an IBF (International Bargaining Forum) vessel there will be $10/month going into a fund towards subsidising jobs for developed economy ratings," he said. "It means that if we reach agreement on an LNG vessel, a FoC vessel, some of that money could be directed back to employment of DERs."

The National Secretary said the levy fund would provide around $13m to subsidise jobs for developed economy ratings like Australians.

"This is a remarkable demonstration of solidarity," he said. "This is the future of a global industry. There is a substantial difference between employing Australian ratings and those from labour supply and developing countries. This fund will narrow the gap between Australian and international seafarers. The next step is to identify a ship and make sure money is directed properly."

The IBF agreement covers 3,500 vessels employing more than 100,000 seafarers.

"This is a very big, a very controversial breakthrough and very much talked about in international shipping circles," he said. "It means that as new export markets open up, such as LNG sales to Asia and the US, Australian seafarers can play a greater part in that trade."

The IBF agreement also includes an eight per cent pay rise and adoption of the ILO "Bill of Rights for Seafarers" (International Labor Organisation's Maritime Labor Convention) into the body of the agreement years before it would normally have come into force. The wage outcome has an overtime component of three hours per week, as well as an annual leave component; pension funds and 100 days paid maternity leave. This compares favourably with many Australian workplaces, which do not yet have proper paid maternity leave in EBAs.

"The wage rises now mean seafarers from the Philippines and India are earning more than some young Australians under WorkChoices," said Paddy Crumlin. "And their right to organise and collectively bargain is guaranteed under the ILO convention, which is more than can be said for some Australian workers on AWAs."

"Unions from countries like the Philippines and India deserve credit for recognising that job opportunities at sea should be available to seafarers regardless of economic standards. This is what organising globally means for trade unions."

Maersk Network

Global union solidarity has also had a recent victory on the wharves with the setting up of the ITF Maersk Network.

The network, which aims to ensure workers' voices are heard and industrial issues can be dealt with consistently around the world, resulted in a breakthrough in Mumbai in October. Maersk Network action helped Indian drivers get their jobs back after they were sacked for going on strike over company thugs beating up their workmates.

Truck drivers at Relogistics and SC Thakur Bros joined the Transport and Dock Workers Union (TDWU) in April. Both companies move containers for the Maersk-owned Global Terminals India (GTI) in the Mumbai port terminal.

Five days after the workers joined the union, a gang of thugs attacked them, some on their way to work, others in their homes.

The drivers reacted by calling a strike. But the companies refused to negotiate with the union, sacking 14 workers.

While Maersk was not the direct employer the violations by their contractors were a concern. Senior management in Maersk's APM Terminals headquarters in The Hague contacted Mumbai, who agreed to use their influence to get the company to meet with the union.

One contractor Relogistics agreed to reinstate workers and negotiate with the union, but the second company, SC Thakur refused.

"One night we sat down with leading Maersk representatives in London and told them it was untenable," said Paddy Crumlin. "These guys had been locked out for four months. Having a forum to discuss the issue was helpful in realising a solution with the company. It is a credit to them and the process. The ITF is dealing with all big multinational shipping and stevedoring companies on the same basis."

The ITF has launched a website for the Maersk Network which aims to build closer links between workers and trade unions throughout transnational container giant AP Møller-Maersk Group. (http://www.itfglobal.org/maersk )

Ports of convenience

The Maritime Union has played a key role in setting up a web based information resource on world ports operators and employment conditions. National Communications and Research Officer Rod Pickette reported to council on the launch of the new site and its role in organising globally. (Full report next MWJ)

Resources boom

A key outcome of council was for the union to appoint a new organiser in the west in response to the resources boom and expanding membership.

The branch reports more than $200 billion worth of proposed projects and over 100 vessels currently operating out of the west with every port either putting in new infrastructure or expanding existing wharfs. There are 11 ports on the West Coast (from Esperance to Wyndham) and seven new LNG projects under way - all creating more jobs in the maritime industry.

Other major discussion centered on the lead up to and the post election period and the merger of the two industry super funds.

FULL RESOLUTIONS and DETAILS

http://mua.org.au/news/general/resolutions08.html