Industrial Rounds

by Tony McDonough,

Iconic Image

This image is by Australian photographer Tony McDonough, and was wrongly credited last MWJ. Tony was in Fremantle on the night of the lockout - April 7, 1998 when 2000 MUA members nationwide were locked out the gates at Patricks:

"I was photographing a union member who had moved inside the compound and had just been evicted,when I noticed that one of the 'security guards' was wearing a balaclava," he said. "The rest is history."

His photo was shortlisted for the top photojournalist award, a Walkley.

Captain Cook

SYDNEY HARBOUR: Chief engineer Mazen al Helo worked over three years for Captain Cook Cruises, 45-50 hours a week. But when he became the union delegate and refused to sign an individual contract, management effectively dismissed him. By December his work had been cut to one shift a week - not enough to pay the bills or feed his family.

"They cut back my hours from 50 to 15," he said. "Then only one shift a week And they gave less qualified people than me more shifts."

Maritime workers rallied against the rogue employer at 6 Circular Quay in February, protesting the company's refusal to negotiate an enterprise agreement and its ongoing discrimination against union members.

"We believe Captain Cook Cruises could be the first company in the maritime industry to take on the unions and force people onto individual contracts when the new legislation takes affect," said Sydney Branch Secretary Robert Coombs. "If it succeeds onboard conditions will be no better than they were back in the days of the Endeavour."

The Maritime Union first took on the company this time last year after it sacked a union delegate for taking annual leave over Christmas with his girlfriend. The delegate accepted a payout negotiated by the union but reports of ongoing company discrimination and harassment of union members continue.

"Everyone is scared," said Maz. "If you voice an opinion it's worse. I was living under Israeli occupied West Bank to come here and be able to speak my mind. But no better here. I am the delegate and they want to get rid of the delegates. Anyone who has anything to do with the union loses work. I have worked three and a half years as a casual. Where are my rights?"

The MUA took an unfair dismissal case to the NSW Commission and won. Maz is back on the roster working 20 hours a week, if not 50. The Commission also ruled that the union has to be party to a non-union agreement the company forced on workers last year.

"I'm Palestinian, I've been fighting all my life," he said. "I'm prepared to stand up and fight for my rights and the rights of other workers."

Mazen al Helo was a special union ambassador at the UnionsNSW protest against the Howard Government 10 years dinner celebration in Sydney in March.

Aquaculture Action

ADELAIDE: THE Maritime Union will be keeping a close eye on the treatment of South Australian Aquaculture Management company workers following industrial action last week.

Ten MUA members at SAAM took three days protected industrial action, after the company refused to negotiate a collective agreement. Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn said two casual workers were sent home' on Thursday after returning to work following the stoppage.

The union and members have been unsuccessfully attempting to negotiate with the company for nearly two years.

"MUA aqua culture workers are frustrated and concerned that SAAM will not negotiate collectively or recognise their right to belong to the Maritime Union," said Jamie Newlyn. "We applaud the courageous stand taken by members in support of their rights at work. Management is clearly exercising the Howard Government's draconian industrial relations laws."

ACTU secretary Greg Combet visited the workers to congratulate them on their determination to protect and enhance their position in the current industrial climate. He stressed the importance of being active industrially and politically in both state and federal politics.

Many supporters participated in the peaceful assembly, including MUA retired veterans, MUA members, AMWU and AWU representatives, community activists and the local MP Lyn Breuer.

P&O EBA

Waterside workers at P&O enterprises nationwide have overwhelmingly endorsed the new EBA, Deputy National Secretary Jim Tannock and Assistant National Secretary Rick Newlyn report. Negotiations taken over a year, but now have the endorsement of 99 per cent of the membership in all ports, except Brisbane Bulk and General.

The EBA was a good outcome for the membership at P&O. Some of the outcomes included: wage increases;13 days "personal leave" per year for permanent employees (sick leave and carers leave); a new redundancy agreement and apprenticeships.

Meanwhile, members at NSS Townsville have endorsed their new enterprise agreement that allows for wage increases, improved superannuation, eight new permanent positions, redundancy provisions and gradual retirement.

IR CAMPAIGN

Monthly stopwork meetings nationwide have been adjourning early to deal exclusively with the IR Campaign, Assistant National Secretary Mick Doleman reports.

ITF Co-ordinator Dean Summers, Victoria Branch Secretary Kevin Bracken and Sydney Branch Secretary Robert Coombs attended an ACTU campaign meeting in Melbourne in February to discuss the campaign.

Unions are each committing $5.50 per member to the fund of mass media advertising. The MUA is also calling on branches and workplaces to raise extra funds to keep members actively involved and informed.

The ACTU launched its new advertisements on March 26, after the Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, it is very important for the success of the campaign to expose the "ugly" employers who are using the WorkChoices legislation to attack their workers. Any horror stories should be reported to branch officials for use in the campaign in defence of those workers.

"But to get rid of the industrial laws we have to get rid of the Howard Government," said IR Campaign Co-ordinator Mick Doleman. "This has to be the theme that motivates us working in the marginal seats and with the community at large.

The MUA has identified all those members who reside in marginal seats. The campaign will require unions to contact each of these members personally then follow-up on any swinging voters in the lead up to the next election.

Unions have been asked to sponsor a co-ordinator to work full time on the Marginal Seat Campaign. The ACTU has identified more than a quarter of a million union members across the 20 marginal seats and it is estimated that 30 per cent are swinging voters.

"We need 16 seats to change hands, which is about a 5 per cent swing against the Government," said Mick Doleman.

More rallies are also planned towards the middle of the year.

Part of the MUA strategy in campaigning against WorkChoices was to develop IR committees in each of our workplaces and regional ports. This work needs continued development and refinement and national office will provide any assistance which is required.

Photos The O'Shannesys and Bobby Patchet at Melbourne IR rally by Shaun Rehill