Sep-Oct 2008

Mailbag

By Maritime Union of Australia

Reinstated

After a nine month battle with Skilled Engineering over their refusal to give me a job, I finally started back a month ago thanks to the effort of the union and its members.

After having gone through the1994 and 1998 disputes with Patrick I was inspired to take on the delegate’s job and did so. Since then I have negotiated with managers and companies on all sorts of issues from day-to-day problems through to Enterprise Based Agreements.

I believe it was my success in the delegates role that motivated Skilled to discriminate against me by not allowing me to continue in my job. But they could have only known about my past union activities from a third party. I also believe I know who that third party was. And I believe that they supplied Skilled with not only information about my union activities but also a lot of false information about me personally.

After months of work by the union lawyers and 11 days in the Commission the court came to the conclusion Skilled had discriminated against me because of my union activity. The Commission ordered Skilled reinstate me.

I think the industrial relations laws need to be changed. They are so weighted in the employer’s favour that there is not much chance of justice being done without a drawn out process when workers have been wronged.

Compare how quickly a company can get the union into court and get back to work orders during a dispute (usually within days, if not hours) with the nine months and two weeks it took me to get back to work and you truly get a look at how ridiculous the system is.

Without the support of the Union and its members I would have had no chance of getting my job back. So I would like to thank sincerely Paddy Crumlin, Mick Doleman and Billy Giddins at National Office and the legal team they employed.

I would also like to thank Trevor Munday from the Qld Branch. The work that Trevor put in and the support he gave me was beyond anything I ever expected. Thank you very much Trevor. Also without the support of my workmates on the picket line, both in Brisbane and Sydney, we would not have even got to the Commission. So thank you all.

But the biggest thanks goes to my wife Gabrielle, who not only had to put up with me at home but also with all the uncertainty of the past months. She has supported me through three major disputes and all my work as a delegate.

There are a lot of other people that helped with support and the court case and I thank all.

Shaun Bolton
MUA Delegate
Skilled Engineering
Brisbane

A Win for Workers

My home port is Kembla and I have had a few dramas lately.

For the last 12 years I have been on Shell tankers out of Geelong, about eight years on the Conus and about four on the Helix. Both ships have head high pipe work running up the deck that we (IRs) are required to work under swinging valves, checking for leaks etc. And since we were first required to wear hard hats years ago, we have been belting our heads on the pipes. Each time it sends a jarring sensation down your spine. We complained and were told that if we didn’t wear hats we wouldn’t hit our heads. Anyway we just got used to hitting our heads.

Early in my last swing I got a headache, which never went away. I copped it sweet. But then my left hand and arm went numb. I thought I had a brain tumour. As soon as I got home I went and saw my GP who also thought it was a tumour. Thankfully it wasn’t.

What I had done was ruptured a disc in my neck, which was crushing my spinal chord. It required immediate surgery to remove the disc and fuse the vertebrae. Barring an accident (which I never had) the cause is usually regular head knocks over a long period. But Trident (Shell hire company) knocked my compo claim back.

I got Bob Patchett involved because we knew each other and he knows the ships. He put me onto the union solicitors to appeal. I also got the boys on board involved. They were magnificent. They held snappy safety meetings at sailing time and generally drove Trident mad with non-conformances and injury reports.

Eventually Trident decided to investigate and found that I was fair dinkum. So after seven weeks they finally recognised my claim.

It’s great to have a win. I am still off crook, but should be able to go back before too long.

The boys on board were terrific. Chief IR Alan Anderson rang me regularly to see how I was and let me know what they were up to. Without their support I think Trident would have told me to get stuffed. Thanks also to Bob Patchett who advised the boys on board. It proves once again what sticking together can achieve. Companies are always going to try and weasel their way out of their responsibilities.

Jim McCormack
Union No: 6001263

Post Election

Comrades, the dust has now settled. Although we did not seize Wide Bay, we certainly had the Conservatives extremely worried. I am adamant that Labor will secure the seat and government eventually. In Napoleon’s words: “there are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit, eventually the sword will be conquered by the spirit”.

This campaign was hard fought and I appreciate the time and effort that all MUA members, their families, the party faithful and the union movement contributed in the lead up to and during my time as federal candidate.

It is now time to continue the campaign by strengthening branches within Wide Bay and ensuring that the Howard Government maintains its election promises.

The next three years will be enduring for the Australian Labor Party and working class movement; we must continue the fight to provide “opportunity for all” and to liberate the oppressed. I look forward to working with you in the near future.

(Above photo was taken at Newcastle during the Patricks dispute. I’m on the far left.)

In Solidarity

Sean Ambrose
Australian Labor Party
Federal Candidate
Wide Bay
Gympie, Qld

Honoured in the USA

My wife Daphne and I were honoured to represent MUA veterans at the 37th Convention of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Pacific Coast Pensioners' Association Convention held in Vancouver, Canada in September and show the flag not only of the MUA but also for international solidarity. To us it was the solidarity that mattered most.

In today’s world capitalism is running riot and in the main unchallenged but for those of the working class organised in trade unions. Believe me things would be much worse without organised labour.

I have always strongly supported the view of Marx and Engels made many years ago and still so famous, “WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE YOU HAVE ONLY YOUR CHAINS TO LOOSE”. I believe these words are just as relevant today as when they were first spoken.

The convention was very well organised and well attended by delegates from all the branches. Speakers included ILWU International President James Spinosa showing the esteem ILWU holds for union veterans.

It commenced by playing of the national anthems of Australia, America and Canada.

Proudly displayed behind the rostrum was the Australian Aboriginal flag that Port Kembla Branch Secretary Mark Armstrong, gave the visiting US delegation some time ago. Also on the rostrum was the Australian Peace Committee flag portraying the dove of peace - a gift from long time peace activist Doreen Burrows.

A letter from MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin wishing the convention every success was well received along with the best wishes to the convention from the Secretary of the Newcastle Trades Hall Council Gary Kennedy, who met their delegation when they came to Newcastle in 2003.

The problems outlined by the various delegates who addressed the convention were a mirror image of our own - the struggle for world peace and disarmament, health care, education, outsourcing jobs, privatisation and the destruction of social programs and the welfare state (or leaving it to charity) allowing private investment of social security trust fund monies, which will be a gold mine for stockbrokers and investment swindlers, continuing attacks on the trade union movement through the newly enacted Patriot's Act. Like Howard, Bush has his sights directly aimed at the destruction of the stevedoring union.

We were invited to participate in all parts of the convention and were bestowed with the honour of being made honorary life members of the ILWU Pensioner's Association.

I addressed the convention and we participated in the formulation of the proposition that came from our national conference. It is as follows:

“The ILWU Pacific Coast Pensioners join with the MUA Veterans, and The Canadian Congress of Labour, and other like minded groups who are prepared to assist to organise a conference of world wide retired maritime workers that will work through the sphere of international solidarity to oppose free trade agreements and act in defence of trade unions, and where needed assist in formulating trade unions where none exist, and at all times work for international and national solidarity for and on behalf of the working class.”

The proposition was endorsed unanimously.

The overriding theme of the conference was to organise to defeat Bush at the November elections. Sadly the American people did not show better sense than the Australian people did. The devastating results of both our elections clearly display a massive turn to the right wing groups across the board.

Whilst driving through Vitoria in Canada with Bill Duncan, president of the Vancouver Island Pensioner's Club we came across a large group of ferry and shipbuilding union workers demonstrating against the contract for building new ferries being out-sourced to Germany. The Canadians were rightly pissed off, as they had not even been allowed to tender for the job.

We joined the demonstration under the ILWU Pensioners' banner and were very much welcomed among the demonstrators. Our participation was reported on the TV that night showing our solidarity with the Canadian workers.

The hospitality and genuine affection shown to Daphne and I from all the comrades from all the places we visited is something we will always remember.

In conclusion we would like to thank the MUA and our veteran's branches for giving us the opportunity and assistance to attend the convention. I can assure one and all that the bonds of friendship and solidarity are firmly in place between our organisations.

Bill Bodenham
National Secretary MUA Veterans

Ode to the MUA

Isn’t it good to see workers come from right across the state to demonstrate against unjust laws before it is too late?

You’ve led the way the last 100 years through the strength of your union.

Those lumpers in the stinking hulls unloading the heavy bags.

Your fight in the 1890s when they tried to starve you out when the fist of tyranny came down with such tremendous clout.

Your noble objection to spilling blood on foreign shores right across the country,

you opposed the conscription war

and up through the depression when they introduced scabs to the waterfront.

You met the scabs face to face

and they were given the shunt

Pig lron Bob’s bastard act to appease the industrialist’s greed.

You wouldn’t load the cargo hulls to fuel the imperialist’s needs.

Your moral stance on Vietnam is one which deserves praise,

history has proved you right against a clouded CIA haze

And more recently on the Timor issue and the support you’ve given.

These could all be the real reason

when you lay the facts bare

Your bitter fight with Patrick

when they introduced scabs trained in Dubai.

You took up the fight and met their might under a Government so sly.

For you are the father of the union movement who always leads the way.

You flex your muscles,

you test your arm,

you always have your say

and we want you to know from the Miners’ hearts

that we stand together as one.

We’ll march forward arm in arm

until the battle is won.

Frank Baker
CFMEU

Vote from my Heart

The 2004 election is over and alas dishonest Howard has conned his way back into office.

I know that I can still hold my head high knowing I voted for the good of Australia and from my heart.

I did not vote from my hip pocket nor did I vote because of Howard’s scare campaign and his propaganda to lead Australia to war.

Well, Howard, you did win another term and all I can say is you won through your fear campaign and you got the twitching anus voters.

Well Howard, Osama bin Laden would do well to take a page out of your book because your scare campaign did just that. It terrified the Australian people. Howard you should write a book “How to deceive and con a country into trusting you through lies and deceit”. Howard you would make a good terrorist.

Peter Johnson
Union No: 2312

US Labour Award

The 2005 AFL-CIO (US trade union congress) is holding the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance in Los Angeles in January and International ILWU Secretary-Treasurer, Willie Adams will be receiving the highest National AFL-CIO MLK award called “At the river I stand”.

Congratulations, Willie on the award recognising the wonderful contribution you have made to the labour and human rights movements.

On behalf of myself and the MUA, we are proud and excited for you, and know January 15 will be special and moving.

Paddy Crumlin
National Secretary
MUA

Woman Warrior

My first job was in the post office in the small mining community of Captains Flat in 1941. I was 15.

The reasons I got the job was that the men were enlisting in the armed forces. WW2 was already three years old.

The postmaster’s message on my first day at work was that post offices were no place for women.

How wrong he was!

By 1946 there were over 6000 women engaged in work normally carried out by men. And under legislation enacted by the government and carried out by the Women's Employment Board we were entitled to the full male rate. The APTU was the first union to secure equal pay during the war years.

I joined the Australian Postal Workers' Union shortly after I began work, not out of any commitment but because a union official said I had to.

My brother's reaction was to tell me unions were no place for women!

I later transferred to Sydney and worked for the PMG until my marriage in 1946 to David Borrow who had recently returned from service in New Guinea. I applied for leave to get married, which was granted along with the sack as no married women were allowed to work in any sector of public service.

After living several years in West Australia I returned with my family to Captains Flat where David obtained work in the mine. I was already the mother of a little boy and during the following years I had three more children. When my oldest boy was 10, David was killed in a mining accident.

My life changed completely.

Some years later I met and formed a relationship with Mike Clunne, a dedicated communist and a great fighter for peace and workers' rights.

It was a relationship that lasted until his death some 25 years later.

Like so many of his generation Mike had been on the track during the depression years and his experiences there instilled in him a desire to make the world a more equitable place for all.

He later became a seafarer then a wharfie, a painter and docker and finally a tug hand and it was through him that I developed a great respect, affinity and love for those unions and the men who filled their ranks - a position I still hold today for the MUA and its members.

I owe Mike a great debt of gratitude for the love and loyalty he gave my four children and me and for the support he gave me as a woman unionist.

I joined the Communist Party in 1958 and began a lifelong commitment to my class. It was during my membership in the Party that I received my political education.

I came to live in Wollongong in 1959 and re-entered the workforce in 1962 at the local post office at Warrawong. On receipt of my first pay envelope I realised I was being paid a much lower rate than my male counterparts.

While I had been away making babies and playing housewife all the previous conditions accorded to females in the PMG had gone down the plughole.

This was totally unacceptable. I decided that something had to be done. But what? There was no union representation in Wollongong and we only saw union officials from Sydney when there was an election to be held.

Along with two other people a request was made to the State office that we form a sub branch in Wollongong. This was granted.

The reaction of males when the question of equal pay was raised was very hostile. We also had a great deal of difficulty convincing other women that we were entitled to the same pay as the men.

It was’'t until 1968 when the ACTU fought the case with Bob Hawke as advocate that equal pay was granted to some women. Even then the decision came with strings attached. It was deemed women workers should be granted equal pay phased in over a four-year period, and equal job opportunities “for work of equal value.”

The equal job opportunities had a hollow ring. Previously women had been employed as casuals and were barred from sitting for exams. After the equal pay case was determined the PMG abolished exams, which again left us in no man's land as far as job opportunity, and permanency was concerned.

Years down the track after much struggle it was deemed that women serving a year in a position and passing the medical board could become permanent.

I held a branch position for over 30 years and was elected to the State Committee in 1981 the first woman to be elected. I served as a delegate to the South Coast Labour Council for 17 years until my retirement in 1991. During those years I strived to convince my workmates that joining a union was the cheapest and best form of insurance they could have.

I also tried to deliver the message that a union is only as strong as its members are and that they had a responsibility to participate.

Much has changed over those many years and it is pleasing to see that women are taking their rightful place as members and leaders in the trade unions and in the workplace. I hope they find it easier than women of my generation did. Equal pay applies in some workplaces, as does maternity leave, super, long service and other benefits that were denied to women for years.

I have never been a radical feminist although there are some who would dispute that statement. I hold firm to the belief that equality in the work place and home will only be achieved when both men and women take up those issues. From where I stand we still have a long way to go as far as educating men is concerned.

The task of unions has never been easy and will be made even harder now we are faced with another three years of a conservative government.
The union movement will continue the fight for justice for the workers in the years ahead.

The many friends I have made during my participation in the class struggle, the wonderful experiences I have had and the advances that have been made by those who seek a fairer share of what this beautiful planet has to offer, has enriched my life enormously. I have raised four children and instilled in them a sense of social justice and loyalty to their class. My son Steve served many years with the then BWIU and later the NSW Nurses Association. He has been my greatest supporter and mentor.

I will conclude with the immortal and beautiful words that are as relevant today as they were when first penned by Marx and Engels.

“Workers of the World Unite.”

Doreen Borrow
Life Member of the
South Coast Labour Council

Beach, Books & Footy

Edward “David” Jones (nicknamed “Spider”) first shipped out of Newcastle at the age of 15 on the River Fitzroy which he joined in 1955 as a deck boy.

He was to become the youngest AB on the coast at the age of 19. He sailed with BHP and also ANL before moving to the Gold Coast in 1981 when he shipped out of Brisbane.

He joined the SS River Embley and also towed the Naval Patrol Boat Levanta from Eden to Cairns where he met Graeme Calder. There they both joined the MV Cementco in 1985. David retired in October 2003.

He did mention to us once that when he was on the River Fitzroy they were tied up in Melbourne during the Olympics. The ship with the Russian athletes was behind and they presented Spider with free tickets for the Games.

David was great to work with. He finished as Bosun and was one of those chaps who was “full on” from the time he entered the change room to start the day until he finished. He was always ready to give a hand. It was a pleasure to have worked with you and have known you Dave, and I can tell you all MUA on the MV Cementco would agree.

Hope you and Janice have plenty of golf at your new location by the beach, and as I’ve said with all this time on your hands, you’ll just have to go for longer drives, read thicker books and hope the footy season goes all year.

Bob Kirkwood

Heart Attack

I am writing on behalf of Phil O’Brien to let you and the members know that Phil is in Gonossa Hospica-17 miles rocks road, Oxley. Recently Phil suffered a succession of heart attacks, which nearly took him from us.

After such an active life it is distressing to see Phil in his present condition. Fortunately the care he is receiving is especially comforting to the family and myself.

Sincerely,
Joyce O'Brien

Just Cause

I am writing on behalf of Leo McDonald to thank everyone for their magnificent donations to a just cause.

The great work Leo had done in looking after his fellow members and others over many years has already been recorded in the journal.

Recognition of this was that National Secretary Paddy Crumlin attended the fundraiser in his honour held at the Victorian Branch Union Rooms.

Paddy praised the work that Leo had done over the years and how he typified the strength and comradeship of the union for standing by people who had no one to turn to in their time of need.

Paddy is among those that Leo would like to thank including but not limited to the following:

Cooper Hayes, Justin Scotti, John Cummins (CFMEU), Tony Murphy (Plumbers Union), Rhonda Yin (Victorian Branch MUA), Ray Skeggs, Arthur Pugh.

Thanks also for the great donations from the Brisbane, Sydney and Fremantle Branches, and the ships and terminals.

In all a big thank you to everyone for a fantastic effort.

Yours in Unity

Dick Ryan
Union no: 9420

Star Performance

Our thanks to the MUA and in particular the delegation so willingly sent to Auckland in our recent strike.

Special thanks to Robert Coombs who addressed the picket on a true basis of international unionism. His contribution has not gone unnoticed. The amount of feedback around the country after his star performance on national TV has been substantial in support of our members'’action.

Yours in Solidarity,

Trevor Hanson
General Secretary
Maritime Union of NZ

Morale Boost

The Maritime Union of New Zealand, Local 13 thanks Paddy Crumlin for the letter of support and expression of solidarity. The boost to the rank and file when the delegation from the MUA arrived cannot be understated. It was a practical demonstration of the close relationship that exists between our two unions and the ties that have been formed through the Trans Tasman Federation.

At our stopwork meeting the members asked us to pass on their sincere thanks to their MUA comrades for all the emails and letters that we have received from present and retired members.

The official Maori welcome for Robert, David, Mark and Jake was something not to be missed and will go down in the history of the Local 13. I am sure that Robert has already told you that he is now a Rangatira (chief).

We will keep you updated on the progress with the mediation, it seems that we are starting to make some real progress since the strike action.

Comrade Robert, we would also like to thank you for your messages of support and solidarity in our struggle for fair and dignified working conditions for all maritime workers whether they be permanent, part-time or casual.

The arrival of the MUA delegation to stand on the picket line in Auckland could not have been timed better. It provided a real boost to our members. To see the Trans Tasman Federation working in real terms and the solidarity that has been fostered between our two unions has opened their eyes to the benefits of globalisation within the union movement.

One practical demonstration is worth a 100 words. Please pass onto your members our appreciation for the MUA actions in support of our strike. The media coverage that your visit attracted in New Zealand did not go unnoticed by the port company and was certainly a talking point amongst the other unions in New Zealand.

“TOUCH ONE TOUCH ALL”

Denis Carlisle
President
Russell Mayn
Secretary/Treasurer
MUNZ Local 13

“Hang your Head in Shame”

The disgraceful way our politicians, especially the federal politicians in the main, are allowing our Aboriginal communities to disintegrate is a crime against humanity.

The recent announcement of two indigenous youths suicide at the tender ages of 16 and 17, known petrol sniffers, makes one want to cry out to the world.

Forget the show ponies that want to jump on the backs of the great victories by Australian athletes at the recently held Athens Olympic Games, and claim what a great country Australia is.

Let me tell them, while young indigenous kids and others are being inundated with all types of drugs this nation can never be great. Vice and degradation is rampant. Drugs are being sourced out by profiteers, and the powers to be simply do nothing. They are destroying the great culture of the Aboriginal people.

Owen James Gimme, 16, Mervyn Minder, 17, are the ones we hear about. Not the many cases or the near misses we don’t hear about.

Coroner Alistair, investigating the suicide of these two indigenous youths uncovered an appalling set of circumstances - all of a common denominator:

poverty, drugs, no work, 20 living in one room, one toilet overflowing and very little running water. A community near destroyed.

In nearby Wagga Wagga another petrol sniffing tragedy. Colwyn Niamme 16, hanged himself 80 kilometres south of Bolgo.

The Australian Government must do something now. All the hogwash given out by John Howard about his concern for the Iraqi people was all lies and deceit. He agreed to illegally bomb their cities. He agreed to illegally invade the country.

The billions plastered on that disgraceful, illegal war will surely be his downfall. All done to protect Israel, the US dollar and oil.

In these disgraceful circumstances, John Howard, human rights are the key here, right in your own backyard. Indigenous communities are disintegrating into a third-world scenario. Stand up, stop talking about democracy when your Government allows communities to hover in third-world standards, whilst you fill the pockets of US munitions makers with a $600 million deal with taxpayers money. Redirect that money to the benefits of the people as well as the billions wasted on the Iraqi war. Time out. Time out. Here one must stand aside and be remorseful at the future of our children today and I am thinking not only of those three young boys whose lives were cut short.

These deaths could have been prevented.

I am also thinking of that young Iraqi lad who, through a US bomb, lost his mother, his father, brothers and sisters and he lost both his arms. A crime Mr Howard and his party must answer.

Stop this blatant destruction of indigenous people and their culture. No more suicides.

Ken Rowsethorn
Retired wharfie
Sydney

Korean Solidarity

I would like to extend deep thanks to you for your warm congratulatory message on the occasion of 55th Anniversary of the Foundation of our Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which pleased our workers.

We highly appreciate your active, continuous efforts to strengthen and develop relations of friendship and solidarity with our GFTUK and Trade Union of Transport and Fisheries of Korea in this new century as well as in the past.

As you emphasised, coping with international circumstances where war and aggression, negative effects of globalisation and neo-liberalism are being increased, all trade unions in the world must necessarily strengthen their international solidarity movement.

I think that establishing creditable and solid relations of solidarity between trade unions in different countries by activating mutual exchanges is an important issue to further raise international solidarity.

I know that the affiliate of GFTUK, Trade Union of Transport and Fisheries of Korea proposed to you several times the issue of an MUA delegation to visit Korea.

I hope bilateral relations between Trade Union of Transport and Fisheries of Korea and the MUA will be further developed through exchange of delegations.

We are convinced that relations of friendship and solidarity between maritime workers in two countries will be further strengthened and developed continuously in the future. I wish you good health and new success in your responsible work.

Solidarity Greetings,

Kim Yong Do
Vice President
Central Committee, GFTUK

Heart Warming

We are pleased to inform you that the 75th annual national convention of Zenkowan (All Japan Dockworkers' Union) was successfully held in September in Makizono-chq, Aira-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture.

Please accept out sincerest thanks for your heart-warming message, which deeply encouraged our members.

We are also pleased to announce that the officials of Zenkowan were reappointed as follows: President Kenji Yasuda, Vice Presidents Sueichi Motoki and Hideyuki Tozawa, General Secretary Akinobu Itoh and Vice General Secretary Shosaku Machida.

We would like to assure you that we, Zenkowan, will make strenuous efforts to develop and strengthen friendship and solidarity with your organisation. Thank you very much for your continued support and cooperation.

In Solidarity

Kenji Yasuda
President
Zenkowan

Great Honour

I wish to sincerely thank Paddy Crumlin for his address to our National Convention on its opening day.

There are certain elements of that contribution that will be spoken about for years to come.

The presence of your National Council was a great honour to bestow. I have no doubt that the confident mood amongst our delegates was due in large part to the knowledge that we face an uncertain future in very good company.

Thanks again.

Yours in unity

Tony Maher
General President
CFMEU (Mining and Energy)

Shocking Blight

Spirit of Tasmania crew sold over 40 badges in one weekend for the Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria during Asbestos Awareness Week. As well the crew put in $500 from their rolling funds for the Asbestos Diseases Foundation.

Congratulations to the hard working activists who are supporting sufferers of asbestos related diseases and their families. Special mention must be made of the seafarers who shared their first hand experience of handling the deadly dust themselves in years gone by and their stories of mates who have unfortunately not been as lucky and have succumbed to the effects of this shocking blight on OHS standards in Australia.

Cindy O'Connor
Union No: 9021125

Asbestos Pitfall

I read with interest Bill’s Heath’s letter to the Journal (August/September, 2004). I too wrote a telling letter to the Dust Diseases’ Board on asbestos a few years back. I got the form to make a claim but it excluded Commonwealth employees. As both the vessel and myself as a seafarer could be classified as the latter I saw a pitfall and decided against sending in a claim.

I worked the ANL ship MV Boonaroo. I have the discharges for her where I was either storekeeper (now bosuns’ mate) or bosun.

Somewhere between 1963 and 1964 she went to Port Swanson in northern WA and loaded blue fibre asbestos in bails for Sydney and CSR. In Whyalla we filled the remaining empty hatches with iron ore then on to Sydney to discharge the asbestos at one of the first four finger wharves in Darling Harbour.

The discharge was almost complete when the wharf went on strike. (I can’t remember what for.) There were about two or three dozen bails of fibre left in No.3 cargo hold twin decks and after a day or so we sailed and went on the ore run.

We shifted the bails to allow the twin deck beams to be landed in the twin decks. The beams broke a couple of hessian covered bales and this finely refined fibre got everywhere in the ship, being carried by the up draft of air from the hatch. I suggest these bales were left there about two or three months.

The Boonaroo then discharged the asbestos in Sydney and from there we swept up the holds twin and bottom to go on the pallet run from Melbourne to Cairns.

That said, in 1967 I was diagnosed with TB and spent three months locked up in Wollongong Chest Clinic. This is a long story of deprivation and trauma over two years. Up to July 1988 all my x-rays showed no change from the first lot. Having kicked the years to this date I always claimed what I had was dust from cargoes. My recent x-rays shows fibrosis and other jargon. And like Bill any effort at all affects my breathing. This is put down to emphysema.

I am on the veterans pension so this is not about the two mates I know of who died of cancer. Nor is it about what I went through. It is to say that someone as far back as 1963 knew this stuff was deadly. I remember one of the crew had it in the raw form. It was like a book of matches between two pieces of log about an inch wide. He threw it over the side. But none of us ever guessed or thought or openly knew about the dangers.

Yours Faithfully,

Noel G Viles
Retired SUA
Life Member

Well Done Comrade

Rock dumper Jan Steen arrived in Darwin on September 8 to begin dumping different grades of rock on the pipeline within Darwin Harbour limits.

MUA National Officer Mick Killick was there to greet us on arrival. Mick gave us an in depth rundown of the project and what problems the union has encountered. He also reported on the progress made with the shipping companies and Conoco-Phillips in regards to four week swings as opposed to five week swings and getting the crews up to Darwin the day before so they can overnight it and be fresh to start the following morning.

On October 7 we found we were going to be laid up for approximately 28 days. The company proposed manning for the deck department was going to be two: one Chief IR and one IR. Management said the IR would do cooking, cleaning and general duties and the Chief IR would have to work from 1800-0600 hours on gangway watch.

No way. We held a special meeting onboard and got in touch with Mick Killick who arranged meetings with Van Oord Management. The negotiations went on for over two days. But the outcome was good. We got five crew - 1 Chief IR, two IRs, a Chief Cook and a Chief Steward.

Mick came down and informed us of the result and the crew were “over the moon”.

Assistant National Secretary Mick Doleman had been working behind the scenes with Mick Killick on these negotiations as well.

The crew on the Jan Steen moved a motion of thanks to the officials. Their response had been swift and they had certainly achieved a positive result. As one comrade said at the meeting “this is what being in the union is all about”.

During the short period of time we have been in Darwin Mick Killick has always come down to the vessel and visited us at every opportunity. He has taken up any problems and dealt with them. A job well done, comrade.

MUA crew
Jan Steen

Restful Days

Harry McErlain commenced his sea going career in 1967 as a shipwright, a job he did mainly with ANL until the elimination of the shipwright berth in 1989. This gave Harry the opportunity to join the SUA, and he reckons he never looked back.

Although he admits he was a bit apprehensive when he was allocated as a relief to the Iron Newcastle on his first job as AB, due to the numbers attending the Maritime College to be retrained as IRs.

Back on the roster Harry finally secured a permanent job on board MV Cementco where it wasn’t long before he was nominated for ships delegate. This he deemed an honour.

For the next 12 years Harry maintained the delo’s job. But he contests that it wouldn’t have been possible without the responsible support from the ship members and officials. They were united. This made the efforts rewarding, if not always successful.

Harry intends to take it easy in retirement. He considers that the Seafarers’ Retirement Fund will allow him to do this. He also expects to miss the comradeship associated with shipboard life.

We all wish Harry and Annette some restful days, as they now seem “full on” with all the grandchildren and we reckon the woodchips are still flying in the workshop. “Stain that maple please Harry.”

Happy days to you both. It was great to have sailed with you Harry.

Barry McDonald
SS River Embley

Bowling with Fisher

Respected MUA member and Brisbane home porter Fisher Dowden announced his retirement from the maritime industry and the River Embley after 48 years sailing the oceans of the world.

Fisher is a native of the West Indies, originating from the island of Grenada, an island well remembered as another country the US invaded. He first ventured to sea at the tender age of 17 serving on vessels of various countries including, Germany, Norway, Belgian and Denmark.

Fisher came to reside in Australia in 1982, joined the union that year. His first Australian manned vessel was the MV Tolga. He then spent 19 years in the Brisbane tugs and later joined the OOCL vessel and the Bass Trader before his last ship the River Embley.

The MUA members on River Embley presented Fisher with a set of bowls and bowls case with a name tag inscribed Pine Rivers Bowls Club. So if any of Fisher's seagoing mates are looking for him to share a beer or two they know where to find him.

We are sure we speak for all the MUA members in Australia who know Fisher and certainly on behalf of all the MUA members aboard River Embley. He has been a respected shipmate and a great human being. We wish him a long and productive retirement. Our final word “See you on the Green” Fisher.

Barry McDonald
SS River Embley

Contact Details
Name	:	Maritime Union of Australia
Email	:	muano@mua.org.au

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