Industrial Rounds

Permanency at P&O, shift upgrades, workers killed, Burnie EBA, Hand injuries, NSW battle with insurance companies over dust board and Western Stevedores.

Permanency at P&O

The new P&O enterprise agreements have now been completed and endorsed in all major ports but for Brisbane. The EBA delivers an extra 115 permanent rostered jobs nationwide. Another 207 members have moved from part time to permanent irregular shift workers (VSE), with an extra 316 members now employed on the guaranteed wage in terminals and regional ports across the nation.

Casual labour is down and is set to keep falling, with the EBA making it conditional that all regular supplementary labour is upgraded to GWE after 12 months and the six monthly reviews, which have already resulted in 45 permanent jobs as in Melbourne/Sydney.

P&O Melbourne boasts the highest intake, an extra 226 jobs - 44 permanent full time. Brisbane has the second largest increase, subject to the EBA being endorsed, within additional 139 GWE, VSE and permanent (32) jobs in both workplaces.

The final breakthrough on negotiations came after the union ran forums in Sydney, Fremantle and Brisbane where around 30 rank and file members could talk through problems with management alongside the negotiating team.

"We found on the day that a lot of the issues people raised had nothing to do with the EBA," said Deputy National Secretary Jim Tannock (below). "But it gave everyone a chance to have a say and hear the company's explanation."

Tannock said the company also found that it had much to learn from the workforce, with crane operators and others explaining how working arrangements, in particular planning, can impact positively on productivity.

"Some times it pays for the company to put more time aside to listen to its workforce," said Tannock

The forums worked well in Sydney and Fremantle with members previously voting against the EBA giving it there overwhelming endorsement.

Also being trialed successfully at P&O Sydney is system of aligning the VSE employees to the panels. This is designed to give irregular shift workers (VSE) blocks of day, evening or night shifts consistent with the rosters.

"Once they have some predictability of shifts, we're well on the way to preventing fatigue and stress as well as making it easier for members to balance work and family or social life," said Tannock. "This EBA outcome is a big step forward in the aim of the union to remove casualisation and continue to build on permanent jobs."

Altogether 638 members have moved up the career path by achieving greater job security.

P&O Shift Upgrades

Adelaide: Recently it was brought to the attention of the branch that members at P&O have not been receiving the correct rate of pay for shift upgrades. The company has been paying the award clause 11 rate as opposed to the composite rate as prescribed in the E/A.

The union set in motion the avoidance of dispute procedures and a meeting was convened to discuss the issue.

Agreement was reached with the company that the composite rate would be paid to all VSE, GWE and casuals when working in an upgraded position. Back pay will be paid in the next pay period for all VSE, GWE and casual members who have been incorrectly paid for upgraded positions.

There is still an issue with how permanents are paid upgrades especially when working in supervisor positions. P&O are following this up with their corporate industrial relations team and will advise the Union and members when the issue has been clarified.

Worker Killed

MELBOURNE: Team leader and MUA member Jeffrey Gray fell to his death from a 4-high container stack in the hold of the Kiribati Chief at C Berth, Appleton Dock, P&O Ports, at around 8.30am on June 23.

Gray, 45, joined the union in 1996. He leaves a wife and two children.

"It's a tragedy," said outgoing Branch Secretary Mick Cottrell. "Jeff was very popular and well respected. He was one of the blokes, one of the team."

P&O arranged immediate counselling for employees and Grey's workmates. The company also provided cabs for those not up to driving home.

A Workcover investigation and police report on the fatality is under way.

Jumping the Gun

BURNIE: This EA is due shortly and the company have jumped the gun by meeting with those employee/members who are currently under an AWA, State secretary Mick Wickham reports. The company offered an immediate 3 per cent pay rise to re-sign. These members refused to sign and have approached the union to be part of the EBA process. Wickham subsequently wrote to the Burnie Port Corporation and to the AIRC and notified them of these wishes. Talks are scheduled for July.

Hand Injuries Plague

SYDNEY: The Central NSW Branch is to run a test case for wharfies suffering crippling hand injuries following successful legal action in the UK by the Liverpool Dockers.

Known as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome or ganglions, a growth on the tendons and joints affects movement, eventually completely disabling the hand.

It is caused from workplace lashing, twistlocks and driving heavy machinery.

While there have been no successful claims in Australia, in the UK it is now classified and compensation is payable.

Although it's almost eight years since the Liverpool Dockers last worked in the port industry, many of those who proudly participated in the 28 month long dispute are still suffering the effects of dockwork related illnesses and injuries.

Members who think they may have such injuries should contact the branch.

Dust Busters

SYDNEY: Outgoing NSW branch official Barry Robson (above photo) has branded any state government official working to accommodate insurance giant Allianz as "lower than a Patrick's scab," in response to the company's campaign to dump the Dust Diseases Tribunal (DDT).

Robson said he was sick of burying former workmates killed by asbestosis and mesothelioma and sick of being constantly frustrated by insurance companies in his efforts to win compensation for the men and their wives.

Robson was furious at the Allianz spin following last months revelations of its lobbying to disband the DDT. The company issued a media release claiming it only sought changes that would speed compensation and ensure peace of mind for victims and their families.

The CFMEU and the AMWU also attacked Allianz for taking insurance premiums off companies like Hardys for decades, knowing the risk involved, and then trying to shift the payout to the public purse through the Accident Compensation Commission.

Western Stevedores

DAMPIER: Western Stevedores EBA was completed in June in Karratha. Delegates meet with company representatives and outgoing Branch Secretary Wal Pritchard (below).

The agreement is over two years and gives 4 per cent plus 4 per cent. An extra permanent is added to the current structure which now makes the permanent/GWE ratio 5+5 with the potential to go to 6+5 upon settlement of redundancy issues nationally.

There will also be establishment figures on core casuals and a range of other benefits including general access to PPE and working gear by casual employees.

Twistlocks

SYDNEY: The Union is launching a campaign to eliminate manual twist lock work in Australian terminals & make the workplace safer.

Full report next MWJ