Industrial Rounds

Offshore alliance

Ajoint union alliance discussed concerns that workers on individual contracts in the offshore industry are being intimidated into accepting unsafe work practices at a meeting hosted by the WA branch of the MUA in Fremantle in June.

"We've had workers from rigs and floaters approach our organisers over safety concerns," said MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. "They are afraid to put their hands up and they are afraid to take a stand because intimidation is a real issue for workers on AWAs. They are afraid of losing their jobs."

The Maritime Union of Australia and the Australian Workers' Union have formed a hydrocarbons alliance to work together to recruit non-unionised workers and address safety issues.

Paddy Crumlin and AWU National Secretary Bill Shorten addressed the conference that was open to all oil and gas industry workers - both union and non-union.

Key union organisers have been working with MUA Assistant National Secretary Mick Doleman and AWU National Organiser Rod Currie to oversee the alliance. During a one-week blitz in May they made contact with more than 200 workers through phone polling and swoops on the airport and helicopter pads to catch people on their way to and from the rigs.

MUA national organiser Bernie Farrelly is working with Mick Killick from the MUA's Darwin office and Warren Allen from the AWU Perth office on the campaign. Bernie said several people, predominantly from rigs and floaters, came forward saying they were forced to compromise safety but were too scared to speak out.

The MUA/AWU campaign is also linked with the Offshore Taskforce of the International Transport Workers' Federation. Taskforce deputy chair Mick Doleman led a delegation of AWU and MUA officials to their most recent meeting in Jakarta in June.

"Our work is part of an international campaign," Mick said. "The companies we are struggling with in Australia, like Diamond Offshore and Sea Drill, all operate in the North Sea and elsewhere."

Unions back Labor

Miners and maritime workers are backing Labor in the upcoming federal elections to the tune of $1.5 million. MUA national council resolved to help fund the ALP election campaign at a meeting held in conjunction with the CFMEU Mining and Energy Division national conference of delegates on the Gold Coast in May.

Both unions are pitching in the equivalent of $60 per member from their fighting funds. The joint effort to help get Labor over the line come the elections follows the two unions' historic funding of last year's Day of Action and their ongoing marginal seats campaign.

Opposition industrial relations spokesperson Julia Gillard and environment spokesperson Peter Garrett addressed the conference, reiterating their unequivocal support for the party's commitment to scrap WorkChoices if Labor is elected to government.

No terrorists on the waterfront

It's official. There are no terrorists working on the waterfront. Nor are wharfies a bunch of criminals as the government and Murdoch press like to make out. Contrary to the speculation of former transport minister Warren Truss, the post 9/11 security and crime checks on maritime workers have not led to "thousands losing their jobs". Only one MUA member was denied a card. And this is currently subject to appeal.

National ITF Co-ordinator Dean Summers who has overseen the process reports the Maritime Security Identity Card (MSIC) is now in full operation and the Department of Transport & Regional Services (DOTARS) has began a review into the existing maritime security regime for the next legislative changes due in 2009.

The MUA were the only union invited to participate in the federal government working group, but argued successfully for all transport unions to be involved.

"We have established ourselves as a key industry participant in security - even under this extremist government's anti union program," said Dean Summers.

He warned there would be pressure to change or broaden the application of the ID card under the review but the union would ensure workers' rights and human rights were protected.

Sydney Ferry inquiry

The NSW Government is holding an inquiry into Sydney Ferries operational efficiencies including managerial and industrial relations with the ultimate goal of improving the service's safety and reliability.

The union legal team and a strategic team involving National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, National Industrial Officer Bill Giddins, outgoing National Executive Officer Joanne White and Sydney Branch Assistant Secretary Paul Garrett have been working with the other maritime and maintenance unions to ensure a united response from the representatives of Sydney Ferries workforce. The union has also engaged 'transport policy' advisors to help with its anti-privatisation submission and any attack on wages and conditions.

An ageing fleet combined with a new management without a history in commercial maritime operations, inconsistencies in industrial agreements and rostering have all been identified as issues in the union submission.

The MUA has also met with Commissioner Walker, the transport minister and other interested parties.

Sydney Ferries employs 350 MUA members and the union is determined to see the service remain in public hands delivering a high level of service to the public.

The inquiry will be completed in August.

Meanwhile a separate inquiry into two recent fatal harbour collisions involving Sydney Ferries has recommended a 15 knots speed limit for all craft travelling under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney Ferries and NSW Maritime will implement all 11 recommendations made by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) from August 1. The Sydney Ferries fleet was already adhering to the new, slower speed.

Five of the 11 recommendations are directed at the Maritime Authority, including a call for it to prohibit vessels drifting or deliberately stopping under the bridge except in an emergency.

The other six recommendations directed at Sydney Ferries, include a recommendation that general purpose hands on ferries are trained to perform the duties of a "lookout".

Access denied

A scam involving shipping agents is preventing International Transport Workers' Federation inspectors from protecting seafarers visiting Australian ports from exploitation, ITF Australia Co-Ordinator Dean Summers reports.

ITF Inspector Graham Bragg was denied access to the FoC vessels Glory Power, Cemtex Prudence and Falcon Traveler in Gladstone in May by the agent who claimed the ships' captains had forbidden him to come on board. Investigations however showed that two of the captains were happy to have the ITF visit the ships and had not been consulted by the agents.

"This is a serious breach of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code," Dean said. "The matter will also be taken up with the agents' peak body, Gladstone security committee and the Department of Transport."

At the same time the ITF is battling Rio Tinto and the Federal Government in Western Australia where they are denied all access to the North West terminals of Dampier and Port Walcott.

"These ports service more than 30,000 foreign seafarers every year," said Dean. "But Rio steadfastly refuses entry despite our rights of access contained in ISPS. While the Australian economy is basking in the profits of the resources boom there is absolutely no consideration for those international workers upon whose labour the boom relies."

The ITF will continue to pursue the matter through the International Labour Organisation and International Maritime Organisation.

Seafarer rescue

Meanwhile ITF inspector Matt Purcell helped an Indian seafarer with severe burns on the FoC registered MSC Sonia get urgent hospitalisation in Melbourne in May.

The engine room rating suffered life threatening steam burns to 80 per cent of his body in an accident while alongside East Swanson Dock.

He was immediately taken to the Alfred Hospital's Serious Burns Unit where he remains in an induced coma receiving some of the best treatment available.

P&I insurers attempted to repatriate the injured seafarer back to India for treatment but Matt Purcell insisted he remain in Australia until he was well enough to return home.