Widow's grief

To members of the MUA:

I cannot begin to explain the impact that losing Rob has had on my family and me, but I have not forgotten the impact that it must have had on you, Rob's workmates and friends. Just as I am questioning what happened, I know you too are struggling to come to terms with the loss, what happened and why.

Your union's slogan "One Union, Touch One, Touch All" describes how events should not be seen in isolation, how you support each other in good times and bad.

This has been evident to me during the last few months, as you have shown my family great support. I wish to sincerely thank you for all your help, we truly appreciate it.

Rob's death has touched many and the ripple effect is great, often beginning to settle only to be set off again as another memory sparks our emotions. I have been with Rob for a long time and we have three beautiful sons, so I have endless memories to call upon.

He was truly a great bloke who was loved by many. He was always willing to give a hand and never shunned responsibility. He had a great sense of humour and a real passion for life. Tragically that life has been cut short.

Rob was also passionate about his job, often commenting on how lucky he was, but during the course of the last few years he became disillusioned and frustrated. Changed conditions and pressures made the job more demanding and less appealing. He was concerned about his work environment and the safety of the men he worked with. He was also concerned about the up and coming EBA.

Rob felt the MUA members at Westernport should be congratulated on a first class performance during the last three years and thanked for maintaining the viability of the operation. After all, the men at Westernport are the operation's best assets.

Tragically one of their best assets is now gone and nothing will ever bring him back. I have lost my husband and my best friend. His sons have lost their father and you have lost a workmate. No one should go to work and not come home. Don't let this happen again.

We need to fight for the memory of Rob and the rights of others - they would fight for you.

Sincerely yours,

Katrina Cumberlidge

Condolences

The International Transport Workers' Federation was deeply sorry to learn of the death of waterside worker, brother Bobby Cumberlidge of the Maritime Union of Australia. We have been told that he was the victim of a regrettable workplace accident in Westernport on March 16, 2007.

This is the fourth workplace death on the Australian waterfront in four years and only further heightens the need for a Code of Practice to be established across the entire industry.

We would appreciate it if you could pass the sincere condolences of the ITF, especially of the Dockers' Section, to his family. Our thoughts and best wishes are with them at this difficult time.

Yours fraternally,

Frank Leys

Dockers' Section ITF

SAFETY CODE

Top level meetings were held between MUA national officers and stevedoring employers in June to further the National Stevedoring Code of Practice - a code the union has been campaigning for since the tragic deaths of waterside workers Rob Cumberlidge, Brian Ross and Dean Robertson - all in the past 12 months.

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, National Assistant Secretaries Mick Doleman and Rick Newlyn alongside National Training Officer Eddie Seymour met with representatives of Toll and Dubai Ports World to discuss the most efficient and suitable way to bring together stevedoring safety standards that apply internationally and locally.

The MUA has been working to engage both federal and state regulatory authorities with the aim of having one national regulatory authority responsible for the maintenance, enforcement and review of the code. The authority would also oversee reporting systems, collection of data (incident statistics, workers compensation etc).

Meanwhile the Victorian Branch has engaged the state government and Work Safe to set up working parties been with MUA participation under the umbrella of the "Waterfront Safety Project Steering Committee". Its aim to develop guidance on OHS standards, which are acceptable to all industry stakeholders.

All branches have been involved in the process by contacting their relevant local ministers for support.

Global Code

The MUA is also campaigning on the world stage for a global safety code to cover dockers in ports around the world.

National Secretary and Chair of the Dockers' Section of the International Transport Workers Federation Paddy Crumlin together with Deputy National Secretary Jim Tannock and Assistant National Secretary Rick Newlyn drafted the resolution for a global safety code based on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Dock Workers' Code of Practice at the ITF meetings held in Europe in March. On March 23, the day Australian wharves stopped to honour fallen comrades, 300 dockers and seafarers representing the world's maritime workers at the ITF meeting stood in silence to show their respect and demonstrate their determination to mount an international dockworkers' safety campaign.