News

As the newly elected Secretary of the Victorian Branch of the MUA, on behalf of myself, Dave Ball, Robert Lumsden and Robert Patchett, I would like to take the opportunity in the first of the new Victorian newsletter Under the Hook to thank the members that voted for the new team. As you will see below, we have hit the ground running and are tirelessly working to improve the pay, conditions and WHS of our members through the many EA negotiations currently underway.

The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments are being urged to back the emerging offshore wind sector in a move that could drastically reduce carbon emissions while providing quality jobs for workers who are already being impacted by the transition out of fossil fuel industries.

ADELAIDE - 10am Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Will Tracey be in attendance at the MUA Rooms Port Adelaide.

WALLAROO - 10am Thursday, 28 November 2019 - (Wharf)

PORT PIRIE - 8am Friday, 29 November 2019 (Location TBC)

WHYALLA – 8:30am Wednesday, 4 December 2019 (On-site SIMEC Qube Amenities)

Svitzer Bargaining

Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn met with Equinor representative on Tuesday, 29 October 2019 for an update on environmental approvals and timeframes for deep well drilling in the Great Australian Bight (GAB). It is well recorded that drilling in the GAB has been met with significant opposition from many quarters including fishing communities, environmental groups, sections of the Labour Movement and of course Student Strikers for Climate. The MUA have many members in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry and therefore is core business.

Wednesday, 23 October 2019:

Prior to the last State Election the former Labor Government committed to introducing Industrial manslaughter Laws that gaol business owners and directors who are proven to have been negligent in workplace deaths. With the election of the Marshall Liberal Government Industrial Manslaughter Laws are a feint memory and we need to elevate front of mind to serving politicians and the public. Come and support this rally led by the CFMMEU Construction and General Division and fly the MUA flag in support of these much-needed laws!

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the regulator at almost every touchpoint of MUA membership. Consequently the MUA are heavily invested in changes that AMSA want to make to Marine Orders or regulations in the Maritime Industry. Lately AMSA have been attempting to make changes to Marine Order (MO505) Qualifications & Marine Order (MO21) Safety and Emergency Arrangements. The MUA have made submissions objecting to these diminishing standards and call for stronger regulations.

The MUA are participating for the second year in the CFMMEU Annual Picnic day on Monday, 2 December 2019. Tickets are $25 per family (2 Adults & 3 Kids) which include entry, show rides, food, drinks and ice-cream. Events include a car and motorbike show and shine, kids running races, and tug of war. Get onto your social clubs to sponsor entry on production of a receipt. Here’s what a couple of members who attended last year had to say:  

Have you been recently elected or re-elected as a Health and Safety Rep (HSR)?  Did you know that under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 you can elect where you want to receive your HSR Training or refresher course? Did you also know that the MUA have a Safework SA approved Maritime Industry specific HSR training delivered by SA Unions and you can tell your employer that’s where you want to be trained? Of course, you did! The SA Branch has had an emphasis on HSR Training since 2013 when the new Work Health Safety Act 2012 was introduced.

The SA Branch of the MUA is affiliated to the SA ALP for the purpose of agitating for political policy and reform that impacts MUA members and the communities we live in. The MUA division has 1 vote at ALP convention which is insignificant in the scheme of things but when added to the collective strength of the CFMMEU (total 5 votes including MUA), and our affiliation to Active Left and its affiliate unions, we have close to 10% of the votes on the floor of convention.