Published: 12 Dec 2019
There has been a great level of industrial activity in the months leading up to Christmas and the holiday period. Click here for updates on DPW, Patricks, VICT, MIRRAT Toll Stevedoring, QUBE, Svitzer Tugs, Ausport/1-Port and more. Make sure you check out the other articles in this email to see what our Branch has been doing more broadly.
DP World
An in-principle Agreement has been reached with DP World regarding Part A of the Agreement. The initial drafting for this occurred on 4 and 5 of December. The Stop-Work meeting that occurred around the country saw the attendance off the Branch secretaries from each of the ports. There was robust debate and discussion about the EA negotiations, along with an explanation of why the need to secure a strong automation clause is of critical importance to the members in Melbourne. Negotiations for Part B will commence when Part A has concluded.
Patricks
The ERC have been approached by management regarding the downturn in volumes coming through the terminal. The ERC will continue to work with the company in an attempt to ensure that we don’t lose any jobs. We know that contracts come and go, and the work will return to the terminal soon enough. The ERC have been working through the items received in the suggestion box and via email to develop a log of claims for East Swanson dock.
Victoria International Container Terminal
The MUA continues to grow at VICT. Site visits by Assistant Branch Secretary Robert Lumsden and Organiser Aarin Moon have been occurring. The last two years at VICT have seen increased workload this time of year. We ask all members to ensure that the safety of themselves and their workmates is at the forefront of their minds. Earlier this month, Worksafe attended site after a container fell onto the ships deck. This could have had devastating consequences for wharfies in the terminal – make sure you and your workmates get home to your families this holiday period and the company doesn’t risk your safety in their search for extra profit. Stand up. If there are any incidents you can always contact the Union at any time.
Stand Up. Speak Out. Come Home.
The new year is set to see big changes at VICT as the expiry of the Agreement on 20 October 2020 fast approaches. The campaign for industry equivalent pay conditions, job security and the return of offshored jobs, will ramp up and remain a priority for the Union.
QUBE
On the 2 and the 3 of December, over 30 delegates and officials from around the country gathered here in Melbourne to determine the log of claims for Part A of the QUBE Agreement, which is due to expire in June 2020. This meeting discussed and debated many claims from around the country and landed on a united position to be further discussed by the members. A report back should have (or are scheduled to) occur in all sites to further discuss and vote on the proposed claims for Part A. The meeting also elected a national Part A negotiating team with a representative from each state being nominated. Meetings with the Company should commence shortly.
Searoad
The Union has been in and out of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) with Searoad as they advertised externally for a PGE, both before an internal advertising was done and before the conclusion of the Labour Review. After several bouts in the FWC, we finally received the company’s data for the Labour Review. The company offered 2 full time positions. The Union believed that, from the data provided during the Labour Review, 8 full times jobs were warranted. The Union also acknowledges that there are several positions that need to be backfilled as people have left. Discussions will continue with the company.
Toll Stevedoring
Negotiations have continued weekly for the Toll Agreement which expired on 19 November. Negotiations have largely been centred around; an updated roster that will provide better work life balance for wharfies, more permanent jobs for MUA members, protections around the outsourcing or contracting out of work, and returning of job already transferred out. Negotiations are continuing while the workforce consider the outcomes achieved thus far.
Toll Shipping
The current Enterprise Agreement has been rolled over for 12 months. As part of the roll over, the MUA was able to secure 12 additional jobs for IR’s and caterers on the two new Toll vessels. There has also 3 more trainee IR’s picked up by Toll for the vessels. The Agreement that has been rolled over will expire in March 2020.
Svitzer Tugs
The MUA had hoped that after several days of negotiations, we could report we were close to reaching an Agreement with Svitzer. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Whilst the company has made some movement on a few claims, there are many which have seen none. Significant delays to the national negotiations have been caused by the inability/unwillingness of local management in various ports to resolve issues in the POPs. The three unions will be back at the negotiating table with Svitzer on 16 and 17 December. It seems unlikely an Agreement will be reached before Christmas.
Engage Tugs
Engage has tugs operating in Geelong, Port Botany and Port Latta. The company has been attempting to push their workers onto Co-Op Agreements which have the same issues we have seen in Partnership Agreements in other parts of the country. We have seen these alternate employment models reduce conditions and put workers at risks in other states. The Union, at both a Branch and national level has been fighting to secure a traditional EBA for our members, to protect them and the industry standards. The company have agreed to enter into an interest based bargaining arrangement. Training for the process took place in the Fair Work Commission on 11 December, the training was attended by the MUA, AMOU, AIMPE and Engage.
AusPort/1-Port – lines
A Negotiation meeting with AusPort/1-Port took place in late November of this year. The companies third party IR firm seemed more interested in discussing ways to exclude members in the democratic processes of negotiations than the issues at hand. The IR firm insulted the intelligence of the workers and attempted to derail the meeting. The Branch found this very surprising considering AusPort’s reputation for engagement the workforce and their respect for the ability for employees to work effectively and autonomously. At the time of writing, we are awaiting a response from the external IR firm. The Branch wants to see a swift conclusion to the negotiation and a pay rise in the pockets of members before Christmas. This outcome would be easier to achieve (and cheaper) for AusPort if they would meet directly with the Union and delegates and removed the obstructive, external IR firm from the negotiations.
TT LINE
MUA members, along with the Branch, have been doing a great job to organise all members on Spot 1 and Spot 2. They have recently got back all meals for all crew on board after management attempted to take them away – 8 weeks ago.
There was a process to secure more permanent jobs for TT Line wharfies. The review has concluded with the Union winning more full-time jobs, with hopefully more to come.
Gippsland Port Authority and the Tommy Norton
Both Dave Ball and Robert Lumsden recently held meetings with members in the Gippsland Port Authority and on board the Tommy Norton. It’s great to see a bunch of passionate Union member out in the regions and MUA looks forward to assisting and working with these members in the future.
Offshore
On 6 December the Branch attended the Offshore Conference in Western Australia. The Branch was represented by Assistant Secretary Robert Lumsden and seafarer Damien Molar. The conference discussed and debate the strategy for the upcoming Enterprise Agreements and determined a process for developing a log of claims for these negotiations. Meetings to debate and determine the final log of claims will be held at all Branches in the new year. The Branch will notify members of the dates for the Victorian meeting once a date has been determined.
