south australia newsletter october2012
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QUBE EBA Endorsed:
Viterra BLP EBA:
MUA South Australia News October 2012 65 St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide, SA 5015 P:08 844 1779
Sealink (KI Ferries): The QUBE agreement was finally endorsed after a prolonged negotiation period that involved protected industrial action ballots, lockouts and Scabs. Thankfully not all of that happened in South Australia although a very successful Protected Action Ballot was held with over 98% success rate. Protected Industrial Action was avoided in SA due to a decision in Fair Work Australia during conciliation. The negotiations resulted in some great conditions unseen or altered in the Stevedoring Industry in decades. Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith reported the results of the negotiations and explained changes to the agreement before a large rank & file meeting. The agreement was endorsed unanimously. The EBA committee did a fantastic job in keeping members informed and organised, particularly around the ballot process and were thanked by the rank & file. QUBE members also need to be thanked for their patience in this long running negotiation.
The branch along with Viterra BLP delegates are close to reaching a 4 year agreement for the 5 grain ports. The last meeting reached in principle agreement and we are waiting on the company to do some final costings but see no issue. Some final drafting will occur in the next week before distribution to members prior to a vote. The union anticipated a hostile negotiation but have found a more cordial reception, this may be due to Viterra being in the process of a takeover by Global Commodities trader Glencore. . . .Continued overleaf
Branch Organiser Campbell Duignan reports the agreement is progressing with Sealink. Sealink have sought to have the underpinning award as the Port Harbours and Enclosed Waters Award and have sought a variation to the award with FWA. The MUA have argued that the underpinning award should be the Seagoing Industry Award and to date have been successful. Membership is slowly increasing with employees realising that being organised will give them the best opportunity to gain better conditions. Campbell has been successful in getting delegates on every vessel and every swing. The other maritime unions are also involved in the process but the MUA is clearly the lead union.
Union Training: Level 1 Union Training will be conducted in the branch on Wednesday 31 Oct and 1 November this training is an introdcutory course designed for members who are new to being a delegate or want to play an active role in their respective workplaces or within the union. Training was also planned for Whyalla which unfortunately has been postponed due to the unavailability of members who applied to do the course. Level 2 training has also been postponed until the new year.
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National Stevedoring Code of Practice (NSCOP):
The Branch held a strategic planning day facilitated by MUA National Education & OHS officer Matt Goodwin for Flinders Holdings members. Flinders Holdings are the biggest employer of SA MUA members with 38% of total membership. The areas of coverage are Flinders Ports (Moorings) Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal (FACT) (formerly DPW) & Flinders Logistics ( bulk loading & receivals) . The purpose was to develop closer ties between members in each area particularly on how we organise collectively and on issues of similar concern. The first and most practical step is coordination on the National Stevedoring Code of Practice of which members are asked to sign a petition designed to get Flinders to support the MUA position on the NSCOP of which other major stevedores have bombed.
Flinders Holdings Strategic Planning:
Continued from page 1 . . . Some good gains were achieved including a reduction in annual hours for permanents to a 35 hour week, this equates to a 8% increase in the first year. An increase in permanents in each port and the introduction of Permanent Part Time with good employment conditions. 4% per annum for the remaining 3 years. Casuals also get some additional benefits including an increase in the casual loading to 25% over the life of the agreement.
The unions fight for a NSCOP had a recent set back where employers Patrick, QUBE, DP World & Shipping Australia bombed 2 years of work by Safework Australia's Temporary Advisory Group recommendations in which the Employers participated and agreed. It appears Shipping Australia are leading this charge which is surprising because they don't employ 1 stevedore. This action by the employers was delivered the day after wharfie Greg Fitzgibbon was killed on the job, enraging MUA members to the point where rallies are planned around Australia (today) on Tuesday 30 October. At the completion of the Monthly meeting a rally and march to the offices of Patrick & QUBE will demonstrate our unions commitment to delivering a NSCOP that makes the waterfront safer.
The Branch plan has union training high on the agenda and we are rolling training out consistently to ensure we maximise our delegate numbers which in turn improves the unions organising capacity. If you are interested in either level 1 or level 2 training notify the branch .
CSL/INCO: Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn is attending a high level meeting with CSL & INCO on Tuesday 30 October involving National Secretary Paddy Crumlin Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith & other branch officials. The meeting will attempt to resolve a number of issues including the company's blatant abuse of 457 visa holders. CSL/INCO are using 457 visa workers on the CSL Brisbane when Australian seafarers are unemployed.
This agreement has finally been agreed between the parties and unanimously endorsed by the members. There has been a lot of frustration in resolving this agreement particularly as there is 2 agreements for MUA members on the vessel, 1 for Adelaide Brighton Cement employees & another for INCO employees. The Agreement provides for conditions of employment equal to ABC members agreement.
Accolade 11 INCO EBA:
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Jamie Newlyn Branch Secretary M: 0419 517 487
Clem Clothier Deputy Secretary M: 0423 550 561
Campbell Duignan Branch Organiser M: 0413 398 559
National Council: Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn & Hon Deputy Branch Secretary Clem Clothier attended the MUA NationalCouncil, which heard reports from Minister for Transport Anthony Albanese, Minister for Immigration Chris Bowen, Minister for Industrial Relations Bill Shorten and Climate change Minister Greg Combet. Council also heard reports from our regional Union brothers and sisters from Pacific Islands, East Timor, PNG & New Zealand. The financial report for the year was presented demonstrating our union is still on course and fiscally prudent. Branch reports were also presented and the SA Branch reported great growth and as a percentage of new growth the SA Branch represented the third highest in the country which is a good outcome considering the 2 highest WA & Queensland are large resource project states.
Below are a selection of photos from National Council and the Sydney NSCOP Rally, which the Branch secretary attended.