Whyalla  FOTB  Fatality:    

MUA South Australia News September  2012         65  St  Vincent  Street,  Port  Adelaide,  SA  5015  P:08  844  1779

Svitzer  EBA:  

TIR  Course  Completion:  

On Saturday September 15 the branch was alerted to a fatality onboard the Floating Offshore Transfer Barge (FOTB) Spencer Gulf in Whyalla. The facility operated by CSL & managed by INCO was laid up doing maintenance & cleaning tasks. The crew member a 37 year old Philippine on a 457 work visa was reportedly crushed to death when the boom where he was working was retracted. Safework SA is investigating the incident and Branch Secretary Jamie Newlyn travelled to Whyalla to assist the few members onboard and offer assistance to other crew if required. Safework SA has yet to determine the cause of the fatality however it appears that the lock out / Tag out procedures were not followed. If this is the case it suggests the fatality was totally avoidable. Since the introduction of this facility there have been numerous OHS concerns with occasional intervention from Safework SA. It's believed that the fatally injured worker was due to take leave a week prior to the incident after a 3 month swing but was kept onboard waiting for a relief. CSL/ INCO have consistently sought 457 workers on this project and the MUA has previously alleged that CSL/ INCO deliberately redeployed MUA members to menial shore based tasks after raising safety concerns so the operation could continue unimpeded. This approach frustrated a number of members who have since left with only a few Members left to fight the battle. These members are back working on the FOTB but with limited Resident Australian content. Only last week a high level meeting was held with CSL/ INCO & the MUA to discuss how we transition 457 workers out of Australian registered vessels and facilities like the FOTB and replace with Australians given the amount of unemployed members on the database. The National Office and Branch are ensuring that CSL/ Inco repatriate the body to Philippines and finically support the family. CSL/ INCO were quick at least to provide counselling service to the surviving crew. Continued page 2  

Following National Negotiations in Sydney from 10 -13 September it was agreed to hold a meeting in Whyalla with some of the National Negotiators & the branch to deal with Project Magnet issues. This meeting was held on 21 September and resulted in successful outcomes with the company agreeing that parity of salary will be occur from 1 January 2013 elevating Project Magnet worker salaries to that of Whyalla Harbour towage salaries. This is a major victory after a long period of wage stagnation for Project magnet members. This will also go some way to dissolving animosity between work groups & creating a united Spencer Gulf Towage unit.  

As reported in previous reports the Branch was successful in securing government funding for 13 Trainee Integrated (TIR ) positions to be educated at the Australian Maritime & Fisheries Academy in Port Adelaide. This is the third such successful course completion in SA and probably the most successful with all participants averaging 80+% results in exams and assignments. The branch is now in the process of trying to secure Seagoing training berths for the required 36 weeks sea time & TAGS book completion. This is proving a little difficult due to the high number of unemployed Seafarers on the database and limited berths available. However the Branch is hopeful all participants will be engaged by employers sooner rather than later.

 

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Sealink:  

Historical  &  Cultural  Project:  

Flinders    Logistics  (Berth  29):    

Whyalla FOTB Fatality Continued from Page 1 . . . The Safework SA investigation will thoroughly probe the case and interview current and previous employees, about the Safework systems amongst other investigative procedures. The National Office & Branch offer our heartfelt condolences to the deceased family and workmates and colleagues.  

The Branch organized for our active retired vets committee to be interviewed & filmed as part of the MUA History & Cultural Project recognizing the industrial struggles and anecdotes of our Veteran Seafarers & Wharfies. Jamie McMechan (Rank& File Port Botany Wharfie) from the MUA film unit came to Adelaide & filmed the veterans in a series of interviews on 18-20 September that encapsulated their ongoing activity to our union and closely associated organizations. As the Vets say " Retired from the Workforce not from the Struggle"' this slogan symbolizes the rich fabric of the Veterans that has often been neglected from a South Australian perspective and this project will ensure their stories live on and can be used to educate current and future members.

This organisation is progressing with 80% of the workers now MUA members, with 2 delegates elected. The terms and conditions are closer to being finalised with changing circumstances requiring new matters to be addressed. The Company appointing GWEs and bidding for work interstate has required conditions in relation to both to be incorporated in to the proposed agreement to cover Flinders Logistics. Two days of planning to strengthen the MUA position in relation to Flinders Ports operations overall has been scheduled for October 10-11. This will be undertaken with support of Warren Smith and Matt Goodwin from National Office.  

Sealink bargaining has been progressing with a further meeting held on Wednesday 27 August, which resulted in a number of (less significant) matters being agreed to in principle. The Company agreed to draft a revised Enterprise Agreement based on these discussions (which included acceptance of the Seagoing Award as the underpinning Award).

However subsequent to this meeting the Branch was advised by National Office that Sealink had applied to Fair Work Australia to vary the coverage provisions of the Ports, Harbours and Enclosed Waters Award that would ensure this Award would have application to their Kangaroo Island operation.

This application is being opposed by us (as well as the AMOU and AIMPE), and the Company's failure to notify us of their actions has damaged their credibility around the bargaining table, and with their workforce.

Membership has been largely static over the last month but we have a plan to get delegates in place and to publicise the Company's duplicitous actions. Both these actions being implemented should result in more members and stronger organisation at Sealink by the end of October.

Delegate  Training:  Aside from the strategic planning with Flinders Ports delegates we also have more delegate training scheduled in the near future. A Level 1 course is set to run in Whyalla on the 24-25 October. Matt Goodwin will be taking this. A further Level 1 course is scheduled for Adelaide on 31 October -1 November. This will be delivered by Jane Clark from the ACTU. Level 1 courses are open to all members who are interested, so please don't hesitate to let us know if you wish to participate in one of these. A Level 2 course is scheduled for 29-30 November in Adelaide, and all participants will be required to have completed a Stage 1 course. Matt Goodwin will be taking this course.

 

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  Jamie Newlyn Branch Secretary M: 0419 517 487

jamie.newlyn@mua.org.au

Clem Clothier Deputy Secretary M: 0423 550 561

clem.clothier@mua.org.au

Campbell Duignan Branch Organiser M: 0413 398 559

campbell.duignan@mua.org.au

Merchant  Navy  Day,  3  Sept:  

Viterra  Terminal  Organising:    

Merchant Navy Day 3 September saw a good turn out of members, MUA veterans and other community organizations including the Merchant Navy Association, representatives from Port Adelaide Enfield Council & the State MP for Port Adelaide Susan Close. All Participants marched from the Port Adelaide Workers Memorial to the SS Admella Navigator Memorial on Port Adelaide's Dock 1. The day has been celebrated in South Australia since it's proclamation by the ALP Federal Government in 2008. The day represents the sacrifices Merchant vessels have played in times of conflict, those that lost lives in war time and importantly the contribution of the Merchant Navy in the growing prosperity of Australia. This year was cause for further celebration acknowledging the ALP Federal Governments passage of Shipping Reform legislation that provides for greater incentive for shipowners to register vessels in Australia and employ Australians. A ceremony conducted by Port Chaplain Robin Trebilock remembered those who lost their lives at sea in War or in peace time. This was followed by a BBQ and refreshments on the Historic Port Adelaide Ketch "Falie". The SA Branch appears the only Branch to celebrate Australia's recognition of Merchant Navy Day and the Branch has recommended that the MUA National Council promote & celebrate the day throughout Australia on September 3 every year. Special mention to Keith Ridgeway & the MUA Veterans for organising the day.

Branch Organiser Campbell Duignan has been working closely with activists on the Viterra site to develop an organized site. At this stage density is low but a number of member activists have put their hand up to be delegates and participate in the Site Consultative Committee. To facilitate dialogue with employees a survey was developed and distributed by the delegates with a good return. analysis of the results gives Campbell & the delegates further opportunity to organise around the issues as identified in the survey based the major issues. The goal of course is to recruit non union members, build union density and ultimately union power.

Above: The Floating Offshore Transfer Barge (FOTB) Spencer Gulf in Whyalla. Below: The Red Ensign – While it is generally flown at sea, the Australian Red Ensign may be flown on land for ceremonial purposes such as Merchant Navy Day.