Maritime Union puts forward election goals
Maritime Union of New Zealand media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday 14 October 2008
The Maritime Union has announced its priorities for the 2008 election.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Union wants to see the return of a Labour-led Government to
continue what he describes as incremental but positive moves to develop the maritime and transport industries.
Mr Hanson says the Maritime Union is strongly endorsing the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) election policy
document, especially regarding key issues such as wages, employment relations, health and safety, ACC, and transport.
He says the CTU has identified specific maritime issues such as amending section 198 of the Maritime Transport Act to
ensure that domestic coastal shipping is not disadvantaged in relation to foreign ships, and opposing commitments on
Mode 4 in bilateral and regional free trade agreements relating to the movement of cross-border labour.
"We want to see the return of a Labour-led Government which has the support of pro-worker minor parties in an MMP
environment."
Mr Hanson says it is a time of great challenges in a trade-driven industry.
He says it is a mixed outlook for the industry with potential threats to jobs coming from an international downturn in
trade caused by the current financial crisis, but potential for expansion in the offshore oil and gas industry.
"A move back to a National Government at a time of international recession would create a repeat of the 1990s in our
industry which saw the decimation of job security, a lack of planning and mindless deregulation that has caused a lot of
downstream problems."
Specific goals for the Maritime Union:
• New Zealand shipping. The Maritime Union endorses the Sea Change document but believes that rapidly evolving
circumstances require a more ambitious approach. Cabotage for New Zealand shipping is not off the table. The commitment
to New Zealand shipping in the Sea Change plan is seen as a good first step. It is back on the agendaᾠfor Australia and
the option for a trans-Tasman cabotage arrangement could be considered. (NB Cabotage is where domestic shipping is given
priority on coastal shipping routes.)
• Casualization needs to be addressed. The casualization review initiated by the Labour Government and New Zealand First
has started the ball rolling.
The long term solution can only lie in a regulated labour market. Workers are not commodities. The flow on effect of a
casualized workforce is an unskilled, demoralized workforce with low productivity. The social problems caused by
casualization are profound. A national register of trained, bona fide maritime workers is one option to ensure national
standards and quality jobs are a priority.
• Free trade. The Maritime Union has criticized free trade arrangements on a number of levels. The ownership and control
of New Zealand's maritime and transport infrastructure is in danger of being transferred to overseas conglomerates and
free trade will undermine investment regulations. The use of short-term casual labour being Ῡmported across borders to
drive down wages and conditions is a major international issue that is not yet fully appreciated in New Zealand. The
role of free trade agreements in undermining local control and secure work is a serious concern. The Maritime Union
notes the relevant criticisms of free trade from the Green Party and AllῩance Party.
• Port rationalization. The Maritime Union views the current system of ports engaged in mutually destructive competition
as unsustainable. However the Union rejects privatization or corporate monopolies promoted by vested interests as the
answer. A national ports policy needs to drive the modernization process, to get past the par`chial approach of ports,
and which retains New Zealand ownership and control of ports.
• Training. The lack of new entrants into the industry especially in growth areas such as offshore oil and gas is a
serious concern. The young people of New Zealand have the right to training and careers in their own industry. The
Maritime Union supports industry suggestions around the establishment of a training facility for thisᾠarea. A career
path for young workers is vital for both the industry and for New Zealand's future.
• Health and safety. Phase out of Methyl Bromide.
• Public ownership. Support the buyback of rail and ferries. Support public ownership of ports.
• Kiwisaver. Support current Kiwisaver system while ensuring national superannuation is not downgraded.
ENDS