NZ Herald reports on Annapurna crew
The New Zealand Herald has an NZPA report on the situation of the Annapurna and it’s Burmese crew here.
Maritime Union helps Burmese crew on Annapurna
The Maritime Union says it is helping the Burmese crew from the seized vessel Annapurna in the Ports of Auckland.
The Liberian-flagged Annapurna was seized yesterday by creditors after it berthed in Auckland, following the bankruptcy of its owners Eastwind.
Maritime Union Auckland Seafarers Branch Secretary Garry Parsloe, who represents the International Transport Workers Federation, says the primary concern of the Union is that crew members are paid their wages.
Threat of union action over port team plan
The Otago Daily Times reports on possible industrial action by the Maritime Union at Port of Otago here.
Minister of Social Development has attacked freedom of speech
UPDATED: see TV interview here
The Maritime Union of New Zealand says that actions of Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and her office in releasing private information of New Zealand citizens is an attack of freedom of speech.
Maritime Union spokesperson Victor Billot says the deliberate release of the incomes of two solo mothers to the media was a sinister attempt to bully people into submission.
The two women had criticized cuts to training allowances that would make it more difficult for them to study and improve their qualifications.
“The actions of the Minister and her office are not about providing information for reasoned debate, it is clearly a tactic to frighten and bully anyone who stands up and has an opinion.”
Holidays under threat?
The Maritime Union says it is concerned about proposals to allow workers’ holidays to be traded for cash.
Read the full article at the Otago Daily Times.
Truck plan means more blood on roads
The Maritime Union of New Zealand has slammed Government proposals to allow larger and heavier trucks on New Zealand roads as irresponsible and short-sighted.
The Union says New Zealand needs to promote low-impact, environmentally efficient modes such as coastal shipping and rail to handle the growth in freight, not bigger trucks.
Maritime Union of New Zealand General Secretary Trevor Hanson says proposed changes to land transport rules would see larger, heavier trucks dominating New Zealand roads for years to come.
“Roads will become more dangerous and more crowded leading to more and worse accidents — more blood on the road.”
Maritimes magazine Winter 2009 edition now online
Download the Winter 2009 edition of the Maritimes magazine here.
Government appears leaderless in jobs crisis
The Maritime Union says immediate action is needed to stop the unfolding jobs crisis in New Zealand.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says he is concerned that the Government appears to be “sailing in circles” as New Zealand drifts further into recession.
“Productivity dividend” required to distribute wealth
The Maritime Union has called for a “productivity dividend” from employers to spread the wealth created by new technology in the workplace.
Maritime Union of New Zealand General Secretary Trevor Hanson says that the growing use of automated technology in the workplace could have harmful effects in a recession unless the profits were shared.
He says that unless the productivity gains of new technologies are distributed throughout society, especially to displaced workers, it would result in social catastrophe.
Ports of Auckland workers ratify agreement
Maritime Union members at the Ports of Auckland have ratified their collective employment agreement with Ports of Auckland.
The new agreement was ratified by a meeting of members at the Ports on Thursday 25 June 2009.
The agreement will be signed next week. Details of the agreement are being kept confidential.