under the Fair Work Act to appoint bargaining representatives. The first instance was in relation to wharf construction personnel in Port Hedland. The FWA refused to allow the MUA WA Branch official to represent people who are outside the MUA’s rules. The second instance was in relation to some ROV operators employed by Technip. Initially a Commissioner allowed the MUA WA Branch official to represent the employees concerned however this was overturned by a Full Bench on Appeal. More recently the MUA WA Branch has started to represent pilot boat operators in the Fremantle Ports Authority. Now the MUA WA Branch has made a pitch to represent engineers employed by Van Oord in the dredging sector.


AIMPE has vigorously objected to the MUA National Secretary but so far no response has been received. AIMPE officials are currently engaged in negotiations with Van Oord and the action by the MUA WA Branch appears to be an attempt to undermine the AIMPE bargaining position. AIMPE will take all necessary steps to combat this attempt by the MUA WA Branch to encroach into AIMPE’s long-standing area of coverage.


Svitzer Advisory Board An initial meeting of the Svitzer Advisory Board was held in Sydney on 17th February with Martin Byrne attending on behalf of AIMPE. The new CEO of Svitzer Australia, Mark Malone convened the meeting in accordance with the provisions of clause 11.1.2 of the Svitzer AIMPE Agreement 2010. The company indicated a desire to make some changes in the way they operate – including giving more responsibility to the tug crews. Similar things have been floated in the past only to be washed away in the next storm. Time will tell.


Seacare coverage On Watch March 2012 page 30


On 15th February the Seacare Authority released a discussion paper relating to the coverage provisions of the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 and the Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993. The current coverage provisions of the Seacare legislation are linked to the Navigation Act 1911. With the proposed re-write of the Navigation Act, the Seacare Authority wants to have stand-alone coverage provisions to make it clear who is covered by that legislation. The seacare authority is seeking submissions by 30th March. AIMPE will be making a submission to make sure that these changes do not result in any members currently under the Seacare legislation lose their coverage but rather that the coverage of the Seacare legislation should be clarified and extended.


AMSA Surveyors: Agreement Negotiations Negotiations for the AMSA agreement that covers Surveyors and Advisors has commenced. Members have provided input thus far however further input is required on AMSA’s initiatives including the proposed reduction in recruitment standards to Class 2 (Eng and Nav). Members should contact Greg Yates or Joe Fallone (or arrange meeting to with their local Institute official) to discuss the replacement agreement.


FPSO Stybarrow Venture MV16


Modec produced a draft EBA earlier this month to give effect to the in- principle agreement reached in the negotiations. AIMPE proposed a number of further amendments and we are awaiting response from the company.


FPSO Ningaloo Vision We are yet to see a draft EBA to give effect to the in-principle


agreement reached in the negotiations.


Teekay EBAs: for RTM Weipa, Tankers & Dry Cargo fleets A detailed report on the 3rd meeting (8 November) and on the 4th meeting (5 January) was sent to Teekay ships some time ago and members should ask the Chief Engineer to provide them with the report as only the Chief Engineer’s email account accepts attachments.


AIMPE has subsequently written to Teekay to express our concern about Teekay’s inaction on major EBA claims on the one hand and Teekay’s ‘backsliding’ on items agreed at previous meetings.


The growing sentiment from members is that if Teekay doesn’t change its ways very soon then it is time for AIMPE to put a ballot- question for protected industrial action.


PB Agreement Negotiations Negotiations continued on renewing the PB Agreement for its harbour towage operations. The non- Institute agreement was rejected in mid-January and meetings were held during the first half of February to attempt to move the agreement forward. The agreement voted on included many new or redrafted terms that either reduced or made entitlements ambiguous. Further meetings are scheduled for March.


Svitzer Revised Leave Policy And Outsourcing Of “Unplanned Absence” (i.e. Sick Leave...) During the December works council, delegates heard that a new policy had been drafted on sick and personal leave (what Svitzer call “unplanned absence). The first issue was the outsourcing of reporting sick leave (that is – members would call a number outside of Svitzer to report their absence). The second was “availability” to discuss


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