Asia-Pacific union leaders gather in Port Moresby to kick off regional maritime federation; Palea-ITF wins jobs victory after over two years struggle
Asia-Pacific union leaders gather in Port Moresby to kick off regional maritime federation
Posted on 13 November 2013 http://www.munz.org.nz/2013/11/13/asia-pacific-union-leaders-gather-in-p...
Maritime union leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region will chart out the future of a proposed regional maritime federation in a high level meeting convening on November 13 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The leaders represent key maritime unions in the region: the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ), and Papua New Guinea Maritime and Transport Workers Union (PNGMTU).
The one-day conference will analyse the maritime trends in the area and debate the outlines of the federation’s goals, strategy, and governance.
“When it comes to the future of workers in the maritime industry in the Asia-Pacific region, there are no borders,” MUA national secretary and International Transport Workers Federation president Paddy Crumlin said.
“Our livelihoods and working conditions will be protected and enhanced by building strategies, campaigns and advancing our mutual interests in unison.
“We will maintain the integrity and special identity of each union but, indeed, our regional coordination will bolster the future for all maritime workers in each nation.”
MUNZ general secretary Joe Fleetwood added: “Our region will continue to see great growth in commerce across the oceans and our goal is to make sure that the workers who make sure goods move efficiently from nation to nation share in the bounty of economic prosperity.”
PNGMTU secretary Reg McAlister, who is serving as the host, said: “Our alliance with our neighbours goes back many years and we see great potential in a federation that will enhance our capacity in PNG.”
The conference will take place at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby. Among the dignitaries who will address the conference are the Honorable Michael Malabag, PNG’s Health Minister and the Honorable Ano Pala, PNG’s Transport Minister.
Palea wins jobs victory after over two years struggle
19 November 2013 http://www.itfglobal.org/itf-asia/news-online.cfm/newsdetail/9825
After a fightback lasting over two years, the ITF-affiliated Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) has won an agreement from Philippines Airlines for the return to work of staff who were outsourced on inferior conditions and short term contracts, threatened with redundancy, and even locked out. Thanks to the union’s determination the airline has now agreed that six hundred staff who refused to claim separation benefits will be re-employed in their regular posts.
PALEA’s resistance has been backed throughout by unions in the Philippines and worldwide.
ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton commented: “Since the outsourcing plan was first mooted in 2010 PALEA has fought back against it in a tireless defence of those thousands of jobs. They said the plan was crazy, unfair and risked the wellbeing of the airline itself. They were backed in this by their trade union colleagues in the Philippines and worldwide. Now they have been proved right.”
Paddy Crumlin, ITF president and national secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), added: “What stands out first and foremost in this important victory is the strength and determination of the members of PALEA. For two years they waged a struggle, standing fast as a united group. That struggle also brought out the best in our ITF network globally as union members on every continent showed solidarity, either by simple messages sent to show support, leafleting Philippine Airlines and even visits to the camp set up near the PAL terminal. Let this victory stand as an example for us to follow in the day, months and years as we unite across the globe to push back against injustice that threatens a fair living for all transport workers.
“In Australia, ITF affiliates have run a long campaign to assist our comrades in the Philippines and this has been replicated around the globe. Importantly, PALEA members continued to offer their solidarity to other global ITF campaigns throughout their struggle.”
The history of PALEA’s fightback and the international solidarity that supported it can be seen at www.saveourpalsjobs.org
Submitted by Helmsman on Wed, 11/20/2013 - 07:45
