Representing New Zealand maritime workers since 2002
The Maritime Union says a hunger strike by striking Ukrainian crew members in Lyttelton is a “symptom of the disease of exploitation in the fishing industry.”
Four crew members of the eight crew remaining aboard the fishing vessel “Malakhov Kurgan” are locking themselves in a cabin and are going on an indefinite hunger strike.
They are protesting about not being paid the wages that are owed to them under New Zealand law.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says that the treatment of a Ukrainian fishing crew in Lyttelton is a national disgrace and a prime example of the problems plaguing the fishing industry.
The crew have been on strike for unpaid wages aboard the fishing vessel Malakhov Kurgan which is laid up in the Port of Lyttelton.
Eight crew members remain on strike aboard after refusing a deal that 19 of their fellow crew members accepted.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says that a group of Ukrainian fishermen in Lyttelton are victims of the lack of regulation of
Read MoreThe uprising amongst New Zealand youth against low pay and insecure jobs is being backed by the Maritime Union.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says all workers should support young people who are taking part in campaign activities, including industrial action at fast food outlets and the recent street rallies and concerts.
“What we are seeing is the inevitable reaction from working class young people who have become a low-wage generation.”
Read MoreThe Maritime Union of New Zealand and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have obtained backpay for a group of Indonesian fishermen who jumped ship last week.
The nine Indonesian crew members left the fishing trawler Marinui in Dunedin on Friday 10 March.
The crew members were sent to Christchurch where they were interviewed by Maritime Union officials, and then travelled to Auckland International Airport today where they were met by union officials representing the ITF.
Read MoreThe two Unions representing port workers in New Zealand have come out against a proposed deal that would see the Port of Lyttelton pass into effective control of multinational corporate Hutchison.
The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) and the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) are working together to promote local control of the port.
Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Wayne Butson says the sell-off means a vital piece of New Zealand infrastructure will be effectively going into overseas control, with serious repercussions for the New Zealand economy.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union has welcomed New Zealand signing up to an international crackdown on illegal fishing – which also provides a clear opportunity to solve the abuse and exploitation of maritime workers.
Fisheries ministers from Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Namibia and New Zealand have agreed to a plan which will mean global tracking of fishing vessels, as well as an online database of their names, location and history, to help uncover illegal fishing.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the plan means that “half of the problem” is being seriously addressed.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says a major Union victory in Europe for job security for port workers signals a turning of the tide in the global maritime industry.
The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly on 18 January 2006 to throw out a plan to extend corporate control over European ports.
On 16 January, 6000 dockers from 16 European countries mounted a strong protest against the plan in Strasbourg, France, in defence of jobs, working conditions, health and safety, and the quality of port services.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says it is a major victory that was gained by an active campaign by workers – and which has implications for the New Zealand industry.
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