Page 5 - Newsletter#12 FinalPDF

This sector is seeing some early employment results with Worksite Meetings.
at least 2 MUA members employed with Coral
Expeditions. The publishers understand that realistically It was reported that Branch Officials attended a meeting
it will be near impossible to immediately establish a full at Hutchison worksite Thursday last week. Among EA
MUA crew on the various company’s vessels, touting that issues discussed and Protected Action plans drawn up,
APT in particular, “hires Aussie crew” is nothing new members raised concerns and sought answers over
given that has been the status quo till Covid restrictions rumours Paul Petersen was being removed from
on overseas crews, and until the newsletters and BMM representing their worksite. The Acting Branch Secretary
meetings provoked enquiries into the long forgotten or confirmed Paul was being moved and it is reported he
ignored sector. said, “it is my prerogative’ to do so.” Members informed
the officials they were opposed to Paul’s removal.
If they were MUA members, rather than APT “Employing
more than 30 Aussie Crew” …hiring 30 MUA Crew would Not much credibility now remains in the officials’ appeal
be cause for great celebration and Branch News-worthy! late last year’ at attempts at distancing themselves from
The aim is to achieve increasing MUA members aboard the style of Steve Cumberlidge, seeking to be judged on
those vessels and encourage others to join and remind their own merits. It appears Paul was not consulted or
them of the benefits of Union membership. informed of any of these outcomes and is our
understanding he is due back in Office next Monday.
Revalidation concerns.
To hear of an impending trip to Gladstone next Tuesday,
The issue on revalidations the Qld Branch during the May from an MUA member, and not from the Acting Branch
BMM, outlined associated issues, offering what sounded Secretary, or to be included in any of these discussion
like limited opportunities along with AMSA prior and decisions, again illustrates the Stalinist method of
constraints be met before even seeking upgrades or full decision and management style similar to Cumberlidges’
renewals. It is in stark contrast with the W. A. Branch autocratic manner and ‘business as usual.’ And yes,
solutions. judgment awaits in 2023.

The April edition of the W.A. “Maritime Workers First” An extract from a recent Qld Branch News from February,
eBook describes a “Hardship Training” for members at confirms a recent rearrangement or ‘shuffle’ of
‘no cost’. The article Shows “over 40 applicants” responsibility, and shows Paul continued to be assigned
successfully completed their training revalidation via the to those sites listed below, particularly Hutchies, and
‘hardship fund’.. Seems Qld Members should seek similar Qube among them, where members have spoken out
consideration from the W. A Branch than the slow, against attempts to replace him from current official
secretive selection from Cannon Hill offerings. responsibility.

Delegate Training and Committee meetings.

While upgrade training in Delegate’s roles or HSR is
always welcome, outlining upcoming ‘delegate training
and Branch Committee dates, again triggers issues about
the current legitimacy of the Branch Committee structure
and its election processes.

Given the commentary in
the photo, it is surprising It is reported that similar warnings were presented to P.
there was no information in Gallagher at an AAT meeting, and it begs the question,
the Branch News on any why is it being done? Again, the concerns of R&F
progress with the recent members are being ignored.
Task-Force discussions?
We fully understand Future of Branch Secretary S. Cumberlidge.?
Government machinery and
decision making is slow. A previous Newsletter referred to enquiry’s during the
Information provided during May BMM about Steve Cumberlidge’s future and any
the May BMM indicated that optimistically, it could take 18 news on Carol Conlon’s case. No honest enlightenment
months to two years to arrive at some principled was given then or still on S. Cumberlidge’s future return if
framework before any agreed plan is implemented. at all. 12 months ago, June 3 , Carol was sacked by
rd
Steve Cumberlidge. She deserves our thoughts for the
The comments above we hope don’t indicate as possible way such a sacking took place.
a narrow outcome similar to previous attempts nationally, That and other associated issues triggered off protests
when seeking to obtain an Australian second registry. The over a ‘final warning letter’ and a Petition. Retribution
only requirements and commitment for Australian crewing came in the manner of Police calls and charges by S.
then was to only engage an Australian Skipper and a Cumberlidge upon a R&F member. Special meetings still
Ch/engineer. not called, and no difference in operational style by all the
Page.3 ‘acting’ participants since and none likely till 2023.