Three maritime unions merge

Press, 28 December 1989, Page 7

Three maritime unions merge

By

CULLEN SMITH

Further maritime union amalgamations are likely after the merger of the Seamen’s Union, the Cooks and Stewards’ Union and the tiny North Shore Ferry Workers’ Union.

The three-way amalgamation was confirmed yesterday by thq national secretary of the Seamen’s Union, Mr Gerry Evans. Approved formally last week, the new union will be known as the Seafarers’ Union and will have a membership of about 1450.

The amalgamation would be the forerunner of others within the Maritime Transport Federation umbrella, Mr Evans said. “It’s not going to stop there. Amalgamation with other maritime unions will be high on the list of priorities for the new

executive.” The new union’s inaugural executive meeting, comprising executive members from the two big merger partners, is set for January 31. Mr Evans said it made sense for unions within the Maritime Transport Federation to amalgamate. However, he conceded there were divergent opinions about the one-union philosophy. Watersiders would be the logical first option to be included with the new union. “We certainly work very closely with the watersiders,” he said. Amalgamation between the three took some time, Mr Evans said. “It took a long time to get our rules registered through the

Labour Court. We had to take it to court. The registrar (of unions) maintained three of our rules were unacceptable,” he said.

The registrar was concerned about rules allowing probationary union membership, a provision covered in the Seamen’s Union rules allowing the union to expel those not suited to a seagoing vocation.

“In any other union, being a member doesn’t get you a job. But with us, once you’re on a national register of seamen you are entitled to be offered ship positions,” Mr Evans said. A Labour Court ruling from Judge Goddard cleared the way for the merger.

“We’re very happy about it,” Mr Evans said.