Monday 9 February 2009

Demonstration: community assembly against non-union ferry

Dear Comrades,

There will be a peaceful demonstration tomorrow, Tuesday 10th February, at Circular Quay against the non-union ferry operator Bass and Flinders.

The company has rejected dealing with the union and put in place a Greenfield’s agreement which slashes wages by 25% and leave by 20%.

There are also serious safety concerns with the new operation servicing Manly.


These safety issues include:


* The supposedly new vessels were designed for whale watching which is a slow speed service and have not been designed for high–speed, high turn around commuter transit services.

* Bass & Flinders are yet to demonstrate that they have provided appropriate passenger and vessel security training to their employees.

* The Bass & Flinders Masters have not undertaken high-speed training on top of their base maritime qualifications as Sydney Ferries masters were required to do.


* The Bass & Flinders vessels are not compatible with the berths at Manly and Circular Quay and have a number of OH&S concerns yet to be addressed.

* Proper consideration of access and egress of passengers, especially disabled passengers from these single door vessels has not been given and appropriate risk assessments have not been finalised.

Let Bass and Flinders know that WorkChoices is dead and we will not tolerate attacks of this sort on workers.


Time and Place:
Circular Quay 6am-10am | 2pm-6pm


Date:
Tuesday 10th February


Actions to continue until a positive result is achieved.


Your solidarity and support is appreciated.


In Unity,

Warren Smith
Branch Secretary
Maritime Union of Australia
Sydney Branch

Level 2
365-375 Sussex Street

Sydney NSW 2000
02-9264-5024 (MUA-Sydney)
9265 8432 (Office Direct)
02-9261-4548 (fax)
0400 368 945 (mobile)
warrensmith@mua.org.au

1 comment:

Red Wombat said...

Dear Friends of Sydney Ferries,

Thanks to the large number of people that turned out today in support of the peace demontration taken by the Maritime Union of Australia against the non-union ferry operator Bass and Flinders.

Again to remind people, this new company brought in to replace the JetCat's has rejected dealing with the union and put in place a Greenfield ’s agreement which slashes wages of their workers by 25% and leave by 20%.

There are also serious and multiple safety concerns with the new operation servicing Manly.

We will be continuing our actions tomorrow and hope that you will be able to come along and join us. Let Bass and Flinders know that WorkChoices is dead and we will not tolerate attacks of this sort on workers.

Time and Place: Circular Quay 6am-10am | 2pm-6pm
Date: Wednesday, February 11

Actions will continue until a positive result is achieved.

Your solidarity and support is appreciated.