VOLUME 23 — JUNE 2023
The Maritime Worker Te Whanganui-a-Tara NEWSLETTER OF THE WELLINGTON BRANCH OF THE MARITIME UNION OF NEW ZEALAND
Vale Paul Palmer By Jim King Wellington Branch Secretary It is great sadness we received news that former Cooks and Stewards official Paul Palmer passed away on Sunday 11 June. Paul served as Cooks and Stewards Union Assistant Secretary and Assistant National Secretary (1983 – 1989). The above picture is from 1989. Paul’s contribution to the Union was noted in the late Gerard Hill’s book The Cooks and Stewards Union: A memoir. “Dave Graham [former National Secretary of the Federated Cooks and Stewards Union] says that when he was National Secretary, he was skilfully assisted by Paul, a Londoner and Chelsea supporter. Paul served as assistant National Secretary for six years. In 1983, Paul Palmer won the Assistant National Secretary position in a contested race. He had been a member of the National Union of Seamen (UK) in 1966. When they voted to strike Paul hit the bricks on day one. Paul retired on 2 February 2015.” The last vessel Paul sailed on was the rail ferry Kaiarahi. RIP Brother!
CAMPAIGNING FOR COASTAL SHIPPING By Tony Mowbray #1154 Government to fully address Section 198 Wellington Branch President of the Maritime Transport Act once and for all. After the move by Maersk to sack This has been the latest New Zealand crews from their two stunt pulled by one of many Vessels, after only being in service obscenely greedy compafor eight months, the Nelson and nies that not only merciWellington branches took the lessly exploit their foreign initiative to start taking crews, but also undercut local companies, eventually leadsome form of physical ing to unemployment for New action over the dismissals, combining it with Zealand seafarers. our continuing National If 60 jobs were overnight Coastal Shipping replaced, purely for profit, campaign. in any other work sector in We have been taking New Zealand, it would have our message out to the public caused an uproar and certainly while also highlighting the some justified public reaction. need for MUNZ to up the ante with Continued on page 2