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Welcome to the Maritime Union

The Maritime Union of New Zealand was formed in 2002 when the New Zealand Waterfront Workers' Union and the New Zealand Seafarers' Union joined together. We represent waterfront workers, seafarers and related workers in New Zealand.

Deaths of fishing crew members a maritime tragedy

The Maritime Union says the confirmed death of three Indonesian crew members missing after sinking of a fishing vessel Oyang 70 is a tragedy.

The reality of National’s “90 day fire at will” laws

Heather Smith tells the story of how she was unfairly dismissed under John Key's new 90 day law.

Maritimes magazine Winter 2010 online now

The Winter 2010 edition of the Maritimes magazine is now available online to download.

National anti-worker attack will be resisted

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says National's announcement of attacks on workers rights will be fought hard.

Plea for help from fishing vessel “named and shamed” in global abuse report

13 June 2006

Burmese crew members aboard the fishing vessel "Sky 75" in the Port of Timaru have approached unions with a plea for help, a day after their vessel was "named and shamed" in an international report. The fishing vessel "Sky 75" was featured as a specific example of crew abuse in an international report from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) that was presented to a United Nations meeting on maritime law that opened in New York yesterday. New Zealand ITF co-ordinator Kathy Whelan says the "Sky 75" is a repeat offender, and the vessel had already come to the attention of the ITF when 10 Indonesian crew left the Korean registered fishing vessel 'Sky 75' in the Port of Nelson in September 2005.

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International report on crew abuse highlights abuse in New Zealand waters

12 June 2006

As the Maritime Union fights for the rights of seafarers in New Zealand waters, a new report from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) to the United Nations paints a disturbing picture of abuses of human rights at sea. The report names the case of the 'Sky 75' in New Zealand waters as one of "ruthless exploitation of fishing crews." The New Zealand ITF and Maritime Union took action when 10 Indonesian crew left the Korean registered fishing vessel 'Sky 75' in the Port of Nelson in September 2005.

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Maritime Union supports hunger strike by Ukrainian crew

30 May 2006

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.

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Treatment of Ukrainian Crew a national disgrace

17 May 2006

The 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.

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Ukrainian crew’s onboard protest in Lyttelton backed by Maritime Union

11 May 2006

The Maritime Union says that a group of Ukrainian fishermen in Lyttelton are victims of the lack of regulation of the fishing industry. The 27 crew members are currently onboard the FV Malakhov Kurgan in the port of Lyttelton where they are refusing to leave until they are paid backpay owing to them, and held [...]

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You try living on youth rates or the minimum wage

21 March 2006

The 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."

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Unions get result for Indonesian crew

16 March 2006

The 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.

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Port Unions say Port of Lyttelton should be held in local ownership

08 March 2006

The 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.

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Maritime Union says it’s time to connect the dots on Flag of Convenience fishing

06 March 2006

The 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.

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European dockers victory shows global tide turning against “pirate capitalism”

19 January 2006

The 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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