Media release 25 November 2000
Recent events at Bluff and Port Chalmers have indicated some of the tensions in the new industrial relations scene, says
Employers' Federation chief executive Anne Knowles.
"Over the last week we have seen aggressive picketing and inflammatory rhetoric reminiscent of the 1970s," Ms Knowles
said. "Along the way, some simple truths have been overlooked.
"The first is that companies are free to compete against each other for business.
"The second is that restrictive work practices won't safeguard jobs in Otago, Southland or anywhere else. Being
productive and competitive is a better strategy than protectionism.
"Rhetoric about 'casualisation' is also wide of the mark. All ports use casual labour, because of the nature of the
work. It is also not uncommon for ports to bring in workers from other centres to meet peaks in demand. Attempts by some
in the union movement to portray these practices as unusual or sinister are unfortunate.
"Exporters need to be able to move their products across wharves without impediment. Events at Southern ports will have
given them some concern."
Ends
Contact Anne Knowles 021 425868