Mediation to continue tomorrow; strike reduced to 24 hours

8 December 2011

Media Statement

Mediation to continue tomorrow; strike reduced to 24 hours

Ports of Auckland Chief Executive Tony Gibson said today that mediation talks with the Maritime Union of New Zealand – Local 13 (MUNZ) had progressed some way, with the union agreeing to reduce its forthcoming strike from 48 to 24 hours. The strike will now start at 10.30 pm Friday night instead of tonight.

“Ports of Auckland has consistently maintained a position that we will not meet the union during a strike,” Mr Gibson said. “On this basis, we have agreed to continue mediation tomorrow.”

“We remain disappointed that the union has chosen not to withdraw the strike planned for Saturday and the further 48 hours of strikes planned for later in the month.”

“Their partial withdrawal has come too late to stop the four ships diverting to Tauranga this weekend and too late to roster a full complement of staff on tonight.”

“While the port will be open tomorrow, we will be working through the backlog created by the last stoppage instead of servicing new callers. Importers and exporters will still suffer delays as a result, and slots for road carriers will be limited.”

Mr Gibson said he was determined to press ahead to find a resolution to the dispute.

“Inflexible work arrangements dating back decades need to be addressed for the port to move forward and offer the best service it can for Auckland and New Zealand. Maersk’s decision to shift the Southern Star service to Tauranga has shown us that we’re out of time. We need to lift our game and lift it now.”

“This means being able to guarantee our customers reliable, flexible service and achieving up-front productivity gains. Our customers and the wider business community are telling us that we have to sort this out once and for all.”

The parties will meet for further mediation at 9 am tomorrow, Friday 9 December.

ENDS

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