Union Must Heed Warnings From Customers Over Strikes

16 February 2012

Media Release

Union Must Heed Warnings From Customers Over Strikes

Ports of Auckland has today received notice from the Maritime Union – (MUNZ local 13) of a week-long strike starting on March 2. The strike comes on the back of a planned week-long strike on February 24.

Port CEO, Tony Gibson said the union’s actions were extremely disappointing and would cause considerable harm to many businesses and families.

The last mediation on the collective agreement was held with union representatives on Friday. The 5 hour meeting was adjourned with an agreement the parties would meet again if either had something new to bring to the table. It was noted that it was difficult to schedule mediation with the ongoing strike action. Despite that difficulty Ports of Auckland yesterday requested that MUNZ return to mediation. The response appears to have been the latest strike notice.

Ports of Auckland has also held three meetings with the union to consult on the proposal to contract out stevedoring labour at the Container terminal, as it does across other areas of the port business. “Consultation has been one-sided as union representatives have not yet responded to the company in the process.”

“We have made it clear throughout this process that we are open to a solution through collective bargaining, but we are also pursuing a consultation process around potential contracting out.”

“We are confident in the processes we are working through on both. Our focus is to provide the certainty our customers and employees are demanding as soon as possible.”

“The union appears to have completely ignored the strong call from our customers to reach a long-term sustainable solution to prevent the New Zealand supply chain being held to ransom in the future. ”

ENDS

Ports of Auckland Ltd is New Zealand’s most important port, handling around 894,000 TEU (20ft-equivalent units), more than 1,500 ship calls and 3.5 m tonnes of break-bulk (non-containerised) cargo per annum. It is New Zealand’s leading import port and a key partner to export and import industries, as well as New Zealand’s premier cruise port and vehicle import gateway. Ports of Auckland is 100%-owned by Auckland Council Investments Ltd.

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