Rogue management seeks overseas stevedores

Rogue management seeks overseas stevedores to replace Auckland workers

Maritime Union of New Zealand media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday 28 February 2012

The Maritime Union says Ports of Auckland management are putting ads on Australian websites for a replacement contracted out workforce on the Auckland waterfront.

Maritime Union National President Garry Parsloe says the ads show that Ports of Auckland management claims it wanted to reach a negotiated settlement were transparent nonsense.

The Ports of Auckland is advertising on behalf of "potential contractors" for overseas workers to replace Ports of Auckland workforce.

Mr Parsloe says Auckland ratepayers are paying Ports of Auckland management to destroy local jobs.

"I am pleased to say the Australian workers I have spoken to have been appalled by this action by Ports of Auckland management and will have nothing to do with them."

The advertisement on the Hudson.com Australian website also says that Ports of Auckland wants to hear from non-waterfront workers who "would commit to training and up-skilling."

Mr Parsloe says Auckland ratepayers will be paying for the training of a non-skilled workforce, and possibly years of disruption to Port operations.

He says last weekend the CEO of Ports of Auckland Tony Gibson attacked the Maritime Union of New Zealand for working with international unions to defend secure jobs as undermining New Zealand's interests.

At the same time Mr Gibson was attacking the Maritime Union for its internationalist outlook, he was advertising in Australia for replacements for a casualized and contracted out workforce.

Mr Parsloe says the hypocrisy of such actions was staggering.

"We can't talk to Australians, but he can hire them to replace his own workers, apparently."

Mr Parsloe says there is no option now but for the Auckland City and the Board to act and dismiss the senior management of Ports of Auckland.

"The Ports of Auckland, owned by the people of Auckland, is now engaged in bringing in workers from overseas to replace Auckland ratepayers and citizens as part of a move to casualize and contract out and privatize the port."

"This is a rogue management with its own agenda and the Council must step in to protect the interests of Auckland."

ENDS

Download a PDF of full ad at http://www.munz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hudson.pdf

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