Workers absolutely gutted with contracting out proposal

Media Release: Maritime Union of NZ
Wednesday March 7, 2012

Workers absolutely gutted with contracting out proposal

Ports of Auckland workers are absolutely gutted that management are pushing ahead with their contracting out proposal, and are calling on Aucklanders to join their public rally this Saturday to make a stand for secure jobs for workers.

Ports of Auckland will this morning announce that they are going ahead with a proposal to make 300 workers redundant and contract out their work.

Workers are devastated by the move, Maritime Union National President Garry Parsloe said this morning.

“Port management wants to take away job security from 300 ordinary working families.”

“There is no basis for this proposal. We’re already providing flexibility and have offered even more in negotiations with the Ports.

“This announcement flies in the face of public opinion, who have made it clear to us over recent weeks that they want a sustainable Ports of Auckland, with secure jobs for its workforce.”

“We call on Mayor Len Brown to not let this happen on his watch in his time as leader of this city and owner of this Port.

“His legacy cannot be that he stood by while these workers were treated in this way.”

Garry Parsloe said that New Zealanders had deep concerns about casualisation and the impact this was having on families.

“We don’t accept that our jobs should be casualised. We cannot let Ports of Auckland get away with this move. This is by no means the end of our campaign for secure work,” Garry Parsloe said.

Members of the public who want to make a stand for secure jobs and a sustainable port are invited to join Ports of Auckland workers with music, food and entertainment at Britomart this Saturday at 4pm.

Ends.

© Scoop Media