February 23, 2012

RMTU members stand with Maritime Union

No rail or port member of the Rail & Maritime Transport Union will be crossing any picket lines during the Ports of Auckland strike, RMTU General Secretary Wayne Butson said today.

RMTU members at the rail and port branches at Auckland and Tauranga ports were briefed late last week on developments at Ports of Auckland. Christchurch RMTU members also will be briefed in early March.

“Our members stand united with the Maritime Union of NZ,” Wayne Butson said.

“Whatever attacks on secure jobs Ports of Auckland management are hoping to achieve, will have an impact on workers in other ports including Tauranga as they move to maintain inter-port competition, which is rampant.”

“We are concerned about other Auckland workers and businesses, and the reputation of Auckland as an exit and entry point into New Zealand, and it is time for Auckland City who owns the Port to intervene and direct the Ports of Auckland board to reach a settlement.

“Ports of Auckland are going full steam ahead with their plan, hatched before negotiations with the union even began, to contract out work on the waterfront and destroy good jobs for port workers.”

“What is so offensive about port workers having secure hours that they can plan their family life around? The workers were left with little choice than to strike again in order to try and achieve this.

“This dispute can be resolved if Ports of Auckland chose to return to negotiations. There is a standing offer from the Maritime Union which can be the basis for further talks”

“The wider Auckland public and business community expect the Port to talk reasonably with the Maritime Union without a predetermined agenda.”

Wayne Butson said the RMTU members would be donating to the workers’ support fund and would join other unions in supporting Ports of Auckland workers on picket lines in the coming fortnight.

ENDS

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