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 demonstrate it is not up to the challenge of dealing with modern day business issues.
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.
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 impossible as union representatives have sat silent throughout these meetings.”
"We have made it clear throughout this process that we are open to a solution through collective bargaining, but that we are pursuing a consultation process around contracting out to achieve a sustainable equitable solution as soon as possible.”
“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. ”
“I am also concerned that Wellington based union officials from the CTU have now sidelined MUNZ in both mediation and consultation and are making decisions to launch week-long strikes without any vote from MUNZ members, which not only disrupt the supply chain, but also cost workers their wages.”
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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