POAL has been advised that the vessel operator Pacific International Lines Limited (PIL) was called by the Secretary of MUNZ (from a conference in Australia) to directly threaten the company that their vessel the Kota Permasan would be blacklisted and their company targeted by union actions in Australia and New Zealand if the vessel came into the port tonight and was unloaded by POAL’s permanent stevedoring staff.
This action is unlawful both in New Zealand and Australia.
POAL Chief Executive Tony Gibson said such threats, bullying and intimidation have characterised MUNZ throughout the dispute and will further serve to fuel public distaste for MUNZ. “Interference from the Maritime Union of Australia will be strongly opposed by New Zealanders.”
"We have been notified that these threats have resulted in the ship being diverted to Tauranga. The Port of Tauranga operates with all stevedoring operations outsourced under contract making the union's actions even more bizarre."
"Again the union is costing Auckland workers their jobs from the safety of their Sydney conference hotel suites."
“It is abhorrent that a New Zealand union is making direct threats against shipping lines and is inciting Australians to act against the interests of our employees, our customers, Auckland businesses, Auckland City, New Zealand consumers, the New Zealand supply chain and the country as a whole.”
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.
For further information contact:
Dee Radhakrishnan
Communications Executive
P: 09 348 5247
M: 027 288 5596
E:[email protected]
Anne-Marie Petersen
Communications Advisor
P: 09 348 5393
M: 021 981 747
After Hours Media Contact Number (5.30 pm – 8.00 am): 09 348 5040
