24 December 2011
Maritime Union of New Zealand members at the Ports of Auckland are taking industrial action on 23 December and Christmas Day, 25 December.
Maritime Union National President Garry Parsloe reported that members met yesterday at a special event that also brought together families.
Refuting claims that the dispute was all about pay, Parsloe said “you can’t just wave around some cash in people's faces and tell them to give up more time with their family when they already work long and unsocial hours."
Parsloe stated that proposed "flexibility" meant workers would be on call for round the clock shift work and lose any semblance of job security through outsourcing and casualisation, at a time when pressure on families was already severe.
"Our members work in 24/7 industry where unsocial hours, long shifts and hard work in an unforgiving heavy industrial environment are the norm. Add to this the issue of two income families with both parents in the same situation and it is really a shameful reflection on the corporate managers."
Parsloe added that the upcoming industrial action was taking place during a time of year the majority of New Zealand managers and workers were on holiday with their families. "Our members already work over this period, yet the employer always wants more."
Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson had also spread exaggerated information about workers’ pay, leading to a breakdown in workforce relations, Parsloe explained. "Our members see Mr Gibson waving around these inaccurate figures in public, yet he has refused to release his own salary and perks to the public.”
Industrial Action Update
This page is the source for the latest updates and information on the industrial action situation at Ports of Auckland.
Maritime Union of New Zealand Local 13 (MUNZ) strike action, and associated lockouts by Ports of Auckland, will result in a closure of the Fergusson and Bledisloe container terminals, and associated road and rail services, over the following periods:
• 10.30 pm Thursday 22 December to 10.30 pm Friday 23 December
• 10.30 pm Saturday 24 December to 10.30 pm Sunday 25 December
• 7.00 am Friday 30 December to 7.00 am Sunday 1 January
Ports of Auckland's on-dock empty container depot, multi-cargo wharves (Jellicoe, Freyberg, Captain Cook, Marsden), cruise business, vehicle import trade, marine services, Onehunga seaport, Wiri Inland Port and Seafuels barge Awanuia are not affected by the stoppages, and will remain open for business.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please be assured that we are working to provide our customers with the best service we can under the circumstances.
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