By 3 News online staff
The Ports of Auckland company has just dropped a bombshell on its striking workers, making them redundant and announcing it will contract the work out.
The company says it will move to a “competitive stevedoring model” for unloading cargo.
Workers will be given the chance to apply for jobs under the new regime.
Port CEO Tony Gibson said the move would be "welcome news for Aucklanders as well as customers".
"We’ve weighed up all the options and we believe this is the best decision for the future of the Port," says Mr Gibson.
"Auckland enjoys significant natural advantages, including its proximity to New Zealand’s largest market, where 60 percent of exports, and 70 percent of import business takes place.
"Until now we have been constrained by practices which have reduced the port’s competitiveness, and in recent months industrial action, which has lost us significant business."
Maritime Union president Garry Parsloe says the 292 affected employees are "absolutely gutted".
“Port management wants to take away job security from 300 ordinary working families," says Mr Parsloe.
"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."
The Council of Trade Unions also condemned the sacking.
“The union movement is 100 percent behind these workers and their families, and we will vigorously oppose the moves to dismiss these workers," says president Helen Kelly.
“It is an outrageous approach to bargaining for the Port management to say, 'Accept every change we want in the collective agreement or we will sack all of you and replace you with contracted labour that has to accept every one of our demanded changes in hours of work, and rosters, and reductions in so many other conditions of work essential for safety and job security.'"
Ms Kelly is calling the Ports' actions a "most ruthless attempt to drive down labour costs".
"I don’t know what sort of employer sits down and thinks, ‘I’ll just sack all those guys and bring in somebody else.’"
Three different companies will be hired to supply stevedoring services to the port. The redundant workers will be encouraged to apply for positions at these companies.
But as contractors, they would no longer be able to negotiate pay, hours and working conditions with the Port directly.
“This decision has not been made lightly, but we believe it is vital to ensuring a successful and sustainable future for the Port, including protecting jobs over the long term,” says Mr Gibson.
Both Mr Parsloe and Ms Kelly say it is time for Mayor Len Brown to get involved.
“His legacy cannot be that he stood by while these workers were treated in this way.”
Mr Brown says he is on the side of the "the people of Auckland", and expressed his "disappointment" the two parties couldn't come to an agreement.
“We deserve a port that is competitive, a decent return for rate payers and a settlement that is sustainable," says Mr Brown.
“My powers to intervene in this dispute are severely limited by legislation surrounding the port. However the people of Auckland can be confident that I am in constant contact with both parties in the dispute and they are aware of my concerns about the consequences for Auckland as a whole and the families directly involved."
This Saturday at 4pm the union is holding a protest, inviting the public to come down to Britomart and support the fired workers. There will be music, food and entertainment.
Workers are picketing this morning at Teal Park, corner of Tamaki Dr and Soylent St.
3 News