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Port workers to hear redundancy plans

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Tue, 31 Jan 2012 5:42a.m.

The two sides have been deadlocked for months over working conditions

The two sides have been deadlocked for months over working conditions

Auckland wharfies will learn more about the future of their jobs today when they meet with union representatives over Ports of Auckland's plans to outsource work.

The Maritime Union expects 330 workers will be made redundant after port management outlined its plan to hire outside contractors.

The two sides have been deadlocked for months over working conditions, with union members striking five times over the port's proposal to introduce more flexibility to workforce hours.

The plans will be detailed to workers at a meeting late morning.

While Ports of Auckland has stressed its decision is not definite, Maritime Union national president Garry Parsloe said their actions seemed to speak otherwise.

"It seems a significant waste of energy and money on their part if they weren't," he said.

NZN

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Comments

01 Feb 2012 10:57a.m.

eddiewano wrote:

I think everyone who doesn't own their own business in NZ should get paid minimum wage as punishment for not being their own boss. Working-for-a-living is now a dirty word.

31 Jan 2012 04:32p.m.

brian wrote:

Paul. You hit the nail perfectly. I hadn't thought of the army but @ $91,000 for 27 hours of attendance per week - note I didn't say WORK - I've even considered coming out of retirement for it. Many years ago a very good friend "was employed" by the Harbour Board and his "shift" (of 2 days on duty then 2 days "on call" but rarely called) required him to "check" the moorings. It took him all of 1/2 an hour then either back into "their" non-work station to play cards with the "others" so un-employed or sleep, OR AS HE USUALLY DID, leave. There were no checks nor balances, just a total rip-off. Better than money for jam, it was money for absolutely nothing more than arriving for 1/2 an hour and the exercise of walking for 1/2 an hour two days a week. Sack the lot of them and employ 1/3 the # - at best - @ $13 per hour WORKED by equally unqualified presently on the dole. We might then attract Fontera etc back.

31 Jan 2012 02:27p.m.

Paul wrote:

'Gary'. The port workers only do a 27hr week for their $90+K income. This is no comparable income paid to any other unskilled worker in NZ. Ask yourself, if there was better money available elsewhere, these greedies would have left ages ago. They deserve sacking immediately with no redundancy, no if's, no but's, no appeal. To Madness, I suggest bring in the army who are already paid to do things to support NZ needs and currently on salary, so they would cost us nothing extra to do the wharfie's work after a few hours on the job training. Been done successfully before, so why not again?

31 Jan 2012 12:39p.m.

Gary wrote:

I understand that the port workers average $91K for a 49 hour week. This may be more than many of us receive but we are all falling behind, particularly in relation to Australia. Brisbane port workers, I understand, average AU$100K for 185 days work per year. On that basis, our port workers current pay does not seem extraordinary and is more than 40% behind what is being paid in Australia - something which our esteemed Prime Minister wants us to aspire to.

31 Jan 2012 10:39a.m.

madness wrote:

Unfortunately we now operate under the Employment Contract Act and we don't have the rights like we used to with award rates etc. These guys should have known whenthe first big customer was lost that their jobs would end up on the line somewhere. The unions don't worry because their jobs aren't at risk. The right to lockout the employers has is alot stronger than the average worker thinks.

31 Jan 2012 10:34a.m.

willyt wrote:

Best thing to do
SELL the ports contract to a chinese syndicate
Then see just how many of these so called experts would keep their jobs .Not one i suggest.

31 Jan 2012 10:03a.m.

Paora wrote:

Why should these so called 'workers' get redundancy when it is easy to sack them for several reasons that meet a dismissal criteria.

31 Jan 2012 09:41a.m.

alan wrote:

the port workers should realize that it is THEIR jobs that are on the line --not those of union officials. Unless the port becomes more efficient ( don't bullshit how hard you work and earn every penny ) all jobs will be lost to Tauranga. Look at the hourly rate being paid -- for employees who could not be termed highly skilled like surgeons, architects and engineers the pay rate is very high. The union may think it is being clever by pushing for higher demands without extra productivity but all this does is make our exporters become overpriced and everybody loses. This is the 21 st century and what was done last century no longer applies. Accept the new terms or if you are that highly in demand because of your qualifications get a job elsewhere.