Ports of Auckland 'baffled' by new Xmas strike action

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Wed, 07 Dec 2011 1:38p.m.

By 3 News online staff

The Ports of Auckland chief executive says he’s "completely baffled" by the Maritime Union’s planned strike action over Christmas.

The union blindsided them with an announcement of further strike action this morning after a week of mediation talks.

Earlier this week Ports of Auckland had said they were lifting the lockout notice this weekend in exchanged for the union dropping its planned strike action this Friday.

This agreement is now off.

“I’m completely baffled by the union’s behaviour,” says Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson.

“I would have thought best get back to mediation, withdraw the strike notice and let’s get on with bargaining. But to actually issue another strike notice, at Christmas time, the impact on our workforce and the wider community is not going to be nice.”

Mr Gibson says they’ve been reasonable in negotiations, and agreed to a 2.5 percent pay increase.

He says stevedores on average earn $91,000 a year, get five weeks of holidays as well as other benefits.

However, they will not budge on four jobs that have been outsourced.

Mr Gibson says those jobs belong to the Ports of Auckland not the union.

Strike action has cost the Ports of Auckland millions of dollars and a contract with shipping company Maersk.

Another four ships are likely to be diverted to Tauranga this weekend, which will cost the company another $1 million.

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Comments

07 Dec 2011 10:44p.m.

elisa wrote:

The union should be ashamed of themselves. How sad that in this day in age this is how we sort our differences? Planning strike action prior to an opportunity for fair mediation is unacceptable. They are costing the country and the economy millions. A 2.5% increase is WAY more than many people are getting, they should be happy to have jobs, Oh wait but now they have sabotaged their own business the Port probably wont be able to afford to pay them increases, great strategy MUNZ!!

07 Dec 2011 08:08p.m.

Hamish wrote:

This is a one-sided story, where is the interview with the union rep? As for the average stevedor getting 91k, well the averages are not representative, the average wage in nz is about 750/week but most workers dont make this and wont without working massive hours.
Easier to see whats going on with both sides of a story being told. Must be worth it, wouldnt want to cripple your employer.

07 Dec 2011 05:39p.m.

key wrote:

Good on them.Contracting out is the start of the end, used by Telecom successfully in 2009 leaving Northern workers with less than zero rights.Balls to the wall now or be picked off one by one.History has proven this.

07 Dec 2011 05:26p.m.

Lemmings wrote:

I wonder if MUNZ will make comment on the number of resignations they may be receiving at the moment. It wouldn't surprise me if members have had enough and will leave the union. The members are being lead over the cliff. It's quite sad.

07 Dec 2011 04:16p.m.

Homer wrote:

How about they pay their workers something better than $13 an hour, these workers should be getting paid better than that, it's ridiculous.

07 Dec 2011 04:16p.m.

Homer wrote:

How about they pay their workers something better than $13 an hour, these workers should be getting paid better than that, it's ridiculous.

07 Dec 2011 03:37p.m.

Bruce wrote:

Well coming up to Christmas and New Year, already losing millions. Do a Quantas and lock her down. Hardball needs two players.

07 Dec 2011 02:47p.m.

jeremy wrote:

Is this a case of greedy unionists versus the normal argument of greedy employers?

07 Dec 2011 02:21p.m.

Terry wrote:

Great news for Tauranga, not so good news for the strikers who will loose their jobs now due to the decrease in work.

07 Dec 2011 01:58p.m.

aiden wrote:

btw you also get to see with this issue how the unions lie. recently claiming these workers only got min wage, you don't get anywhere near $91,000 on min wage. Unions should be banned. Helen Kelly nearly cost this country billions in the movie industry, these union members are all criminals. line them up against a brick wall and throw rotten eggs at them