Competition between the Ports of Auckland and its counterpart in Tauranga is fierce, but the possibility of a merger has been raised several times. Photo / Dean Purcell
Competition between the Ports of Auckland and its counterpart in Tauranga is fierce, but the possibility of a merger has been raised several times. Photo / Dean Purcell
Maritime Union of New Zealand members at Ports of Auckland have voted to strike for a sixth time, and wharfies will refuse to work containers moved by the company's transport unit Conlinxx.
Some 300 union members voted for a week-long strike this morning. The industrial action won't be continuous. Theaction will start at 7am on February 15.
"The union is prepared to work through productivity and other issues, but not under the type of threats the management are holding over its employees," union president Garry Parsloe said in a statement. "It is aimed at getting management to negotiate rather than dictate."
The strike will be the latest in a running battle between port management, who want to cut costs by increasing use of casual labour, and the union in a dispute that's cost the transport hub contracts with shipping line Maersk and dairy exporter Fonterra Cooperative Group.
Ports of Auckland has requests for proposals out with potential new labour suppliers which are due back today, and it expects to make a decision about whether to proceed with plans to outsource jobs in early February.
Last week, it emerged the port tapped former Port of Tauranga chief Jon Mayson for advice on how to set up more flexible labour relations. Mayson was involved in the 1990 labour reforms at the Tauranga hub.
