Auckland still in strife
Just how far are the unions willing to go to jeopardise Auckland?
Ports of Auckland and the trade unions are still no nearer to reaching an agreement on pay and working conditions for dock workers.
A trade union meeting in London last week culminated in a seething letter from the International Transport Workers' Federation to the port labelling it as a "Port of Convenience".
Not good news, especially as negotiations appeared to be progressing between POAL and ITF’s affiliate, the Maritime Union of New Zealand and that a way forward may have even been in the wings.
MUNZ members had apparently agreed to new measures to improve performance at the port according to its “new labour model".
But the ITF has now accused the port of going back on this agreement, with a threat of job loss if workers do not sign up to allow POAL to sub-contract work out as part of its new labour model.
POAL has said that it will continue to work in consultation with MUNZ on a way forward - but it refutes comments that it is becoming a port of convenience with plans for "privatisation" or "casualisation" of labour. It does however say that it needs to move forward to retain its competitive edge.
Ports of Auckland spokesperson, Craig Sain, said to Port Strategy: “Introducing more flexible labour practices at Ports of Auckland is therefore vital if the company is to retain and win back key customers, and to improve its financial performance.”
The port argues that sub-contractors already operate at the neighbouring Port of Tauranga and that this has lead to faster vessel turnaround times and lower operating costs.
This is a major problem for Auckland in terms of competitiveness – bearing in mind the port’s recent losses of the Maersk and Fonterra contracts to its competitor following repeated strike action.
Job losses at the port have already been mooted and POAL warns that the unions should reflect on the fact that any further intervention would only serve to “further damage the job prospects of port workers here in Auckland.”
Meanwhile, the dispute between the two sides is now dragging into its fourth month.
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