Auckland strikes out at union on Maersk loss
The Port of Auckland hit back at MUNZ today
The Port of Auckland has hit out at the Maritime Union of New Zealand and said that the loss of the Maersk Southern Star service is a “sad attempt” to deflect blame for the situation from the union.
Last week, the Ports of Auckland lost the lucrative Maersk cargo contract to the Port of Tauranga because of ongoing strike action.
Meanwhile, allegations by the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) have suggested that the port lost the contract because of export cargo flow out of Hawke’s Bay and Waikato.
Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson accused union president Gary Parsloe as “gilding the lily” today.
“The Southern Star is in fact predominantly an import call (70%). All this has done is hand over part of Auckland’s core business to a rival port,” said Mr Gibson.
He said that the company would continue to communicate directly with staff and to provide them with factual updates on the situation.
“It is vitally important that we are open and truthful with our employees about the possibility of redundancies and our intention to explore alternative business models, including contracting out.”
Meanwhile, Ports of Auckland has lodged a counter-claim of breach of good faith against the union, in particular to the use of a placard by picketers, prominent in TV footage of the protest last week, suggesting that the port paid wages as low as $13 an hour.
“Average remuneration for a full time stevedore is $91,400 per annum and the lowest hourly rate paid is $17.12 with all other rates over $20.”
Mediation over the strikes continues.
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