Trucking boss confused about Ports of Auckland productivity

Trucking firm boss confused about Ports of Auckland productivity

Maritime Union of New Zealand media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday 26 December 2011

The Maritime Union says a trucking firm boss is confused about productivity issues at the Ports of Auckland and publicly invites him to come down and speak to workers at the port to clear up his misconceptions.

Maritime Union National President Garry Parsloe says that Managing Director of road carrier Carr & Haslam Ltd Chris Carr has been outspoken on port issues, including productivity and flexibility.

"I find it interesting that a trucking executive knows more about ports than the people who work in them. So we would like him to come down and we can all have a conversation about hours worked, shifts worked, round the clock operations, crane rates, and pay rates. Of course we will examine his output and productivity as well to see how they measure up."

"We don't know where Mr Carr is getting his information, but it can't be from Ports of Auckland, because according to their own information Ports of Auckland productivity is improving all the time."

Mr Parsloe noted several statements by Ports of Auckland management in recent months about improving productivity in the port:

The Ports of Auckland 2010/2011 Annual Review states that "after a challenging year all-time best crane rates were recorded over the June Quarter, contributing to an annual result up 2.4% on the previous year. June quarter rates were 4.1% up on the previous best quarter."

The Ports of Auckland website also quotes from a Ministry of Transport on container productivity from November 2011 as finding productivity of New Zealand ports compares well with Australian and other international ports.

An internal document from Ports of Auckland management in September 2011 celebrates the “best crane rate ever” at Ports of Auckland.

The document is entitled “Celebrate September Crane Results – it’s BBQ time" and notes that “Over the month of September we had four record breaking vessel performances” with the details for the four ships, and an invite for workers to a celebration BBQ.

Mr Parsloe says the Ports of Auckland has delivered good returns and has seen ongoing productivity increases from its workforce.

This was reflected in an expanded service operated by global shipping lines OOCL and CMA CGM that was recently announced as part of the ANZEX service covering the New Zealand and Far East markets.

Mr Parsloe says greater transparency and openness was required now from some of the louder critics of the Port.

"We would like Mr Carr to release a detailed audit of his firm's productivity, noting his no doubt generous salary and perks, plus those days he takes off, as we assume as a productive member of society like members of the Maritime Union he will work shifts on Christmas Day, New Years Day and other public holidays, on a 24/7 basis."

ENDS

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