Su’a William
SIO
Employment Spokesperson
MP for Mangere
11 March 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
Talk for the sake of the people of Auckland

“The offer of help by the Roman Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Auckland to mediate between the Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union of New Zealand should be taken seriously by the aggrieved parties for the sake of the people of Auckland”, says Su’a William Sio, Labour’s Employment spokesperson.

“I think both the company and the union need to be aware that Aucklanders are equally concerned for the welfare of the workers and their families affected by the dispute, and equally concerned for the future of the waterfront industry and the role that the Ports of Auckland Limited plays in building a vibrant Auckland economy.

“So this isn’t about whether we should discard one or the other. Aucklanders are saying both the Ports and its workforce are equally important for the welfare of the Auckland region and its peoples.

“But I am particularly concerned that the decisions of the stronger party, namely the Ports of Auckland Limited, will have a significantly detrimental impact on bread and butter issues for families in the Auckland region who are already stretched and challenged with spiraling costs of electricity, food and other necessities, high unemployment, lower wages, and the austerity measures by the John Key Government.

“So I don’t think it’s too late at all for both the Ports management and the union leadership to sit down and continue to talk.

“It should never be too late to talk about achieving productivity and job security, and ultimately how to build a better society for the benefit of all peoples, and in this case for the sake of Auckland.

“I would like to see the two parties take up the Church leaders offer and strive to reach an amicable agreement that not only meets their special interests but one that will benefit the Auckland region and its peoples in the long term as well”.
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Ends.

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