Waterfront casualisation campaign attracts support from candidates

Media release New Zealand Waterfront Workers' Union

Waterfront casualisation campaign attracts support from candidates

8/10/01

The Waterfront Workers¹ Union has received strong support from local body candidates for its ongoing campaign against the casualisation of waterfront labour.

Over eighty candidates have offered support for the campaign's goal of maintaining and extending permanent local employment on the waterfront.

The Union approached candidates in Port communities throughout New Zealand. Replies have been received from candidates in all New Zealand ports agreeing to work with the Union to find solutions to this serious issue.

"Casualisation is the number one problem our industry faces today," said WWU National Secretary Trevor Hanson.

"We were pleased at the positive response. A number of candidates had themselves been victims of casual employment and redundancy over the years."

"Many waterfront workers have experienced the legacy of insecure incomes, irregular work, threats to health and safety and family stress which go with casualisation. We are proud that our Union is leading the way in this campaign," said Mr. Hanson.

Following disruption to local communities caused by the use of out of town, casual labour stevedores in South Island ports earlier in the year, the WWU has continued its campaign to defend the rights of workers to secure employment. The Union is now organising in the community to build awareness and empower people to fight casualisation.

The Waterfront Workers' Union has asked its members, their families and communities to support candidates who have offered their support for permanent jobs for local workers.

-- For further information:

Victor Billot Campaign Organizer NZ Waterfront Workers Union

Box 44 Port Chalmers Otago New Zealand

Ph/Fax 03 4727 492 Mob 021 171 0911

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