'I will not be gagged' says ARC councillor

Robyn Hughes, an elected RAM member of the Auckland Regional Council, joined the port workers' picket line this morning along with other supporters of RAM, the Residents Action Movement.

"Comparing what the workers told me with what management are claiming, I believe the port company needs to get back to the union with an improved pay offer," said Robyn Hughes. "The huge increases in workers' productivity over the past decade should be rewarded."

"ARC chair Mike Lee was invited by RAM to join us on the picket line, but he hadn't appeared by the time I left. I hope he does turn up at some stage. It should be his duty to stand with the port workers."

"When the Maritime Union gave notice of industrial action, Mr Lee urged all ARC councillors by email to 'leave public comment to management and the unions' and adopt a 'cautious and circumspect approach to any media inquiries'. He said that Auckland Regional Holdings, sole shareholder of the port company, would be asked to brief ARC councillors."

"I will not be gagged by Mr Lee on this matter," said Robyn Hughes. "I think ARC councillors need to put the 'free' back into free speech."

"I also question why the ARC chair is asking port owner Auckland Regional Holdings to brief our council, but not the Maritime Union. This indicates a bias towards management views by Mr Lee, despite his pretensions of neutrality," said Robyn Hughes.

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