Second lockout issued in response to further strike

25 November 2011
Media Statement
Second lockout issued in response to further strike

Ports of Auckland has issued a second lock out notice after receiving another 48 hour strike notice from the Maritime Union of New Zealand – Local 13 (MUNZ), with which it is currently bargaining over a Collective Agreement.

Ports of Auckland’s lockout is for the 48 hours immediately following the strike, which is set down for the period commencing 10.30 pm on Thursday 8 December 2011 until 10.30 pm Saturday 10 December 2011. The lockout will extend the stoppage until 10.30 pm Monday 12 December 2011.

Ports of Auckland Chief Executive Tony Gibson said he had asked the union to withdraw their strike notices, but they had refused.

“This further lockout is designed to pressure the union to withdraw their strike action by reducing the likelihood that staff will make up the pay lost during the strike in subsequent days,” Mr Gibson said.

“If the union withdraws its strike action, we will lift the lock out. I urge them to do so. The compounding impact of this second stoppage on importers and exporters will be significant.”

“Up to seven ships will be impacted by the second stoppage and will either need to divert to other ports or suffer significant delays at Auckland,” Mr Gibson said. “There will also be flow-on congestion as a result of the first four-day stoppage.”

Mr Gibson said the company had agreed to meet with the union again for further mediation on Monday 28 November.

The company’s Bledisloe and Fergusson container terminals, and associated road and rail services, are affected by the industrial action. Ports of Auckland’s multi-cargo wharves, cruise business, vehicle import trade, marine services, Onehunga seaport, Wiri Inland Port and Seafuels barge Awanuia are not affected. The on-dock empty container depot will also remain open.

The proposed action involves 327 employees out of a total of 580.

ENDS

© Scoop Media