Lyttelton Port Industrial Action: Workers to March Today

Lyttelton Port Industrial Action: Workers to March on Road And Rail Tunnels Today

Workers from Lyttelton Port will today march on the Lyttelton road and rail tunnels, to highlight the importance of their work to the Canterbury region and economy.

They will also vote on whether to take further industrial action if their employer, Lyttelton Port Company, continues to refuse to negotiate respectfully and constructively with them.

The march is part of a week of action planned while the workers are on strike and their employer, Lyttelton Port Company, is refusing to budge on health and safety issues and equal pay across the port.

“Our members have decided to hold a ballot on further industrial action to resolve this dispute, at meetings over the next couple of days,” says John Kerr, organiser for the Rail and Maritime Transport Union.

“They want to be safe and healthy at work, to be treated the same as other workers at the port, and for their employer to negotiate with them in a constructive, respectful way.

“Lyttelton Port Company has made a deal with the other union on site and refused to extend it to our members. They’ve made changes to the hours of work at the port which increase the risk of fatigue. And they’re refusing to budge despite us meeting with them multiple times and providing up to eight different options to resolve this dispute.

“So today port workers will march on the road and rail tunnels which link the port to the rest of the region, to highlight the importance of the work they do to the whole Canterbury region and the impact this dispute is having – an impact Lyttelton Port Company can resolve.

“The demonstration will be lawful, peaceful and respectful but will highlight just how important the port is to the economy and wider community,” said John Kerr

“Lyttelton Port is vital to the economy and businesses of Canterbury. The port company has put that at risk by openly disrespecting the workers who keep the port running, and by rejecting every offer we put to them.”

Schedule for today:

• RMTU mass membership meeting: Woolston Club Hargood St, Woolston at 11.00 a.m.

• March on Lyttelton Rail Tunnel from Valley Inn, Station Road Heathcote at 1.00 p.m

• March on Lyttelton Road Tunnel from Albion Square Lyttelton at 2.00 p.m.

ENDS

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