Potential Strike Action At Lyttelton Port

Lyttelton Port Company has received strike notices from the Combined Unions at the port. The effect of this potential stoppage if it goes ahead, is that all Lyttelton Port Company work areas will not operate during this period, with the exception of the Signal Tower, Gatehouse and Reefer monitoring. This will not affect Pacifica Shipping, Lyttelton Stevedoring Services or Toll Logistics.

Potential strike action will commence at 2300 on Thursday 29 April through to 2300 Wednesday 5 May. As each notice is for a single 24 hour period, any or all of the six notices can be withdrawn by the Combined Unions.

Commenting on the situation, Chief Executive, Peter Davie said, �gFor the past two months we have been negotiating with the Combined Unions over the main site Collective Employment Agreement (CEA), which covers approximately 240 port company staff. �gDespite significant discussion, negotiation and offers, we have unfortunately not yet been able to reach an agreement. Consequently and unexpectedly, we have received six separate strike notices.

�gWe are particularly disappointed with the timing of this potential strike action, as it is likely to affect a high proportion of our customers, and for many of them it is peak exporting time. As such, we have informed the Unions that their actions have major implications for our customers and for our long-term trade potential. �gThe port company�fs negotiating position is that we wish to continue with the existing conditions agreed with the Combined Unions just over a year ago. To demonstrate our commitment to the bargaining process we have engaged Paul Weaver, a highly respected and experienced employer advocate to act on our behalf. �gThe major issue we disagree on is the use of a new category of workers „Ÿ permanent part-time workers or PRP�fs, and the ratio of permanent part timers to permanent full timers. This was agreed during last year�fs CEA discussions and represented a significant move towards the company�fs ability to provide a flexible and efficient 24 hour, 7 days a week service. As part of the current negotiations, the Combined Unions have a claim to restrict the number of PRP�fs we can employ. The company is determined to maintain the flexibility gained in last year�fs CEA negotiations.

�gWe are committed to the negotiation process and will be in further discussion with the unions for a full three days this week. We are working extremely hard to come up with a solution that is acceptable to both parties,�h said Mr Davie.

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