Media Release: Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU)
Tuesday 10 May, 2011.

New RMTU president

Union members in the rail and maritime transport industries have a new leader, following the election of Tauranga port worker Aubrey Wilkinson to the post of National President of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU).

Aubrey, who was unopposed in his nomination, is the current RMTU Vice President and will take up his post next month, taking over from long serving President Jim Kelly, of Dunedin, who did not seek re-election.

Aubrey, of Te Arawa and Ngati Whakaue descent, and a container crane driver at the Port of Tauranga, said he was looking forward to the role.

"I'm keen to get out and listen to what our members' priorities are, and bring our diverse membership along the rail industry supply chain even closer together," he said.

Aubrey said he also wanted to get the views of union members on how to take forward the NZ Work for NZ Workers campaign, which is calling on the government and KiwiRail to back the local rail manufacturing workforce.

RMTU General Secretary Wayne Butson congratulated Aubrey on his election, and said he was looking forward to working with him to continue to grow the union.

Wayne Butson also paid tribute to outgoing president Jim Kelly, who works at Hillside workshops in Dunedin.

"Jim has been a very strong, popular and successful National President since 1995 and has been a steady hand on the tiller over the years. We will all look forward to recognising his considerable achievements as RMTU President, at our National Conference later this year," Wayne Butson said.

Ends.

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