12 March 2012

The solidarity shown by the people of Auckland at the rally on Saturday and the international support from maritime workers has resulted in a significant victory with a new position advised by Maersk today.

Helen Kelly, CTU President, says, “this dispute is now an international issue causing huge concern among dockworkers and seafarers globally”.

“I would like to thank all these workers for their support including the fantastic solidarity shown by dockworkers in Sydney.

Maersk has advised today that they will not be carrying containers loaded out of Port of Auckland during the current industrial dispute. It will stop calling at the Ports of Auckland until the dispute is resolved”.

She said that Maersk management intend to meet the Maritime Union of New Zealand to discuss the dispute.

Helen Kelly says that it also appears as if a resolution can be reached with Maersk over the situation in Sydney where a ship that took on containers for Ports of Auckland during the strike is now being affected. These containers will be quarantined until they are loaded by union labour at Auckland at some time in the future.

“We are meeting with Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland, this morning and we want Ports of Auckland to continue bargaining on a collective agreement. The union has made considerable offers in respect to flexibility, rosters and labour utilisation. The union is bargaining. The employer is not”.

ENDS

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