Press Release – Ports of Auckland
Ports of Auckland said this afternoon that despite media reports, it was yet to receive a 8th strike notice from the Maritime Union of New Zealand – Local 13 (MUNZ)

The two parties are scheduled to attend mediation tomorrow on their Collective Agreement negotiations.

Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson said MUNZ’s repeated strike actions were a roadblock to progress.

Mr Gibson said the company would continue to consult over its proposal to contract out labour at the container terminal.

“A further meeting with MUNZ on the proposal is scheduled for tomorrow.”

Third party contractors already operate the conventional (non-container terminal) port facilities.

Ports of Auckland Ltd is New Zealand’s most important port, handling around 894,000 TEU (20ft-equivalent units), more than 1,500 ship calls and 3.5m tonnes of break-bulk (non-containerised) cargo per annum. It is New Zealand’s leading import port and a key partner to export and import industries, as well as New Zealand’s premier cruise port and vehicle import gateway. Ports of Auckland is 100%-owned by Auckland Council Investments Ltd.

Press Release – Auckland Chamber of Commerce
Today’s issuing of a further strike notice by the Maritime Union ahead of tomorrow’s mediation talks on the long-running dispute raises questions of how committed the union is to bargaining in good faith and settling the issues at hand, said Auckland Chamber head Michael Barnett.

“Throughout this dispute we have tried to be fair to both sides, but today’s action by the union will only serve to entrench the huge support in the business community for an outcome that achieves a settlement once and for all,” he said.

There now appears to be only one course of action, and that is for the Ports of Auckland to remain firmly resolved and committed to achieve a lasting solution.”

The union has had numerous opportunities to settle the dispute. Issuing a strike notice on the eve of further talks raising serious questions as to their real commitment to a lasting settlement, concluded Mr Barnett.