Both Michael and Julie are signatories to the below position on the ongoing dispute at Ports of Auckland, issued today on behalf of 34 individual Local Board members from across Auckland.
Local Board Members call for urgent change of approach at Ports of Auckland
23 February 2012
Thirty four Auckland Local Board members from twelvedifferent Boards* are jointly calling for urgent action to resolve the Ports ofAuckland dispute ahead of a planned two week strike starting tomorrow, Friday February24.
“We repeat our call for the one hundred percent AucklandCouncil owned Ports Company to urgently get back into negotiations with theunion for a new Collective Agreement. The strategic importance of resolving thedispute is overwhelming now, and it is time for Ports management to listen andadopt a different approach”, say the Board members.
“The chorus of voices calling for Ports of Auckland totake a more pragmatic approach is growing rapidly. A group of business leadersand major port stakeholders last week called for a new vision for the port and an end to labour casualisation proposals, and key Council leaders havecalled for a return to good faith bargaining with a focus on productivityimprovements with a directly employed workforce”
“The message is simple. The Port company needs to backoff from its extreme proposals to outsource or casualise the workforce. Theseproposals are a barrier to reaching a settlement, and they run counter to thevision of secure employment and stable communities that runs through many LocalBoard Plans, and the draft Auckland Plan. Improved productivity should bedeveloped through a negotiated partnership approach with the workforce, rather than by firingall existing staff and contracting work out”
“The Maritime Union has publicly stated that it will liftthe planned strike action if negotiations resume. We strongly urge Ports ofAuckland to publicly re-commit to negotiations without the threat of out-sourcing. The approach taken to date is creatingunnecessary economic and legal risk for the city and the Council. That isunacceptable and it is incumbent on Ports of Auckland, as a company ultimatelyresponsible to Council and ratepayers in our communities, to re-assess their approach”, conclude the Board members.
ENDS
Contact: Michael Wood - 022-659-6360
Full list of Local Board Members issuing this statement:
* Please note that each Board member issuing this statement does so in their own right only, and not on behalf of their Board.
Helga Arlington, Albert-Eden
Josephine Bartley, Maungakiekie-Tamaki
Leila Boyle, Maungakiekie-Tamak (Chair)
Jesse Chalmbers, Waitemata
Shale Chambers, Waitemata (Chair)
Caroline Conroy, Papakura
Pippa Coom, Waitemata
Christopher Dempsey, Waitemata
Graeme Easte, Albert-Eden
Carrol Elliot, Mangere-Otahuhu
Tunumafono Ava Fa'amoe, Otara-Papatoetoe
Julie Fairey, Puketapapa
Catherine Farmer, Whau
Grant Gillon, Kaipataki
John Gillon, Kaipataki
Mary Gush, Otara-Papatoetoe
Peter Haynes, Albert-Eden (Chair)
Neil Henderson, Waitakere Ranges
Richard Hills, Kaipataki
Viv Keohane, Kaipataki
Chris Makoare, Maungakiekie-Tamaki
Tracey Martin, Rodney
Christine O'Brien, Mangere-Otahuhu
Greg Presland, Waitakere Ranges
Simon Randall, Maungakiekie-Tamaki
Tricia Reade, Waitemata
Denise Roche, Waiheke
Leau Peter Skelton, Mangere-Otahuhu (Chair)
Lydia Sosene, Mangere-Otahuhu
Rob Thomas, Waitemata
Alan Verrall, Maungakiekie-Tamaki
Margi Watson, Albert-Eden
Michael Wood, Puketapapa
Denise Yates, Waitakere Ranges (Chair)
