Ports of Auckland receives third strike notice

Ports of Auckland has received a third strike notice from the Maritime Union of New Zealand – Local 13 (MUNZ).

The strike notice is for two 24 hour periods, from 10.30 pm on Thursday 22 December until 10.30 pm Friday 23 December; and from 10.30 pm Saturday 24 December until 10.30 pm Sunday 25 December (Christmas Day).

Ports of Auckland Chief Executive Tony Gibson says he is shocked the union has issued a third strike notice just a day after the company’s largest customer, Maersk, pulled its Southern Star service out of Auckland because of the industrial action.

“This morning we lifted our lockout notice and challenged the union to lift their strike notice for this Thursday and Friday,” Mr Gibson said.

“It’s therefore highly disappointing to instead get hit with a further strike, right over Christmas.”

“This is counter-productive. This industrial action has already cost Ports of Auckland one major shipping service. Further disruption will put even more jobs at risk without advancing talks between the parties."

Mr Gibson said Ports of Auckland would continue to work with the Port of Tauranga and KiwiRail to minimise the impact of the strikes on the supply chain. However, he acknowledged that the latest action could hurt retailers wanting to re-stock shelves for the Boxing Day and New Year’s sales.

The company has agreed to meet with the union for further mediation tomorrow, Thursday 8 December.

The company’s Bledisloe and Fergusson container terminals, and associated road and rail services, are affected by the strike. Ports of Auckland’s multi-cargo wharves, cruise business, vehicle import trade, marine services, Onehunga seaport, Wiri Inland Port and Seafuels barge Awanuia are not affected. The on-dock empty container depot will also remain open.

Tomorrow’s strike action will start at 10.30 pm on Thursday 8 December 2011 until 10.30 pm Saturday 10 December 2011. It involves 327 employees out of a total of 580.