Auckland Council lacking in leadership to help resolve Ports negotiations

Ports of Auckland workers are disappointed that the Auckland Council has lacked the necessary leadership to help resolve the current employment negotiations at the Ports.

Today the Auckland Council voted down motions from Cr Richard Northey calling for resumption of collective bargaining, and from Cr Cathy Casey calling for a review of the Ports' requirement for a 12% return on equity.

"Ports of Auckland belong to Aucklanders. By not doing what they can to help resolve the stalled negotiations, the Council is putting at risk one of Auckland's most important assets," said CTU president Helen Kelly.

Helen Kelly said however that Mayor Len Brown's statement that he would consider appointing an intermediary in the negotiations was a more positive move.

Mayor Brown told Council he would consider the union's proposal for an intermediary if a settlement conference on Monday fails to reach a resolution.

"Ports workers want to finish the bargaining for a collective agreement, return to work, and get this Port running again for Auckland.

"If an independent party can get the two parties around the table again to help resolve this impasse, then that can only be good for Auckland," Helen Kelly said.