Maritime Union joins hospital picket lines in Invercargill

The Maritime Union of New Zealand is throwing its weight behind locked out hospital workers around New Zealand.

Hundreds of low paid employees of Spotless Services Limited have been locked out of their work. The lockout is now on day six.

In Invercargill, members of the Bluff branch of the Maritime Union have travelled up from the Bluff waterfront to join the picket lines at the hospital.

Maritime Union Bluff Branch Secretary Ray Fife says maritime workers are supporting the locked out Service and Food Workers Union members 100%.

“Our branch has donated $500 already and our members will be joining the locked out workers on their march tomorrow through central Invercargill.”

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the locked out workers have the support of the Maritime Union nationally.

He says Maritime Union branches have been actively supporting pickets in many cities around New Zealand.

Mr Hanson says contracting out, outsourcing and casualization are serious issues for low paid workers in many industries.

“We will be standing by to offer any assistance that is requested of us because these locked out workers deserve the support of all New Zealanders.”