Maritime Union responds to job slashing exercise at Ports of Auckland

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says it does not accept the Ports of Auckland proposal to slash 30 jobs.

Maritime Union Local 13 Auckland Waterfront Branch President Denis Carlisle says the union met today with Ports of Auckland management to discuss the proposal.

He says the Union is concerned with the level of job losses and does not accept the reasons given by management.

“It appears the Ports of Auckland are going to try and force through a restructuring that they could not achieve through negotiation earlier.”

Mr Carlisle says the workers at Ports of Auckland Bledisloe Terminal believe they are being targeted by management.

He says the restructuring seems to be aimed at reducing terms and conditions, and undermining permanent jobs, using the current recession as an excuse.

“The Maritime Union does not accept this course of action is necessary nor is it inevitable and our members will be meeting to discuss our response to this proposal.”