Ultimate responsibility for Rena disaster lies with the Government
The Maritime Union says that the responsibility for the Rena disaster lies with Government and authorities as much as with individual crew members.
Read MoreRepresenting New Zealand maritime workers since 2002
The Maritime Union says that the responsibility for the Rena disaster lies with Government and authorities as much as with individual crew members.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says it intends to make sure a Government inquiry into transport and logistics is not just about promoting privatization in the ports sector.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union is calling for the abandonment of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, describing the free trade plan as a “sell out to global corporations.”
Read MoreThe Maritime Union has dismissed comments by global shipping line Maersk about the merger of Port of Lyttelton and Port of Otago.
Read MoreMaritime Union of New Zealand General Secretary Joe Fleetwood says recent statements from Minister of Transport Stephen Joyce and retiring Pacifica Shipping Chief Executive Rod Grout on New Zealand ports and shipping show the need for immediate action in the maritime industry.
Mr Fleetwood says it is incorrect for the National Government to say they want market forces decide the future of the maritime industry, when massive taxpayer investment was directed at roads and rail.
He says that a “hands off” approach to the maritime industry means major market players would dominate the market and make decisions that could harm New Zealand’s transport infrastructure.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union is asking where the Government and the Minister of Transport stands on the future of regional ports after Fonterra announced it was withdrawing from some regional ports in favour of transporting goods by long distance rail last month.
Jobs are under threat, casualization is hitting workers hard, and the viability of regional ports is under a cloud after the decision, which has created intense debate in the regions and the transport industry.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the union’s national executive met with a Fonterra representative earlier this week.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says regional ports have been hit hard because of a decision by Fonterra to rail goods to distant ports.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the moves have already led to notices of major redundancies in the port of Timaru, greater casualization of the workforce, and was threatening the viability of some ports.
“This issue cannot be dealt with by ports continuing to compete each other into the ground. It must be addressed by national co-ordination of our transport system, not the wasteful, insecure and chaotic mess we have at the moment.”
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says it supports the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) decision not to allow the interisland ferry ‘Aratere’ to sail until it was satisfied the ferry was safe.
The ‘Aratere’ suffered steering problems yesterday evening in Wellington harbour.
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