Collective Agreement Settled At Lyttelton Port

29 May 2008

Collective Employment Agreement Settled At Lyttelton Port Of Christchurch

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) and representatives of the Combined Unions (CU) today announced that they have reached agreement on a new Collective Employment Agreement (CEA).

The new contract is for a three year period, and this will allow the port to continue operating in the stable internal environment it has enjoyed since the CEA was last negotiated in 2005. The new CEA will take effect as of April 18 2008, following directly on from the expiry date of the previous contract (April 17 2008).

The new agreement comprises a 4.45% increase to wages, salaries and allowances in Year One, and then CPI based increases in both Year Two and Three. In Year One there is an additional 1.5% increase, which is a ‘catch-up’ payment for the lack of any increase two years ago. Supplementary adjustments specifically acknowledging the skills of trades people are also included in the new contract.

“This settlement is a great result for all concerned” said LPC Chief Executive Peter Davie. “The new CEA fairly rewards our staff while preserving the commercial viability of the port, and its relatively painless settlement really highlights the good relationships that have been forged in recent years. Throughout the negotiation process there has been a genuine willingness on both sides to find a mutually acceptable settlement.

“We are especially delighted to have come to a mutually acceptable solution with minimal disruption to our core business. There have been no stoppages during CEA negotiations, and our customers have suffered very little disruption or delay. Negotiations have coincided with the beginning of the export season, so this has been a very busy period commercially, and we particularly want to thank our customers for their support.

Their loyalty is evidence of the good relationships we continue to develop, and evidence of a genuine desire to do business with LPC. “LPC is now in a good position to consolidate the strong productivity that we have worked so hard to achieve, and to further grow the good relationships we have established with our staff and customers.

“Our focus can now move entirely back to our core business, which can only benefit us all – employees, company, customers and community. This has been an excellent result all round.”

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