Ports of Auckland dispute

Wednesday, 7 March 2012, 10:19 am
Press Release: Auckland Council

Office of the Mayor
Media release
7 March 2012

Ports of Auckland dispute

There has been a further development in the industrial dispute at the Ports of Auckland.

POAL has announced that it intends to introduce competitive stevedoring into its Fergusson and Bledisloe Wharf container terminal operations.

The Mayor has expressed his disappointment that the two parties have so far failed to settle their dispute and achieve a new collective agreement

The Mayor also expressed his concern about the effect of the disruption at the port to the Auckland and New Zealand economies and urged both parties to take that into account.

“I am on only one side in this dispute. The people of Auckland,” says Len Brown. “We deserve a port that is competitive, a decent return for rate payers and a settlement that is sustainable.”

“My powers to intervene in this dispute are severely limited by legislation surrounding the port. However the people of Auckland can be confident that I am in constant contact with both parties in the dispute and they are aware of my concerns about the consequences for Auckland as a whole and the families directly involved,” says the Mayor.

Ends

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