CBAFF calls for contingency plan over port lockout

MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release

23 November 2011

CBAFF calls for contingency plan over port lockout

The Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand (CBAFF) has called for supporting ports to provide a contingency plan, regarding the Ports of Auckland lockout, to prevent a backlog of containers.

CBAFF vice president Trevor Duxfield said that CBAFF was extremely disappointed that mediation between the port and the Maritime Union had been unsuccessful and the lockout is set to proceed.

“It is particularly disappointing that around a general election, when both major political parties are touting economic growth through our export strengths, that the industrial action was called in the first instance. Of further disappointment is another strike notice being issued for December 8 and 9,” said Mr Duxfield.

“CBAFF hopes that the union and the port company can still reach a resolution to avoid this significant disruption to the importing and exporting community and ensure the port operations can continue.

“However, should attempts at mediation fail, CBAFF would like the supporting ports to have enough notice to ensure that sufficient resources can be applied, in particular to rail capacity from Tauranga to Auckland, to accommodate the volume of containers that will be affected. The last thing our members, and their clients, desire is to have backlogs of containers engulf Tauranga and importers struggling to get their goods to market prior to Christmas.”

ENDS

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