Media release Friday 7 May 2004

Maritime Union campaign rolls into Mount Maunganui

The Maritime Union is holding a public meeting in Mount Maunganui as part of its national campaign for secure jobs.

The public meeting is on Tuesday 11 May at 3.30pm, at the Mount Maunganui Bowling Club, Kawaka Street, Mount Maunganui.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson and National Vice President Joe Fleetwood are speaking at the meeting.

Mr Hanson says the New Zealand economy depends on a vibrant maritime industry, but the industry was currently being torn apart by casualization and insecure jobs.

He says many maritime workers at Mount Maunganui have experienced the problems of casual jobs, with some Tauranga based employers being particularly ruthless and anti-worker.

"The basic goal of our campaign is to ensure that New Zealand has a permanent, skilled and secure maritime workforce, through sensible regulation of the waterfront and a cabotage system that gives priority to New Zealand ships in the coastal trade."

Mr Hanson says the lack of regulation in the industry is affecting New Zealand¹s biosecurity, reputation with trading partners, and the safety of ports.

Maritime Union members will be holding stalls and handing out publicity material around Mount Maunganui over the next few days in support of the campaign.

ENDS

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