Friday 10 September 2004

National Party out of touch with the people says Maritime Union

The Maritime Union says that National Party politician Wayne Mapp has provided a slap in the face to people who produce New Zealand's wealth, not the other way around.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says Mr Mapps comments about the current strike at Ports of Auckland shows how out of touch he is with the realities faced by the working people of New Zealand.

"Our members work night and day, seven days a week, in wind and rain, on ships and on the waterfront, with heavy machinery in dangerous conditions," says Mr Hanson.

"The only danger Mr Mapp risks on a daily basis is getting a paper cut."

Mr Hanson says that the National Party has shown its contempt for working people by ignoring the central issue of casualization.

"If all the politicians in the National Party were on casual contracts with no security of work and pay on a day to day level, they would soon change their arrogant ways."

Around 260 Maritime Union members on strike at Ports of Auckland have been picketing since 7am Wednesday 8 September and will maintain their vigil until the strike ends at 7am Sunday 12 September.

The workers are striking for secure, permanent jobs and against casualization.

ENDS

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