Maritime Union of New Zealand media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday 7 November 2007

Maritime Union to meet with Port of Napier in jobs dispute

The Maritime Union of New Zealand is stepping up efforts to secure
the future of Napier maritime workers.

The four national officials of the Maritime Union are arriving in
Napier tomorrow (subs: Thursday 8 November) to meet with Port of
Napier Limited CEO Garth Cowie at 11am.

The Port of Napier has awarded a container stevedoring contract to
out of town company ISO who are a notorious anti-union employer.

25 permanent jobs and 60 casual jobs at Hawkes Bay Stevedoring
Services are in jeopardy as a result.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the message they
will be bringing to Napier is that the Port Company has a
responsibility for their workers and to ensure secure local jobs.

"If we don't get a satisfactory result we are going to be forced to
consider national industrial action."

Mr Hanson says the situation is snowballing with strong interest from
international unions and the maritime industry about the outcome of
the talks.

He says the Maritime Union is in contact with overseas Unions
including the Maritime Union of Australia and the International
Transport Workers Federation head office in London.

Support has also been guaranteed by the Rail and Maritime Transport
Union who also have members at the Port of Napier.

"We are in the process of contacting all shipping companies that use
Napier to explain to them the serious situation and the possibility
of delays and disruption."

ENDS

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