Port of Napier Campaign 2007

Maritime workers are celebrating tonight after a successful resolution of the Port of Napier dispute in mediation this afternoon.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the week long dispute had been about secure local jobs being preserved at the port.
“We wanted shipping companies to be able to use stevedores where secure local jobs could be achieved. Shipping companies wanted a solution, we supplied one, and the port is back in action as of now.”
Mr Hanson says officials went down to the picket line this afternoon to break the good news shortly before 3pm. [Read more →]

Music on the Picket Line

The weather has turned bad but spirits are high as workers from NZ and Australia enjoy a singalong at the Port of Napier picket on 18 December 2007

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has claimed a major victory in its battle to save secure local jobs at the Port of Napier.
The container vessel Canberra Express left the Port of Napier last night (Wednesday 19 December) at approximately 11pm with no cargo discharged after sitting idle at the port.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says this is a major development in the dispute and a victory for local workers. [Read more →]

Workers on the Maritime Union picket line at the Port of Napier were told early this morning that tens of thousands of dollars of solidarity donations were flooding in from around the world.

A hardship fund is being set up to look after the workers, many of whom are casual workers, as they face a tough Christmas.

A round the clock picket has been held since 6am Saturday and will continue until resolution of the dispute. [Read more →]

maritime_youth_2007.JPG, originally uploaded by Maritime Union of New Zealand.

The Port of Napier picket is being run around the clock. Workers are there 24 hours a day.
These young workers are both local Maritime Union members and supporting members from other ports.
They realize how this dispute is resolved will determine their future in the maritime industry, and they are showing their dedication by standing on the line in the early hours of the morning.

Community Picket, originally uploaded by Maritime Union of New Zealand.

This photo sums up the solidarity and strength of local workers and their families and friends coming together to defend secure jobs, union jobs and local jobs.
The picket continues.

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has backed the Maritime Union’s campaign to save 85 jobs on the Port of Napier, following a decision by the Hawkes Bay Regional Council owned Port company to change stevedoring contractors, without securing employment protections for the current workers.

“The loyal, long serving dock workers on the Port of Napier deserve better,” CTU president Helen Kelly said today. [Read more →]

hawkes_bay_crew.JPG, originally uploaded by Maritime Union of New Zealand.

120 workers including delegations from New Zealand ports and the Maritime Union of Australia have been on the picket line defending secure jobs at the Port of Napier since 6am Saturday 15 December 2007.

Over 100 workers have gathered outside the gates of the Port of Napier today to protest the loss of secure jobs this morning from 6am.

Mediation between the Maritime Union and Port Company will take place this morning.

Moves by the Port of Napier to contract out stevedoring work threaten 25 permanent and 60 casual jobs, with workers to be thrown on the scrap heap just before Christmas.

65 maritime workers have arrived in Napier from other ports and ships to support their fellow workers, all members of the Maritime Union of New Zealand. [Read more →]

You can now send an automatic email message to Port of Napier CEO Garth Cowie to tell him that you think his company has a responsibility to ensure secure local jobs at the Port of Napier.

International trade union website Labour Start are promoting this email campaign at their website - send a message here!