Ports of Auckland warns of disruption as union mediation fails

UPDATED: A second strike notice has been issued by workers at Ports of Auckland.

Three hundred and twenty seven of the port’s 580 workers – those represented by the Maritime Union of NZ (MUNZ) – will strike from 10.30 pm Thursday December 8 until 10.30 pm Saturday December 10.

The second strike notice has lead Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson to escalate earlier warnings over potential disruption to warnings of threats to the Auckland and New Zealand supply chain in the lead up to Christmas.

“This added disruption has the potential to cause substantial delays and add extra cost for shipping lines, exporters and importers. Exporters may suffer a loss of credibility by being unable to get their goods to market on time, and there could well be costs and delays beyond the period of the strike due to the flow-on effect of the interlinked shipping schedules," he said.

Mediation beween Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union of New Zealand over a collective employment agreement has failed, leaving the Port company warning of imminent disruption.

The parties met yesterday in a last ditch effort to settle the terms of the contract.

This morning, Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson confirmed the Bledisloe and Fergusson container terminals, and associated road and rail services, would be closed from 10.30 pm on Thursday December 1 until 10.30 pm on Monday December 5.

“We are now working with our customers, the freight forwarding industry and road carriers to minimise the downstream consequences of the industrial action on them and the overall supply chain,” said Mr Gibson.

“This stoppage is especially concerning given that we are now in the lead up to Christmas, one of the busiest times in the shipping schedule.”

Mr Gibson said that while discussions with customers were continuing, at this stage four ships appeared likely to divert to the Port of Tauranga and two could miss Auckland from their shipping schedule entirely. The total number of containers affected is likely to be between 6,000 – 7,000.

Ports of Auckland’s multi-cargo wharves, cruise business, vehicle import trade, marine services, Onehunga seaport, Wiri Inland Port and Seafuels barge Awanuia are not affected by the proposed strike. The on-dock empty container depot will also remain open.

Mr Gibson also said the company would be vigorously defending proceedings issued by the union in the Employment Relations Authority alleging breach of good faith.

“Ports of Auckland has been communicating openly and factually with employees and we will be defending this action vigorously. This is a tactic we have seen from the union before. We have the right to communicate directly with our employees and we will continue to do so.”

The proposed action involves 327 employees out of a total of 580.