Talks tomorrow ahead of Interislander ferry strike
Mediation with unions to try to avert strike that will halt ferry sailings for a week next month.
KiwiRail's Interislander ferry business will enter mediation with unions tomorrow to try to avert a strike that will halt ferry sailings for a week next month.
As occurred with Auckland bus drivers, members of the Aviation and Marine Engineers Association and the Merchant Services Guild have not ratified an agreement reached between the company and the unions.
KiwiRail has said all Interislander ferry sailings will be suspended from December 1-8 because of the strike.
KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn said today the strike would have a severe impact on New Zealand's supply chain at a vital time of the year.
Interislander general manager Thomas Davis earlier said it was disappointing to receive a strike notice on November 16, rather than a request to return to mediation. AMEA represents 70 engineering officers and MSG represents 54 deck officers.
"If the strike proceeds it will affect about 14,000 passengers and 4000 cars. About 1200 rail wagons and a similar number of trucks will also be disrupted," Mr Quinn says. "Our major freight customers have advised that they are already making alternative plans for their cargo."
He says the Interislander immediately sought to arrange timely mediation between all parties and was disappointed to learn the unions would not be available to engage in mediation until November 23.
KiwiRail's ferries make 4600 sailings a year, carrying 755,000 passengers, 53,000 rail wagons, 73,000 trucks and 212,000 cars. Two years earlier the ferries carried 845,411 passengers, according to annual reports.
The Interislander business contributed 17% of KiwiRail's revenue in 2012, when there was a drop in passenger numbers, a sluggish economy and the Aratere ferry was out of action for stretching.
Cheap airfares and declining freight rates over a 10- to 20-year period have been cited by the company as challenges for the Interislander business.
Union officials were not immediately available to comment.
(BusinessDesk)
Pam Graham
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
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Talks tomorrow ahead of Interislander ferry strike
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