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Ports of Auckland has suffered another blow with Fonterra pulling its trading - Source: ONE News -
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The feud between Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union (MUNZ) stretches back to early September 2011, when the two parties started trying to negotiate the renewal of the collective agreement at the port.
What the union wants
The union wants a clear roster for its workers.
MUNZ's main grievance with the Ports is the contracting out of jobs - specifically the job of shuttle drivers who move containers around the port.
The Ports of Auckland contracted out the job to a company called Conlinxx, which it owns 90% of.
MUNZ claims the port went about contracting out the job with a "farcical" consultation period with the union.
According to the union, this agreement transforms the way workers are rostered. While the ports say it will offer flexibility, the workers say it reduces the security of their jobs.
The company says it has made nine offers to the union, but the terms have been so far unacceptable to the union. On the main issue of rostering, the union says the port's position is unwavering.
Regarding an offer of a 10% pay rise for workers, Gerry Parsloe, the leader of MUNZ, says "the union position is clear. It does not want the 10% - it wants secure ordered and transparent rosters".
What the ports want
The Ports of Auckland want big changes to improve labour practices and productivity.
Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson said the best offer the union will get is a 10% pay rise on hourly rates and performance-based bonuses of up to 20% on hourly rates.
The offer also includes a trade-off: the workers can keep their existing benefits and entitlements, but at the cost of a new roster system. The new roster system will be geared to "provide increased operational flexibility while allowing workers to plan their rosters a month in advance".
Impact of the dispute
In December 2011, the Maersk Line told the ports it will be shifting its service to Tauranga.
Maersk Line New Zealand Trade and Marketing Manager Dave Gulik said the industrial action at the port had been a factor in the company's decision.
The port said the move will cost 52 ship calls, 82,500 containers and nearly $20m in revenue annually.
As a result, the Port is pushing plans for redundancies. It will begin a consultation process this week over a proposal to contract out its labour force.
