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Ports of Auckland is planning to replace striking dock workers. - Source: ONE News -
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Mediation talks at the Ports of Auckland today have failed to reach an agreement on a new employment deal and further strikes are looming.
More than 300 employees have been striking on and off since December against proposed changes to their working hours and moves to outsource work.
The Maritime Union and Ports of Auckland were locked in talks for five hours today, but the situation is no nearer to a resolution. A five day partial strike next week is now almost certain to go ahead, followed by a seven day full strike beginning in two weeks.
The port says it has lost around $3 million since the stoppages began, with around one billion dollars worth of trade disrupted.
It has also lost the contracts for Maersk Southern Star and Fonterra which were worth $25 million.
The port's management is offering workers a 10% increase on hourly rates, bonuses of up to 20% and additional benefits such as superannuation, medical insurance and leave provisions. However, it wants to introduce a more flexible roster system and contract out more than 300 unionised jobs, and this has proved a sticking point in negotiations.
The proposal could leave workers like Cedric Harris, who has worked at the port for 16 years, facing an uncertain future.
"The contractors don't have to take you on because you've been working there," he told ONE News. "They've got the choice of whether they want you or not."
Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said the port's plans offer staff no security and it is unwilling to accept a compromise.
"It's basically a blank page employment agreement, it has no guarantee that these workers will be offered any work in any one week," she said.
No date has been set for further mediation, but both parties have agreed to reconvene should either side have something new to bring to the table.
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