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Ports of Auckland is planning to replace striking dock workers. - Source: ONE News -
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A marathon six-hour mediation session today has failed to resolve a stand-off between Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union, with the two parties "still miles apart".
The union has been negotiating for better pay and conditions since August and today's mediation followed a fifth strike by workers, which began at 11pm on Monday.
Ports of Auckland plans to potentially make all 320 union members redundant, and replace them with contractors on more flexible contracts.
Ports of Auckland Chief Executive Tony Gibson described today's mediation session as "frustrating" and said the Maritime Union is "failing to grasp the need for fundamental change".
"The parties are still miles apart. We reviewed some new proposals from the union, but they are only around the margins," Gibson said.
He confirmed the company had advised the union it will continue to progress its proposal to outsource its labour supply.
"The challenge for the union is to show us an appropriate counter offer that offers the same productivity benefits, and flexibility, by way of a Collective Agreement.
"Whatever the union comes up with has to stack up in a business sense compared to an outsourced labour model," he said.
Council of Trade Unions President Helen Kelly attended the negotiations and said Ports of Auckland management was acting irresponsibly.
She said management effectively acknowledged a deal was on the table today but was unwilling to settle.
"The workers at the port now have no choice but to continue campaigning to protect their regular employment, which will inevitably include industrial activity," Kelly said.
"To put this asset owned by the people of Auckland in such a precarious position, for no obvious reason, is negligent in the extreme."
Final offer
Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson yesterday said he would not back down from the company's final offer to the union and has begun steps to lay off 330 union workers.
The company had previously put an offer to the union of a 10% pay rise and performance bonuses of up to 20% on hourly rates in exchange for the "new flexible roster system" that would have staff on call.
MUNZ urged its striking port staff to resist what it says is a "filthy" new contract offer.
"The union position is clear. It does not want the 10% - it wants secure ordered and transparent rosters," it said on its website.
The company has set aside between eight and ten million dollars for the potential job losses but new positions could be offered to the redundant workers.
However, the union is encouraging them not to accept.
"What you've got to do is when you're all locked out is nobody go and sign that filthy document," Maritime Union President Garry Parsloe told striking workers.
"Because if any of you sign it, what are we doing here?"
Roster concerns
MUNZ is concerned the new roster system will result in fewer hours and subsequently less pay.
Gibson said that by sharing the stevedoring work among several firms, the port would encourage competition, driving down costs and lifting productivity.
The company's management now plans to approach at least three outside stevedore contractors this week in a bid to break the impasse with its workers.
Dairy giant Fonterra said last week it would move its export shipments - worth $27 million a week - from Auckland to Port of Tauranga and Port of Napier from the end of this month until further notice.
Gibson said it was inevitable customers would look for alternatives given the uncertainty caused by the strikes.
Fonterra's move followed global shipping giant Maersk's announcement last month it would be moving its $20 million shipping contact to Tauranga.
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