Category: Media releases

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Successful resolution for Australian port workers at DP World 

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has offered its congratulations to the Maritime Union of Australia for the successful resolution of the industrial dispute at DP World terminals.

The Maritime Union of Australia and Dubai Ports reached an in-principle agreement last week, subject to endorsement by the MUA membership employed at Dubai Ports in Australia.

The agreement, which replaces an earlier agreement that expired in September 2023, is for a four-year term and delivers fair pay, safety and fatigue management measures, and provides job security and a fair work-life balance for Australian wharfies.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Australian port workers at DP World had the full support of New Zealand maritime workers and had persevered to achieve a good outcome.

Mr Harrison says it is concerning that a proposed port privatization at Port of Auckland features DP World as a potential terminal operator. 

He says DP World has come under increasing scrutiny in Australia and elsewhere for its business practices.

According to recent polling carried out on behalf of the Union, the great majority of Aucklanders support keeping the Port of Auckland in public ownership.

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Minimum wage decision a signal of what this Government really thinks about workers

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The decision today by the Government to cut the minimum wage in real terms is a sign of what they think about workers, said CTU Economist Craig Renney.

“All New Zealand workers have the right to a liveable income to support their families – they deserve to be paid a Living Wage,” said Renney.

“The Government is increasing the minimum wage by a paltry 2% to $23.15. This falls well short of the Living Wage rate, which is currently $26. That is simply heartless at a time when so many are doing it tough.

“Inflation is currently 4.7%, and a 2% increase means in real terms cuts for the lowest income workers across New Zealand. Taking money away from hundreds of thousands of workers during a cost-of-living crisis defies understanding and is poor economics.

“The proposal wasn’t even supported by MBIE officials, who recommended a 4% increase, rather than a 2% increase. That’s an annual difference of $944.32. If the minimum wage had kept up with inflation, that would have been a $1,274 difference annually – or $24.52 a week.

“How are workers meant to keep up with rising food and rent costs if the Government is cutting their wages in real terms? This is a Government that doesn’t seem to know how difficult life is for working people and those on low incomes. It’s simply out of touch and focused on tax rises for the wealthiest people and landlords instead.

“Such an inadequate increase may save some New Zealand businesses a few dollars, but it will cost everyone more in the long-run. It will mean higher payments in tax credits. It will mean higher support for rental payments. It makes no sense from an economic and or fiscal perspective.

“The Government should do the right thing and deliver a minimum wage that doesn’t see New Zealand workers fall further behind,” said Renney.

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New Zealand maritime workers support Australian workers at DP World

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says it is backing the Maritime Union of Australia in their dispute with DP World 100%.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Australian port workers at DP World have the full support of New Zealand maritime workers.

Industrial action has occurred at DP World terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle as port workers press for wage increases to counter cost of living hikes. 

Mr Harrison says it is hypocrisy for employers to be attacking workers seeking reasonable wage increases, while companies like DP World ratchet up giant profits for their owners – in this case the Royal Family of Dubai.

He says there are strong ties between maritime unions in Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Harrison says DP World has come under increasing scrutiny in Australia and elsewhere for its business practices.

Although one of Australia’s two largest port operators, a recent report found DP World has paid no tax in Australia despite generating revenue of more than AU$4.5 billion over eight years.

Mr Harrison says it is very concerning that the proposed port privatization at Port of Auckland features DP World as a potential operator. 

He says the behaviour of DP World in Australia by pushing up massive container surcharges, tax practices, and poor workplace relations, were all red flags. 

“Is this the kind of corporate operator we want to give monopoly control of Port of Auckland to?”

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Port strike in Bluff called off

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says a strike in the port of Bluff has been called off.

Workers at port company Southport were planning to walk off the job this morning for 48 hours, but last minute negotiations yesterday resulted in a positive outcome.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says a compromise was reached with the employer around wage increases and other outstanding issues, and will be taken back to the union membership for ratification.

Mr Harrison says the result is a good one.

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NZCTU calls on the Government to protect frontline public services

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

NZCTU Economist Craig Renney is calling on Finance Minister Hon. Nicola Willis to scrap her plan to cut frontline services after she acknowledged today that this is likely to happen.

“In September last year, the CTU showed the areas that were at risk – these included the courts, biosecurity, and cybersecurity. National refused to answer questions at the time, but now reports in the media show this to be true,” said Renney.

“These are frontline services that all New Zealanders rely on. The Government needs to scrap its proposed tax cuts and protect the essential services that keep this country running.

“We are now seeing that it’s even worse than had been advertised at the election. Ministers aren’t taking responsibility for the cuts – that is now the responsibility of Chief Executives. The cuts package now extends to even more departments and public services, as the Government desperately tries to make its pre-election promises work.

“The Finance Minister’s credibility is once again on the line. Her pre-election promise was that as Finance Minister she would “reduce the cost of back-office government bureaucracies with an immediate savings drive across a series of identified government agencies while protecting frontline services.’[1] It’s now very clear that the Minister is breaking her promise to New Zealanders.

“The Government is also claiming that this is part of moving resources into the frontline. This is simply untrue. These cuts are needed to pay for tax cuts that will give landlords thousands of dollars a year while giving those on the minimum wage a couple of dollars a week.

“Aotearoa New Zealand’s population is rising rapidly. Unemployment and the demands on public services will keep increasing. Yet the Government is now no longer ruling out cuts to essential services such as customs, food standards, or search and rescue.

“These aren’t spending cuts to fund new frontline services. Instead, they are cutting to fund their reckless tax cut policy for the wealthiest New Zealanders,” said Renney.

[1] p17 National’s Back Pocket Boost, 30 August 2023

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NZCTU disappointed with disestablishment of Regional Skills Leadership Groups

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff said he was disappointed in the Government’s short-sighted decision to shut down the Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs), saying it is further evidence of the Government’s lack of a strategy when it comes to vocational education and workforce planning.

“Coming off the back of the reckless decision to disestablish Te Pūkenga, this is another example of the new Government’s slash and burn approach. As with Te Pūkenga, the government hasn’t announced what will be replacing the RSLGs. This will only add to the uncertainty facing the vocational education sector and its workforce,” said Wagstaff.

“The RSLGs, which were set up as part of the Reform of Vocational Education, play an important role in identifying skills and workforce needs across different regions of the country.

“Aotearoa New Zealand suffers from persistent skills shortages and high levels of skills mismatching. This hinders productivity growth and increases the wage scarring experienced by workers who lose their job.

“With unemployment forecast to rise over the next year, we should be looking at how we can support people into good work and help employers find the essential skills they need.

“The NZCTU supported the establishment of the RSLGs as mechanisms for rebuilding New Zealand’s capacity for regional economic development, including skills and workforce planning.

“Importantly, the RSLGs promote worker voice in the development of training initiatives and solutions to persistent labour market problems in different parts of the country.

“Union representatives on RSLGs speak for the interests of our members as learners and give workers a voice in the skills and workforce development strategies of their regions.

“While the new government has been quick to first disestablish Te Pūkenga, and now the RSLGs, we are yet to hear what its alternative plan is for vocational education,” said Wagstaff.

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The Government must ban engineered stone to protect workers’ health

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is once again advancing its call for a total ban on engineered stone in Aotearoa New Zealand. They are urging Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden to listen to unions, academics, industry leaders, and health and safety experts who all agree that banning this product is crucial.

Australia is set to become the first country in the world to ban engineered stone. From 1 July 2024, Australia is taking engineered stone off the market following its decision to ban importation, manufacturing, and use of the product.

“The evidence of the harm caused by engineered stone is overwhelming. It is clear to us that a ban on this product is the only option,” said CTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“Dubbed the modern-day asbestos, exposure to the silica dust from cutting engineered stone can cause the fatal lung disease silicosis.  

“Workers exposed to this material are developing symptoms at an accelerated rate, and at a much younger age than other occupational respiratory diseases. Silicosis is an incurable disease, but the exposure is preventable. 

“The Australian Government listened to the overwhelming evidence and implemented a total ban. That decision will save workers’ lives.

“The CTU sent a letter to Minister van Velden in December 2023, calling on her to follow the Australian example and ban the importation, manufacturing, and use of engineered stone in New Zealand.  

“The Minister’s silence on this issue demonstrates a lack of concern for the health of working people. This needs to be addressed urgently.

“The Minister has the power to eliminate this hazard and save lives. Instead of prioritising the removal of Fair Pay Agreements and extending trial periods, the Minister should focus on making work better and remove engineered stone.

“Engineered stone is a fashion product, and other options are available. It’s not worth the life-altering damage to workers, and their whānau, to keep this material in the market,” said Mr Wagstaff.

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Maritime Union opposes Red Sea military involvement 

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union is opposing the decision by the coalition Government to send a detachment of New Zealand military to the Red Sea, after a request from the United States of America.

Shipping in the Red Sea has recently been disrupted by Yemen based Houthi forces carrying out attacks in support of Palestine.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says if the New Zealand Government is concerned about shipping security, there are better places to start.

“The Government just cancelled replacement ferries for the Cook Strait, which is a major threat to New Zealand transport links, so they should try dealing with problems a bit closer to home.”

He says if the Government is serious about protecting New Zealand trade it must rebuild New Zealand shipping to provide resilience and redundancy in the supply chain.

Mr Harrison says the Red Sea maritime conflict had one solution, which was an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and negotiation of a political solution for Palestine.

He says the military involvement by the United States and a small group of Western countries in the Red Sea area could result in more violence and instability.

“Rather than trying to ramp up a war, New Zealand should spend its energies working for peace by defusing the conflict and ending the mass death of civilians especially with the terrible situation in Gaza.”

“As a union representing seafarers we are extremely concerned about the danger all seafarers are facing in the Red Sea, and in the meantime the only option is for shipping to avoid the area.”

The Maritime Union said the response of the Labour Party and Green Party opposing involvement was the correct one.

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Inflation data slows – slowing data shows need for continuing support for families

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Information released today by Statistics New Zealand showed that the cost of living increased by 4.7% last year, said CTU Economist Craig Renney. “This new data should reinforce the need for Government to support middle and low income families who have struggled with cost of living over the past few years,” said Craig Renney.

“Inflation was being driven by some costs that are hard to avoid for many. This includes rent (up 4.5%), household energy (up 5.9%) Local Authority rates (up 9.6%). Insurance prices were up 11.9% annually, driven by 23% increases in dwelling and contents insurance, and 16.5% increases in vehicle insurance. Food prices fell quarterly, but are still 5.7% higher than a year ago – with bread, fruit, and groceries price increases all outpacing general inflation.

“We have not yet seen an anouncement on the Minimum Wage from the government, despite that normally happening in December. The Minimum Wage needs to increase by at least the cost of living to make sure that those on that wage don’t fall further behind.“Inflation is at its lowest rate for two years, and quarterly inflation is at 0.5%. This means that inflation over the past three months has been within the Reserve Bank target rate, reducing pressure on the Reserve Bank. New Zealand now has inflation below the OECD average of 5.4%, and around the same at that found in Australia at 4.7%.

“Inflation has also fallen from 7.2% to 4.7% without significant cuts to government spending, and on a quarterly basis is now within the the target range. Inflation doesn’t appear to have been driven by government spending in any significant way. Promises to reduce current inflation by cutting public spending should be treated with a high degree of caution. Instead those cuts will simply hurt those who use those services, with little or negative economic benefit overall,” said Renney.

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Prosecution exposes lack of Government ferry plan  

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union is calling on the Government to review its decision to dump planned new Cook Strait ferries after the prosecution of a ferry operator.

Industry regulator Maritime NZ has filed a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act against KiwiRail this week in relation to the January 2023 loss of propulsion incident involving the Interislander ferry, Kaitaki.

The Kaitaki lost power on its approach into Wellington Harbour on 28 January last year, with more than 800 passengers and 80 crew on-board. It then issued a mayday. After regaining limited power, the ferry made its way to port where its passengers were able to safely leave it and come ashore.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the most important sea link in the country is in jeopardy.

“We have a ridiculous situation where the Government regulator is having to prosecute a State owned enterprise for ferry problems, but the Government has just cancelled new ferries that would solve the problem.”

He says Maritime New Zealand is simply doing its job, but KiwiRail has been placed in an impossible position by the Government due to long term underfunding. 

“The real issue here is historic underinvestment in ferries and coastal shipping over several decades, which has led to a crisis point in the safety and reliability of our supply chain.”

Mr Harrison says two new modern ferries and new terminals had been planned as part of the iRex ferry upgrade project, but were effectively cancelled in December 2023 when the new Government withdrew support for the project.

“The decision by the Government to walk away has left a credible solution to the ferry issue in limbo.”

Mr Harrison says the current Interislander ferries are at their end of life, and replacing them with other ageing vessels was just kicking the can down the road.

He says it would be unacceptable if State Highway One was allowed to fall to pieces, yet the ‘blue highway’ of Cook Strait was an extension of our main road and rail links.

Mr Harrison says the possibility of another serious incident is very real despite the best efforts of KiwiRail. 

He says failure to modernize this essential infrastructure leaves New Zealand exposed to further delays, service outages, expense for industry, and safety issues, with our main inter-Island connection. 

A review of the ill-judged decision to cancel the iRex project needed to take place, he says.