Category: Ports

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New Zealand wharfies join international day of action against Qube Ports

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

New Zealand maritime workers will be rallying in support of Australian workers at Qube Ports on Monday 16 December 2024.

Australian wharfies at Qube are stopping work at ten ports in an International Day of Action to expose Qube Ports’ refusal to take safety, fatigue and work-life balance concerns seriously during bargaining for a new employment agreement covering more than 1000 workers.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says New Zealand wharfies will be supporting the Maritime Union of Australia in their struggle, with delegates heading across the Tasman in both directions, an international video link, and protest events to be held in two New Zealand ports.

TAURANGA informational picket Monday 16 December (1pm–3pm)
Hull Road, Mt. Maunganui (Port gates)

GISBORNE informational picket Monday 16 December (Morning)
Corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Hirini Street

Maritime Union of Australia delegates and MUNZ officials will be attending these pickets and available to talk to media.

Mr Findlay says Qube management need to be aware their actions in Australia will have consequences for their brand and credibility internationally unless they change their attitude towards their workforce.

He says the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) will be “acting as one.”

Qube Ports in Australia is an ASX listed behemoth which has extracted mega-profits in recent years from the productivity delivered by their hard working employees, and has doggedly refused to sit down and negotiate a new agreement with their workforce. 

The MUA says Qube has repeatedly dismissed safety and fatigue concerns and declared it unprofitable to operate a business which takes safety seriously. 

While wharfies’ pay has gone backwards against inflation, executive bonuses and shareholder dividends have soared. Over the last four years, Qube profits have jumped by 148%.

The MUA has repeatedly called on the company to return to the bargaining table and engage meaningfully with the safety, fatigue and work-life balance concerns that Qube employees are raising.

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New Port Code could save lives on the waterfront

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says the new Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for loading and unloading cargo at ports and on ships could save lives and prevent serious harm on the waterfront.

The ACOP was launched this morning at Port of Auckland as the result of work by the Port Health and Safety Leadership Group made up of port unions, ports and stevedoring companies, the Port Industry Association, and regulator Maritime NZ.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the Union has been campaigning for a national industry code of practice for years.

He says the ACOP provides clear guidelines to ensure the safety and health of workers involved in loading and unloading cargo at ports. 

“There has been a terrible history of death and injuries over the years in New Zealand ports, and the ACOP will play a major role in prioritizing the health and safety of port workers.”

Mr Findlay says including the workers on the job perspective has been an essential part of developing the ACOP.

He says the task now is to ensure the ACOP is adhered to by employers and understood by port workers.

“The key is making sure the ACOP is having an impact on the day to day practices at ports where Unions are the worker’s voice on the job.”

Mr Findlay says there has been further progress in the industry with the development of fatigue risk management systems and the extension of Maritime NZ’s designation to cover the entire port.

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Victory for Lyttelton Port Workers against unlawful health monitoring

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) has welcomed this week’s decision by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) which has ruled against Lyttelton Port Company’s (LPC) attempt to unilaterally impose a mandatory health monitoring policy on MUNZ members. 

MUNZ Assistant National Secretary Ray Fife says the outcome is a major win for the rights and well-being of port workers, ensuring that health monitoring procedures must be subject to collective bargaining and cannot be forced without agreement.

The dispute arose after LPC introduced a mandatory health monitoring policy in July 2024, covering aspects such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mobility, alongside hearing, sight, and respiratory testing. 

MUNZ says the policy went beyond the scope of the collective agreement between LPC and the union.

This week’s decision by the ERA has confirmed the Health Monitoring Policy was inconsistent with the Collective Employment Agreement and therefore unlawful.

The decision reaffirms that LPC cannot expand health testing requirements beyond those agreed upon without the union’s consent, says Mr Fife.

“This determination by the ERA reinforces the importance of collective bargaining in protecting workers’ rights.”

Mr Fife says MUNZ has ensured any changes affecting workers’ health and privacy must be done through negotiation.

He says the ERA ruling highlights the need for employers to act in good faith and respect the agreements they have signed with workers. 

MUNZ remains committed to ensuring that any future health and safety measures at Lyttelton Port are implemented with full consultation and agreement.

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Concerns with health and safety approach at Lyttelton Port Company

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says it has concerns about the approach of the Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) to mandatory fitness tests.

The concerns come after the sentencing of LPC in July 2024, following the death of MUNZ member Don Grant while loading coal on the ETG Aquarius in April 2022.

LPC pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 brought by industry regulator Maritime NZ.

Maritime Union National Secretary Carl Findlay says workers have welcomed the guilty plea and sentencing, but have concerns about the current approach of LPC to listening to its workers.

Mr Findlay says a lot has changed since the tragic death of Mr Grant, a friend and much loved colleague at Lyttelton.

“This is not only in work practices involving coal operations, but in Management and Governance and the relationships between LPC and Unions.”

Mr Findlay says LPC has many new members on the Board and a new Chair Barry Bragg.

LPC also have their third CEO in a short time in Graham Sumner, following the resignation of former CEO Kirstie Gardener and interim CEO Jim Quinn.

Mr Findlay says LPC have now announced a new mandatory fitness for work program for all employees.

He says this has been pushed through without regard to workers concerns over their financial protection and wellbeing of any members who fail the assessment, with the ultimate result of people losing employment if they don’t meet the standard. 

“In short, MUNZ see this as a breach of good faith and LPC not honouring our Collective Employment Agreement.”

Mr Findlay says the Union is agreeable to fitness for work health monitoring, but want LPC to negotiate in good faith.

He says LPC are imposing a fitness for work test and the consultation process was not working.

“MUNZ is very concerned how the death of a worker has been used to implement new policies without bringing along workers and listening to their voices.” 

Mr Findlay says workforce morale is sinking with a lack of commitment shown towards LPC by some Council leaders, and the ongoing churn of management and Board members.

“Former LPC CEOs Roger Gray and Kirstie Gardener took part in open engagement with the unions, and LPC container terminal was the 35th best performing terminal out of the top 415 terminals in the world.”

“Unfortunately, with ongoing changes at the top and a less open approach by Management,  LPC container terminal has now dropped to 385 in the list of the top 415 terminals in the world.”

MUNZ and LPC are attending mediation on 16 August on the issue of health monitoring.

“We are confident we can find a way forward with not only LPC, but also CCHL who manage LPC on behalf of Christchurch City Council.”

MUNZ is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of not only our members, but all workers in the port of Lyttelton, says Mr Findlay.

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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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Massive price hikes in DP World Australian ports must scuttle Auckland port privatization plans

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

DP World, the global port operator linked to a privatisation agenda at the Port of Auckland, is embroiled in controversy in Australia after massive price hikes for port users.

Terminal fees are set to jump more than 50% at DP World’s Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney operations, leading to one freight industry manager describing the situation as “daylight robbery”.

The price hit also led to Australia’s former competition watchdog chair, Graeme Samuel, saying the Government needed to take control of the model of privatisation that had led to “rampant high prices”.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the news confirm findings in a report released in September 2023 by the Union that warned of major price hikes on freight if Port of Auckland was privatised.

Mr Harrison says the Union had accurately predicted the failure of the previous automation project at Port of Auckland, and it did not want to be proved right about port privatisation.

He says Auckland City needs to immediately dump any proposals to privatise the Port of Auckland, unless it wanted to wreck the local economy.

Mr Harrison says the DP World in Australia is currently at war with freight businesses, importers, exporters and their workforce.

“Do we really want to hand over a strategic asset and natural monopoly to this type of outfit?”

Protected industrial action is ongoing in Australian ports, with the Australian Council of Trade Unions last month calling on DP World to ‘return to good faith bargaining and abandon their attacks on hard working maritime workers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.’

More bad news about the practices of the multinational came out in a report released this week in Australia, showing DP World in Australia paid zero income tax in Australia over the last eight years, despite revenues of over $4.5 billion in that period.

A poll released by the Maritime Union on 11 October showed an overwhelming majority of Aucklanders wanted the Port of Auckland kept in public ownership.

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Does DP World dodge taxes? Port giant under spotlight

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The multinational involved in the proposed privatisation of Port of Auckland is the subject of a new Australian report “Does DP World dodge taxes in Australia?”

The report is published by The Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR).

Key findings show DP World in Australia paid zero income tax in Australia over the last eight years, despite revenues of over $4.5 billion in that period.

DP World appears to have used complex methods to artificially reduce taxable income and shift income offshore, according to the report.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Aucklanders should be watching closely what is happening with DP World across the Tasman.

Protected industrial action has recently taken place in Australian ports, with the Australian Council of Trade Unions last month calling on DP World to ‘return to good faith bargaining and abandon their attacks on hard working maritime workers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.’

“Selling a strategic asset and natural monopoly like Port of Auckland to a global operator like DP World would be leaving a vampire in charge of the blood bank.”

Mr Harrison says the disturbing record of DP World in Australia can be compared with the positive situation in Port of Auckland.

He says with new management working with the Union at the Port of Auckland, there have been rapidly improving returns for the people of Auckland.

“Why would we want to mess with this successful Port?”

The Australian tax report on DP World follows on from a report released in September 2023 by the Maritime Union of New Zealand that warned of major price hikes on freight going through a privatised Port of Auckland.

A poll released by the Maritime Union on 11 October showed an overwhelmingly majority of Aucklanders wanted the Port of Auckland kept in public ownership.

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National strategy required for future of New Zealand ports and shipping

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union says there needs to be national level planning around ports and coastal shipping, otherwise New Zealand is going to find itself in a bad position.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says there needs to be a stronger response to building resilience into the supply chain.

The Productivity Commission has noted disruptions to global supply chain trends are likely to become more frequent with causes including pandemics, war and climate change.

Mr Harrison says the Union is calling for political solutions including a port strategy and investment in coastal shipping.

He says one problem is how New Zealand ports are primarily seen as income streams for owners, as opposed to national infrastructure that underpins the successful functioning of the economy.

An example of lack of co-ordination is the multiple conflicts around the future of the Port of Auckland, he says.

“In the case of Port of Auckland, we have major roading and rail projects being proposed at the same time as a privatization agenda and plans to shrink the port despite no clear alternative capacity – in other words, total confusion.”

He says claims there can be a straightforward relocation of port activities to Northport (Whangarei) or Tauranga are unrealistic.

“Northport does not even have a rail link at this stage, and Tauranga is operating close to capacity. This situation is not going to be resolved by highway mega-projects that simply move congestion around.”

He says with ongoing climate-driven weather events becoming more severe, proposals to sink more and more resources into roading projects shows a refusal to face facts. 

Mr Harrison says there needs to be a strategic shift to build the role of coastal shipping.

He says New Zealand coastal shipping provided resilience that was demonstrated during COVID and during natural disasters such as earthquakes or flooding, when regional land links were out of action.

“For a fraction of the enormous price tag of monster motorways, New Zealand could become a leader with investment into low emission coastal shipping, and create safer, less congested roads.”

“The recent Government investment and resulting growth in coastal shipping shows the potential but there needs to be an integrated shipping and ports policy to build on this.”

He says that the Maritime Union is campaigning for changes to the Maritime Transport Act to promote New Zealand shipping and maritime jobs.