Holidays under threat?
The Maritime Union says it is concerned about proposals to allow workers’ holidays to be traded for cash.
Read the full article at the Otago Daily Times.
Truck plan means more blood on roads
The Maritime Union of New Zealand has slammed Government proposals to allow larger and heavier trucks on New Zealand roads as irresponsible and short-sighted.
The Union says New Zealand needs to promote low-impact, environmentally efficient modes such as coastal shipping and rail to handle the growth in freight, not bigger trucks.
Maritime Union of New Zealand General Secretary Trevor Hanson says proposed changes to land transport rules would see larger, heavier trucks dominating New Zealand roads for years to come.
“Roads will become more dangerous and more crowded leading to more and worse accidents — more blood on the road.”
Maritimes magazine Winter 2009 edition now online
Download the Winter 2009 edition of the Maritimes magazine here.
Government appears leaderless in jobs crisis
The Maritime Union says immediate action is needed to stop the unfolding jobs crisis in New Zealand.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says he is concerned that the Government appears to be “sailing in circles” as New Zealand drifts further into recession.
“Productivity dividend” required to distribute wealth
The Maritime Union has called for a “productivity dividend” from employers to spread the wealth created by new technology in the workplace.
Maritime Union of New Zealand General Secretary Trevor Hanson says that the growing use of automated technology in the workplace could have harmful effects in a recession unless the profits were shared.
He says that unless the productivity gains of new technologies are distributed throughout society, especially to displaced workers, it would result in social catastrophe.
Ports of Auckland workers ratify agreement
Maritime Union members at the Ports of Auckland have ratified their collective employment agreement with Ports of Auckland.
The new agreement was ratified by a meeting of members at the Ports on Thursday 25 June 2009.
The agreement will be signed next week. Details of the agreement are being kept confidential.
Fast food jobs shows National Government’s contempt for young workers
The Maritime Union says the National Government’s plan to act as a compulsory recruitment agency for McDonalds fast food chain is a travesty.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has described an agreement between WINZ and McDonalds that will provide up to 7000 unemployed workers for the fast-food chain’s growth plans over the next five years.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the scheme has two beneficiaries – a Government with a failing jobs policy, and a global corporation that will suck profits out of New Zealand.
Fisheries Minister throwing New Zealand jobs to the sharks
The Maritime Union has slammed comments by Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley about employment in New Zealand’s fishing industry, and say they make a bad joke out of the Government’s commitment to protect jobs.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says Mr Heatley has publicly admitted that New Zealand jobs are not a priority in the New Zealand fishing industry.
New Zealand should follow Aussie lead on job protection
The Maritime Union says the New South Wales State Government could teach John Key one or two things about protecting jobs.
Nearly $4 billion worth of NSW government goods and services including uniforms, cars and even trains, will have to be sourced from Australian companies in order to boost local production and jobs, in an upcoming budget annoucement that has been welcomed by Australian unions.
Maritime Union of New Zealand General Secretary Trevor Hanson says this idea should be adopted immediately in New Zealand.
Employers must pay for swine flu quarantines
The Maritime Union will be asking employers to pay workers sent home due to swine flu quarantines.
Maritime Union of New Zealand General Secretary Trevor Hanson says maritime workers are in the front line and are an at risk group for exposure to infectious diseases coming into the country.