Unionize to beat redundancy pain in economic meltdown
The Maritime Union says that membership in a union is the best strategy for workers to get protections at a time of international economic turmoil.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says that while both major political parties have been outlining pre-election “job transition policies” to assist redundant workers, the best guarantee for workers to do even better was to join a union today.
Qualified support for South Island ports merger
The Maritime Union of New Zealand has offered qualified support to the merger of Lyttelton Port Company and the Port of Otago announced today.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Union is a strong backer of ports remaining in local control to preserve employment and business opportunities.
Labour employment relations policy deals with important issues
The Maritime Union of New Zealand has welcomed the release of the Labour Party’s policy for employment relations today.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says it is important that the policy has focussed on providing protections for workers in a time of global economic turmoil.
“The Maritime Union position is that we need to pay more attention to the job security and stability for workers, and this policy has taken these issues on board.”
Lockwood’s comments show it’s time to sort out short-term labour
The Maritime Union says that action must be taken to protect both local jobs and overseas workers in New Zealand industries after recent comments from Opposition immigration spokesperson Lockwood Smith about overseas workers caused an uproar.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says a progressive downward pressure on wages, conditions and local jobs is spreading throughout large areas of the New Zealand economy, including the horticulture and viticulture sector.
“We are very aware of this problem in the fishing industry and with flag of convenience shipping, and also with attempts to displace waterfront labour.”
Concerns with port takeover threat
The Maritime Union of New Zealand has warned against the takeover of New Zealand ports after shipping giant COSCO announced its interest in buying into New Zealand ports this week.
The Chinese state owned multinational corporation COSCO is one of the world’s largest shipping lines.
Maritime Union spokesperson Victor Billot says the Union is opposed to handing control of ports over to global operators.
Maritime Union puts forward 2008 election goals
The Maritime Union has announced its priorities for the 2008 election.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Union wants to see the return of a Labour-led Government to continue what he describes as incremental but positive moves to develop the maritime and transport industries.
Mr Hanson says the Maritime Union is strongly endorsing the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) election policy document, especially regarding key issues such as wages, employment relations, health and safety, ACC, and transport.
Maritime Union supports bill to help casual workers
The Maritime Union says a new employment Bill before Parliament is good news for casual workers.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says that many New Zealand workers are struggling with the insecurity of casual work.
The Maritime Union welcomed the Bill which featured increased powers for Labour Inspectors to determine whether workers were fixed-term or permanent employees, and tests to determine whether a worker has progressed from casual to permanent employment.
Maritime Union criticizes Myanmar connection in free trade deal
The Maritime Union of New Zealand says a free trade deal signed with ASEAN nations including the military dictatorship of Myanmar is bad for workers.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says a free trade deal including Myanmar will boost the violently anti-worker regime in Myanmar and threatened workers rights.
He says the Maritime Union has many concerns about the treatment of Burmese maritime workers, some of whom work in New Zealand waters, and who have been mistreated and abused in the past.
Action on casual workers welcomed
The Maritime Union has welcomed a Government announcement that it intends to improve protections for casual workers.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Union has been arguing since 1991 that the practice of employing casual labour on the waterfront is degrading and unfair.
“It is similar to the situation of a century ago when workers lined up for work at the port gate, and many were victimized or refused work.”
Maritime Union comes to aid of Russian crew in Ports of Auckland
The Maritime Union is taking action to recover the unpaid wages of a Russian crew aboard an arrested ship in the Ports of Auckland.
Maritime Union Local 13 President Denis Carlisle says the Union has been assisting the crew aboard the ‘Southern Pearl’ and is now representing the crew members.