Maritime Union statement on port worker vaccination

The Mari­time Uni­on has made a state­ment to con­firm its pos­i­tion on the vac­cin­a­tion of port work­ers.

Mari­time Uni­on of New Zea­l­and Nation­al Sec­ret­ary Craig Har­ris­on says mis­in­form­a­tion is threat­en­ing health and safety in ports.

Mr Har­ris­on says the Mari­time Uni­on recom­men­ded and sup­por­ted MUNZ mem­bers being vac­cin­ated for the COVID-19 vir­us.

He says the Uni­on recog­nises and respects the free­dom of choice for its mem­bers and encour­ages them to make an informed decision.

Under the COVID-19 Pub­lic Health Response (Vac­cin­a­tions) Amend­ments Order 2021, vac­cin­a­tion for port work­ers on or around ships will now become man­dat­ory.

Privately employed bor­der work­ers must have had their first dose by 30 Septem­ber 2021.

Mr Har­ris­on says the Uni­on will work with employ­ers and mem­bers to try and resolve any situ­ations where jobs are in jeop­ardy.

He says that New Zea­l­and can­not afford to lose staff in ports which were already under massive pres­sure.

How­ever, the situ­ation was quite clear, as was the Union’s pos­i­tion.

“The pub­lic health order has been made, and as good health and safety prac­tice, both employ­ers and work­ers must abide by it.”

Mr Har­ris­on says claims that port work­ers had a uniquely low vac­cin­a­tion rate were inac­cur­ate, and recent fig­ures show vac­cin­a­tion rates in ports at around 78% in the industry.

There were high rates of vac­cin­a­tion in many ports, and oth­er factors were driv­ing the issue in oth­er regions.

ENDS

For more inform­a­tion, con­tact Mari­time Uni­on of New Zea­l­and Nation­al Sec­ret­ary Craig Har­ris­on on 0274225238