Removal of Ports of Auckland chairman is a positive move

The Mar­itime Union says the removal of Ports of Auck­land chair­man Gary Judd last week is for the best.

Mar­itime Union Local 13 Pres­i­dent Denis Carlisle says the removal of Ports of Auck­land chair­man Gary Judd by Auck­land Region­al Hold­ings could lead to a more pos­i­tive atmos­phere.

He says the Union has been con­cerned about the approach of Mr Judd and his lev­el of com­mit­ment to the Ports of Auck­land as a pub­lic asset owned by the peo­ple of Auck­land.

“We hope his replace­ment will be a mod­er­at­ing influ­ence on man­age­ment, and we would like to see direc­tors who have a clear com­mit­ment to man­ag­ing this impor­tant asset in the pub­lic inter­est for the ben­e­fit of Auck­land.”

Mr Carlisle says the Union is keen to meet the new chair­per­son of the Board to dis­cuss issues of con­cern.

“We believe the Ports of Auck­land need to be focussed on sta­ble busi­ness, and the cur­rent moves by man­age­ment to intro­duce major changes and make pro­duc­tive work­ers redun­dant are not help­ing the Port.”

The Mar­itime Union rep­re­sents over four hun­dred work­ers at the Ports of Auck­land.

The Union has issued a strike notice in order to hold a stop work meet­ing between 12 noon and 4.30pm on Fri­day 5 June 2009 to dis­cuss their col­lec­tive employ­ment agree­ment.

ENDS

For more infor­ma­tion, con­tact Mar­itime Union of New Zealand Auck­land Water­front Local 13 Pres­i­dent Denis Carlisle on 021963528