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