Lyttelton Port workers to resume strike next week after mediation fails, union says

Thursday 15th March 2018

Members of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union will recommence striking at Lyttelton Port next Tuesday after mediation today failed, the union said.

Port company management and the union were unable to resolve disputes around pay and weekend rosters, and the union has called and suspended strike action twice since March 7. Strike notices are still potentially in place until March 25, although the union yesterday suspended its strike action until Tuesday next week to begin mediation.

RMTU organiser John Kerr said the union had put forward eight scenarios to the port company but the company "has not amended its position one jot".

"It appears to us that LPC is unwavering in its determination to attempt to break the will of our members and to inflict unnecessary pain upon the Canterbury economy," Kerr said. "Accordingly we have no option but to advise that Lyttelton Port will shut due to industrial action for at least five days from next Tuesday. We have no other choice under the existing law governing industrial disputes in NZ."

Lyttelton Port was not immediately available to comment.

(BusinessDesk)

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