Lyttelton Port strike cancelled this weekend after positive negotiations

Friday 10th February 2017

A planned Maritime Union of New Zealand strike will not go ahead at Lyttelton Port Co's container terminal this weekend, though there are still strike notices in place for later in the month.

Following positive bargaining between the union and Lyttelton Port, the planned industrial action for Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 will not proceed, although the Maritime Union has kept strike notices in place for Feb. 17 through Feb. 19 and Feb. 24 to Feb. 26.

"The lifting of the strike notice reflects the progress made this week. We are meeting with MUNZ again tomorrow to work towards a settlement," port marketing manager Simon Munt said in a statement. "I am sure you will agree that the lifting of the strike notice for this weekend is a very positive development."

Between 160 and 180 Lyttelton Port employees are part of the Maritime Union covered by the collective contract for the container terminal, which employs more than 250 people. Port management wants to line up work rosters more closely with the company's operating needs.

The existing Lyttelton agreement was set to expire on March 7, 2016, and negotiations for a new collective agreement started in January last year, with 30 meetings in the second half of 2016. On Dec. 1, union members unanimously voted to go on strike after rejecting a proposal by port management, with the outstanding issues over planned changes to the start and finish times for night shift workers by up to four hours.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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