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  • Maritime Union condemns Government’s attack on pay equity and women workers

    Maritime Union condemns Government’s attack on pay equity and women workers

    Source:

    The Maritime Union of New Zealand has condemned the Government’s attacks on hard-won pay equity legislation, describing these as a direct assault on the rights and economic well-being of women and all working New Zealanders.

    Maritime Union National Assistant Secretary Fiona Mansell says the Government’s proposed changes to the pay equity framework will wreck decades of progress, undermine fairness and equality in the workplace, and harm women in historically undervalued occupations.

    “The proposals completely undermine the principle that women deserve equal pay for work of equal value,” says Ms Mansell.

    “For years, unions have fought tirelessly to establish and strengthen pay equity laws. Weakening pay equity laws will entrench poverty and make it harder for working families to get by.”

    Ms Mansell says pay equity is a critical component of addressing the gender pay gap and ensuring economic justice.

    The Maritime Union of New Zealand stands in solidarity with women workers and is working with other unions across the country who have voiced strong opposition to the Government’s backward stance.

    “Given the serious implications for women’s rights, workers’ rights, and economic fairness, MUNZ believes Workplace Relations Minister Van Velden’s position has become untenable.”

    She says the Maritime Union was calling for Minister Van Velden’s immediate resignation.

    The Maritime Union of New Zealand will continue fighting alongside the wider union movement and women workers to protect and advance pay equity.

  • Serious concerns over Aratere ferry removal

    Serious concerns over Aratere ferry removal

    Source:

    The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is expressing serious concern following the announcement that the Interislander ferry Aratere is being removed from service indefinitely.

    The Union says the loss of the rail-enabled Aratere, a crucial link between the North and South Islands, significantly weakens the resilience of New Zealand’s national supply chain.

    Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the situation highlights the ongoing consequences of Finance Minister Nicola Willis’s decision to cancel the iReX project.

    Mr Findlay says the Maritime Union will be engaging in a consultation process with KiwiRail and will be seeking no or minimal job losses for ferry crew.

    “MUNZ will be working to ensure our members’ futures are protected during this period of instability caused by poor planning and cancelled investment by Ms Willis.”

    Mr Findlay says the announcement is causing concern for maritime workers, transport operators, and the New Zealand public.

    “The removal of the Aratere is another blow to the reliability of the Cook Strait crossing, a situation entirely predictable after the cancellation of the iReX project,” says Mr Findlay.

    “We consistently warned about the fragility of the ageing ferry fleet. Finance Minister Nicola Willis’s decision to scrap the plan for new, purpose-built ferries has left New Zealand reliant on older vessels prone to failure. Losing the Aratere, especially its rail freight capability, puts immense pressure on the remaining vessels and the entire transport network.”

    Mr Findlay says the Maritime Union supported Minister of Rail Hon. Winston Peters work to get a new deal for rail-enabled ferries.

    But he says the removal of the Aratere now leaves a major gap for a number of years until the new ferries are in service.

  • Port Unions welcome ERA finding on Lyttelton Port Company restructure proposal

    Port Unions welcome ERA finding on Lyttelton Port Company restructure proposal

    Source:

    The two main unions for Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) workers have welcomed a determination this week from the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) that found LPC breached obligations to the Unions and workers under the Collective Agreements (CEAs) through a proposed restructure of its container terminal operations.

    The ERA has ordered LPC to halt its direct consultation process with affected workers, and instead engage in structured consultation with the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) on the proposal within 20 working days.

    The Authority ruled that LPC’s approach to developing its proposal to disestablish 35 positions, without involving Unions, breached the requirements of the CEAs and the wider duty of good faith under the Employment Relations Act.

    MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay says the determination is a significant win for port workers by clearly reinforcing the importance of good faith and collective bargaining.

    “This finding sends a strong message to employers that they cannot simply present a fully formed proposal for major change without genuinely engaging with the Unions who represent the affected workers,” says Mr Findlay.

    Mr Findlay says collective agreements require a cooperative and collaborative approach, especially when jobs are on the line.

    RMTU General Secretary Todd Valster says the ERA’s order for LPC to return to the table for structured consultation with the Unions was a positive outcome for port workers.

    “This is a good result for workers because it ensures their collective voice is heard at a meaningful stage of the process. It means we can properly engage on the rationale, the details of the proposal, and explore alternatives that protect our members’ jobs and conditions,” says Mr Valster.

    “Restructuring should not be presented from on high. It requires genuine engagement to find the best way forward for both the business and the people who make it run. This ERA determination reinforces that principle.”

    MUNZ and RMTU looked forward to engaging with LPC as directed by the Authority to ensure a fair process for all affected workers.