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notices and features - Date published:
6:14 am, March 6th, 2012 - 14 comments
Categories: capitalism, privatisation, workers' rights -
Tags: maritime union, ports of auckland
Maritime Union of New Zealand
Help Save Our Port –
Join us to rally to Save Our Port and stand up for job security for the port workers and their families and for a publically owned sustainable and successful port.
This is an issue for all of us – casualisation is not good for workers or their families. This is a growing story of working in New Zealand – even when workers already offer a lot of flexibility, they are expected to give more, and often to give up any hope of a structured and healthy life.
support the port workers, meet at Britomart at 4pm, Saturday 10th March. Entertainment and speeches at Teal Park to follow.
David Cunliffe’s New Lynn Labour Electorate Committee last night had a fundraiser for the Union and showed the excellent documentary 1951 about the lockout of that year. Interest was high and the theatre was booked out. Interestingly an elderly chap who had been charged with aiding the strikers in 1951 won the compulsory raffle. Fate has a sense of humour!
The documentary itself is a fascinating review of the events of that year and some of the similarities are chilling.
The documentary makes it clear that the Maritime Union agreed with National PM Sid Holland to accept his seven point plan part of the way through the strike. He led them to believe that they had a deal but the expected announcement never occurred.
Instead the plan was to break the union and remove good unionists from the ports. And it succeeded. Good delegates who wanted to do nothing more than improve wages and safety for their workmates never worked in the industry again.
The comparisons of Holland’s behavior to that of POAL’s Chief Executive Tony Gibson who had been offered all that he required by the Union but refused to settle is deeply concerning. You can bet that if he succeeds any trade unionist worth their salt will not be offered employment of any sort.
All good lefties should get down to the rally on Saturday. See you all there.
I travelled from the North Shore to attend that function and ended up hopelessly lost. Went home a bit p—-d off . When members are invited to attend a function in another electorate, it would be a good idea to include a sketch of the area with the venue highlighted. It would help people like me who suffer from ‘direction deficit syndrome’.
Sorry Anne
Will make sure that we add a map to it next time.
Thanks ms.
I was referring to all electorates of course. My predicament was not helped by a couple of local westies I accosted who sent me off in a wrong direction. 🙁
I’ll be working when the march starts, but may make the end of the march. Where is it ending? And is it easy to get to from Britomart, or is there somewhere nearby to drive to and park?
Kia ora Carol, the Maritime Union are providing “transport options” to Teal Park for those who cannot join the march. (see details below)
Thanks, Jenny.
Yes, help us save the port for the rate payers of Auckland. Have the union go back to work or look for work elsewhere. Plenty of other people would take your job. Have the union stop the bully boy tactics of leaning on other ports to stop unloading ships. How many more freight lines will the union lose for Auckland?
All good lefties should get down to the rally on Saturday
Will the Labour leadership be turning up?
Why don’t you email them and ask?
There ya go QSF, made it easy for you.
I imagine that Labour Party MPs will be making a major appearance at the speeches at Teal Park.
Thank you for your support!
Saveourport.com
This Saturday 10 March at 4pm we are asking all Aucklanders to show their support for Ports of Auckland workers.
We are gathering outside the Britomart Transport Centre at that time.
Following the rally, we will march along the Auckland waterfront to Teal Park outside the Ports of Auckland.
(There will be transport options for those who cannot join the march to get to Teal Park.)
Please spread the word through your community and networks.
Facebook event – join here and invite your friends.
Visit http://www.saveourport.com or http://www.facebook.com/saveourport or follow us on http://www.twitter.com/saveourport to keep up to date with the dispute.
Please encourage others to visit the site and sign our online petition.
Or you can download a hard copy of our petition and get your friends, family and workmates to sign it, then send it back to us.
Keep in touch via http://www.saveourport.com or by ringing 09 9510226
In Solidarity,
Garry Parsloe
National President
Maritime Union of New Zealand
Copyright © 2012 Maritime Union of New Zealand, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you have indicated you wish to volunteer for the saveourport.com campaign.
Our mailing address is:
Maritime Union of New Zealand
PO Box 2645
Shortland Street
Auckland, Auckland 1140
Keep those strikes coming. They can only help save and restore our harbour: see http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10790273
So Matthew will we see you at Saturday’s rally?