Anaesthetic technicians to strike in December
Five months after first entering The Cut, Sealord’s new $70 million factory trawler Tokatu has finally received its grand welcome.
An official launch and ribboncutting ceremony was held in Nelson on Wednesday, with commercial fishing, government and overseas dignitaries joining Sealord management and shareholders in marking the occasion.
Sealord chief executive Steve Yung said the project had been a massive undertaking over the last three years, which made Wednesday’s launch ceremony ‘‘an extremely rewarding occasion’’.
Building the largest New Zealand-owned fishing vessel in use, and the first brand new deepwater fishing vessel built in a generation, was a sign of Sealord’s optimism and quiet confidence in the future of the business and industry, he said.
Following a six-week delivery voyage from Norway, hundreds initially welcomed the Tokatu to its new Nelson home in June.
Despite the bankruptcy of the vessel’s shipbuilder, Simek, in July, leaving it unable to hold up its standard one-year guarantee for a new build, Tokatu has already made several fishing trips, overlapping with the busy hoki season.
Fishing general manager Doug Paulin said that while there were still some refinements being done in the factory area, the general operation of the vessel so far had been satisfactory.
‘‘The boat itself, in terms of catching, has done very well – fuel use, winches, all of the electronics, the feedback has been positive.
‘‘It was commissioned during this hoki season, so its first real test will be next year.’’
Skipper Rex Chapman said the last six months had been extremely busy, with the novelty of a high-tech ‘‘floating palace’’ yet to wear off on the crew.
‘‘Certainly from the fishing perspective, there have been no problems, and people are quite amazed with it – even when you get the observers and pilots on board, they don’t want to get off.’’
Sealord’s ownership is shared between Maori-owned Moana New Zealand and Japanese seafood company Nissui. Representatives from both companies were present at Wednesday’s launch, as well as Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash.
‘‘I celebrate your vision and congratulate you on a huge dose of intestinal fortitude – it takes courage to invest $70 million, and I take it as a vote of confidence to the future of New Zealand’s fisheries,’’ Nash said.
Former Sealord chairman Sir Tipene O’Regan spoke of the value placed on technical innovation within the company that had ultimately led to the ribbon being cut on the Tokatu this week.
‘‘Tokatu represents the best thinking we’ve got about sustainability, because evidence- based sustainability is the central pillar of the Quota Management System,’’ he said. ‘‘This vessel, with precision harvesting and other technologies that have been devel- oped, represent the very best we can do to maintain the sustainable use of our resources, and that also is at the very core of Ma¯ ori values.’’ ‘‘Intense frustration’’ over a failure to reach an employment agreement has seen Nelson Marlborough Health anaesthetic technicians vote for strike action.
The six technicians, who are part of hospital surgical teams, have issued notice for a 24-hour strike, planned to start on the morning of December 5.
Luke Coxon, advocate for APEX – the union representing the technicians – said the strike notice was issued due to ‘‘intense frustration’’ at the health board’s failure to make any offer in settlement of their collective agreement since bargaining was initiated in September 2017.
He said it was ‘‘extremely disappointing’’ that technicians were yet to receive a written offer, despite the parties having formally been in bargaining for over a year.
‘‘Across the country, our anaesthetic technician members have only been receiving offers to consider once we have given notice of strike action.’’
Anaesthetic technicians check and maintain the anaesthetic machines and other related equipment, ensure appropriate equipment and drugs are available, assist with inserting airway devices and venous/arterial cannulas, and act as advocates for patients.
While the technicians work mainly in operating theatres, they are called upon to work in any area where an anaesthetic may be given, including CT, MRI and radiology, the emergency department and intensive care.
Nelson Marlborough Health general manager of clinical services Lexie O’Shea said it received the strike notice from APEX on the same day it put an offer forward for consideration.
‘‘The bargaining process is now under way, as well as contingency planning for a potential strike by members at Nelson Hospital. We have gone into bargaining with the intention of a positive resolution and the notice being lifted.’’