Workers call for council’s help
Lyttelton Port workers clad in hivis and waving union banners rallied outside the Christchurch City Council offices yesterday to call for intervention in their dispute with the port.
‘‘Workers rights are under attack. Stand up. Fight back,’’ went the call-and-response chants when about 50 Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) port workers and supporters gathered at the council buildings at 12pm.
The council owns Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) through its commercial arm, Christchurch City Holdings Limited (CCHL). LPC and the union are locked in a prolonged dispute over the terms of a new collective contract.
Some RMTU members – about 25 according to the port – went without pay yesterday after a strike notice was withdrawn with less than seven days’ notice.
The union characterised the move as an illegal lockout, while LPC expressed its disappointment that the union instructed workers to turn up when they knew work was not available.
‘‘International shipping movements are planned at least a week in advance. RMTU knows that,’’ LPC operations manager Paul Monk said.
‘‘Our wharves are empty . . . but the RMTU still wants its members paid. The RMTU is not acting in good faith.’’
Council chief executive Karleen Edwards accepted a letter from the union on behalf of acting mayor Andrew Turner. The letter called for the council to use its influence to get the port to pay its members.
A council spokeswoman said CCHL’s position was it would be inappropriate for the shareholder to intervene in an employment dispute.
RMTU South Island organiser John Kerr claimed about 70 workers were going without pay.
‘‘LPC is wholly owned by Christchurch City Council so we’re appealing to our mayor and councillors to step in and encourage management to change their minds.’’
Kerr said mediation on Wednesday came close to resolving the dispute. Contentious roster changes had been dropped and they were ‘‘really close to a deal’’ on the money.
Further strike notices issued for today through until Monday – when another meeting is planned – have been withdrawn. Monk said it was too late for shipping to return during the period and there would be little work available.
RMTU member and cargo handler Joshua North-Johanson said he went to the port yesterday morning and was told there was no work available.
‘‘It was disappointing. And on Monday I hope they give us the little bit we’re asking for, and let’s get back to work. It’s not good for anybody.’’
LPC made what it described as a ‘‘very generous offer’’ in Wednesday’s mediation. It dropped the roster changes and offered the union 3 per cent salary increases each year for three years.
North-Johnanson said the union was asking for pay parity with the other major waterfront union. It wanted a 4 per cent increase the first year, then 3 per cent each year for the next two.
‘‘The cost of that is pretty minimal compared to what it’d be if we went on strike,’’ fellow cargo handler and union delegate Stu March added.