MP brokers talks amid port row
A Christchurch MP has tried to help settle the differences between Lyttelton Port Company and its disgruntled workers.
Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson brokered a meeting on Tuesday with Lyttelton Port chief executive Peter Davie and Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) general secretary Wayne Butson.
Davie flew to Wellington to discuss the impasse in negotiations. As a result, the union put a fresh set of options to the company.
Butson said he did not believe the stalemate had been broken but Dyson said the two-hour discussion was constructive and if progress was not made she would seek further meetings.
‘‘It was constructive engagement and we tossed around several ideas. It needed fresh voices to make some progress but I have no idea of any outcome.
‘‘I don’t want to see antagonism and the port closed. It’s too important to the South Island.
‘‘Two weeks ago I contacted the Chamber of Commerce, the manufacturers’ representative, the Council of Trade Unions and the Rail and Maritime Union, and the port company about a meeting.’’
Dyson said she understood the unwillingness of some parties such as the Christchurch City Council to become involved and confuse governance with operations.
But she said some work could be done on processes around future negotiations with councilowned companies.
RMTU organiser John Kerr said the talks were at a fork in the road. ‘‘We hope what we’ve put to them is acceptable. It could be peace in out time, or back in the trenches again.’’
The talks have stalled over safety issues, rosters, notifications to work, and pay parity with other port workers.
Workers are paid about $27 an hour, with some skilled engineers on $30 an hour. However, about one-third of cargo handlers are in a casual pool without guarantees of a full week’s work.