March 7: Striking workers have reacted with disgust at the Ports of Auckland’s announcement that almost 300 workers will be made redundant and will contract out the work.
However, this was not the end of industrial action, they say.
MUNZ Local 13 spokesman Russell Mayn said the job losses would have a devastating effect on the families involved.
“It’s desperate times. They’re all families with mortgages, children, commitments to education.
“At the moment you can look out onto a wharf that’s got no ships in it. God knows what they’re losing a week.”
He said workers had no choice but to strike after attempts to negotiate for a collective agreement failed.
The union “has a strategy”, said Mr Mayn. He would not reveal what it was but said the industrial action was far from over.
“It ain’t going away. We’re just warming up.”