Latest news with #MUNZ
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Ferry Privatisation Would Be A Disaster
The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) says suggestions of privatisation of the new Cook Strait Interislander ferries would be a dangerous step backwards. The proposals were contained in a cabinet paper presented to the Government earlier this year and obtained by media under the OIA. Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says past privatisation of strategic transport infrastructure had caused great harm to our national supply chain. He says the ideological push for privatization will be coming from the extreme right in the Government represented by the ACT Party. Mr Findlay says New Zealand's rail network, including the ferries, had been sold off to overseas corporates in the 1990s by a right wing National Government. "What followed was a textbook case of corporate raiding, where assets were stripped for short-term profit, maintenance was run into the ground, and workers paid with their lives due to shocking health and safety breaches.' 'The taxpayer was then forced to spend millions to buy back the asset and start the long process of fixing it up.' Mr Findlay says it is essential for a New Zealand owned, public ferry operator to be on the Cook Strait for economic security and supply chain resilience. He says the Cook Strait is our 'blue highway', an essential extension of State Highway 1 and the Main Trunk Line. 'We believe the Minister of Rail, Winston Peters, who has spoken at length about the failures of past privatisations, will not allow the Government to be swayed by ACT style agendas.' Mr Findlay says the ferry replacement process has already been a fiasco, with the decision of Finance Minister Nicola Willis to cancel the iRex project creating years of delays and a billion dollar cost to New Zealand. He says there are many other opportunities for private operators to enter into other coastal shipping services, and the Government should be supporting this goal. 'For the Cook Strait, our focus should be on investing in a modern, reliable, and publicly-owned ferry fleet that is fit for the 21st century and serves all New Zealanders.' The Maritime Union of New Zealand represents seafaring and catering crews on both Cook Strait ferry operators.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Maritime Union Raises Serious Concerns Over Aratere Ferry Removal
Press Release – Maritime Union of New Zealand The Union says the loss of the rail-enabled Aratere, a crucial link between the North and South Islands, significantly weakens the resilience of New Zealand's national supply chain. The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is expressing serious concern following the announcement that the Interislander ferry Aratere is being removed from service indefinitely. The Union says the loss of the rail-enabled Aratere, a crucial link between the North and South Islands, significantly weakens the resilience of New Zealand's national supply chain. Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the situation highlights the ongoing consequences of Finance Minister Nicola Willis's decision to cancel the iReX project. Mr Findlay says the Maritime Union will be engaging in a consultation process with KiwiRail and will be seeking no or minimal job losses for ferry crew. 'MUNZ will be working to ensure our members' futures are protected during this period of instability caused by poor planning and cancelled investment by Ms Willis.' Mr Findlay says the announcement is causing concern for maritime workers, transport operators, and the New Zealand public. 'The removal of the Aratere is another blow to the reliability of the Cook Strait crossing, a situation entirely predictable after the cancellation of the iReX project,' says Mr Findlay. 'We consistently warned about the fragility of the ageing ferry fleet. Finance Minister Nicola Willis's decision to scrap the plan for new, purpose-built ferries has left New Zealand reliant on older vessels prone to failure. Losing the Aratere, especially its rail freight capability, puts immense pressure on the remaining vessels and the entire transport network.' Mr Findlay says the Maritime Union supported Minister of Rail Hon. Winston Peters work to get a new deal for rail-enabled ferries. But he says the removal of the Aratere now leaves a major gap for a number of years until the new ferries are in service.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Maritime Union Raises Serious Concerns Over Aratere Ferry Removal
The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is expressing serious concern following the announcement that the Interislander ferry Aratere is being removed from service indefinitely. The Union says the loss of the rail-enabled Aratere, a crucial link between the North and South Islands, significantly weakens the resilience of New Zealand's national supply chain. Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the situation highlights the ongoing consequences of Finance Minister Nicola Willis's decision to cancel the iReX project. Mr Findlay says the Maritime Union will be engaging in a consultation process with KiwiRail and will be seeking no or minimal job losses for ferry crew. 'MUNZ will be working to ensure our members' futures are protected during this period of instability caused by poor planning and cancelled investment by Ms Willis.' Mr Findlay says the announcement is causing concern for maritime workers, transport operators, and the New Zealand public. "The removal of the Aratere is another blow to the reliability of the Cook Strait crossing, a situation entirely predictable after the cancellation of the iReX project," says Mr Findlay. "We consistently warned about the fragility of the ageing ferry fleet. Finance Minister Nicola Willis's decision to scrap the plan for new, purpose-built ferries has left New Zealand reliant on older vessels prone to failure. Losing the Aratere, especially its rail freight capability, puts immense pressure on the remaining vessels and the entire transport network." Mr Findlay says the Maritime Union supported Minister of Rail Hon. Winston Peters work to get a new deal for rail-enabled ferries. But he says the removal of the Aratere now leaves a major gap for a number of years until the new ferries are in service.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
ERA findings on Lyttelton Port Company restructure plan released
Photo: Maritime Union of New Zealand The Employment Relations Authority has found Lyttelton Port Company breached its obligations to the unions and workers through a proposed restructure of its container terminal operations. The ERA has ordered LPC to halt its direct consultation process with the affected workers. Lyttelton Port. It must instead engage in structured consultation with the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) on the proposal within 20 working days. The ERA ruled LPC's approach to developing its proposal to disestablish 35 positions, without involving unions, breached the requirements of the collective agreements and the wider duty of good faith under the Employment Relations Act. MUNZ national secretary Carl Findlay said the determination is a significant win for port workers and clearly reinforces the importance of good faith and collective bargaining. "This finding sends a strong message to employers that they cannot simply present a fully formed proposal for major change without genuinely engaging with the Unions who represent the affected workers,' said Findlay. He said the collective agreements require a cooperative and collaborative approach, especially when jobs are on the line. RMTU general secretary Todd Valster said the ERA's order for LPC to return to the table for structured consultation with the unions was a positive outcome for port workers. "This is a good result for workers because it ensures their collective voice is heard at a meaningful stage of the process," said Valster. "It means we can properly engage on the rationale, the details of the proposal, and explore alternatives that protect our members' jobs and conditions. "Restructuring should not be presented from on high. It requires genuine engagement to find the best way forward for both the business and the people who make it run. "This ERA determination reinforces that principle." MUNZ and RMTU looked forward to engaging with LPC as directed by the ERA to ensure a fair process for all affected workers.
