Unions reject port redundancy talks

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has rejected future talks with Port Otago on its proposal for 35 redundancies at Port Chalmers, vowing action will be taken "when the first person goes".

MUNZ and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union remain at loggerheads with Port Otago, which wants to implement 35 redundancies to counter a 15% downturn in container handling - amounting to about 40,000 containers this financial year.

However, the unions are angry Port Otago wants to implement a new "flexible" third shift to load container vessels, claiming flat-rate no-overtime pay disadvantages employees.

MUNZ Port Chalmers secretary and national president Phil Adams, contacted after the monthly meeting of 250 union members yesterday, said cargo handlers were "always targeted" in redundancy rounds as opposed to management changes.

"When the first person goes, we'll call a meeting to decide our next action. Until then, we want nothing to do with it [talks]," Mr Adams said.

The union would also be writing to Port Otago's 100% owner, the Otago Regional Council, highlighting expected "massive dividends during a recession" - $6.9 million was declared a fortnight ago - "at a time when 35 jobs are at stake", Mr Adams said.

When asked about potential industrial action, Mr Adams would only say the 250 members were unanimous yesterday that "procedures be put in place" to react to the issuing of the first redundancy notice.