Australian wharfies to be given Maori welcome at Auckland picket

A solidarity mission from the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the General Secretary of the Maritime Union of New Zealand will be given a Maori welcome and challenge at the Ports of Auckland tomorrow morning 7am sharp Friday 10 September 2004.

The event will halt all traffic in Tinley Street, access route to the Bledisloe Terminal at Ports of Auckland and will be attended by a large number of striking workers.

MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Robert Coombs, MUA Victoria Branch Deputy Secretary David Schleibs and General Secretary of the Maritime Union of New Zealand Trevor Hanson will address striking workers after the welcome.

The Maritime delegation from Australia are flying into Auckland today and a solidarity delegation of Mount Maunganui and Tauranga maritime workers are also enroute to Auckland today to support the picket.

Maritime Union Local 13 Auckland Branch President Denis Carlisle says the welcome and challenge will be made by Maori members of the Maritime Union at Ports of Auckland.

He says the Auckland workers struggle for secure, permanent jobs is one that has struck a chord with workers in New Zealand and overseas.

"We have received strong support from the International Transport Workers' Federation, European unions and we received a very encouraging and heartening communication from the President of the Japanese Dock Workers Union (ZenKowan) late last night."

Around 260 members of the Maritime Union went on strike against casualization from 7am Wednesday 8 September and will remain out until 7am Sunday 12 September 2004.

A continuous round-the-clock picket by maritime workers and supporters has been mounted at the entrance to the Axis Bledisloe and Axis Ferguson terminals at Ports of Auckland.

Mr Carlisle says the Union will attend mediation with the Ports of Auckland tomorrow to try and resolve the dispute.

"Our members will be attending a mass stopwork meeting on Monday to consider the situation and to vote on further action if it is required."

ENDS
For further information, or to arrange interviews with Robert Coombs and David Schleibs of the Maritime Union of Australia, contact Maritime Union of New Zealand:

Auckland Branch Local 13 President Denis Carlisle on mobile 021 963 528
General Secretary Trevor Hanson on mobile 0274 453 532