Southern wharfies say ‘no letup’ in battle against casualization

Bluff waterfront workers, local townspeople and supporters are continuing their resistance to casualization and anti-union tactics on Sunday 21 September with a picket at Southport gates from 6am.

Maritime Union Bluff Branch Secretary Ray Fife says Mainland Stevedores are working the log carrier "Pacsea," and the picket is to highlight the effect the out of town company was having on the Bluff community.

The Maritime Union has committed itself to an ongoing campaign to defend permanent local jobs against what it describes as the "social sabotage of port communities."

Mr Fife says the tactic of companies such as Mainland is to establish themselves with promises of local jobs, but the reality was different.

"They set up using the cheapest labour they can find which they truck in from all over the place, with the goal of breaking down wages and conditions and creating a scared, divided workforce."

Mr Fife says Bluff is a close community that looks after its own.

"We have seen strong solidarity here, and workers in and around the port have always joined together when we are under attack."

Maritime Union members have joined pickets by local fish processing workers and casual port workers in recent times.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says casualization and its effects are continuing to damage the lives of New Zealand workers and their communities.

"The results of insecure, subsistence style jobs are having a serious impact throughout the New Zealand workforce, and it is high time this Labour Government show what they are going to do about it."

For further information, contact:
Trevor Hanson, General Secretary, Maritime Union of New Zealand: mobile 0274 453 532
Ray Fife, Bluff Branch Secretary, Maritime Union of New Zealand: mobile 0274 475 317