Representing New Zealand maritime workers since 2002
The Maritime Union says it supports the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) decision not to allow the interisland ferry ‘Aratere’ to sail until it was satisfied the ferry was safe.
The ‘Aratere’ suffered steering problems yesterday evening in Wellington harbour.
Read MoreMaritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says there are two major issues at stake – firstly the status of imported workers doing jobs on the waterfront, but living aboard ships, and a second issue of safety and working conditions.
He says it appears that employers are now trying to get around immigration regulations by accommodating workers on board overseas ships, then getting them down the gangplank to work within New Zealand each day.
Mr Hanson says the workers were moved from their current accommodation in converted containers on the waterfront because the Lyttelton Port Company did not believe they were situated safely.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union is concerned that a group of overseas workers are living on the Lyttelton waterfront in converted containers.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says that its fears about short-term casual labour being introduced into New Zealand have been confirmed.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the introduction of more cheap foreign labour into the New Zealand fishing industry is the death knell for New Zealand fishing employment.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union is supporting calls for an inquiry into the toxic gas Methyl Bromide, used as a timber fumigant in New Zealand ports.
A group of Nelson widows has called for the inquiry after six former port workers contracted the rare and fatal motor neurone disease, which has already led to the deaths of five.
Read More