Port defers advertising for permanent workers

Press, 6 September 1989, Page 9

Port defers advertising for permanent workers

By

PAM MORTON

The Lyttelton Port Company has deferred its decision to advertise for permanent workers in the container terminal to allow informal talks to take place between the company and the watersiders’ union.

An advertisement was to have been placed in newspapers today calling for workers outside the union to apply for the jobs. Applications sent to members of the Waterfront Workers’ Union are being held by the union’s executive. The company had warned that if applications were not returned by yes-

terday then the positions would be advertised further afield.

The company’s general manager, Mr lan Brokenshire, said the company had decided not to go ahead with the advertising of the positions because of “meaningful dialogue” between the union and container terminal employers in Wellington. The two parties met on Monday and yesterday.

“While we are making progress we said we would hold off advertising at this stage.” Mr Brokenshire said the company would review the situation today. The assistant secretary of the

union’s Lyttelton branch, Mr Steve Guest, said the union would continue to hold applications until conditions had been fully discussed at general and container terminal award talks.

The port company is calling for 124 permanent workers in the container terminal after October 1 — the date when the Waterfront Industry Commission and labour pool system is abolished.

Lyttelton stevedoring companies have also sent out applications to waterfront workers to become permanent employees from that date. These applications are being held by the union.