Port Nelson served with strike notices

Port Nelson (PNL) has been in bargaining negotiations with the Merchant Service Guild (MSG) for some months now in relation to a collective employment agreement (CEA) to cover those MSG members who work as tug masters and engineers manning the PNL-owned harbour tugs.

There has been ongoing correspondence and several face to face meetings, however negotiations to this point have not concluded. Port Nelson has now been served with strike notices covering the period from 18:00 on Friday, June 8, through to 06:00 on Monday, June 11.

Mediation in relation to the proposed strike and the CEA bargaining has been scheduled for today in Wellington. PNL said it hopes that sufficient progress will be made at that meeting to see the planned strike notices withdrawn.

Should that not happen, all vessel movements for those requiring harbour tugs will have to cease at the port for the entire period, as PNL will not be in a position to safely support these vessels.


Ausmarine

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