Ports of Auckland is set to proceed with a proposal to contract out its labour force, as continuing negotiations with the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) fail to find resolution.
A counter offer tabled on January 6 by MUNZ was rejected by Ports of Auckland, with chief executive Tony Gibson saying in a media statement that the union's proposal "failed to deliver the rapid improvements needed in work practices and productivity".
Gibson said he expected the majority of affected employees to continue working at the port though most likely employed by a contractor if the proposed changes go ahead.
With the port having recently lost Maersk shipping and Fonterra Cooperative Group to Port of Tauranga, Gibson says the situation has changed dramatically and Auckland is making plans for redundancies as a result of the loss of business.
"We've run out of time. Without rapid changes towards substantially more efficient labour practices, more customers and more jobs will be lost in the coming weeks," Gibson said.