Log-ship pickets mass in Nelson

Seven Australian union officials will join a protest in Nelson today at the use of non-union labour to load a log ship.

The Carter Holt Harvey ship is expected in port this afternoon.

The picket is expected to be the largest in a three-month dispute between the Waterfront Workers Union, Carter Holt Harvey and Tauranga based Mainland Stevedoring, which has been using non-union labour to load log-carrying ships in South Island ports.

Council of Trade Unions spokeswoman Lyndy McIntyre said that about 40 waterfront workers from around the South Island were in Nelson and would begin picketing early this morning.

Six of the seven Australians are from the Maritime Union of Australia and one from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.

"They are coming over to appraise the situation first-hand so they can go back and tell their members what's going on and their members can make an appropriate response."

Ms McIntyre said the protesters had made it clear to the police that they were committed to a peaceful picket.

Inspector Jim Wilson confirmed that officers were being brought in from out of town.

Police were predicting that as many as 300 to 400 unionists would picket, the Nelson Mail reported.

Waterfront Workers Union national secretary Trevor Hanson would not predict how many people would join the picket, but said it would be a large number. He said he expected a large police presence.

A unionist from Port Chalmers, Phil Adams, said watersiders travelling to Nelson had faced problems getting accommodation because police had booked a lot of motels.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Nelson, Paul Matheson, yesterday criticised Carter Holt Harvey's use of out-of-town stevedoring services.

National Party leader Jenny Shipley said New Zealand's economy and international reputation would be "seriously damaged" unless the Government took action to help resolve the dispute.

- NZPA