PORT VICTORY IN NEW ZEALAND

D ock workers in the Ports of Auckland, New Zealand have returned to work after a lockout notice issued by port management was withdrawn. Following hearings in the Employment Court, Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL) committed itself to returning to negotiations with the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and halting proposals to contract out stevedoring work, plans which would have seen 300 workers made redundant. International Transport Workers’ Federation president Paddy Crumlin who is also chair of the ITF dockers’ section, said that it was a victory for common sense. “It reinforces the fact that these 1998 Patrick-style assaults on workers’ rights and organised labour won’t be successful. It reminds everyone in the stevedoring and maritime industry that the only way forward is to negotiate in good faith for a collective agreement. “Dockworkers of the world unite in a crisis and they won’t allow this sort of behaviour from militant employers to prevail,” he said. ITF dockers’ section secretary Frank Leys highlighted the role of international solidarity in bringing about this outcome. “This dispute has reached beyond the borders of the docking industry and there’s been action and support from seafarers, aviation workers, truck drivers, railway staff. This is about mass casualisation, the contracting out of an entire workforce, and it struck a chord with workers all over the world who are fighting every day to protect their jobs,” he said. PORT VICTORY IN NEW ZEALAND RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2012 :: RMTnews 28 RMT put out a team for the annual football match against Shildon Railway. The two teams observed a minute’s silence to remember Andy Hagstrom who played in the game last year but tragically died a few weeks later. The RMT team went a goal down in the first minute but gave a good account of themselves against a very good Shildon team eventually losing 4 – 2. The RMT team was from left to right: Kevin Harper, Rob Haslam, Trevor Hall, Paul Bain [man of the match] Michael Howson, Stan Hersch, Tom Doneghan, Jamie [the cat]Bob Harper, Ecky, Sean Hoyle, Matt Creagh and Alex Reid. The 10th annual RMT Garden Party for Cuba in association with Cuba Solidarity Campaign June 20 Special guests to be announced Live music, food, free bar Tickets at £15 Order by post, cheques payable to RMT, from: Cuba Garden Party, RMT, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD. Credit card orders on 020 7387 4771 SHILDON MATCH £15