Ports Of Auckland Must Not Be Privatized

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says the Ports of
Auckland must remain in the full ownership of Auckland
Council.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National
Secretary Craig Harrison says recent debates in the Auckland
Mayoralty election campaign had created a lack of clarity
around the future of the Ports and the dangers of
privatization or part-privatization.

He says it is
important for Ports of Auckland to be able to focus on its
business without more distractions.

Mr Harrison says
the difficulties experienced by Ports of Auckland in the
last ten years were caused by problems at the Board and
managerial level.

He says those problems have been
finally resolved with a clean out and replacement by a new
team.

“There is now a more positive relationship
between the union workforce and new management and this is
already having benefits, for example in the stronger focus
on health and safety.”

The abandonment of the
automation project and growth in the Ports workforce would
see better results, faster turnaround and higher returns to
Auckland Council going forward, he says.

Mr Harrison
says major volatility in supply chains is still an issue,
and there was a need for a freight strategy for New Zealand
ports especially in the northern North Island.

He says
there is a small group driven by self-interest who wanted to
see port privatization, but most Aucklanders realized the
benefits of the asset they had in Ports of
Auckland.

© Scoop Media

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