After marching and listening to workers at the rally in Auckland yesterday, as well as listening and talking to some of the Auckland Councillors I think that despite the widening rift between the POAL management and union, it is imperitave that the two parties come together and continue talking.
Both management and the union need to be aware that Aucklanders are equally concerned for the welfare of the workers and their families affected by the dispute, and equally just as concerned for the future of teh waterfront industry in the role the ports play in building a vibrant Auckland economy.
So the offer of help by the Roman Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Auckland to mediate between the Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union should be taken seriously by these two parties for the sake of the people of Auckland.
I think both the management and the union need to know that it shouldn’t be about whether we dumb one or the other, and that both the Ports and its workforce are equally important for teh welfare of the Auckland region and its peoples.
But it should also be said that the stronger party, namely the Ports of Auckland Limited, should recognise that their decision to sack these workers will have a direct and more significant impact on bread and butter issues for families in the Auckland region, who are already stretched and challenged with spiralling costs of electricity, food and other necessities, high unemployment, lower wages and the austerity measures by thie John Key government.
I don’t think its too late for both these parties to sit down and continue their dialogue. It should never be too late to talk about achieving productivity targets and job security, and ultimately how to build a better society for the benefit of people, and in this case for the sake of Auckland.
I would like to see the two parties take up the Church leaders offer and strive to reach an amicable agreement that will benefit the Auckland region and its peoples.
