Agreement Reached in South Port Wage Negotiations, Strike Averted

In a significant development, South Port and the Maritime Union of New Zealand have reached a crucial settlement, which has stopped a strike that was planned for the end of January. This resolution is a big relief for the company, its clients, and employees, who were worried about the impact of a strike.

The main issue in this dispute was about the wages of South Port workers. The Maritime Union wanted to increase the starting wage to $28 per hour, up from $25.30. This was to match the wages in the rest of the industry and to cope with the rising cost of living. South Port had suggested raising wages by 6%, with extra increases based on skills, adding up to an 8.2% hike. But the union did not accept this at first, leading to the threat of a strike.

However, the recent agreement shows that both sides have worked out their differences. This agreement shows South Port’s commitment to good working conditions and safety, which are key parts of how they operate.

This deal is also crucial for South Port’s future. In 2023, they had a lot of staff leaving the company, with a turnover rate of 19%. So, this settlement is not just about solving the wage issue, but it’s also a strategy to keep and attract more staff.

In short, the avoided strike and the deal between South Port and the Maritime Union show how effective talking and negotiating can be in resolving workplace issues. This agreement proves that South Port is dedicated to its workers and to keeping its operations running smoothly.