Maritime Union National President Garry Parsloe says this now
means these workers can safely return to work on the terms and conditions of
their collective agreement and do what they have always wanted – concentrate on
collective bargaining for a renewed agreement.
The fact the Port has taken this path today is a clear
indication they are nervous about potential court action and realise that the
path they have put all their efforts into, including the absolutely unprincipled
decision to dismiss the workforce and employ contract labour is not viable, he
said.
CTU President Helen Kelly said: “Today is great relief for
these workers but the fact they have even had to go through this means the
Council must now ask serious questions about who is running this Port and why
the Board embarked on a path that has cost the rate payers millions and done
considerable damage to the reputation of the Port.
“The Council should hold an immediate inquiry into how this
whole mess occurred,” Helen Kelly said.
Garry Parsloe said the main focus of the union will now be to
get a settlement for a new collective agreement.
“Whether this Board and Port management are capable of
working constructively to rebuild the battered and damaged relationship with
port workers who they have besmirched at every opportunity and settle a fair
collective is an unanswered question.”
“The Council as owner must ensure that any Board or Port
management are able to get this Port back on track”.
Advice Mike Ingpen Sub-regional Secretary Oceania Public Services International Fax: 644 917 2051
