Ports of Auckland Dispute 10th Anniversary

PORTS OF AUCKLAND DISPUTE 10TH ANNIVERSARY, AUCKLAND, OCTOBER 2022

On Thursday 20 October 2022, the 10th anniversary of the Ports of Auckland dispute was marked with a dinner and presentation ceremony at the Maritime Club in Auckland.

Over a hundred guests were hosted by MUNZ national officers and the MUNZ Auckland Branch Local 13, and enjoyed a convivial evening with memorable speeches and good company, MC’ed by MUNZ National Organizer Graham McKean (Coach.)

These guests represented the Unions and individuals who had offered support and solidarity during the hard times of the dispute. Now, after a long struggle, the cause of the Maritime Union and members at Ports of Auckland had been vindicated and it was time to say “Thank you”.

The Board and Management responsible for the attacks on workers are gone, the automation project has been quietly abandoned, health and safety issues are being addressed, a new Agreement has been ratified, and membership density for MUNZ at the Ports is back up to the levels of the past. As the commemorative dog tags presented to friends and members of the Union who went through the Dispute are embossed: “Unbroken.” Guests of MUNZ represented at the celebration included:

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

International Dockworkers’ Council

International Longshore and Warehouse Union

Maritime Union of Australia Maritime Union of Australia (Sydney Branch)

Maritime Union of Australia (Victoria Branch)

Maritime Union of Australia (Queensland Branch)

Maritime Union of Australia (West Australia Branch)

Electrical Trades Union (Australia – Queensland/NT)

New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

AWUNZ E T Meat Workers Union UNITE Rail and Maritime Transport Union

Pulp and Paper Workers Union

Carol Beaumont Darien Fenton Denise Roche Simon Mitchell Jeremy Lynch Peter Cranney Hazel Armstrong Councillor Mike Lee A number of apologies were received, including Minister of Transport Michael Wood, who was engaged in Parliamentary Business that evening.

Left: Members & Guests Above: ILWU Local 23 President Jared Faker (centre) representing the ILWU receives a solidarity presentation from MUNZ National Secretary Craig Harrison (left) and Maritime Union of New Zealand National President Carl Findlay

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MUNZ Auckland Branch Local 13 Secretary Russell Mayn (left) with long serving lawyer Simon Mitchell New Zealand Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff (right) receives a MUNZ presentation from Craig Harrison

Husband Family members

MC Graham McKean (Coach)

MUA West Australia Deputy Secretary Doug Heath (left) and State Secretary Will Tracey (right) hand over a presentation to MUNZ National Secretary Craig Harrison

Maritime Union of New Zealand National President Carl Findlay, Maritime Union of Australia Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith, Maritime Union of New Zealand Auckland Branch Local 13 Secretary Russell Mayn

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ETU (Electrical Trades Union) Delegation from Queensland present a solidarity banner

MUNZ Assistant National Secretary Ray Fife (left) with MUA Queensland Deputy Secretary Brad Dunn (centre) and MUA West Australia Deputy Secretary Doug Heath (right)

From left, Maritimes editor Victor Billot, ITF Asia Pacific Dockers Organizer Paul McAleer, MUNZ life member Mick Williams, MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Paul Keating