Lyttelton Port and maritime union reach deal to settle workers' strike

April 18, 2018
Lyttelton, New Zealand - January 22, 2005: A Blue Star ship loads and unloads at Cashin Quay, the main container wharf at Lyttelton, which is the port for Christchurch. The port suffered considerable damage during the last Christchurch earthquake, There is a major project currently underway to restore and upgrade the port infrastructure.

Lyttelton Port Company and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union have today reached an agreement in principle to settle their dispute over a new collective agreement for the workers.

As a result, the union has lifted all strike notices and the port company has withdrawn its lockout notice.

The city council-owned port company says it can now continue providing normal operations.

The agreement in principle regarding terms of settlement will require formal ratification by the union members, the port company said.

Lyttelton Port Company chief executive Peter Davie said, "The lifting of the strike notices is an extremely positive step as we move closer to achieving settlement."

He thanked port customers for their patience during industrial action. 

"It is encouraging that we can again give importers, exporters and our region certainty of uninterrupted service at Lyttelton Port," Mr Davie said.

Lyttelton Port workers had issued a notice of strike by some members from this Friday until the end of next week in their campaign for improved pay and rosters, and the company had responded saying no members would be paid during a strike.

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