The shutdown would have been disruptive if it has of gone ahead
Workers of PrimePort Timaru who threatened to strike for seven days have announced that they will not be pushing through with it after negotiating with their employer. The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) made the announcement on Tuesday, just days ahead of the strike that was scheduled for December 16 to 22. According to RMTU South Island organiser John Kerr, the workers discussed the offers provided by their employers and voted to withdraw their notice of strike action.
"The RMTU has secured offers that will maintain members' purchasing power at a time of relatively high inflation which is a very positive result from our perspective," said Kerr in a statement posted on Facebook.
Members will now "proceed to settlement with both Prime Port Ltd and Quality Marshalling," read the statement.
Read more: Strike action against KiwiRail lifted after 'difficult negotiation'
RMTU members working for the Port of Timaru issued a total of seven strike notices since November 30, calling for an eight per cent increase in general wage.
"It's not eight percent, there has been a bit of diddling with the rates, but it's in the region of five percent. The increase on the table matched the spike in the cost of living," Kerr told Stuff in a statement.
Meanwhile, PrimePort chief executive Phil Melhopt told Stuff that the seven-day strike would have been disruptive if it pushed through, and that he was pleased it was averted.
"They take a toll, but we’re really pleased there will not be a strike," he told Stuff in a statement.
Melhopt added that the mediation held last week was very satisfactory and they were pleased with the outcome, despite the negotiations taking time to progress.
