Lyttelton Port Company Strike Action

Please see the update below regarding strike action at Lyttelton Port commencing later this week.
The original media release can be viewed here


Lyttelton Port strikes by RMTU from Thursday
LPC has today been advised by the Employment Court that its application has been declined for an interim injunction to prevent strikes proceeding at the Port by the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU).
The RMTU strike will begin at Lyttelton Port Thursday 8 March.
We have now received strike notices issued by RMTU for thirteen consecutive days from 8 March to 20 March inclusive. We regret the significant disruption to our customers that will be caused by the RMTU strikes proceeding.
Due to the nature of international shipping we have advised LPC staff who are RMTU members that if their strike notices are withdrawn with less than seven days notice it is likely there will not be work available for some of them, as shipping will already have been diverted from Lyttelton.
We want the industrial dispute resolved but RMTU’s salary increase demands are unreasonable and unacceptable. We are offering RMTU members at least a 3% salary increase a year for three years and the changes we are seeking are not substantial.
LPC’s offer is comparable to our settlement last year with the 201 members of the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ), the other major Union at our Port. Our offer to RMTU members is well in excess of settlements in other ports that the RMTU have already agreed to.
Mediation is set for tomorrow (Wednesday 7 March) and we will update you again after this. Should you have any questions regarding the industrial action please discuss them with your normal LPC contact.
Operations during Strike Period
Berthing Vessels
LPC will be unable to berth any vessels during the strike period.  This includes Container, Coal, Bulk, Tankers and any vessel requiring pilot and/or tug assistance.
LCT Operations
The Container Terminal will not be stevedoring any container vessels or coal vessels during the strike period.
The Container Terminal and Empty Container Yard (ECY) will be open for Receival and Delivery of cargo between the hours of 0700 and 1500 Monday – Saturday.
No services will be available on Sunday.
We will be able to continue Reefer Power and Monitoring services at the Terminal.
Train capacity between KiwiRail CT and LCT will be limited to one train per day.  Customers should contact KiwiRail to discuss contingencies.
Exports
We will continue to receive cargo for vessels scheduled to call at Lyttelton.  However shippers should consult directly with their shipping lines to determine what contingency plans are in place for export cargo prior to bringing cargo into Port.
Where port omissions are likely and customers have the ability to hold cargo at their facilities, or at alternate facilities, we would appreciate these options being considered to assist with potential capacity issues at the Port which could result from cargo build up.
Due to the fluid nature of this situation we will continue to monitor our approach to receiving export cargo and keep you updated.
CityDepot and MidlandPort
Neither CityDepot nor MidlandPort will be affected by the strikes. For those customers that use these facilities for full cargo, we are monitoring yard and rail capacity closely and will liaise with you if we start seeing a build up of cargo. If vessel calls are uncertain, we would ask that cargo is held on site where possible.
Train capacity between MidlandPort and LCT will be limited to one train service per day, Monday to Saturday
We appreciate your patience during this challenging time.

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