Holcim avoids strike action, New Zealand

Holcim New Zealand has avoided imminent strike action after unions lifted their strike notice following negotiations with the company.  Two of the three unions representing ship staff on the Milburn Carrier 2 and the Westport had given notice of strike action from today. 

However, the New Zealand Merchant Service Guild (NZMSG) and the Aviation and Marine Engineers’ Association (AMEA) both lifted the notice following mediation discussions last Thursday.  AMEA national secretary George Ryde said its members would now consider an ``improved offer’’ coming out of last week’s negotiations with Holcim and expected to reach a decision by Tuesday next week. 

NZMSG general secretary Helen McAra said the issue was ``all settled’’ after the mediation.  A settlement reached between Holcim and the union would now be put to its members for ratification with a closing date in about two weeks, she said.  The ships regularly transport cement out of Westport for nation-wide distribution with a maximum cargo of over 3500 tonnes each.  The other union representing ship staff, the Maritime Union of New Zealand, did not propose to strike.