To ILWU LOCAL 8
International Longshore & Warehouse Union
Dear Jeff Smith,
I am writing to advise of the present position our union is in.
At the Port of Bluff and Port Chalmers a new company has taken the contract to load logs at these ports. The labour to be used has been non-union for the last 5 years and with the passing of the Employment Relations Act have used its provisions to form a company union paid for by the employer. If this company succeeds the long term permanent labour will lose their jobs. The Port of Bluff is in a depressed area and there is no employment opportunities available. At Port Chalmers there is 10 permanent employees and only sufficient work for these people. This new company intends to become union busters. Any assistance you can give our union in this matter would be deeply appreciated. I am leaving Wellington tomorrow morning at 7 o’clock and it is anticipated our picket line will go in place tomorrow around 11pm.
If you wish to contact our union over this matter could you please ring Terry Ryan, our Assist. Gen. Secretary on 649 303 6452.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours fraternally,
T R Hanson
General Secretary
I received this today we must act quickly this is another attempt to take our jobs away
Jeff Smith 81844 Business Agent Local 8
