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Victory in Auckland - LabourStart
Friday 30 March 2012, 03pm
After less than a week online, we've closed down our campaign in support of locked-out port workers in Auckland, New Zealand. And the reason for that is -- we won!
In a moment, I'll share the details with you, but before you break out the champagne, please don't forget …
- Abdolreza Ghanbari, facing the death penalty in Iran
- Kamal Abbas, who faces prison in Egypt for "insulting" a Mubarak-era hack at an ILO conference
- Matteo Parlati, the shop steward at Ferrari, facing prosecution for participating in an anti-fascist demonstration in Italy
Auckland's workers have today won a huge victory. But we cannot rest until the legal threats against Abdolreza, Kamal and Matteo are lifted. Please make sure to sign up to all three campaigns, and to spread the word to everyone you know.
Online solidarity works!
Now, here's what the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has asked us to share with you today:
"The news out of Auckland today is positive with the lockout notice from Ports of Auckland Limited withdrawn so that wharfies can head back to work in the port where they belong.
"Following an Employment Court hearing, management has called a halt to the contracting out plans which would have seen 300 workers made redundant and they are set to return to the negotiating table with the Maritime Union of New Zealand.
"This is a major victory for Auckland workers and for the trade union community around the world. Your international solidarity has played a huge role in bringing about this positive step forward and on behalf of MUNZ and Auckland wharfies ITF dockers' section secretary Frank Leys has this message: "This dispute has reached beyond the borders of the docking industry. There’s been action and support from seafarers, aviation workers, truck drivers, railway staff. This is about mass casualisation, the contracting out of an entire workforce, and it struck a chord with workers all over the world who are fighting every day to protect their jobs. International solidarity has been shown by union rank and file, the people on the ground who are doing the work which keeps our world moving, they got behind the workers in Auckland and that’s played a huge part in securing this victory. It’s a giant step for the trade union movement, not just in New Zealand, but around the world as well."
"For more details on the decision and reaction from the ITF click here
"It's also the time to say that although today the battle at Auckland has been won, we will not be able to claim victory in the war until a fair and substantive collective agreement is signed for workers and their job security is guaranteed. Auckland workers may need to call on you again for your support in the future and we have every confidence that you will deliver then just as you have now."
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