Union asks for support

South Canterbury people are being asked to show their support for the region's port and its staff.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand will hold a public meeting in Timaru on Thursday in an effort to get answers over why Fonterra slashed the cargo it has going through PrimePort Timaru in favour of sending goods by rail to the Lyttelton port. That move will reduce the containers through the port from 61,000 to 37,000 a year.

It is the first time in more than 40 years the union's Timaru branch has called such a meeting. Branch president Kevin Forde says the downturn in port trade will affect many businesses in South Canterbury.

Minister of Transport Steven Joyce, South Canterbury local government leaders, business leaders, Fonterra and KiwiRail representatives are being invited.

"Someone needs to come clean on what is actually happening," Mr Forde said. "We are hoping to save jobs more than anything. You have 22 ducks sitting in an office getting big money, and so the working class are told to kiss your arse and out you go," he said of PrimePort's threats to make workers redundant while management staff retained their jobs.

"It is not only wharfies and port workers who are going to lose their jobs. There is going to be a lot of other people as well," Mr Forde said referring to engineers and truck drivers who were likely to be affected.

"Everyone is going to suffer.

"No one else seems to be doing anything. The [Timaru District] council is sitting on its hands and they are shareholders - and we as ratepayers are shareholders - in this outfit.

"This town is so staid as far as I am concerned. People just don't seem to want to get off their bums. The MP and mayor just seem to want to get their photographs in the paper, especially the mayor over a bit of [Powerstore] paint."

Port Taranaki had been similarly affected by Fonterra withdrawing trade, but it appears a stronger and more co-ordinated response had improved the situation in that region, maritime union spokesman Victor Billot said yesterday.

"It is our view that Timaru needs to come together on this issue and fight for its future."

The meeting will be held in the conference room at Robbies (Hibernian Hotel), Latter Street, Timaru on Thursday at 7.30pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News