In what should come as a major relief for Great Barrier Island residents, the looming threat of a strike impacting the crucial SeaLink ferry service has been averted. The ferry operator and the First Union have reached a tentative agreement, guaranteeing the continuation of the community’s vital lifeline, just a day out from planned industrial action.
SeaLink Chief Executive Officer Grady Cameron, in a statement released to AoteaGBI.news today expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the union, which will be presented to their members for ratification,” he said.
The agreement comes after a tense few days, with SeaLink workers threatening rolling strikes starting from Tuesday in pursuit of pay parity with other ferry providers. First Union organiser Justin Wallace had previously highlighted the discrepancy in wages between SeaLink and Auckland Transport ferry crew.
Cameron acknowledged the need to address pay disparities. “Throughout our negotiations, we have recognised that there has been a pay disparity in some roles in the maritime industry which needed to be addressed to ensure we can remain competitive,” he stated. “We are pleased that this agreement rectifies these issues.”
The specific terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed, but it is understood to include an 18 percent pay increase for master mariners and a 10 percent rise for other maritime and customer care teams.
Cameron praised the constructive dialogue that had taken place during negotiations and expressed his appreciation for the dedication and support of SeaLink employees. He also reiterated SeaLink’s commitment to providing reliable services to the Hauraki Gulf community and thanked customers for their understanding during the process.
While the strike action has been averted, the final decision now rests with the union members who will vote on whether to ratify the agreement.
