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Lyttleton Port workers strike

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 13 Mar 2018, 5:08AM
The strike could affect the whole South Island. (Photo / Getty)
The strike could affect the whole South Island. (Photo / Getty)

Lyttleton Port workers strike

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 13 Mar 2018, 5:08AM

Concerns the entire South Island will be affected by the Lyttelton port workers' strike.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union workers walked off the job at one minute past midnight, and could stay away for two weeks.

Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Leann Watson says she's hoping the strike action is minimised.

"That will have a significant impact, not only on Canterbury business and consumers, but also the South Island

She says Lyttelton Port Company handles half of the South Islands container volume.

"Certainly any delays in things like exports and imports is of concern because of that flow on effect it has on the wider community."

Rangiora company McAlpines export 350,49 foot containers of timber to Asia from Lyttelton every year.

Shipping administrator Yvonne Webb is also concerned by the strike and says they will have to delay shipping.

"Hopefully it doesn't affect two weeks shipping, otherwise as we go on it will get worse and worse for getting space on vessels because it will snowball."

She says they may have to transport their wood to Port Otago which is expensive.

MW Cars Ltd director Wahid Yosofi says the strike will cost him.

"Normally I get every three weeks 40 cars and then we sell at least 30 of them within three weeks and it is going to be around $30,000 lost."

He says he will get complaints from customers who have pre-purchased cars that won't be delivered on time and he will have to hire rental cars for them.

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