Korean union views port boycott
Carter Holt Harvey's controversial use of North Island stevedores in the South Island may have international ramifications for the forestry company.
Source : Otago Daily Times
Carter Holt Harvey's controversial use of North Island stevedores in the South Island may have international ramifications for the forestry company.
The Waterfront Workers Union national secretary, Trevor Hanson, said yesterday the 500,000-strong Korean Transport Workers Federation (KTF) was considering a Korean port boycott of Carter Holt's log-carrier, Eastern Fore st .
Its South Island loading in Port Chalmers and Bluff two weeks ago sparked week-long picketing at both wharves.
Mr Hanson said the Korean union had written to Carter Holt recently informing the company it was considering a Korean boycott.
"The Waterfront Workers Union is thrilled at this strong signal of support," Mr Hanson said.
"We expect the KTF to be the first of many international transport unions to offer such support."
He said Oh Moon Hwan, chairman of the powerful Korean union, had called on Carter Holt Harvey to stop using casual labour to load logs.
Carter Holt's second log-carrier, Crimson Forest, is due in Port Chalmers today to load 3500 tonnes of logs before going to Bluff.
Before the waterfront union statement, both Carter Holt and Mainland Stevedoring had reiterated their commitment to remaining in the South Island.
A Carter Holt spokeswoman last night said the company had not received any formal notification of the Korean union's intentions.
She confirmed that, in August, Carter Holt was reported to have about $150 million annual export sales to South Korea and was aiming to lift sales in China.
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