Weekly Niue News http://www.niuenews.nu/ [2004-09-11: list updated for new site] _______________________________________________ > We have 5 guests online > Sunday Wharf Work Essential, Says Reef > Reef Shipping has criticized Niue government stevedores for > refusing to unload cargo vessels at Alofi on Sundays and > public holidays. The companys chief executive officer Wayne > Harris- Daw has called on the Niue government to try and > change local attitudes to working hours. He said freight is > sometimes delayed because companies are concerned their ships > will be stuck in port as locals do not work on those > particular days. > > Mr Harris-Daws comments come as sea freight from New Zealand > has been delayed due to the MV Southern Express losing its > rudder on December 6 off Great Barrier Island. Cargo for Niue > is being taken to Apia aboard the MV Southern Cross and will > be trans-shipped to Alofi on December 26. > > The shipment was due on December 24 among the cargo are > Christmas parcels from friends and relatives in New Zealand > and containers of food and frozen goods. > > Mr Harris-Daw said the company had this year lost at least one > round trip by delays caused by stevedores not working on > Sundays and public holidays. > > Stevedores have been in talks with the government recently > over pay rates and problems caused by the lack of manpower on > the wharf during unloading. > > Cargo vessels anchor in the roadstead and containers are > loaded into barges and unloaded at the wharf by mobile crane. > > Working on Sundays has long been a contentious issue on Niue. > Several years ago flights in and out of the island were > re-scheduled because the government refused to roster staff to > work on the Sabbath. > [date.gif] Tuesday, 21 December 2004 > 18001 Visitors
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