Industrial unrest rocks Australian ports

Australia’s deteriorating industrial situation in the port sector is worrying the country’s shipping bosses.


Shipping Australia’s chief executive Llew Russell has warned that strikes at container terminals are the last thing the maritime industry needs.


Speaking at a time when strike action at Patrick container terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle was expected to affect the movement of about 18,000 containers, Mr Russell said the disruption would hurt trade.


"Strikes couldn't come at a worse time with Japan affected by natural disasters and the high Australian dollar which also impacts on trade. It's disappointing because we don’t see that they have exhausted the negotiation process. We certainly would hope strikes could be avoided," he said.


The strike action follows the failure of the Maritime Union of Australia and stevedoring company Patrick to agree on new contract terms for waterfront workers.


The MUA accused Patrick of refusing to meet union representatives, preferring to use the Fair Work Australia conciliation process instead of meeting with workforce representatives to work through its ports agreement.


In response, Patrick said the MUA had rejected the company’s offer of 4%-4.5% pay rises in exchange for productivity improvements.
(Source:http://www.portstrategy.com)