Australian port labour union ‘holding nation to ransom'

Patrick Stevedores has warned that half the nation's container terminals will be forced into a week-long shutdown from Wednesday as a result of the maritime union imposing work bans at four major ports, reported The Australian.


In an escalation of its long dispute with the Maritime Union of Australia, the company said Patrickthe industrial action would effectively halt work at its terminals in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Fremantle.


Patrick director Paul Garaty said the work bans would stop the movement of about 50 per cent of the national container trade, affecting 32 vessels and 35,000 shipping containers. He said the MUA was ``happy to hold the country to ransom''.


The union decided to embark on the legally protected action after rejecting the company's latest pay offer, claiming there were safety and training issues.


The bans and limitations will run for seven days in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle with Brisbane affected for six days.
Garaty said the knock-on effect of the action would be felt by importers and exporters ``for months, as vessels are significantly delayed and international schedules directly impacted''.


``The impact of the bans will render us inoperative, and our operations in our Brisbane, Melbourne, Fremantle and Sydney terminals will grind to a halt.


``This will have a huge impact on importers and exporters, hurting everyone from small businesses, farmers exporting their goods to market, and the transport industry who are reliant on container trade to make a living.


``These businesses have already borne the brunt of the MUA's actions, including stoppages across our operations, over a month of illegal strike action at our Melbourne terminal and labour availability issues at our Sydney terminal which restrict the use of our cranes.


``We are again witnessing the actions of a union who are happy to hold the country to ransom in pursuit of its claims.''
Patrick's recent offer includes a four per cent pay increase with an additional one per cent offered if ``internationally recognised safety, productivity and efficiency targets are met''.


The union is seeking six per cent a year for three years, and a rise in allowances and entitlements.


The union's deputy national secretary, Mick Doleman, said the company's refusal to consider improvements to safety and training had left the MUA with no option but to proceed with targeted protected industrial action at the four terminals.


``The limited work bans will not stop container terminals at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle from operating,'' he said. ``The company has been notified of the legally protected action, in line with the provisions of the Fair Work Act.


``Negotiations for a new industrial agreement are now eight months old. While progress has been made, the company's latest offer fails to address the union's legitimate concerns around safety and training.


``The union remains committed to good-faith bargaining and hopes to resolve the current impasse as soon as possible.''
(Source:http://www.cargonewsasia.com)