The Maritime Union of Australia reported that wharfies are striking for 48 hours at DP World’s Brisbane, Sydney and Fremantle container terminals, and for 96 hours in Melbourne, to fight against automation, outsourcing, cuts to income protection insurance.
Specifically, the workers began a two-day strike in Brisbane, on July 8, the first in a series of 48 to 96 hour work stoppages planned for container terminals run by Australia’s largest stevedore.
MUA informed that Sydney and Fremantle workers have scheduled to strike on Thursday and Friday, July 11 ans 12, while Melbourne will be out from Wednesday until Sunday morning, July 10 to 14.
According to sources, DP World challenged the rights of the Maritime Union of Australia to use bans in the Fair Work Commission, with a decision pending on Monday, July 15.
This restriction on utilising the legally protected bans has forced workers into strike action as their legal rights to use the bans was effectively removed by the company and FWC.
Moreover, the strikes will proceed after their protected status was confirmed by the FWC, when the company sought 418 orders to stop workers using strike action.
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Fair Work Commissioner Paula Spencer dismissed DP World’s application and reaffirmed the legal and protected nature of the strikes, stating that they could continue.
In addition, the industrial action follows the expiry of a three month cease-fire agreement between DP World and the MUA, which saw the company press ahead with an agenda of job cuts and attacks on rights and conditions.
Income protection for workers remains a target of the company.
… MUA added.
Also, MUA Assistant National Secretary, Warren Smith, commented that DPW management insisted on including provisions in a new workplace agreement that could see waterfront jobs lost to outsourcing and automation.
This major escalation of industrial action is about sending a clear message to management that the safety, dignity, and job security of wharfies are absolutely non-negotiable. We are fully committed to reaching an agreement as quickly as possible, however we will not sell our conditions, compromise our core claims, or undermine industry standards to do it.
