Australia Maritime Union Strikes To Affect Ports

Tensions rise following a 24 hour strike from company Patrick Stevedores at terminals in Brisbane, Port Botany in Sydney, and East Swanson in Melbourne on Saturday trigger a similar stoppage at the Fremantle terminal on Monday, affecting 15 ships carrying about 17,797 containers. 

The strikes are a result of failed pay talks between the Union and Patrick Stevedores, says the MUA national secretary, Paddy Crumlin, said that the company called off scheduled negotiations 3 days this week.  Patrick divisional director, Paul Garaty, said that the union had previously gave an undertaking not to take strike action while the parties were still in negotiations before Fair Work Australia. 

Crumlin stated that the Patrick company has been dragging these talks out for almost 9 months, previously deferring possible strikes already.  He claimed the union workforce is discontent with management as they believe the company is guilty of pausing wages.  With the union ready to negotiate over claims, including a $5000 bonus for each worker, the strike was designed to put pressure on the company, and gave prior notice to minimize an adverse disruption to the flow of shipments. 

Garaty responds that the union was inflexible with their claims, which would add an estimated $120million to the company’s expenses over a duration of 3 years, calling the MUA’s demands “excessive” and would result in higher prices for customers, and thereby consumers.  On the behalf of Patrick, Garaty says they are committed to achieving a fair outcome, though the strikes will more so be impacting by the importers and exporters relying on these prompt shipping services rather than the company itself. 

Crumlin’s retort was that the union was more than prepared to halt the strike if the company proceeded with the talks this week and attempted to make progress at key issues.