Maritime Union of Australia Bans Workers at POAGS Port Facilities

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has imposed work bans on Australian run bulk and general operator, POAGS, shutting out workers at its Fremantle and Bunbury sites. The union says that sites were shut down over the weekend “after yet another breakdown in industrial negotiations.”

The action to protect workers safety began on December 10th and affected ports in Melbourne, Port Kembla, Fremantle, Port Hedland and Bunbury. At the Port of Fremantle nearly a third of the POAGS workforce are currently on workers compensation.

In a statement released on December 9th, MUA said “This is not a knee-jerk reaction. This has been building for years and years after widespread management bullying and harassment in the workplace."

POAGS current agreement expired in the middle of this year and the company has been reluctant during the negating process.

The union met with company officials on December 8th in an effort to avoid the workers ban but the two groups were unable to meet a satisfactory agreement over wage increases and safety policies.

In 2010 two deaths took place at the POAGS sites and the union claims little has been done to improve safety measures following those incidents. In addition to safety – the union has concerns over rostering, casuals and grading.

The ban imposed on the 10th condemns the use of scab labor on the waterfront and urges POAGS to return to negotiations. POAGS appealed their case to Fair Work Australia to prevent the strike, but was denied.

As they’ve done in the past, POAGS is expected to staff their ports facilities with management.