THE Fair Work Commission has suspended a series of strikes by Svitzer tugboat masters.
The decision terminates seven work stoppages announced by the Australian Maritime Officers Union. The stoppages were to run for either 48 or 24 hours at Brisbane, Fremantle, Kwinana and Sydney (Port Botany and Port Jackson).
The industrial action was expected to have significant impact on shipping operations at the affected ports.
AMOU executive officer Mark Davis told DCN the FWC’s decision to terminate the industrial action was “predictable and expected”.
“There is a so-called bargaining meeting on 9-10 March, but we do not have high expectations of the company changing its stance enough to facilitate a deal,” Mr Davis said.
“This means the three unions will jointly need to co-ordinate what the next steps will be.”
Svitzer is currently in negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement with all three maritime unions – the AMOU, the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers and the Maritime Union of Australia. AMOU members were the only Svitzer workers affected by the recent FWC order to terminate industrial action.
Svitzer declined to comment on the FWC decision.
Last week, the AMOU announced that Svitzer tugboat masters would strike in the ports of Brisbane, Cairns, Newcastle and Sydney (Botany and Port Jackson). A few days later, the union announced further strikes in the Western Australian ports of Fremantle, Kwinana, Albany and Geraldton.
In mid-January, Svitzer applied to the FWC to terminate its enterprise agreements with the AMOU, the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers and the Maritime Union of Australia. DCN understands the case will be heard on 23-25 May.
Shipping affected by strikes on Thursday and Friday
The FWC’s order to cease the industrial action came into effect on Friday (18 February) evening after Svitzer tugboat masters at the ports of Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney had begun their first work stoppage.
At Brisbane and Newcastle, the workers undertook a 48-hour work stoppage starting at 0600 on 17 February. And, at the Sydney ports, a 48-hour work stoppage commenced on 0001 on 17 February.
DCN understands ship movements at the Port of Newcastle ceased during the time the tug masters were on strike.
A Port of Brisbane spokesperson said one vessel was significantly delayed at the port.
“Vessel schedules were amended prior to the stoppage, with some vessels slowing approach speed to minimise time at anchor,” the spokesperson said.
“Port operations had returned to manageable scheduling yesterday [Monday 21 February]. No vessels bypassed the port.”
A spokesperson for the Port Authority of New South Wales told DCN that due to pre-planning, impacts from the industrial action were minimised.
The spokesperson also said there were no significant delays in Sydney due to the second towage operator supporting all the movements through the ports.
