A SMALL group of Fremantle Port workers will walk off the job for 48 hours from Sunday over demands for an 18% pay rise over three years.

The Australian Maritime Officers Union WA told the Port of Fremantle on Tuesday afternoon that a group of its members, pilot boat operators and vessel traffic service officers would stop work.

The workers are demanding three annual pay rises of six per cent, to bring Fremantle into line with other regional WA port pay rates.

A statement from Fremantle Ports said it had received notice that vessel traffic service officers and small craft personnel covered by the Marine Services Enterprise Agreement intend to take 48 hours protected industrial action from Sunday August 18.

Chief Executive Officer Jodie Ransom said Fremantle Ports would work with their stakeholders to minimise impact to the community and customers arising from the stoppage. 

In an email to clients Fremantle Ports said vessel cargo operations and port logistics operations would not be impacted by this protected industrial action.

“Vessels at berth within the port will continue their scheduled cargo operations during this period, however ship movements to and from berths may be impacted,” the email said. 

“Fremantle Ports understands that customers and partners will be keen to see any disruptions to trade minimised.  

“We remain committed to reaching an amicable resolution to this matter, through good faith bargaining and respectful, collaborative discussion.  

“The Small Craft Masters and Vessel Traffic Services Officers employed under the Marine Services Enterprise Agreement voted in late June for protected action through a Protected Action Ballot Order (PABO). As required by the Protected Action Ballot Order, the notice was received late yesterday, three days in advance of the industrial action.”

Around 20 vessel movements are due into Fremantle in coming days with industry experts predicting vessel berthing delays if the protected industrial stoppage goes ahead and will compound if the strike goes longer than 48 hours.

Fremantle is already suffering from the loss of some direct container shipping services, and shipping lines making recent decisions to omit calls at Fremantle to maintain vessel schedules, as well as the shipping delays in transhipment ports like Singapore.

More to come