CONCERNS have been raised about a logjam at the docks as the Maritime Union raises the stakes in its campaign for a better deal for wharfies working for DPWA Australia.
While strikes are occurring at all major terminals this week, the largest is a four-day stoppage at Melbourne which starts on Wednesday and ends on Friday.
“The impact won’t be today, it will be because the ships are slowing down,” Victorian Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson said.
“The ships aren’t going to come in and tie up and be charged wharfage and have no one attend to them,” he said.
“What will happen is that they’ll all bunch up, they’ll all come in at once and there’ll be a huge influx of containers and all of a sudden everyone is scrambling.”
Workers have also imposed a series of indefinite work bans, including bans on upgrades, overtime, and shift extensions.
