THE MARITIME Union has withdrawn protected industrial action notices in ports covered by Svitzer Australia’s National Towage Enterprise Agreement.
The two PIA notices were withdrawn as of midday Wednesday.
One notice covers bans on overtime; the use of Svitzer Australia’s planned maintenance system; and the use of the company’s online training courses.
The other notice regards bans on working on Maersk Line vessels.
The ports covered by the agreement include Adelaide, Albany, Bowen, Brisbane, Cairns (including services for Mourilyan), Eden, Fremantle, Geelong, Geraldton, Kwinana, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Kembla, Port Pirie, Spencer Gulf (including Whyalla), Sydney (Port Jackson and Port Botany) and Westernport.
A notice to customers signed by Svitzer Australia managing director Nicolaj Noes said, “Svitzer is committed to bargaining with the unions to develop an agreement that provides a fair outcome for employees and importantly, enables us to continue to provide safe and reliable services for our customers and ports.”