SVITZER Australia on Monday plans commence proceedings to cancel its enterprise agreement with the Australian Maritime Officers Union, the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers and the Maritime Union of Australia.
The company said it lodged the application with the Fair Work Commission to terminate the enterprise agreement after “extensive negotiations without resolution (over 50 negotiation meetings [including independent conciliation] over three years), more than 120 instances of union industrial action, and continued disruption to Australian ports”.
Work stoppage notices have been given for the following times on Friday.
- Cairns: 4-hour stoppage 11:00-15:00 Friday 5 August;
- Brisbane: 24-hour stoppage 10:00 Friday 5 August-10:00 Saturday 6 August;
- Newcastle: 4-hour stoppage 11:00-15:00 Friday 5 August;
- Sydney: 4-hour stoppage 11:00-15:00 Friday 5 August;
- Port Kembla and Eden: 4-hour stoppage 11:00-15:00 Friday 5 August;
- Melbourne and Westernport: 24-hour stoppage 11:00 Friday 5 August-11:00 Saturday 6 August;
- Adelaide and Port Pirie: 4-hour stoppage 10:30-14:30 Friday 5 August;
- Fremantle and Kwinana: 4-hour stoppage 09:00-13:00 Friday 5 August;
- Geraldton: 4 hour stoppage 09:00-13:00 Friday 5 August; and
- Albany: 4 hour stoppage 09:00-13:00 Friday 5 August.
In a notice to customers, Svitzer managing director Nicolaj Noes said: “We are very disappointed with this protected industrial action considering its impact on the supply chain and on our customers, ports and communities we operate in.”
He said the protected industrial action may impact services or operations but that the company was reviewing schedules and crewing requirements to minimise any potential disruption.
“The EA termination application is being pursued following the failure of bargaining and to create stability for our employees, customers and the business,” he said.
The three unions have been contacted for comment.
