A SECOND weekend of industrial action will take place at Fremantle Ports from 25 August with pilot boat and VTS officers taking part in another 48-hour stoppage from 5.30am.
As well as the industrial action, Key Account Manager for EES Shipping, Amanda Bradfield said possible bad weather could even force the evacuation of the port, adding to the disruption.
Ms Bradfield said there were a large number of expected movements on the weekend and the industrial action would push back their schedules even further.
In a notice to clients, Fremantle Ports General Manager, Commercial and Customer, Jamie Allardice said following last weekend’s 48-hour period of protected industrial action the impact of the stoppage was mitigated due to thorough planning by Fremantle Ports working with stakeholders. Landside operations continued with cargo discharge and loading relatively unaffected.
Mr Allardice said a meeting with the Marine Services bargaining group had been arranged and he was hopeful of reaching an agreement and avoiding further disruption through good faith bargaining and respectful, collaborative discussion.
Ms Bradfield said she hoped the negotiations went well and the strike action was called off.
