Tug captains’ planned strikes to “grind ports to a halt,” towage provider claims

Photo: Svitzer Australia

Towage company Svitzer Australia is working towards preventing a planned series of strikes by tug captains from taking place in some of the country’s major ports.

The strikes, which the tug captains have claimed will be in protest against the planned removal of union control over Svitzer’s workforce, are scheduled to commence in Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Fremantle on Thursday, February 17.

Svitzer managing director Nicolaj Woes said the strikes would only serve to adversely affect the operations of local businesses that depend on the cargo entering the country via the affected ports.

The announced strikes will “grind several ports to a halt,” Mr Woes told local media.

The tug captains intend to protest against Svitzer’s proposed termination of an earlier Enterprise Agreement with three local maritime unions. The company said the ageeement, which lapsed in 2019, has enabled restrictive work practices and interference in managerial and operational decision-making, leading to inefficiencies and limitations on workplace productivity.

The termination filing follows two years of negotiations with the three maritime unions, involving more than 50 meetings and two conciliation sessions facilitated by the Fair Work Commission.

Mr Noes, however, said he was “extremely disappointed” that the negotiations had come to nothing after so much effort.


Ausmarine

Published since 1978, Ausmarine is the foremost magazine servicing the Australian and New Zealand commercial, military and government marine sectors.