Australia: Patrick shuts down Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle ports

Patrick Stevedores decided to stand down workers at its container terminals in Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle today, and confirmed it had extended a formal invitation to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) to enter into voluntary conciliation and arbitration before the Fair Work Commission.  

In a letter issued to the MUA yesterday, the company appealed to the union to demonstrate a willingness to reach agreement in good faith by entering a voluntary process of conciliation to ensure a fair outcome for Patrick employees against productivity improvements.

"We believe entering a voluntary conciliation and arbitration process with the MUA would enable both parties to reach agreement, ensuring a fair and sustainable outcome for our employees balanced against the productivity needs of the company," Patrick Director Paul Garaty stated.

Patrick has indicated that it is seeking a response from the MUA by close of business.

"Patrick Stevedores needs to abandon its war on workers and behave in a constructive, co-operative fashion," countered MUA Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman.

"MUA workers are ready to return to work – it is Patrick that is causing chaos. We call on them to allow our workers to get back on the job.

"Instead of working constructively with the union to find a resolution, Patrick has instead resorted to hysterical spin to cover the fact they are not bargaining in good faith."

So far there have been 24 meetings between Patrick and the MUA with both parties appearing over 10 times before the Fair Work Commission on a range of enterprise agreement issues.

"After lengthy and significant negotiations between the parties we are still far apart as evidenced by the MUA decision to ramp up its industrial action despite the company offering a five percent increase partially offset by productivity benchmarks being met," Garaty stated.

"The union is continuing to pursue a six percent pay rise without productivity offsets and a log of claims that would cost the company AU$32 million [US$34 million] in the first year of a three-year agreement.

"By using the conciliation and arbitration process the merits of each claim can be considered under the framework and guidelines of the Fair Work Act by the independent Fair Work Commission. Importantly the matters can be resolved without further damage to the businesses of Australian agricultural exporters, our retail importers, transport operators and our reputation as a reliable trade partner that will occur as a result of the planned seven days of MUA industrial action."

"This is just another PR stunt. Patrick refused to put arbitration inside the agreement, despite repeated attempts by the MUA. They're desperately clutching at straws as they continue to punish their clients," Mr Doleman said.

"Safety is the critical productivity issue on the Australian waterfront. The stevedoring industry has an appalling safety record in this country and something needs to be done about it."