Australian shippers call for end to strikes

Unions have turned down stevedore Qube’s offer of an 18% pay rise, instead asking for a near 130% increase above the Stevedoring Award. Now strikes are under way, or imminent, at Brisbane, Port Kembla, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin and Fremantle.

“Qube ports, and their cargo- and ship-handling services, are vital to the wellbeing of Australia,” says industry association, Shipping Australia.

“While this industrial action may be slow-moving, and is not as visible to the everyday Australian as other shipping and port sectors, this disruption will surely begin to cripple our economy,” it continues.

“Australian families, businesses and industries will inevitably start to suffer.”

Shipping Australia has written to Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, urging him to intervene using his s.431 Fair Work Act powers which would terminate the strikes and send the dispute to the Fair Work Commission.

“Enough is enough,” said Shipping Australia’s chief executive, Captain Melwyn Noronha.

“Our port sector is subject to a near-continuous campaign of paralysing industrial action. Clearly, there needs to be a fundamental root-and-branch reform of industrial relations law and policy if Australia is to remain competitive on the world stage.”