MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) have slammed Darwin Port's CEO for heading to the Melbourne Cup while threatening to bring in strikebreakers ahead of industrial action commencing 7 November over an unresolved enterprise agreement.
With workers unanimously endorsing the protected industrial action, the MUA says the CEO should be focused on settling the agreement - not attending a race-day event in Melbourne.
MUA Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith said the CEO's decisions showed a serious failure of leadership and a breathtaking disregard for the workforce.
"While workers wait to resolve the agreement, their CEO went to the races. Now he's also trying to undermine the workers by calling union busting strikebreakers. That tells you everything about management's priorities".
"The CEO should be putting the same effort into getting this agreement across the line as getting to the Melbourne Cup". Mr Smith said.
Darwin Port recorded EBITDA of $42.4 million, up from $34 million the previous year. Workers are seeking annual wage increases of 5 per cent over a four-year agreement, a $5,000 sign-on payment and improved superannuation contributions.
Mr Smith added "The workers have delivered for Darwin Port; it's time for something back. The CEO needs to get back to the bargaining table, take responsibility and finish the agreement. Darwin Port needs leadership - not the CEO having a punt while the house burns down".
AMOU Industrial Officer Renee Ker said workers had approached negotiations reasonably and had done everything possible to resolve the agreement without disrupting port operations.
"Our members did not set out wanting a fight. The MUA and AMOU worked collectively from the beginning, substantially reduced our claims and entered an in-principle position genuinely believing we were heading towards an agreement."
Ms Ker continued "Darwin Port proceeded to a vote without the support of either union while drafting issues remained unresolved. The agreement was rejected, and the Port's response has been to refuse backpay and effectively tell employees that they must bear the financial consequences."
"That is fundamentally unfair. Employees should not be financially penalised for exercising their right to vote against terms they did not accept. Backpay should not be used as a punishment for a No vote."
"These employees have continued doing their jobs and keeping the Port operating throughout this lengthy bargaining process without taking protected industrial action. They have shown enormous patience. Unfortunately, that patience has a limit." Ms Ker said.
MUA NT Branch Secretary Andy Burford said workers had already demonstrated a willingness to negotiate.
"We have agreed on a range of issues and made clear what is needed to resolve the outstanding matters".
"The CEO's job is to lead this business, including taking responsibility for its relationship with its workforce. An unresolved agreement and a unanimous vote for industrial action should demand the CEO's attention."
"Our members have agreed to a four-year term ending on 30 June 2030. We have also indicated we are prepared to accept changes to the coverage clause, provided workers are protected against management using new job titles to strip away agreement coverage.
"That is a practical approach to getting an agreement finished. What we need in return is management prepared to make decisions and settle - not a CEO heading off to Flemington while workers are left waiting.
The MUA said the workers' decision to take industrial action should be a wake-up call for Darwin Port's leadership. If the CEO wants to back a winner, he should back his workforce.
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