MUA cancels proposed strikes

The action would have prevented the movement of approximately 50% of Australia’s containerised trade, directly impacting 32 vessels and 35 thousand shipping containers, causing a knock‐on effect that would have been felt by importers and exporters for months.

However, Patrick says that the parties are no closer to a resolution of the dispute that inspired the proposal of a seven-day strike at all four of Patrick’s terminals at the three ports, which would have severely impacted Brisbane for up to six days.

Patrick director Paul Garaty says that the MUA’s decision to lift the bans does not change the fundamental issues behind the MUA’s claims, and unless the MUA removes the threat of further industrial action, it will continue to call strikes.

"As part of the negotiations, Patrick has offered an increase of 15% over the life of the agreement – which equates to a 5% increase each and every year for three years with an in-built productivity component to balance wage increases with improvements in productivity consistent with the premise of the Fair Work Act," he said.

He pointed out that, despite the MUA suggesting it has made big concessions in reducing its claim, the revised claim over each of the three years at $32 million, $39 million and $50 million respectively is far in excess of community norms, and the MUA continues to ignore Patrick’s need for productivity offsets.