Wharfies strike at Albany port

A 48-hour strike by 20 wharfies at Albany Port Authority began yesterday in a bid for increased pay, improved safety standards and more permanent employment opportunities.

The strike is part of the Maritime Union of WA’s action against the wharfies’ employer, Australia’s leading provider of port-related services, Patrick, which also included a 72-hour strike at Fremantle port this week.

The strike comes six months into the union’s negotiations with the company.

MUWA secretary Chris Cain said the strike was a last resort, but the union and its members felt they were left with no other option. “The EBA between us and Patrick has expired and we’ve been negotiating with them in good faith,” he said.

“Obviously, six months is a long time to keep negotiating. Our membership’s had a gutful. Everyone in this country has the right to take protective action (for their jobs) and our people are.

“If you’re not getting anywhere after six months, what else are you supposed to do?”

Mr Cain said while a pay increase was part of the requests made by the wharfies, their chief concerns were the safety standards of their working environment and the consistency of shifts in the casual workforce.

He said Albany port’s small size meant all of the wharfies were casual and often left “waiting for a phone call” to find out when their next shift was, with notice given as little as one hour before the shift begins.

“The claims our members have are not outstanding claims, not really radical claims,” he said.

“I think they have a right in this day and age to know what roster they’re on, but they don’t know from one day to the next.”

Patrick has described the strike action at Albany Port as “disappointing and confusing”.

Company spokeswoman Rhianna Fursdon said they had conceded to some of the workers’ requests and planned to continue negotiations with the Maritime Union of WA next week.

“The strike isn’t something that adversely affects Patrick, since it only means 12 employees per day off the job,” she said.

“More so, it affects the economy in Albany.”

Albany Port Authority chief executive Brad Williamson (pictured) said while the strike was against Patrick and not the port, he confirmed it would have a damaging impact, particularly on the port’s reputation.

“It affects the amount of ships coming in and means shipping is delayed,” he said.

Among the series of claims lodged by the union, of which there were more than 60, Ms Fursdon said there was a demand for a 10 per cent wage increase each year for three years, which if implemented would send the port bankrupt within 12 months.

Ms Fursdon said the strike was ‘legal’ and hoped there would be a satisfactory agreement.