Published: 15 Nov 2018
Thursday 15th November 2018
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is disappointed by the actions of international container terminal operator Dubai Ports World (DP World) whose representatives today walked out of negotiations for a new enterprise agreement.
The MUA Negotiating Committee said it appeared DP World left today’s meeting on the basis of the raising of a legitimate safety issue at Sydney’s Port Botany Terminal.
MUA Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith said the company had been increasingly difficult in negotiations, without any justification.
“While the MUA remains committed to negotiating a new agreement with the company, we express our gravest concerns that the company expects their workforce to accept sub-standard workplace safety while a negotiation progresses,” Smith said.
“Our lives are not for sale as corporate leverage. DP World keep telling us that safety is sacrosanct but when a genuine issue arises that can place a worker’s life in jeopardy the company wants us to accept those unsafe standards in order to progress negotiations.
“The DP World walkout of negotiations is emblematic of the MUA’s concerns over waterfront safety.”
MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer said it was always appropriate to raise safety concerns as every worker deserves to go home safely at the end of their shift.
“The company has walked out while at the same time demanding that the MUA withdraw legitimate issues from the FWC where the company have breached the agreement,” McAleer said.
“We see no place in DP World terminals for ongoing outsourcing and contracting out because of the impact it can have on workplace safety for all workers on site.”
MUA West Australian Deputy Branch Secretary Adrian Evans said the industrial system is broken and needs to be fixed.
“The rules are broken for working people and this charade by DP World shows the power is too heavily in favour of bosses when they are able to try to force workers into unsafe working conditions on the basis of corporate greed.
“This is another example of why we need to Change the Rules as part of the ACTU-led campaign to deliver a better deal for working people.”
Contact: Warren Smith 0400 368 945
