Published: 7 Jan 2010
The Maritime Union of Australia today said further industrial protected action planned for Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday next week at Farstad Shipping was regrettable but members felt they had no alternative after negotiations disappointed.
"We've moderated our claims right though these negotiations. Official talks on Monday regrettably did not achieve the level of progress the union had anticipated", said Mick Doleman, Deputy National Secretary of the MUA.
"We would have liked to avoid these actions but our members felt they did not have an alternative to seek a fair outcome. We are still prepared to consider abandoning the action subject to the company's shifting it's position.
"All along we have maintained that being paid parity for construction work - being compensated at the same level as, for example, the rigger who you are working beside - is a fundamental right.
"We have also always been prepared to use Fair Work Australia or an independent conciliator to assist in this matter", Doleman said.
A 48-hour stoppage is planned for Farstad Shipping from midnight Friday 8 through to midnight Sunday 10 January, with another 24-hour stoppage beginning midnight Monday 11.
