Published: 15 Mar 2012
A reconciliation hearing is underway between stevedoring company Patricks and the Maritime Union of Australia.
The pair are trying to resolve an ongoing dispute that has left ships waiting at Fremantle Port this morning after workers walked off the job.
About 150 Patricks’ terminal employees formed a picket line at the company’s Fremantle operations this morning and will not return to work for another 48 hours.
MUA WA branch secretary Adrian Evans said discussions had broken down after Patricks’ demanded that a clause, which allowed employees to take complaints to Fair Work Australia, was revoked from the in-principle agreement.
However, a Patricks spokeswoman said there were a number of issues that needed to be resolved at today’s hearing.
