Published: 3 Aug 2015
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) will rally today in support of workers set to be sacked via secret plans from Hutchison Ports Australia.
Hutchison plans to cut 97 out of 224 jobs – more than 40% of its workforce - at Port Botany and Brisbane.
The strategy, dubbed “Phoenix Rising” by the company, is a tool to bring in automation without negotiation.
MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Paul McAleer said the union will unleash every legal, political and industrial tactic available to stop Hutchison unfairly sacking almost half of its waterfront workforce.
"There has been no genuine consultation with the MUA on this move by Hutchison,” Mr McAleer said.
"The MUA utterly rejects the suggestion that the company is reducing its Australian operations due to a lack of competitiveness.
"We believe this is a strategy to increase automation as there are no logical reasons why the company would otherwise give away profitable contracts as they have done recently."
Mr McAleer said the union is seeking a fair and objective process where all labour data and modelling are put on the table to determine the true nature and scope of the problem.
"The MUA is happy to then work together with Hutchison to provide a solution which results in the least impact on workers,” he said.
"In contrast, Hutchison appears intent on seeking a approach based on confrontation."