Published: 3 Dec 2014
Stevedores at Mermaid Marine’s Dampier supply base have overwhelmingly endorsed the company’s proposal for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).
In a secret ballot, 59 out of 60 workers voted to endorse the deal, bringing 12 months of negotiations to an end.
Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) WA Branch Assistant Secretary Doug Heath said the new EBA was a win-win for both workers and their employer.
“The MUA is very pleased to have secured greater job security for our members, with Mermaid Marine committing to increase their use of direct employment, rather than contractors, and provide more permanency to workers,” Mr Heath said.
“This EBA has also delivered for women, with improved maternity leave provisions, as well as new domestic violence support.
“In securing pay increases just above the level of inflation, we have agreed to boost productivity through increased flexibility in rosters. We consider this a big win, given the company was originally proposing to cut wages in real terms.”
MUA WA Branch Secretary Christy Cain said the agreement capped off a constructive year for the union and its members.
“Over the last 12 months, the MUA has negotiated hard and reached responsible agreements with employers like Teekay, Esperance Port and Mermaid Marine,” Mr Cain said.
“The MUA remains committed to delivering local jobs, fair wages and family-friendly rosters, and we have little to argue about with employers committed to the same outcomes.”
