Patrick sacks MUA workers at troubled Newcastle dock
Source: AAP | Published: Friday March 26 12:37:14 PM
Patrick stevedores had sacked its wharfies - all members of the Maritime
Union of Australia (MUA) - at the troubled Eastern Basin dock at Newcastle,
the company said today.
The six wharfies had yesterday refused to work on the Western Condor, only
the third ship to dock at the new Toll Holdings project since its opening
last September.
"We obviously had no choice. The men had repeatedly refused to work on that
ship," a Patrick spokeswoman said.
The wharf has been the scene of a long-running demarcation dispute between
the MUA and the Transport Workers Union (TWU).
Toll logistics director Don Telford said the company was now considering
either abandoning or mothballing the planned $30 million development.
"Patrick have dismissed their staff - sacked the stevedores, and the ship's
left Newcastle," Mr Telford said.
"We're certainly going to be looking at out position over the next couple
of days."
The MUA's Newcastle office declined to comment.
The Patrick spokeswoman said employees of the stevedore, which was
contracting to operate the Eastern Basin dock, had refused to work two
shifts yesterday.
"Last night they were issued with a final written warning explaining they
were in breach of their contract of employment and facing dismissal if
their conduct continued," she said in a statement.
"This morning employees attended and demanded to be paid for yesterday even
though they'd failed to work.
"When they were told they would not be paid they again refused to work and
as a result have been dismissed."
The Western Condor, a Western Bulk ship, had been berthed at
Eastern Basin since 5am yesterday.
The MUA reportedly refused to unload the ship because of a safety issue
involving a locked gate at the wharf.
Under a Federal Court injunction issued on Wednesday, the MUA was
restrained from directing, procuring, persuading, advising or authorising
members to refuse to perform work.
The spokeswoman said it was apparent the employees would continue to refuse
to work.
Mr Telford said Toll wanted to continue development of the wharf but other
options must now be considered due to the industrial problem and lack of
support from business and shipping lines.
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