ACA International previously alerted on the status of nationwide  industrial action between terminal operators and Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) (MUA Temporarily Suspends Industrial Action At Patrick Terminals).

We advised that DP World had reached an agreement with the MUA and normal terminal operations have resumed.  We also advised that Hutchinson Ports and Patrick Terminals were still in negotiation.

Patrick Terminals

Patrick Terminals has been most severely impacted with delay through their operations and whilst operations haven’t been affected by industrial action since 1 October there are still significant delays in Sydney and Melbourne until the backlog is cleared.

On 2 October the Fair Work Commission (FWC) made interim orders to temporarily suspend Protected Industrial action by Patrick employees until there is a hearing on 26 and 27 October in the FWC to consider an application by Patrick Terminals to terminate or suspend further industrial action.

Discussions between the two parties continue and as recently as last week a revised offer was put the MUA.  Unfortunately it was rejected but hopefully a positive outcome will be reached to assist in alleviating the significant delays in Australian Ports and the knock on impact in origin ports through-out Asia.

Hutchison Ports

This morning we have been advised  that further industrial action will take place tomorrow at Hutchinson Port Botany with a 24 hour stoppage of work commencing 6am Friday 23 October 2020.