Administration and specialist workers at Esperance Port could down tools with just three days’ notice, according to a union official.
Australian Maritime Officers Union industrial officer Glenn Walsh said Southern Ports had reneged on an earlier pay deal.
“The industrial action is not imminent, but we met with the members today at the Port of Esperance and we have a couple of matters before the Industrial Commission,” he said.
“We made an agreement in March — in order to encourage our members not to take strike action the Port agreed to a number of measures.
“They reneged on those, so our members have made application for a number of actions again which has been granted.”
Cost of living issue
Mr Walsh said part of the issue was an eight per cent regional allowance secured to cover the cost of living in Esperance.
“The Port have come back and halved that,” he said.
“Also there is an unofficial state government wage policy agreed across a number of ports and they are hitting back on that.
“They are asking the workers in Esperance to pay for the downturn in trade while they continue to employ new workers and proceed with multi-million dollar infrastructure projects.
“They are asking workers to take a hit when senior management are not taking a hit.”
Workers cop the brunt
The Weekender understands the members involved are about 15 administration and specialist staff such as information technology workers, and the matter does not include operational staff such as pilots.
A Southern Ports spokesperson said they were not aware of the specific employees who were members of the AMOU.
“Should this industrial action take place, there is not expected to be any significant impact to day-to-day port operations,” she said.
“The Australian Maritime Officers Union applied to the Fair Work Commission for a protected action bargaining order (PABO) in relation to a proposed Administration and Specialist agreement that is currently in negotiation.
“Southern Ports is working closely with the AMOU and other employee representatives to achieve a positive outcome for our workforce despite the current trade loss impacts we are facing.”
The spokeperson said Southern Ports understood members of the AMOU covered by the proposed agreement had voted for a number of actions, including work stoppages.
She said they could not avoid upgrading infrastructure.
“As a port authority, it is our responsibility to maintain our infrastructure and other assets to facilitate trade and continue our role of supporting the regional and state economy,” she said.
