MUA Plans Industrial Action at New South Wales Ports

Port Botany The Port Authority of New South Wales has received notification of protected industrial action planned for Thursday, November 20, from the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) members working on board pilot cutters operated by the Port Authority from Port Jackson and Port Botany. Pilot cutter crews will stage two six-hour work stoppages, from 06:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. local time, and from 18:30 p.m. to 00:30 a.m. The action proposed will suspend the use of the pilot vessels to embark and disembark pilots in Port Jackson and Port Botany. The MUA and the AMOU have given an assurance that they will not take industrial action in the event there is a legitimate maritime emergency, and they have also agreed to exempt the following critical safety and security functions from any industrial action: dangerous goods functions relating to necessary and appropriate measures in the handling and transport of dangerous cargoes in the ports; booming of tankers; cruise gangway functions, including the safe monitoring of gangways for cruise passengers; and vessel escort functions. Emergency response, Vessel Traffic Services and other Port Officer functions (other than pilot cutter movements) will be required to continue as normal during this period of industrial action. Press Release; Image: MTS