PERTH: About 60 wharfies employed by the waterfront’s third operator, Hutchison Ports Australia, will take voluntary redundancy following settlement of the company’s bitter dispute with the maritime union.
Maritime Union of Australia members in Sydney and Brisbane on Monday voted to support a proposed enterprise agreement that will allow for casuals to be employed in the company’s waterfront operations.
The Australian Financial Review revealed in July that the company had intended to sack 97 of its 224-strong waterfront workforce, prompting union claims the company was trying to bust the influence of the MUA.
In August, the Federal Court halted the dismissals, prompting the MUA to end pickets of the company’s terminals which started after the employees were sacked by email and text.
Warren Smith, the union’s assistant national secretary, said on Monday that the company had agreed to allow voluntary redundancies from the pool of 224 workers, resulting in about 60 workers opting to exit.
Under the “enhanced” redundancy package, departing employees will, on average, receive an ex gratia payment of $20,000 over and above their standard redundancy entitlements.
Unlike the previous agreement, the new deal will permit Hutchison to engage casual labour.
Employees taking redundancy will be able to be re-engaged as casuals and seek to return to permanent employment when business improves.
Hutchison has agreed to “carry” the 35-odd employees that had it wanted to sack, while the deal provides for more flexibility around rostering in order to reduce overtime. The working week will increase from 30 to 32 hours.
Mr Smith said the outcomes represented “justice” for the MUA members who has originally been “treated abysmally” by the company.
