Wharfies stop work to protest loss of crane work

Wharfies will stop work across the Port of Newcastle today, incensed by a move by management to stop wharfies from driving a new bulk unloading crane, threatening the job security of local workers.

Maritime Union of Australia Newcastle Branch Secretary Glen Williams said workers would be meeting to discuss further responses to the Port of Newcastle’s attack on wharfies’ jobs, including industrial action.

“We will stop at nothing to protect wharfies’ jobs from coming under attack from the privatised port authority,” Mr Williams said.

“Management of the Port of Newcastle should be facilitating growth and working to assist the community, not introducing measures that effectively marginalise every stevedore in the Port, create job insecurity and casualisation for wharfies and the local community.

“On top of this significant attack on wharfies, the Port of Newcastle is also attacking port service workers conditions in enterprise agreement bargaining.

“The MUA is in dispute with the Port of Newcastle about the erosion of workers’ rights and conditions, and this attempt to strip core work from wharfies has created yet another point of tension.”

MUA Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith said the union was demanding the withdrawal of the plan to exclude wharfies from their current work.

“The MUA has demanded the Port of Newcastle withdraw its plans to exclude existing wharfies from their current work,” Mr Smith said.

“Management must also consult with stakeholders to ensure any new equipment in the Port of Newcastle is designed to improve overall port productivity, but not at the expense of the working people of Newcastle and their community.

“We won’t go away. We will fight this.”