Workers strike at Geraldton Port over dispute with employer Svitzer Towage

Wharfies walked off the job at Geraldton Port last week over a long-running dispute with employer Svitzer Towage, claiming the company is seeking to slash their pay almost in half. The strike coincided with similar action across Australia including Cairns, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, Kwinana and Albany. The company is a subsidiary of AP Moller Maersk and employs staff represented by the Maritime Union of Australia, the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers and the Australian Maritime Officers Union. Svitzer is allegedly seeking to cancel its 2016 employment agreement with tugboat workers at every mainland port following the expiration in December 2019. A spokesperson for Svitzer said four workers in Geraldton were involved in the strike on Friday morning which lasted for four hours. “It effectively stopped Geraldton port for four hours today. So we’ve had to make sure shipping is around that period.” “It’s not hugely significant, because Geraldton was four hours, while ports like Brisbane or Melbourne was 24 and that’s a lot bigger impact.” “But it still impacts operations and it’s something that the community doesn’t need.” Mid West Ports Authority CEO Damian Tully said they were aware of the Svitzer industrial action with shipping being co-ordinated so that port operations could continue.