AFR - Hutchison seeks $13,000 pay cuts for wharfies

Meanwhile, DP World is understood to have applied for JobKeeper for its 1800 employees after facing large downturns in revenue, although it is unclear if the foreign-owned multinational will be deemed eligible for the wage subsidy. 

The stevedore has seen container volumes at its Melbourne terminal drop by about a third across January to March, with greater reductions expected this month. 

Chief executive Glen Hilton told the union last year it needed to address "unsustainable" workplace arrangements in its enterprise agreement or risk continued decline in workers' earnings. 

Freight & Trade Alliance director Paul Zalai said container volumes were forecast to fall by 20 to 25 per cent by the end of May and into June compared to last year. 

"Projections from shipping lines is that we will see an increased number of 'blank' sailing (cancelled voyages) in weeks ahead due to a reduction of domestic consumer demand," he said. 

Hutchison's proposed changes would kick in by May 18 if approved by the union.