Patrick indicated that they cannot operate at anywhere near capacity as a result of Protected Industrial Action (PIA) that includes i) ban on the performance of upgrades and higher duties; ii) ban on the working of overtime; iii) ban on the working of extensions; iv) ban on the working of vessels that have been subcontracted by other stevedoring companies; and v) ban on the performance of work on Project Sabre. FTA / APSA ADVOCACY Further to our advocacy update as reported on 13 September 2020, we have been in regular contact with the Attorney General's department and have been engaging with key ministers at both a state and federal level.
Outcomes can be broadly summarised as follows:- the New South Wales government does not see this as a state based issue, noting that Industrial Relations matters are to be addressed at a Federal Government level;
- the Federal Government has intervened only to the extent of issuing a media release on 12 September 2020 titled 'SYDNEY WATERFRONT INDUSTRIAL ACTION' urging all parties involved in Sydney's waterfront industrial dispute to work together on a quick resolution to minimise the impact on workers, freight and the nation; and
- public statements and accusations from both Patrick and the MUA suggest that it is unlikely that the parties will be able to adequately enter into meaningful negotiations and resolve outstanding claims.
In response:- FTA / APSA has extended its reach with major trade representative bodies and in what is an extremely encouraging development, we met late yesterday afternoon with the National Farmers Federation (NFF) executive who have agreed to lead an escalated media campaign; and
- after a few days of intensive engagement with the full APSA Committee of Management, direction was followed last night (23 September 2020) in FTA / APSA providing formal correspondence to the Chief Executive Officer of Patrick Terminals recommending national action to immediately and permanently resolve outstanding industrial relations via the Fair Work Commission.
FTA / APSA LETTER TO MICHAEL JOVICIC, CEO PATRICK TERMINAL – REFER HERE FTA / APSA will continue to keep members up to date on developments emerging from our advocacy activities and will be providing regular and structured updates for the duration of ongoing national Protected industrial Action.
Paul Zalai - Director and Co-Founder, FTA / Secretariat, APSA |
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