BURKE RULES OUT INTERVENTION IN WHARF DISPUTE : MEDIA UPDATE 20

Last week saw some interesting developments in the ongoing industrial dispute between DP World and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).

The press conference held by Tony Burke (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) following his meeting with DP World on Thursday 18 January 2024 was consistent with ongoing message from the government that they will not intervene and it it up the employer and union to to negotiate in good faith. 

This also aligns with the ruling from the Fair Work Commission before Christmas when they declined a request from DP World calling for a 90 day cooling off period with a direction to keep negotiating.

What was a surprise was the derogatory tone used by the Minister towards DP World saying:

• they should have put the same effort into negotiations as they had in their media campaign;
• referencing its foreign ownership and significant profits being obtained;
• comparing the difference in salaries to that offered by competitor Patrick;
• and a personal attack against Nicolaj Noes (Executive Vice President Oceania - APAC) referencing his previous role at Svitzer where last year he threatened lockout of all staff which would have closed all ports nationally.

Channel 7 News Tom Hartley compiled a story with clips from the Minister's press release and reactions from leading industry bodies including Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) reinforcing the message "we have both importers and exporters suffering from this" - recording available HERE.

FTA / APSA returned to Sky News on 19 January 2024 with a follow up extended interview on "First Edition" with Kenny Heatley - this provided a further opportunity to reinforce operational impacts and to again highlight that DP World is not like every other business - while they suffer the repercussions of Protected Industrial action in their own right, the severe impacts flow on to importers, exporters and logistics providers - recording available HERE.
 


WHERE TO FROM HERE?

As a part of an interview with Minister Burke yesterday afternoon, Chris O'Keefe of 2GB stated it is "difficult to differentiate between fact and fiction" and concluded by cautioning others how they report the DP World MUA dispute suggesting the Protected Industrial Action is making things "only a little sluggish" - recording available HERE.

From an FTA / APSA perspective, in parallel to other advocacy initiatives, we will continue to correct the concerning emerging narrative that the dispute is having negligible operational impacts.

Hopefully the range of industry bodies raising profile on this matter will if anything grow at this time.

Even with our collective efforts, it may take exporters reducing operations, regional communities losing revenue, manufacturers stopping shifts, construction on hold waiting for supplies, sight of empty shelves for consumers and/or higher unemployment until we get decisive action - we certainly hope not.

The next play(s) between DP World and the MUA will be fascinating with many potential permutations ranging from a quick compromise outcome to a long protracted dispute to June at which time we understand the FWC is obliged to arbitrate.

Perhaps a few other twists along the way?

FURTHER FTA / APSA MEDIA AVAILABLE HERE

Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF