A bitter dispute between Asciano and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has ended after almost 20 months of negotiations
A bitter dispute between Asciano and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has
come to an end
after almost 20 months of negotiations.
Asciano announced today it had finalized negotiations with the MUA regarding the terms of Enterprise Agreement for its Patrick Container Terminal employees.
Both parties entered into a resolution process with Fair Work Australia (FWA) on Monday to settle matters within 72 hours.
Patrick Terminals and Logistics Director Alistair Field says he is pleased with the end result.
“Our objective throughout the negotiations has been to deliver productivity and efficiency improvements for our customers and fair and competitive conditions of employment for our workforce,” Field says.
“A significant part of this has been ensuring the right to manage our business.”
MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin also welcomed the agreement.
He says it shows that acceptable agreements
can be reached under the Fair Work Act.
“The agreement offers significant improvements in health and safety for our members along with greater productivity,” Crumlin says.
“It offers surety for Asciano in a tight and competitive market and gives them long term stability nationally and in Port Botany specifically.”
The outstanding items that were agreed on include a national disputes resolution clause and local issues at Fremantle and Port Botany.
The final EA provides a 22.5 percent wage increase over five years to July 2015, or an average of 4.45 percent per year at each of the four Patrick Container Terminals.
Asciano says there is also a further at risk incentive of 0.75 percent available, which is subject to the achievement of specific business and customer KPIs.
Asciano has also agreed to reinstate back-pay for its container terminal employees.