Hedland Strike Plans Back on Track?
Port of Port Hedland Port of Hedland tug operators could go back to their plans to stage a strike at the bulk export hub as they failed to agree with Teekay on a new pay deal.
The AIMPE has subsequently given notice that the engineers intended to take protected industrial action in the form of a four-hour stoppage from 3am to 7am on Saturday 22 November 2014, Teekay said.
As explained, the notice exempts from the stoppage towage operations which are delayed during unforeseen delays and are still underway, and any safety/emergency related issues.
The tug operators suspended strike plans last week when the Australian Fair Work Commission (FWC) ordered stoppage of the industrial action on the matter as talks on replacement enterprise agreements had been concluded.
However, unsatisfied with the latest proposal from Teekay the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) did not approve the agreement.
Fifty-two members voted against the agreement and two were in favour, with 7 abstained, Bloomberg cited Teekay as saying.
“Teekay considers the industrial action is not warranted as the negotiations are continuing with the AIMPE,” Teekay added.
Teekay Shipping (Australia) Pty Ltd has been in negotiation with Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU), the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers (AIMPE) about the terms of replacement enterprise agreements for its employees who operate the tugs which service the port of Port Hedland for approximately 17 months.
Talks have resumed today, according to Andrew Williamson, senior national organizer at the union, Bloomberg reports.
World Maritime News Staff
