Hutchison Ports is pushing for roster changes that will see wharfies take pay cuts of up to $13,000 a year in order to avoid job losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The stevedore has been negotiating a 20 per cent cut in hours with the militant Maritime Union of Australia over the past week as it faces significantly reduced volumes from the coronavirus and the loss of a major commercial contract at its Port Botany terminal.