The wharfies’ union must pay more than $2.2 million in damages to Patrick and Qube for organising an unlawful two-week strike, a landmark ruling that could serve as a major deterrent for the militant union.

The Federal Court on Monday afternoon ordered the Maritime Union of Australia pay $1.85 million in compensation to Qube and $364,725 to Patrick for work bans that shut down Port Botany from late April to early May 2017.