Threat of strike by Manly Fast Ferry skippers

Skippers working on the Manly Fast Ferry could strike over pay, according to the Maritime Union of Australia, which is claiming staff are being ‘robbed on a daily basis’.

Manly Fast Ferry at Manly wharf. Picture: Adam Yip.

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Manly Fast Ferry skippers could strike over a pay dispute after union claims that they were being short-changed.

Paul Garrett from the Maritime Union of Australia insisted skippers were struggling to make minimum rates of pay.

“Staff are being robbed on a daily basis,” Mr Garrett said.

However, Manly Fast Ferry CEO Richard Ford strongly disputed that staff were being paid below the minimum wage.

“We stand by our belief that we pay our staff fairly and above the awards that apply on the harbour,” he said.

“We rely on our staff to deliver this much-cherished community service and we have every intention of ensuring their pay and conditions reflect the value that they provide our customers and our business.”

Mr Garrett confirmed yesterday the union would be filing an application with the Fair Work

Paul Garrett from the Maritime Union Of Australia. Picture: Damian Shaw.

Commission for the right to hold a ballot to take protected industrial action.

He said if a strike happened it wouldn’t be until early March.

Mr Ford said the news was disappointing.

“MFF has, for several weeks, met in good faith with its employees and representatives from the MUA to negotiate a new agreement for its Masters (skippers),” he said.

“It is the MFF’s unequivocal view that these meetings have seen progress and can lead to an agreement that is fair, demonstrates the respect we have for our staff, while also viable for our passengers and for the ferry service across Sydney.

“The MFF service from Manly to Circular Quay is arguably the state’s most popular public transport service with customer service levels consistently over 98 per cent.

“Industrial action will impact negatively on families and commuters in the area and it is the

MFF’s view that negotiating from a position of good faith is the most effective way to get a positive outcome.”

Noorton Pty Ltd, which is owned by NRMA, operates a fleet of catamarans transporting commuters to the city in 18 minutes.

It’s three years, nine months and 28 days into a seven-year contract with Transport for New South Wales.

A second proposed enterprise agreement for deckhands is currently before the Fair Work Commission and is not part of the application for industrial action.