oBikes used as blockade in illegal union protest at Webb Dock

WONDERING why your Christmas packages haven’t arrived yet? A dispute over one casual employee’s shifts has sparked an illegal blockade by militant unions at Melbourne’s docks, keeping thousands of goods from being delivered.

Union protesters are using oBikes to shut down Webb Dock. Picture: Michael Klein

MILITANT unions have resorted to using the troublesome oBikes in an illegal blockade leaving thousands of goods, including Christmas presents, seafood and lifesaving EpiPens, stranded in containers.

The union has been labelled the Grinch as it takes the items hostage at the container port.

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A fight has broken out despite a Supreme Court interim injunction banning the Maritime Union of Australia from blocking access to Victoria International Container Terminal with a mob of unionists, some from other unions, continuing their protest today.

Picketers used plastic chairs and even oBikes to block two entrances to Webb Dock.

Containers stacked up high at Webb Dock have been stranded by the blockade. Picture: Michael Klein

Trucks have been prevented from leaving the dock since last Monday, resulting in more than 1000 containers sitting idle on the dock.

The stoush is over an MUA member, who was a casual worker, not being given shifts after being denied the security clearance required to work in a restricted area.

The imports affected include pharmaceutical goods, including EpiPens, prawns and other seafood, toys, Christmas decorations, including artificial trees, and machinery parts, including conveyor belt parts.

But exports have also been sidelined during the dispute, with the list including wine, cheese, frozen meat, oranges, stone fruit, pears, cotton, clay, and large amounts of milk destined for China.

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the Web Dock picket is holding up 100 trucks a day. Picture: Michael Klein

A VICT spokesman said the picket was costing the company big money, and legal action would be pursued to reclaim $100 million in dam­ages for harm to its reputation and lost revenue.

“It’s a Christmas disaster which is affecting the community,” the spokesman said.

“The other present the ­unions are delivering is they are affecting Victoria’s reputation as a trading partner and the efficiency of the port.”

VICT will also make a complaint to police about vile abuse and harassment that it alleges has been hurled at executives and their families.

Up to 100 trucks a day were being held up, Container Transport Alliance Australia director Gerard Langes said.

“If it’s a community protest, they can protest but let operations continue and allow the trucks to get through,” he said.

web Container Blocked 650 800

“Let Victorians get on with Christmas. Unless things change, the union will be known as the 2017 Christmas Grinch.”

Police officers today visited protesters but they remained unmoved.

The Herald Sun can reveal the man who was not granted security clearance failed in two appeals to overturn the decision. The company said it was not about to break the law and allow the man on site just to keep the union happy.

Picketers would not speak to the Herald Sun when approached today.

The Supreme Court order requires the union not to come within 100m of the site.

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