Unions targeted in Webb Dock crisis as picket drags on

THE war on Melbourne’s docks has escalated with a new push to free up 1000 containers full of lifesaving EpiPens, medical goods, seafood, Christmas decorations and toys, perishable food such as prawns, fruit and cheese being held hostage to union demands.

THE war on Melbourne’s docks has escalated after a series of unprecedented weekend legal manoeuvres aimed at squashing an expensive union picket.

The illegal picket is costing businesses millions of dollars. About 1000 containers full of seafood, Christmas decorations and toys, perishable food such as prawns, fruit and cheese, and medical goods, such as lifesaving EpiPens, are being held hostage to union demands.

Today, the Victoria International Container Terminal served court orders on the militant Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and the Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary, seeking to stop them blockading Webb Dock.

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The Webb Dock picket line is costing businesses millions of dollars.

The Maritime Union of Australia began the picket two weeks ago, after a member was sacked for not having a proper security clearance.

A court order has since banned picketing by the MUA and its officials. But in an act of defiance, other union members have now manned the blockade.

The state Opposition has called on Premier Daniel Andrews to rein in the two unions, with whom his Left faction of the Labor Party has close ties.

Exporters stand to suffer large losses as a result of their goods being stuck in the port. And some importers have had to make a costly diversion of their freight to Adelaide in order to bring their goods ashore.

At the Supreme Court today, it is believed the VICT will seek to stop the CFMEU and Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari from manning the blockade.

Luke Hilakari has been banned from manning the blockade. Picture: Mark Stewart

Mr Hilakari told the Herald Sun the new legal action was an unprecedented escalation of the dispute.

“In industrial relations in Victoria, I don’t think the Trades Hall secretary has ever been served with court documents,” Mr Hilakari said.

“This company is known for union-busting and trying to suppress workers’ wages.”

The VICT says the illegal blockade has damaged Victoria’s international standing and the company could seek more than $100 million in damages from the MUA.

About 1000 unionists rallied at the dock on Friday. CFMEU secretary John Setka told them unfair laws should be circumvented: “If the laws are s---, why play by them?”

Mr Setka’s CFMEU plans to merge with the MUA.

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The MUA is refusing to end the dispute until its member is reinstated. Its deputy national secretary Will Tracey said it tried to end the dispute 10 days ago but the VICT dug in.

He said its member, whose sacking began the dispute, had been given a security clearance on Friday but the company had refused to meet them.

A VICT spokesman said the man would not be rehired as he misled it about his security status for more than eight months. “If he feels he has been unfairly treated, it is open to him to seek a remedy at Fair Work,” he said.

The Opposition’s industrial relations spokesman, Robert Clark, said that Mr Andrews “needs to get on the phone to his union mates and get this picket ended”.

A government spokesman said it had offered to act as a mediator. “We urge all parties to negotiate … in good faith.”

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