NSW, QLD, shipping strike delays Aussie cause huge delays
Ongoing strike action across the country is causing huge problems for everyday Aussies and they won’t like these new pictures.
Fresh strike action on Australian wharves will further delay shipments of cars and other goods for Aussie consumers.
Maritime Union of Australia workers at ports operated by Qube, including Port Kembla, Fremantle, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne, are holding industrial action to improve pay and conditions for stevedores.
The Australian reports union members have asked for a 25 per cent pay rise for salaries averaging $128,000 per year.
A statement released by the MUA on Friday said Qube is “holding their workforce and the community to ransom” by not conceding to demands.
The delays could prove costly to customers who ordered hybrid cars to take advantage of a tax perk that expires on April 1.
Thousands of Aussies have ordered plug-in hybrid cars, such as the BYD Shark and upcoming Ford Ranger Stormtrak ute, hoping to take delivery of their vehicles before lucrative fringe benefit tax exemptions expire on April 1.
A statement released by Ford says “industrial action at ports in Australia has resulted in some delays to the deliveries of customer vehicles”.
“As the situation is evolving, we cannot specify the exact length of any anticipated delays and are working on ensuring vehicles are delivered in as timely manner as possible,” it says.
“We are investigating diverting ships as appropriate, along with alternate road transport options. Ford is working with our logistics and shipping partners to identify the affected vehicles and will communicate with customers and dealers with updates as we work on alternative delivery methods.”
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Many other vehicles have been affected by the issue.
A Toyota spokesman confirmed that “Toyota has been affected by the industrial action but is working closely with vessel companies to minimise the delays”.
Delays offloading vehicle shipments have resulted in ships full of cars queuing offshore, rather than offloading cars and returning to overseas ports to take on another load.
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The Maritime Union of Australia has pursued strikes at cargo terminals managed by shipping giant Qube in a dispute over workers rights.
The union says workers face “outrageously dangerous fatigue and safety problems” while Shipping Australia argues that protracted strike action “will surely begin to cripple” the Australian economy.
Ford has sent notices to dealers telling them to expect delays to vehicles customers have already ordered.
David Smitherman, chief executive of BYD importer EV Direct, says the cargo strike is a “real problem” for the car industry.
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“The challenge we’ve got now is this port strike going on in Brisbane and NSW as it’s a real problem,” he said.
“The boats are starting to line up again.
“That’s beyond our control.”
BYD’s Shark is starting to reach customers now, but some customers relying on the tax perk may miss out on heavily discounted leases.
Smitherman says the car maker has “got literally thousands (of cars) on the water” and that it is “really trying to beat that deadline.”
BYD customers have gone as far as to look for their future car’s shipping vessel on the ocean.
“People have been following the boats,” Smitherman says.
“Some people are tracking the ships and going out in their fishing boats to go look at it.
“It’s incredible.”
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