Fair Work launches MUA investigation over port blockades

The maritime union is under investigation by the industrial relations watchdog over blockades at Hutchison ports.

Sacked workers from Hutchison Ports and their supporters rally in Sydney. Picture: AAP

The maritime union is under investigation by the industrial relations watchdog over its picketing and blockades at Hutchison ports terminals in Sydney and Brisbane this month.

Last night, Hutchison and the Maritime Union of Australia agreed in principle to begin a six-week negotiation process overseen by the Fair Work Commission, starting on Monday, to hash out an enterprise agreement to cover the workforce at the ports, but were yet to sign off on the plan.

A union-led picket line sprang up at both sites after workers were notified by text message and email on August 6 that they had been sacked, and informed they were not needed at work, effective immediately.

The picket, initially led by the MUA, blockaded the port, with trucks unable to come or go from the terminals.

The Fair Work Ombudsman said it “has a current investigation relating to industrial action at Hutchison Ports Australia ... As this matter is operational, it is not appropriate to comment further”.

The MUA backed away from the picket after Fair Work ordered the union to cease industrial action, but the protest was then co-ordinated by several unions including the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union.

The blockade ended after the MUA won a federal court injunction against the sackings on the ground the company had failed to properly consult with workers before the redundancies.

Federal court judge Darryl Rangiah ordered the workers be reinstated, but none of the sacked workers has since been rostered on.

The company has disclosed losses last year of $87 million and said it desperately needed to scale down its workforce to continue Australian operations.

A protest, which the union describes as a “community assembly”, will remain in place at the ports.

Federal court proceedings scheduled for Tuesday will be postponed if the deal is signed.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has the power to fine employers and unions who breach the Fair Work Act.