Peace at Hutchison after deal gives wharfies new security

The Maritime Union of Australia has ‘fully endorsed’ a workplace deal with Hutchison Ports.

Wharfies and stevedores at Hutchison Ports have made peace after the Maritime Union of Australia “fully endorsed” a workplace deal that will result in no forced redundancies and closes the book on the text message sacking row that has engulfed the waterfront.

Both sides claimed a win after MUA members yesterday voted to back an enterprise bargaining agreement that allows the company to use casual workers at its Sydney and Brisbane ports, with no forced sackings. Some full-time workers would convert to casual status under the deal.

The Australian understands about 65 workers have agreed to voluntary redundancy, which involves double the payout outlined in the original agreement.

The voluntary redundancy deal also gives those who sign up to the program, which expires today, first refusal to come back as casuals when the port is at “maximum capacity”.

The company also secured an increase in the working week from 30 to 32 hours.

MUA assistant national secretary Warren Smith said yesterday’s vote was “a wonderful result that’s a testament to the courage and tenacity of the Hutchison workers who were prepared to stand on picket lines in rain and shine until they got their jobs back, until they got some form of justice delivered to them’’.

Acting Hutchison chief executive Mark Jack stressed the company’s situation was “challenging in a difficult market”. The company was still “actively monitoring the environment and considering all options to ensure its ongoing viability”.

Furore erupted when the MUA claimed almost 100 workers were sacked by late-night text in August, and formed picket lines and blockades at ports in Sydney and Brisbane.

The union ended the blockade after orders from the Fair Work Commission, but a ­so-called “community assembly” of workers has lingered at the sites.