MUA in Geelong. Photo courtesy of Lloyd's List/DCN.
AUSTRALIA: Workers at Patrick stevedores in Geelong will walk off the job for two days from today.
It is the third strike at Patrick ports across the country in the past two weeks, as the Maritime Union of Australia puts pressure on Patrick’s listed owner, Asciano, to agree to a 40-point log of claims. MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said strike action was the last resort, because Patrick was not negotiating in good faith.
“The main issue is the issue of casualisation and they continue to run with 60 per cent casuals,” he said. “We’re hopeful they will move on this.”
Mr Crumlin would not rule out further strikes if the company did not meet the union’s demands.