A strike at ports across the nation is almost certain to go ahead after the Maritime Union of Australia last night told the stevedoring firm Patrick it would not attend a conciliation meeting this afternoon.
Although the two sides met in Port Botany yesterday to discuss issues at the Sydney freight terminal, the Herald understands that the main negotiating teams from both sides have not sat down since last week.
The national secretary of the MUA, Paddy Crumlin, claimed the union decided against attending today’s meeting after Patrick, the largest firm in the country specialising in loading and unloading ships, insisted it withdraw the threat of a strike on Saturday beforehand.