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Win for Australian seafarers
8 February 2008
Seafarers in Australia working on board a vessel operating under an Australian government contract have won the fight to keep their jobs as well as a union collective agreement.
Last week crew members staged a sit-in on board the Triton, after the British company that owns the vessel, Gardline, announced that workers would be replaced by employees working under a non-union contract. The company is currently contracted by the government to maintain Australia’s maritime border security.
However, on 2 February after two days of negotiations in Sydney, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), which represents the workers, reached an agreement with the company and the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers. The deal is set to secure workers’ jobs and their right to a collective agreement.
During the dispute, the British ITF-affiliated maritime union Nautilus UK urged Gardline, to resolve the matter and called on members employed by the company not to carry out duties normally undertaken by MUA members.
MUA National Secretary and ITF Executive Board Member Paddy Crumlin explained how MUA crew refused to leave the vessel in the face of individual penalties under existing anti-worker legislation. This, he said, would help accelerate the process of change in industrial relations in Australia and bring into focus the shortcomings of existing legislation in protecting shipping standards and the national flag.
Crumlin also said that he looked forward to an ongoing constructive relationship with Gardline, and acknowledged the ITF’s and Nautilus’ support.
To view film clips on the dispute visit: http://www.youtube.com/maritimeUnion
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