Notification of industrial action

03 Dec 2020 / Geelong, Westernport & Melbourne, Australia

Svitzer Australia has received a further notification from the Maritime Union of Australia of protected industrial action by members at the ports of Geelong, Westernport and Melbourne.

Specifically, members of the MUA employed by Svitzer Australia will engage in;

  • bans on casual employees working in Geelong and Westernport for a rolling 24-hour period commencing at 12.01am from Friday 4 December, through to 12.01 am Thursday 10 December 2020.
  • bans on breaks being taken away from the ordinary Svitzer tug berth, for example, on a mooring which is required to provide services in certain ports. This ban will take place in Geelong, Westernport and Melbourne from 12.01 am Friday 4 December through to 11.59 pm Sunday 3 January 2021.

This protected industrial action replicates a previous notice for a ban on casual employees working in Geelong and Westernport. Its effect is that Svitzer’s casual employees who are members of the MUA can refuse work in the ports of Geelong and Westernport.

Svitzer expect to be able continue to provide towage services during the protected industrial action by absorbing additional costs and rescheduling. They are reviewing schedules and crewing requirements to minimise any potential disruption.

For information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

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