PATRICK - Stop the Termination of Wharfies Agreement

PAY RISES, JOB SECURITY AND A FAIR OUTCOME FOR WHARFIES SECURED AT PATRICK TERMINALS

The Maritime Union of Australia is pleased to advise that at the 11th hour, an in-principle agreement with Patrick Terminals’ management has been struck for a new Enterprise Agreement.

The new Enterprise Agreement that has been agreed upon will deliver pay increases above industry standard, job security assurances as well as fairness and dignity for hard working members at Patrick’s four terminals around Australia.

Despite aggressive employer-militancy throughout the bargaining process, the MUA has always made clear its willingness to negotiate in good faith with management for a fair and reasonable deal.

Despite a political campaign of misinformation and interference by the ACCC, the Productivity Commission and even Scott Morrison, the Union has always sought to work cooperatively with Patrick Terminals’ management on continuous business improvement to ensure job security, safety, and productivity at Patrick Terminals’ four ports.

While the MUA has brokered peace with Patrick Terminals’ management, the lies and opportunism of Scott Morrison must not be forgotten. The Prime Minister sought to insert himself into the legitimate bargaining process in a disgraceful attempt to ignite an industrial dispute on the waterfront as a distraction from his negligence, dishonesty and failure.

By negotiating in good faith throughout this process, the MUA has sought to improve certainty and ensure 24/7 operations at Patrick Terminals’ ports during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and for our frontline workforce to continue working cooperatively and efficiently in the national interest.

This has delivered a well-deserved annual pay increase pegged to CPI or 2.5% per annum, whichever is greater, to guarantee waterfront workers’ pay won’t fall behind the out-of-control growth of the cost of living.

Importantly, this outcome means that Patrick Terminals’ planned court action to terminate the company’s existing Employment Agreement with over 1000 MUA members will no longer proceed subject to members endorsing the new agreement.