27 May 2011

Waterfront strike off

1:42 pm on 27 May 2011

The Maritime Union of Australia has met port workers in Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle to call off industrial action which began on Tuesday.

Union members want a pay rise of 18% over three years, but it says stevedoring company Patrick is not budging on its offer of 15%.

The MUA says waterside workers in Sydney and Brisbane have voted to return to work, and Fremantle workers are expected to follow suit.

However, national secretary Paddy Crumlin says they are still far from reaching an agreement with the company over pay and conditions.

He says the ball is now back in Patrick's court.

Mr Crumlin told the ABC it is nine months since the expiry of the last agreement.

The dispute affected 26 ships nationwide.

Patrick said it could not have come at a worse time for the mining industry as one of the ships off Fremantle was packed with tyres.

It said there is a worldwide shortage of rubber and mining companies were relying on the tyres to ensure their operations run smoothly.