TasPorts is deeply disappointed to receive confirmation the Disney Wonder has cancelled due to protected industrial action being undertaken by marine pilots as enterprise agreement negotiations continue.
Posted
25 January 2024
TasPorts is deeply disappointed to receive confirmation the Disney Wonder scheduled for arrival on Sunday 28 January at 0815 at the Port of Hobart (scheduled to depart at 1630) has cancelled due to protected industrial action being undertaken by marine pilots as enterprise agreement negotiations continue.
While TasPorts respects the right for pilots to take protected industrial action, we have been public with our concerns regarding the devastation this causes to customers, communities and the Tasmanian economy.
TasPorts understands passengers would be very disappointed, having likely booked the cruise with Hobart in mind, given it was the only port call on the sail.
We respect the economic loss to the State, which would have been contributed by the ~2000 passengers and ~900 crew.
The escalation in protected industrial action followed the latest round of negotiations where in addition to a 12% salary increase over three years, TasPorts specifically sought to offer pilots the opportunity to retain their existing vehicle conditions for the life of the agreement, in an attempt to prevent this further protected industrial action from happening.
We continue to prioritise timely communications with customers and agents to identify alternative strategies wherever possible, and we respect the broader social and economic impact that occurs when a vessel is unable to make a port call due to the action being taken.
It’s why we are exploring all options to maintain pilot coverage, and we are calling on the AMOU to negotiate an agreement that is fair and reasonable so Tasmania’s safe and reliable port operations can be resumed.