TasPorts Protected Industrial Action Update

TasPorts has significant concerns following confirmation from the Australian Maritime Officer Union (AMOU) notifying further escalation of protected industrial action.

The AMOU has advised this includes an indefinite stoppage of work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays commencing this Sunday at 1200, and a ban on conducting any work outside usual rostered hours commencing at 0600 Monday (both with exemptions including emergencies).

This is in addition to existing protected industrial action underway except in the case of emergencies, including an indefinite ban on communication with agents and schedulers and a ban on the performance of pilotage services at night, as well as a four-hour scheduled stoppages for tomorrow (25 January) for pilotage groups in the north (commencing 0500) and the south and northwest (commencing 1500).

TasPorts Chief Executive Officer Anthony Donald said the escalation in protected industrial action followed the latest round of negotiations where in addition to a 12% salary increase over three years (5%, 3.5%, 3.5%), pilots were offered to maintain their current vehicle provisions over the course of the agreement, including a $47,500 vehicle for full private use and fuel, after they rejected the company’s position to adopt electric vehicles.

“While TasPorts respects the pilots rights to take protected industrial action, we specifically sought to offer the pilots the opportunity to retain their existing vehicle conditions in an attempt to prevent further escalation, which we know will have a devastating impact to our customers, community and the economy,” he said.

“The response from the AMOU to escalate protected industrial action is of great concern and disappointment, and we call on the union to meet as a matter of urgency to resolve this matter.

“TasPorts appreciates the positive support it is receiving from customers and we remain focused and committed on working with them on alternative solutions to minimise the impact wherever we can.”

Mr Donald said TasPorts’ priority was to keep customers informed and to identify alternative solutions and mitigating strategies wherever possible.

The initial impact over this coming Sunday and the following weekend for the 15 vessels currently booked is:

• 5,000 passengers (multiple small / expedition ships)

• 6,000 tonnes mining concentrates

• 61,000 tonnes of forestry products

• 3 Domestic and International Antarctic scientific programs

• 10,000 tonnes industrial exports

TasPorts is focused on safe and reliable operations and is deeply concerned the threat of escalating action directly undermines this, and has urged the AMOU to continue negotiations with a view to achieving a fair and reasonable outcome.