TasPorts welcomes AMOU commitment to lift protected industrial action

TasPorts welcomes commitment by the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) to lift the current protected industrial action (effective overnight) while enterprise negotiations continue in good faith.

Chief Executive Officer Anthony Donald said the decision followed constructive discussions today between TasPorts and the AMOU.

“TasPorts customers and Tasmania’s businesses need the confidence and certainty of safe and reliable port operations and there is no doubt the protected industrial action this week has been disruptive,’ he said.

“The decision of the AMOU and marine pilots to agree to lift the industrial action to allow negotiations to continue in good faith will be welcome news and we have informed our customers as a matter of priority.

All industrial action will be lifted as parties work towards an agreement, including the stoppage of work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, a ban on conducting any work outside usual rostered hours, a ban on communication with agents and schedulers and a ban on the performance of pilotage services at night (all of which had exemptions including emergencies).

Mr Donald also said both parties have agreed in the interests of good faith negotiations to not provide further comment at this time as they progress towards an agreement.