The ship operator’s representative body Shipping Australia Limited (SAL) has welcomed the compromise agreement reached by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and DP World Australia (DPWA).
Unions and management at DPWA have agreed in principle to a deal that will end industrial action at DPWA terminals in Port Botany, Fremantle, Melbourne and Brisbane, while offering dockers better conditions.
SAL CEO Rod Nairn, an outspoken critic of the union’s tactics, said, “it is certainly positive and welcome news that industrial action could be coming to an end at DP World’s terminals across Australia.”
Nairn added, “Respite from disruption will give the industry a chance to start working on the backlog of containers – particularly empty boxes – that are causing severe congestion in the major container ports.”
