TUGBOAT engineers are set to strike at Port Hedland next week

http://www.miningnews.net/storyview...erm=Fresh strike action looms at Port Hedland

The new action is being launched by unionised workers represented by the Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers, and follows previous threats from other unions.


The AIMPE has told tugboat operator Teekay Shipping it plans to take protected action in the form of a four-hour stoppage on Wednesday.


The strike exempts towage operations which are delayed or still underway, and any safety or emergency-related issues.


It has been condemned by two of Port Hedland’s biggest users, BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group.


“Fortescue, and the other companies that operate out of Port Hedland, are collateral damage in this dispute,” FMG CEO Nev Power said.


“We have not been involved in negotiations and yet our businesses are punished when the AIMPE doesn’t get its own way.


“This sort of industrial action damages Australia’s reputation as a place to do business and it has the potential to hurt thousands of innocent employees in the Pilbara who work for the companies affected by the strike.”


The AIMPE was not available for comment this morning.


The fresh action follows a heated dispute earlier this year between Teekay and the Maritime Union of Australia, which represents tugboat deckhands, and Australian Maritime Officers Union, which represents tugboat masters.


The MUA and AMOU have since recommended their members vote to approve new enterprise agreements, with voting set to end on Sunday.


It is understood engineers have concerns over productivity concessions introduced in the new contracts, which could impact their work more than other tug employees.


The union previously threatened to stop work earlier this year, but called off the strike.


At the time BHP said the stoppage could be unlawful because it fell outside dates approved by the Fair Work Commission.

Teekay operates the tugs at Port Hedland under a contract with BHP, which holds the licence for towage services at the port.


BHP said Teekay had been bargaining in good faith with the unions for over 14 months, and the new strike threat was “extremely disappointing”.


“Any industrial action has the potential to negatively impact our business, and the local and national economies, and the interruption of shipments of iron ore would have a detrimental impact on Australia’s international reputation as a stable and reliable supplier of critical resources,” it said.