FTA / APSA MEDIA COVERAGE – INDUSTRIAL ACTION / IMPLICATIONS TO RAIL AT PORT BOTANY
FTA / APSA received the following media releases from Svitzer outlining details of Protected Industrial Action - refer HERE (FTA/APSA MEMBER LOGING REQUIRED)
FTA / APSA provided the following commentary in an interview yesterday with the Australian Financial Review:
Freight & Trade Alliance director Paul Zalai said the 24-hour strikes came on top of rising congestion and weeks of stoppages and overtime bans at Patrick stevedores, which he said had led to a 25 per cent reduction in containers serviced by rail.
''If the Svitzer action is expanded and prolonged it will have devastating economic impacts,'' he said.
''We are struggling now with huge demand for import and export goods, so any delays in berthing is just going to exacerbate the problems. Shipping lines may be left with no choice but to skip ports to keep international schedules.''
Full article Maersk ships targeted as port strikes escalate is available HERE (AFR subscription required)
FTA / APSA MEDIA COVERAGE – INDUSTRIAL ACTION / IMPLICATIONS TO RAIL AT PORT BOTANY
BUSINESS NEWS AUSTRALIA – READ MORE
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) director and co-founder Paul Zalai said essential infrastructure and gateways for international trade needed to be open for business.
"It is crazy that Protected Industrial Action can be a legal instrument by the unions to negotiate outcomes with stevedores and tug operators," Zalai said.
"Matters should be taken straight to the Fair Work Commission for independent arbitration rather than leaving importers, exporters and supply chain professionals in limbo.
"Where are our state and federal government leaders and why aren't they taking this to the FWC? They are happy to spruik free trade agreements but do nothing to help us get goods on ships. Our reputation is fast becoming that of third-world nations."
FTA / APSA MEDIA RELEASE - Port Botany faces gridlock with exporters being the sacrificial pawns in calamitous negotiations between Patrick and unions - READ MORE
PAUL ZALAI INTERVIEW ABC NSW COUNTRY HOUR – first 6 mins 30 sec – LISTEN HERE
THE LAND - Farmers caught in middle of Port Botany wharf dispute - again - READ MORE
MHD - Port Botany facing gridlock over industrial action - READ MORE
DCN - INDUSTRIAL ACTION REDUCES PATRICK RAIL CAPACITY AT SYDNEY BY 25% - READ MORE
BEEF CENTRAL - Botany rail choke exacerbates Sydney container crisis - READ MORE
ATN - PUSH FOR URGENT FWC ATTENTION TO PORT DISRUPTION – READ MORE
JOC - International-Ports: Sydney's Port Botany faces 'gridlock' amid union rail wrangle – READ MORE
AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW - MUA wins agreement that most new hires will be 'friends and family' – READ MORE
THE POSITION OF THE NSW GOVERNMENT
FTA has been privy to the following statement from he Hon Andrew Constance MP Minister for Transport and Roads
"The NSW Government will explore any solution that has the potential to reduce congestion. However, it is important to recognise that the freight supply chain is not within the NSW Government's control. We need to ensure that any intervention in one part of the supply chain does not result in a long-term impact on overall supply chain costs or have other unintended outcomes.
I am aware that industrial action at Port Botany can impact the supply chain. However, as Port Botany is privately managed by NSW Ports under a 99-year lease agreement, the NSW Government has limited legal powers to intervene.
The Australian Government is the lead jurisdiction on industrial relations matters, as industrial disputes are subject to the Fair Work Act 2009, which is Commonwealth legislation. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the Australian Government leads any government response to the industrial action. If there is to be intervention, the NSW Government will support the Australian Government by sharing any relevant data and information to support the development of the Australian Government's position."