DP World Port Strike Update
17th December, 2023
Unfortunately, the recent discussions between DP World management and Union officials have resulted in no resolution to the damaging strikes. We have received updated notices of further industrial action; the dates are noted below.
This lack of outcome will continue to cause supply chain delays for sea freight cargo in and out of Australia, at a time when many are taking breaks. Contingency plans will need to be made to receive sea freight shipments that should have arrived and been available earlier.
The team at SCC are doing a fantastic job managing the daily challenges caused by these strikes. Management at SCC extends a HUGE thanks to our team for the extra mile being taken by each of you to ensure that our customers are kept informed, and any additional costs are minimised. The SCC team will continue managing this issue in the best way possible for all our wonderful customers.
The blunt response from the union is below:
The Union has flagged that – if the company cannot be bothered to participate in bargaining before the beginning of the second month of 2024 – the program of protected industrial action the workforce had pursued in recent months would recommence.
“Workers are left with no option but to recommence lawful, legitimate and reasonable protected industrial action in order to get an agreement in a timely manner,” Evans says.
“DP World’s Australian managers, and their ideologically driven legal representatives, only have themselves to blame for this collapse in the bargaining process. The MUA remain available to meet to bring the negotiations to a close, but management seem more focussed on their Christmas holidays while expecting wharfies continue to work 24/7 throughout the holiday season.”
Brisbane: 11/12/2023 to 23/12/2023
Sydney: 11/12/2023 to 23/12/2023
Melbourne: 11/12/2023 to 23/12/2023
Fremantle: 11/12/2023 to 23/12/2023 (No Maersk Exposure)
Based on the updated dates above, the following will be affected by the planned Protected Industrial Action and we will communicate the confirmed impact separately via our normal channels.