Esperance port facing strike but Southern Ports Authority pledges operational impact will be low
Industrial action is looming at Esperance Port after workers from the Australian Maritime Officers Union voted to down tools.
Esperance is a key export terminal for iron ore, grain and wood produced in the Great Southern and Goldfields, moving 9 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Employees voted in favour of stopping work in a ballot of 15 staff earlier this month, and could pull the trigger pending ongoing talks with the State Government’s Southern Ports Authority.
But Southern Ports said the threatened stoppages would not have a major impact on day-to-day operations.
It’s understood the staff are on an enterprise deal for administration and specialist workers, including professionals in IT, safety and environment.
AMOU WA industrial officer Glenn Walsh said the dispute was sparked after the authority backed down on an undertaking earlier this year during an earlier round of bargaining.
That had come amid talks managed by the Fair Work Commission following an earlier ballot to strike about six months ago.
“We acted in reliance of those undertakings,” Mr Walsh told The West Australian.
“We held up our end of the bargain. Our members are pretty upset and angry.”
The port is already under pressure after iron ore producer Mineral Resources revealed plans to shut down operations in the Yilgarn by the end of the year.
Southern Ports confirmed the AMOU had applied to the FWC for industrial action and that the agreement was under negotiation.
“Southern Ports understands that members of the AMOU covered by the proposed agreement have voted for a number of actions, including work stoppages,” a spokeswoman said.
“Should this industrial action take place, there is not expected to be any significant impact to day-to-day port operations.”
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