BY KAYNE STEPHENS
Newcastle's wharf workers say they're prepared to take more stop-work action if the Port of Newcastle sticks with plans to employ its own operators of a new ship unloader crane.
Over eighty workers walked off the job for four hours yesterday over the $35-million-dollar crane, which they say will "destroy jobs".
The workers resolved to oppose plans for the new crane at the Port of Newcastle, as well as to refuse to unload the new crane if it is used.
The Port says it wants to create several jobs for operators of the crane.
"Stevedore employees experience a high degree of casualisation," a spokesperson for Port of Newcastle said.
"Port of Newcastle is interested in creating a number of full-time positions for wharf and crane operators that would provide workers with greater job security and the education and training required to support the operation of the new ship unloader".
The Maritime Union of Australia organised a meeting with Newcastle wharfies at the stop-work, and said the port's plans will cost jobs.
"[The Port] plans employ its own workforce which would effectively be a fourth stevedoring operator and undermine the work and available hours in the port for existing stevedoring companies and working," the resolution read.
Newcastle Branch Secretary Glenn Williams said they won't rule out further strike action over the issue.
"We'll do anything and everything that we can to achieve what we set out to do. Our members will take any sort of action that they need to, to get this resolved"
Mr Williams says the workers and the port will meet again on Friday, where it's hoped a solution will be found.
A spokesperson for Port of Newcastle defended the project, saying it would have a positive impact on employment.
"This level of infrastructure investment has not been seen before at Port of Newcastle since privatisation," the spokesperson said.
Glenn Williams from the Maritime Union says not only are worker's jobs at risk, but the plans also raise safety concerns.
"To have a separation of function within the operation - which is two companies performing the one task - highlights for us some very significant safety issues," he said.
"You'll have one company driving the crane and another company potentially down the hold. Communication becomes an issue for us, and separation of safety systems is an issue".
Mr Williams said workers will "absolutely" resort to more strike action if it becomes necessary to reach a resolution. But it's hoped talks between union and port management will negate the need for more action.
"The Port's position so far is they've been determined to operate the crane themselves rather than have the stevedores do that, so we're hoping that we can talk some sense into them to change their position," Mr Williams said.
The Maritime Union of Australia resolution says it will engage other unions and the community's support in solidarity while it is bargaining.
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| Over eighty workers stopped work on Monday over the new ship unloader crane. Image: Port of Newcastle |
