16/2/2021

Dear Valued Customers

 

Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) in Webb Dock, Melbourne has advised that the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) will be launching an aggressive industrial campaign against the terminal operator with a series of work-bans and stoppages commencing this Friday.  This is on top of the planned four-hour stoppage Tuesday, 16 February 2021.

The stoppages and bans include:

• A stop work for a full 12-hour shift on Friday, 19 February, commencing 6:00pm.

• Further 12-hour shift bans are threatened for Sunday, 21 February at 6.00 am, following immediately by a 24-hour ban commencing at 18.00, 21 February - therefore incurring a 36-hour concurrent stoppage of all VICT’s operations and equipment maintenance

• From Monday February 22, VICT’s control room will be banned from operating cranes unless the operations of each crane is manned by a dedicated quayside supervisor.
   
• An indefinite ban on overtime, various restrictions on communications phone use and bans on interaction with anyone outside Australia.

In a statement, VICT has characterised the stoppages and bans as imposing "old-fashioned over-manning and restrictive work practices on VICT, directly undermining the competitiveness the terminal derives from its automated technology and modern way of working."

Unfortunately, due to this industrial action delays will be inevitable but we will be in close communication to make sure planning runs as smooth as possible.  

Thank you for all your support, we will keep you updated. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Customer Solutions Representative.

 

Keeping you updated

BRi Transport Team

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