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Posted by Dale Crisp
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18 Aug, 2026
THE BRISBANE dispute between maritime unions and the operators of RiverCity Ferries remains unresolved, with another round of stoppages and bans due to go ahead this weekend.
The Australian Maritime Officers Union and the Maritime Union of Australia claim the Kelsian-managed RiverCity Ferries cancelled a scheduled bargaining meeting, after receiving an offer from the unions to settle the enterprise agreement disagreements.
Crews onboard the CityCats and KittyCats will stop work for two hours from 0900 and 1600 on Friday, 21 August 2026, and again at 1100 on Saturday 22 August. The bans on overtime, operating the card payment systems on board vessels and unlocking gates will continue between 0800 on Friday, 21 August 2026 and 0800 on Friday, 28 August 2026.
“RCF cancelled the next bargaining meeting after receiving our offer to settle,” AMOU industrial officer Tracey Ellis said. “They clearly don’t want to resolve the concerns of their employees.”
Some crews are unable to get a 30-minute meal break on a 10-hour shift, Ms Ellis claimed. “Crews also want a guarantee that their pay won’t be reduced next time there is a timetable change.
“It’s a shame employees have to strike for basic working conditions.”
The unions’ protected industrial action appears to be having little influence on RiverCity Ferries.
The first round of stoppages occurred on 31 July, building on earlier limited work bans. The PIA continued with two-hour stoppages on 7 August, when the ban on the performance of overtime and ban on operating the Go Card ticketing system onboard vessels was extended until 0800 on Friday, 14 August 2026.
DCN has sought comment from Kelsian but received no response.
