DARWIN Port workers have unanimously voted in favour of protected industrial action, paving the way for strike action as early as this week as negotiations between the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and port management remain unresolved.
The protected action ballot result was returned on Friday, with all participating workers supporting industrial action, reflecting growing frustration over the progress of enterprise bargaining negotiations.
The Darwin dispute comes amid a broader wave of industrial activity across Australia's maritime sector, with the Maritime Union of Australia involved in enterprise bargaining campaigns spanning ports, ferries and shipping operations.
Recent disputes have included extended strike action at the Port of Broome, bargaining campaigns involving Sydney Ferries workers and seafarers employed by INCO Ships, highlighting mounting wage and cost-of-living pressures across the industry.
While not strictly an MUA dispute alone, major industrial action was occurring at BHP's Port Hedland operations, involving port workers and multiple unions amid enterprise agreement negotiations.
The Darwin dispute comes less than a year after it was named Port or Terminal of the Year at the 2025 Daily Cargo News Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards. The port credited the performance and dedication of its workforce as a key factor in receiving the industry honour.
According to the MUA, workers are seeking annual wage increases of 5% under a four-year enterprise agreement, a $5,000 sign-on payment and employer superannuation contributions set two percentage points above the statutory minimum.
MUA deputy national secretary Warren Smith said workers were seeking a fair outcome after contributing to what the union described as strong financial results for the port.
“Our members want a fair pay rise and their conditions protected,” Mr Smith said.
“Darwin Port are penny pinching on the back of a 25% increase in revenue. Port workers keep Darwin Port operating. They deserve a fair agreement. Profits are up; productivity is up. There is no excuse.”
The union said Darwin Port recorded earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $42.4 million, up from $34 million in the previous year.
Mr Smith said workers had made a number of compromises during negotiations but claimed management had continued to introduce additional claims.
“Every compromise the workers made was met with extra claims from management till the workers had had enough and are now prepared to fight for a better deal. The MUA will back them all the way,” he said.
MUA Northern Territory branch secretary Andy Burford said there remained an opportunity to resolve the dispute before industrial action commenced.
“Darwin Port has an opportunity to resolve this dispute before action begins. There is still time to avoid industrial action,” Mr Burford said.
“The responsibility sits with management to put forward a deal workers can accept. They know what they must do, and we encourage them to do it.”
Mr Burford said agreement had already been reached on a range of bargaining matters and that the union had accepted a four-year agreement term through to 30 June 2030.
The union has also indicated it is prepared to accept changes to the agreement’s coverage clause, provided safeguards are included to prevent workers being moved outside agreement coverage through changes to job titles.
The MUA noted Darwin's annual consumer price inflation was 5.2% in the 12 months to September 2026, compared with 4.3% nationally.
Industrial action is expected to begin within approximately one week, although the timing and form of any action have yet to be confirmed.
The Port of Darwin has been approached for comment.