UNIONS representing Svitzer Australia’s maritime workforce have encouraged their members to vote in favour of, and against, a new national harbour towage enterprise agreement.

The ballot for the proposed agreement opened at midday (AEST) on Thursday 8 June, and is due to close at midday Saturday 10 June.

Within that timeframe, the Svitzer’s maritime workforce – represented by the Maritime Union of Australia, the Australian Maritime Officers Union and the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers – can vote “yes” or “no” to the agreement.

Svitzer Australia reached an in-principle agreement with the three unions late last month, enabling the current ballot process.

In a statement on Friday 9 June, AIMPE recommended its members vote in favour of the Svitzer National EA 2023.

According to a statement from the union, the current pay deal includes:

  • $2500 sign-on bonus
  • 5% from 1 April 2023
  • CPI from 1 January 2024 – capped at 5% (minimum 2%)
  • CPI from 1 January 2025 = capped at 4% (minimum 2%)
  • CPI from 1 January 2026 – capped at 4% (minimum2%)
  • CPI from 1 January 2027 – capped at 4% (minimum 2%)

AIMPE federal president Martin Byrne said the union had worked closely with the AMOU and the MUA over almost four years of negotiations following the expiry of the 2016 agreement.

“AIMPE has helped fight off the attempt by Svitzer to terminate the 2016 agreement which would have undermined the foundations of employment conditions for Svitzer employees,” he said.

“AIMPE lobbied to have the law about termination of EAs changed so that it is now much more difficult for companies to do this during bargaining.

“The law was changed in December as a result of the lobbying organised by the ACTU. This change will serve to better protect all employees working under enterprise agreements.”

Mr Byrne said the proposed EA is a “vast improvement” on the 2021 document that 92% of Svitzer Australia’s tug employees voted against.

“Most existing conditions have been preserved,” he said.

“Key issues for tug engineers including recruitment, qualifications and maintenance have been defended to the maximum extent possible with much appreciated support from AMOU and MUA delegates and officials.”

But in a social media post the MUA has recommended Svitzer employees vote against the proposed EA.

According to a post from the MUA Sydney Branch, the union believes the proposed EA “has the potential to see the MUA terms and conditions removed and replaced with substandard provisions” at various ports around the country.

“That is, our members can be replaced with labour hire – without any recourse. A position this Union can never endorse,” it wrote.

“Whilst that may or may not be the case, there is NO way this Union can endorse an agreement that results in job losses, reduction in wages, conditions, and port operating procedures.”

An MUA flyer issued via social media outlines several of the union’s concerns; it said the outcome reached at the Fair Work Commission leaves “too much room” for Svitzer managers to make unilateral changes “at their will” during the life of the agreement.

“The rushed process of negotiation before the FWC during the last bargaining sessions on 10 and 11 May did not allow for proper consultation with delegates, members and officials,” it said.

“On this basis, we cannot recommend you vote in favour of it.”

The AMOU has also been contacted for comment.