PILBARA Ports security workers are expected to vote next week on an agreement to establish a new operation to take over security for the ports.
An in-principle agreement signed by the Maritime Union of Australia WA branch, and Perth-based ERS, Executive Risk Solutions, proposes to set up a new security agreement to cover Pilbara Ports sites under the banner of Yampurru.
Yampurru is an Aboriginal-owned crisis management and emergency response company backed by ERS, known for its high-risk operations and personnel drawn from military, law enforcement, and emergency services backgrounds.
A statement from MUA North-West Regional Organiser, Joel O’Brien, said that ERS won the contract for Pilbara Ports in 2024.
“This EA takes our members off the Award and lands them their first agreement in the North West,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The MUA have had coverage of Port Security workers for quite some time through various renditions of our Union.
“Formed in 1911, the Coastal Docks Rivers and Harbour Workers Union was a hybrid union, peculiar to Western Australia, which combined harbour construction and maintenance workers, crews, watchmen, patrolmen, casual lumpers and tradesmen's assistants along with cleaners and general labourers employed on ship repair and maintenance.”
It has fallen under a number of different versions of the union since then.
Mr O’Brien said that in 1987 the MWU amalgamated with the Seamen’s Union of Australia on a federal level. Then the Seamen’s Union merged with the Waterside Workers Federation in 1993 to form the Maritime Union of Australia.
“As with all industries we cover, it’s always great to carry on tradition and landing this agreement to cover port security workers in the North West keeps this alive and well,” he said.
Some of the key outcomes of this EA include: a First Nations engagement clause; FiFO Travel, a new provision that provides for an extra $3016 annually, with three hours pay each way; Local Living Subsidy - Pilbara Region – of $7.50 per hour worked, a 50% increase on the current provision; and a Pilbara Allowance for all employees working in the Pilbara region who will receive an allowance of $1.50 per hour worked on top of the hourly rate.
It also provides for wage rate and allowance increases by CPI each year, includes superannuation contributions – paid on wages and allowances at SGC and provides for leave to attend at DVA/Repatriation Offices for employees who are former Australian defence forces personnel and who are required to attend at Department of Veterans Affairs or repatriation offices during their rostered working hours who will be granted paid time off for the time of the appointment.
The EA also provides job security relating to contractors and labour hire, and cyclone and inclement weather procedures.
Mr O’Brien encouraged all MUA members to vote yes to the agreement.