Works bans to proceed at Sydney and Brisbane despite Fair Work hearing

AN EFFORT by stevedore Hutchison Port Holdings to prevent work bans at its Sydney and Brisbane terminals has failed. The work bans, organised by the Maritime Union, are set to start on Thursday 17 January following a breakdown in negotiations between the parties. A hearing before the Fair Work Commission in Sydney this week brought on by Hutchison sought to prevent the bans, however a spokesman for the company confirmed they had been unsuccessful. A Hutchison spokesman told Daily Cargo News the company would be “closely monitoring the impact of the bans before considering its next options”.