Industrial action likely to cripple Port Waratah coal activities

BRISBANE (Scrap Monster) : The industrial action by operation staff in the twin coal terminals may paralyze the shipment activities at Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS), Newcastle.

Five trade unions representing the operation staff at the terminals announced unlimited ban on any overtime duty & duties outside the scope of their job description and shift changeover duty. The formal notice regarding the industrial action which is to begin Sunday 6 pm was officially handed over on Tuesday. The employees belonging to the unions later affirmed their action plan through a vote. The industrial action is headed by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and other four labor unions.MUA represents almost 50% of the operation staff in both the terminals.

The unions have expressed concerns over the settlement procedure of contracts and use of contractors, which may pose threat to job security of its workers.

The industrial action would be jointly observed by The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, the Transport Workers' Union and the Australian Workers' Union and the MUA.

Negotiations by the PWCS authorities with the union heads are reported to have failed to provide a breakthrough. The officials however said the doors of negotiations are always open.

PWCS operates one of the world’s largest coal handling operations. PWCS operates two coal terminals, Carrington and Kooragang which are located in the Port of Newcastle. Carrington Coal Terminal has a shiploading capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum (‘Mtpa’) and Kooragang Coal Terminal has a shiploading capacity of 108 Mtpa. These terminals receive, assemble and load Hunter Valley coal for export to customers around the world.