Port Caught In Tug Of War

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday December 9, 1999

By GEOFF FAILES

Seven ships had been delayed either entering or leaving Port Kembla because of a 48-hour tug boat crew strike, Harbourmaster Captain Bill Hoogendoorn said yesterday.

Crews walked off the job in Port Kembla, Sydney and Adelaide as part of an escalating national campaign by the Maritime Union of Australia against Adelaide Steamship Company which wants to reduce crews on tug boats from four to three.

MUA assistant national secretary Mick Doleman said the rolling stoppages, which began last month, would continue until Adsteam agreed to leave the crews intact.

``This is about Adsteam trying to boost its profits at the expense of the safety of our members," Mr Doleman said.

``Adsteam is demonstrating a belligerent approach to workplace relations."

Capt Hoogendoorn said most shipping movements in Port Kembla were not due to occur until late yesterday and because the strike was due to end at 8am today the delays would not be considerable.

Adsteam Marine in a recent statement said it considered moving from four to three-man crews was safe, legal and necessary for the company to remain internationally competitive.

MUA branch secretary Mark Armstrong said yesterday there had been disruption to shipping.

He said the union was working within the Workplace Relations Act for the security of the jobs of deckhands.