Michaelia's Mob

Morrison government backing company anti-union push

personally feel the government has given these multinationals the hurry up,” says tug delegate Bill Smith, Svitzer tugs. “Companies are lining up thinking this is our last chance to have a crack at the trade union movement before there’s a change of government. Even during the union negotiations at Fair Work, (The Minister for Industrial Relations Senator) Michaelia Cash had someone sitting in.”

Svitzer, like Patrick, applied to Fair Work to cancel the union agreement during enterprise agreement negotiations and drop its workforce back on the award.

A lot of other companies are waiting to see what happens.

“If it works for the company the others will jump that’s for sure,” he says.

A deckhand, Bill helps bring the bulk coal carriers, tankers and wheat ships safely into the harbour.

“The port wouldn’t operate without the tugs,” he says. “We were out there all the way through Covid. The port’s been humming along. Never missed a beat. We gave up a pay increase we were entitled to because we wanted the company to see it through. Then we find out all the time they were raking in billions.”

Bill says the workers know the company needs to be making money so everyone keeps their jobs. “But they are making more and more and still want to strip away our conditions,” he says. Negotiations dragged on for some time – all on zoom, nothing face to face.

“I’m hearing the company are still playing hard ball. They want to take 50% of my wages from me and all the time they’ve been making money hand over fist.”

They want to take 50% of my wages from me and all the time they’ve been making money hand over fist.

BILL SMITH

Bill says workers had not even discussed a pay rise; it was all just about trying to keep what they have.

“I’m happy with what I’m earning,” he said. “I could live with just a CPI increase. We are more worried about secure work. Jobs for the future. At the moment that looks very shaky. There’s lots of nervous people about. Once you’d go to work and it was a pleasure. Now every day is a battle. Not a day goes by my phone doesn’t ring as the delegate. Something’s happened.”

There is no job security. Bill says a half dozen guys are about to retire from permanent jobs, but the company is only offering 12 months contracts for new recruits.

“We’re hoping the company will come to its senses,” he says. “But I can’t see it happening with the current management. It’s going to have to come from Copenhagen. Svitzer is going against Maersk core values. They are supposed to respect workers but they are treating people like shit.” He thanked the union for all their efforts so far. “Our officials have the full support of the members,” he added. “We appreciation their efforts so far in this fight for our jobs.” •