ITF comment on threatened lockout of Melbourne wharfies

5 January 2012

ITF comment on threatened lockout of Melbourne wharfies

ITF dockers’ section secretary Frank Leys stated today: “The ITF notes with great concern that DP World has announced plans to lock out dockworkers in Melbourne on 10 January. This will be the second DPW lockout of recent weeks, after dockers in Adelaide were targeted this week.”

He continued: “The ITF wholly condemns the practice of locking out workers. This is not an acceptable course of action, particularly from a global employer that values its ‘commitment to our people and our customers’. DPW’s current position is not only harmful to its customers, but is damaging negotiations. The ITF strongly urges the company to withdraw the lockout notice and engage in meaningful dialogue in order to achieve a negotiated settlement acceptable to all parties. Anything less could seriously damage its relations with its workforce worldwide, as well as its image as a company to do business with.”

He concluded: “Dockers worldwide are ready to show their solidarity with their colleagues in Australia.”

Background

DP World in Australia has announced plans for a lockout in Melbourne, to follow a legally protected 24 hour stoppage by stevedores there which will begin at 22:30 on Sunday. The industrial action is entirely legal and accompanies ongoing negotiations with the company – the previous agreement on pay and working expired six months ago. The ITF views the lockouts as a misguided and aggressive tactic that – like the worldwide lockout of Qantas workers last year which seriously damaged the company’s image and employer/employee relations – has no place in Australian or world industrial relations. The ITF and its affiliates worldwide, particularly those in DP World terminals, are watching the developments with great concern.

ENDS

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