Svitzer Australia Update: Fair Work Commission Statement – 16 November 2022

Svitzer Australia update

Fair Work Commission Statement

Dear Customers and Stakeholders

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) issued a statement and directions late yesterday listing a hearing to decide whether or not to suspend or terminate protected industrial action by Svitzer – and with it, all industrial action.

A hearing is timetabled for 12.00pm (AEDT) today, Wednesday, 16 November 2022.

You can read more about this at the Fair Work Commission website via the link below:

Commission to consider protected industrial action by Svitzer

Svitzer will make a submission to the FWC as part of the process.

It is important to note that all protected industrial action remains current – in terms of both the protected industrial actions notified by the unions and underway currently, as well as the lockout notice advised by Svitzer Australia for this Friday from 12pm (AEDT).

At this stage it is difficult to predict the outcome, and we respect and will engage with the FWC process.

This industrial dispute has been protracted and persisted for more than three years. Svitzer recognises a resolution is desirable for all stakeholders.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding during this difficult period.

We will endeavour to provide a further update later today.

Media Release – 14 November 2022

Svitzer Australia Advises Lockout of Harbour Towage Crews

Today, Svitzer Australia announced that it has given notice of a lockout to all harbour towage operations and employees covered under its 2016 National Towage Enterprise Agreement and their union bargaining representatives. The lockout will take place from 12pm, Friday 18 November (AEDT), indefinitely.

The lock out will impact 17 metropolitan and regional Australian ports nationwide.

The step was taken in response to industrial action which has made it difficult for Svitzer to run its operations.

There is significant disruption and ongoing uncertainty about the availability and reliability of our workforce and the ability to deliver services. This is harming our ability to reliably, safely and efficiently serve our shipping customers and port operations nationally.  

Svitzer has been notified of more than 1100 instances of protected industrial action since October 2020. It has received more than 250 instances of protected industrial action since 20 October 2022 alone, amounting to nearly 2000 hours of work stoppages.

The maritime unions are the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU), the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).

For more information please read the full announcement below.

Protected Industrial Action Update – 13 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 13 November

Svitzer Australia Industrial Action Update
for Customers & Stakeholders – 13 November 

Dear Customers and Stakeholders

Svitzer has been advised of a further seven instances of protected industrial action this afternoon impacting ports in WA and NSW.

The protected industrial action includes extensive work stoppages on 17 November:

WA

• A 4-hour stoppage of work starting at 12pm in Geraldton on 17 November
• A 12-hour work stoppage at Fremantle and Albany from 7am on 17 November
• A 24 hour work stoppage at Kwinana from 8am on 17 November.

NSW

• A 24-hour work stoppage at Newcastle from 00:01 on 17 November

The following bans are effectively 48 hour bans as they run on from earlier bans notified by the unions affecting work on the 16th of November.

• A day where fixed term employees outside of rostered duty are unavailable for duty in Sydney from 00:01 17 November
• A 24-hour ban on the performance of work on certain shipping line vessels from 00:01 on 17 November in Sydney (these customers have been advised)
• A 24-hour ban on recall and/or relief work in Sydney commencing at 00:01 on 17 November

While Svitzer is managing the protected industrial action as best as possible, customers should plan for significant disruption to services, as union action continues to escalate.

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

We appreciate that the nature and range of the actions can be complex to understand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Svitzer point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave. 

Protected Industrial Action Update – 12 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 12 November

Svitzer Australia Industrial Action Update
for Customers & Stakeholders – 12 November 

Dear Customers and Stakeholders

Unfortunately, Svitzer Australia has received notice of a further 14 instances of protected industrial action for Fremantle, Kwinana, South Australia and the Port of Newcastle taking place from Thursday 17 November.

Fremantle and Kwinana incur 12 hour work stoppages and Newcastle has a 24 hour work stoppage. 

There are also further 4hour work stoppages in Adelaide and Port Pirie on 17 November.

The protected industrial action notified now amounts to more than 2000 hours of stoppages since late October.

Summary of new actions below (all times are local time):

Summary of Protected Industrial Action – 12 November

WA (Fremantle, Kwinana)

• 12 hours of work stoppages at Fremantle (from 7am until 7pm Thu 17 Nov) and Kwinana (from 8am until 8pm)
• A ban on overtime including recalls from leave at Fremantle for 3.25 days (from 7pm, 17 Nov until 11.59pm Sun 20 Nov)
• A ban on overtime including recalls from leave at Kwinana for 3.25 days (from 8pm, 17 Nov until 1.00am Monday 20 Nov)

NSW (Newcastle)

• A 24 hour work ban at the Port of Newcastle from 00:01 Thu 17 Nov until 00:01 Friday 18 Nov)

SA (Adelaide/Port Pirie)

• 4 hour work stoppage from 00:01am until 4am on Thu 17 Nov

The above is in addition to extensive work stoppages around the country this weekend and into next week, including at Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and WA. 

Please review our table below for a full list of current actions.

While Svitzer is managing the protected industrial action as best as possible, customers should plan for significant disruption to services, as union action continues to escalate.

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

We appreciate that the nature and range of the actions can be complex to understand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Svitzer point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave. 

Protected Industrial Action Update – 11 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 11 November

Svitzer Australia has received further notices of protected industrial action impacting Far North Queensland, NSW and South Australia.

The new protected industrial action contains work stoppages and recall bans at these ports. This is in addition to the ongoing bans in ports across the country.

Work stoppages occur at major ports around the country this weekend. This includes a 24 hour stoppage starting from 10pm this evening in Brisbane, as well as stoppages in Sydney, Melbourne and Western Australia.

A summary of the new actions by the three maritime unions is provided below. All times provided are local time.

Summary of Protected Industrial Action – 11 November

NSW

Sydney

• A 24 hour ban on fixed term employees outside of rostered duty from 00:01 Wednesday 16 November.
• A 24 hour ban on performing recall work from 00:01 Wednesday 16 November.
• A 24 hour ban on work on certain shipping line customers (these customers have been advised) from 00:01 Wednesday 16 November.

Port Kembla

• 8 hours of work stoppage from midnight (00:01) Wednesday 16 November until 8am Wednesday 16 November.

FNQ

• A 7 day ban on casual employees from 00:01 on Wednesday 16 November (until 23 November).
• A 7 day recall ban from 00:01 on Wednesday 16 November (until 23 November).
• A 7 day recall ban from 00:01 on Wednesday 16 November (until 23 November).

SA

 Adelaide and Port Pirie

• 4 hour work stoppage from midday (12:00) to 4pm Wednesday 16 November.

While Svitzer is managing the protected industrial action as best as possible, customers should plan for significant disruption to services, as union action continues to escalate.

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

We appreciate that the nature and range of the actions can be complex to understand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Svitzer point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave. 

Protected Industrial Action Update – 10 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 10 November

Svitzer Australia has received further notices of protected industrial action affecting Sydney, Port Kembla and South Australia (Adelaide & Port Pirie).

The new protected industrial action contains work stoppages at these ports. This is in addition to the ongoing bans in ports across the country.

A summary of the new actions by the three maritime unions is provided below. All times provided are local time.

Summary of Protected Industrial Action – 10 November

Sydney

• 12 hours of overlapping work stoppages by members of the maritime unions starting from 6pm Tuesday 15 November until 6am Wednesday 16 November.

Port Kembla

• 8 hours of overlapping work stoppages by maritime union members from midnight (00:01) Wednesday 16 November until 8am Wednesday 16 November.

Adelaide and Port Pirie

• A 4 hour work stoppage from midday until 4pm on Wednesday 16 November.

While Svitzer is managing the protected industrial action as best as possible, customers should plan for significant disruption to services, as union action continues to escalate.

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

We appreciate that the nature and range of the actions can be complex to understand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Svitzer point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave. 

Table of Protected Industrial Action
As at 4pm, 10 November 2022

Protected Industrial Action Update – 9 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 9 November

Svitzer Australia is experiencing a significant escalation in protected industrial action across Australia’s major ports with widespread stoppages scheduled from tomorrow (10 November) through to Tuesday (15 November).

The new protected industrial action contains more than 80 hours of work stoppages across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. This is in addition to the work stoppages in WA and ongoing bans in ports across the country.

A summary of the new actions by the three maritime unions is provided below. All times provided are local time.

Summary of Protected Industrial Action – 9 November

Brisbane

• A 24-hour stop work by MUA members (deckhands) from 10pm, 11 November, 2022* (please note correction was not in original post) 
• An 8-hour stop work period by tug masters from 22:00 Saturday 12 November until 06:00 Sunday 13 November
• An 8-hour stop work period by tug engineers from 06:01 until 14:01 Sunday 13 November

Melbourne & Westernport

• An 8-hour stop work period by deckhands, engineers and masters from 00:01 until 08:00 Monday 14 November

Sydney

• A 48-hour ban by tug masters on the performance of work on certain shipping line vessels on Saturday 12 November and Sunday 13 November (this customer has already been advised of the action).
• A 48-hour stop-work period by casual and fixed term tug masters from 00:01, Saturday 12 November until 00:01, Monday 14 November
• A 48-hour ban on performing recall and /or relief work from 00:01 Saturday 12 November until 00:01, Monday 14 November.

Western Australia

The actions above are in addition to stop work periods in WA from tomorrow in Albany, Fremantle, Kwinana and Geraldton as advised in our last stakeholder update.
 

While Svitzer is managing the protected industrial action as best as possible, customers should plan for significant disruption to services, as union action continues to escalate.

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

We appreciate that the nature and range of the actions can be complex to understand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Svitzer point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave. 

Table of Protected Industrial Action – as at 8.30am 9 November 2022Show 10202550100 entriesSearch:

Protected Industrial Action Update – 7 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 7 November

Dear Customers and Stakeholders,

*Please note correction to MUA action at Geraldton on 10 November. Incorrectly advised 3pm-7pm work stoppage on 10 November. The correct time of action is 8pm-midnight, 10 November. Thank you for your understanding.

Svitzer has received further notices of protected industrial action affecting ports nationally, including a range of work stoppages in WA ports by members of the maritime unions (AMOU, AIMPE and MUA) and action in Sydney and Melbourne.

This includes a combination of action that results in 24 hours of work stoppages on 10 November and into 11 November in WA.

Further to this, the Australian Maritime Officers Union has advised of bans on types of work (such as training, unavailability of fixed term employees) and a 24 hour ban on the performance of work on certain shipping line vessels (this customer has already been advised) in Melbourne and Sydney. 

A summary of the new actions is below. All times provided are in local time.

Summary of Protected Industrial Action – 7 November 

Western Australia 

Albany & Fremantle

• Between the three unions there is effectively 24 hours of work stoppages from 7am, Thursday 10 November until 7am, Friday 11 November (mix of tug engineer, master and deckhand stop work actions).
  • With a further work stoppage by tug engineers from 11pm, Friday 11 November until 3am Saturday 12 November.

Kwinana

• Between the three unions there is effectively 25 hours of work stoppages from 7am, Thursday 10 November until 8am, Friday 11 November (mix of tug engineer, master and deckhand stop work actions).

Fremantle & Kwinana

• An indefinite ban on tug masters training any crew.

Geraldton

• The above action is in addition to 12 hours of already notified work stoppages in Geraldton on 9 and 10 November by Engineers (9 Nov, 9pm – 1am), Deckhands* (10 Nov, 8pm – midnight) and Masters (10 Nov, 8pm – midnight). *correction to earlier MUA action. 

NSW & Victoria

Melbourne & Sydney

• A 24-hour ban on the performance of work on certain shipping line customers (these customers have already been advised) – from 00:01 Thursday 10 November 2022.

Sydney

• 24 hours where a tug masters that are fixed term employees outside of rostered duty are not available and a 24 hour ban on performing relief work – from 00:01 Thursday 10 November. 

While Svitzer is managing the protected industrial action as best as possible, customers should plan for significant disruption to services at these ports, as union action continues to escalate. 

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

 Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave.

Summary table of current Protected Industrial Action
as at 7 November 2022

Table of Protected Industrial Action – as at 8.30am 8 November 2022

Protected Industrial Action Update – 6 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 6 November

Dear Customers and Stakeholders,

Svitzer has received further notices of protected industrial action affecting WA ports next week as well as the suspension of a ban in Melbourne.

The 4-hour work stoppages are by tug engineers (members of Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE)) at Albany, Fremantle and Kwinana.

The Kwinana stoppages are back-to-back forming a 12-hour continuous period of stop work.

The Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) has also notified it has suspended its 7-day ban on certain shipping line vessels in Melbourne from 00:01 this morning (6 November).

Summary of new protected industrial action is below. All times provided are local time.

These work stoppage are by tug engineers (AIMPE members).

Summary of new Protected Industrial Action

Western Australia

Albany

• A 4-hour stop work period from 19:00 Thursday 10 November (until 23:00)
• A 4-hour stop work period from 03:00 (until 07:00) Friday 11 November (until 07:00)
• A 4-hour stop work period from 23:00 Friday 11 November until 03:00, Saturday 12 November.

Fremantle

• A 4-hour stop work period from 19:00 Thursday 10 November (until 23:00)
• A 4-hour stop work period from 03:00 (until 07:00) Friday 11 November (until 07:00)
• A 4-hour stop work period from 23:00 Friday 11 November until 03:00, Saturday 12 November.

Kwinana

• Three 4-hour stop work periods, back-to-back from 20:00 Thursday 10 November until 08:00 Friday 11 November.

Thank you for your ongoing patience as we manage this protected industrial action.

We appreciate that the nature and range of the actions can be complex to understand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Svitzer point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave.

Summary table of current Protected Industrial Action
as at 7 November 2022

Table of Protected Industrial Action as of 7 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 4 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 4 November

Dear Customers and Stakeholders

The maritime unions have notified Svitzer of further protected industrial action affecting Queensland and WA ports next week. 

The latest notices are from the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) (Tug Engineers) and the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) (Tug Masters).

A summary of this is provided below. All times provided are local time.

Summary of new Protected Industrial Action

Queensland – Brisbane 

• Two days where fixed term employees outside of rostered duty will not be available from 12pm 9 November until 12pm 11 November 2022. This will affect the availability of tug masters.

Queensland – Cairns and Mourilyan 

• 7 days where fixed term employees will not be available for duty starting at 00:01 on 9 November (until 00:01, 16 November). This will affect the availability of tug masters.
• A further ban on tug masters performing recall and/or relief work from 00:01 9 November through 23:59 15 November 2022. 

Both of these actions will challenge crew availabilities and customers should plan for disruption to services at both of these ports.

WA – Geraldton

• A 4-hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members) from 21:00 Wednesday, 9 November (until 01:00 10 November). 

We regret the impact that this unnecessary, protected industrial action by the unions is having on your business and to service reliability and port operations.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

We appreciate that the nature and range of the actions can be complex to understand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Svitzer point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave.

Summary table of current Protected Industrial Action
as at 4 November 2022

Protected Industrial Action – 4 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 3 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 3 November

Dear Customers and Stakeholders

The maritime unions have notified Svitzer of further protected industrial action affecting ports and services on Sunday 6 and Tuesday 8 November 2022.

The latest notices are from the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) (Tug Masters) and affect services in Sydney and Brisbane.

A summary of this is provided below. All times provided are local time and apply to tug masters (and as a result, crew availabilities for services).

Summary of Protected Industrial Action

Sydney

• A day (24 hours) where casual employees are not available for duty from 00:01, 6 November.
• A day (24 hours) where fixed term employees outside of rostered duty are not available for duty from 00:01, 6 November.
• A 24 hour ban on the performance of work on certain shipping line vessels (this customer has been contacted already) – starting from 00:01, 6 November.
• A 24 hour ban on performing recall or relief work from 00:01, 6 November.

Brisbane

• A day (24 hours) where fixed term employees are not available for duty from 06:00, 8 November.

The effect of these actions will be disruption to services at both of these ports and uncertainty around crew availabilities more generally to support operations.

We regret the impact that this unnecessary, protected industrial action by the unions is having on your business and to service reliability and port operations.

We appreciate that the nature and range of the actions can be complex to understand. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Svitzer point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave.

Summary table of current Protected Industrial Action
as at 4 November 2022

Protected Industrial Action – 4 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 2 November

Protected Industrial Action Update – 2 November

Dear Customers and Stakeholders

Svitzer has received further notices of protected industrial action for Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne commencing from 5 November 2022.

This is in addition to actions already underway nationwide by the three maritime unions (the MUA, AIMPE and AMOU).

The additional, new actions are from the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU – Tug Master) and include:

Summary of Protected Industrial Action

Sydney

• An 8-hour work stoppage from 20:00 on 5 November 2022
• A day where fixed term employees outside of rostered duty will not be available for duty commencing at 00:01, 5 November
• A 24-hour ban on the performance of work on a shipping line customer (this customer has already been directly notified of this action) from 00:01 5 November
• 24-hour ban on recall and / or relief work commencing at 00:01 5 November 2022

Brisbane

• An 8-hour work stoppage from 22:00 on 5 November
• 2 days where permanent part time employees will not be available for duty from 06:00 5 November

Melbourne

• A 7-day ban on the performance of work on a shipping line customer (this customer has already been directly notified of this action) from 00:01 5 November ending 00:01 12 November 2022
• A 7-day ban on performing recall and/or relief work commencing 00:01 on 5 November through to 00:01 12 November

Newcastle

• An indefinite ban on training, except for training relating to statutory drills and emergency preparedness from 00:01 4 November 2022

Unfortunately, it is likely we will receive further notices of industrial protected action as part of a rolling campaign.

We sincerely apologise for the actions of the unions, and the disruption and harm it is causing to service reliability and port operations.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

Nb. Summary of action below – searchable table by Port with detail of impact at bottom of this post.

Definition /  explanation of industrial actions

Ban on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty:  Our crews work 12 hour shifts with some flexibility to go over 12 hours for a small amount of time such as 30 minutes as over time. This ban will remove that flexibility that each crew will only work 12 hours. If a job is scheduled that may bring them over 12 hours they will not start that job. This does not mean that we cannot provide 24 hour service. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on continuous operation of vessel or vessels for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break: Our crews take relevant meal/rest breaks flexibly to accommodate port shipping schedule. This ban removes that flexibility that each crew will take a 30 minute break if they have operated continuously for 5 hours. It means tugs need to be scheduled differently and our operations team will work closely with VTS teams to minimize any delays that may occur as a result of this ban. It is difficult to predict impact as it depends on the schedule in the port on the day.

Ban on performing recall and/or relief work by masters, engineers or deckhands: Bans on being recalled from leave and performing relief work. This effectively removes relief capacity at several ports and the ability to service operations should there be any absences, illness or leave.

Summary table of current Protected Industrial Action
as at 2 November 2022

Protected Industrial Action: Update of notices received as of 2 Nov 2022