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. 

PortState Date of ActionPeriodType of Industrial Action(s)
Adelaide2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Adelaide2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Adelaide2022-11-16 12:00:004hr stoppage midday until 4pma 4 hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Adelaide2022-11-16 12:00:004hr stoppage midday until 4pma 4 hour work stoppage by deckhands (MUA members)
Adelaide2022-11-17 00:01:004 hr stoppage until 04:00a 4 hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Adelaide2022-11-17 00:01:004 hr stoppage until 04:00a 4 hour work stoppage by deckhands (MUA members)
Albany2022-11-01 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Albany2022-11-01 08:00:00indefiniteBan on continuous operation of vessel or vessels (by a tug master) for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break (AMOU)
Albany2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Albany2022-11-11 23:00:004 hours until 03:00A 4-hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Albany2022-11-11 00:00:003 hour stoppage (3 x 1hr) until 03:00A 3 hour work stoppage for tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Albany2022-11-17 07:00:0012 hoursA 12 hour work stopapge by tug masters (AMOU members)
Brisbane2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on continuous operation of vessel or vessels (by tug masters) for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break (AMOU)
Brisbane2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on tug masters beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Brisbane2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Brisbane2022-11-04 00:00:00indefiniteAn indefinite ban on training crew – except for training relating to statutory drills and emergency preparedness (AMOU members)
Brisbane2022-11-09 12:00:0048 hours2 days where fixed term employees (tug masters) are not available outside of rostered duty (from 12pm until 12pm) (AMOU action)
Brisbane2022-11-12 22:00:0024 hours24 hour stop work from 10pm by deckhands (MUA members)
Brisbane2022-11-12 22:00:008 hours until 6am 13 Nov8 hour work stoppage by tug masters from 10pm (AMOU members)
Brisbane2022-11-13 06:01:008 hours (2 x 4 hour stoppage) until 14:012 x 4 hour back to back work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE)
Cairns2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Cairns2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on continuous operation of vessel or vessels (by a tug master) for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break (AMOU)
Cairns2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Cairns2022-11-04 00:00:00indefiniteAn indefinite ban on training crew – except for training relating to statutory drills and emergency preparedness (AMOU)
Cairns2022-11-09 00:01:007 days until 00:01 16 Novban on fixed term employees (tug masters) availability for duty for 7 days (AMOU action)
Cairns2022-11-09 00:01:006 days until 23:59 15 NovA ban by tug masters on performing recall and/or relief work (AMOU action)
Cairns2022-11-16 00:01:007 days until 00:01 23 Nov7 days where casual employees that are tug masters are not available for duty (AMOU action)
Cairns2022-11-16 00:01:0024 hours until 23:59 16/11/2022A 24 hour ban on performing recall and/or relief work by tug masters commencing (AMOU)
Eden2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Eden2022-11-04 00:01:006 days – until 11.59 10 Novban on inputting data into maintenance system (MUA members)
Eden2022-11-04 00:01:007 days – until 11.59pm 10/11/2022ban on undertaking online training courses (MUA members)
Eden2022-11-04 00:01:006 days – until 11.59pm 10/11/2022Ban on performance of work on certain shipping line vessels (customers have been contacted directly already) (MUA members)
Fremantle2022-11-01 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU members)
Fremantle2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Fremantle2022-11-04 00:01:006 days – until 11.59 10 Novban on inputting data into maintenance system (MUA members)
Fremantle2022-11-04 00:01:006 days – until 11.59pm 10/11/2022Ban on performance of work on certain shipping line vessels (customers have been contacted directly already) (MUA members)
Fremantle2022-11-04 00:01:007 days – until 11.59pm 10/11/2022ban on undertaking online training courses (MUA members)
Fremantle2022-11-10 19:00:004 hours until 23:00A 4-hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Fremantle2022-11-11 03:00:004 hours until 07:00A 4-hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Fremantle2022-11-11 23:00:004 hours until 03:00A 4-hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Fremantle2022-11-10 00:01:00indefiniteAn indefinite ban by tug masters on training crew, including Masters, Engineers and Ratings except for statutory drills and emergency preparedness (AMOU members)
Fremantle2022-11-11 00:00:003 hour stoppage (3 x 1hr) until 03:00A 3 hour work stoppage for tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Fremantle2022-11-17 07:00:0012 hours (3 x 4hr back to back stoppages) until 7pm 17 NovA 12 hour work stoppage by deckhands (MUA members)
Fremantle2022-11-17 19:00:003.25 days (until 11.59 Sun 20 Nov)A ban on overtime, including recalls from leave by deckhands (MUA members)
Fremantle2022-11-17 07:00:0012 hoursA 12 hour work stopapge by tug masters (AMOU members)
Geraldton2022-11-01 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Geraldton2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers (AIMPE members)
Geraldton2022-11-17 12:00:00a 4-hour work stoppage from middayA 4 hour work stoppage by tug masters (AMOU members)
Kwinana2022-11-01 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Kwinana2022-11-01 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on continuous operation of vessel or vessels (by tug masters) for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break (AMOU)
Kwinana2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Kwinana2022-11-10 00:01:00indefiniteAn indefinite ban by tug masters on training crew, including Masters, Engineers and Ratings except for statutory drills and emergency preparedness (AMOU members)
Kwinana2022-11-17 08:00:0012 hours (3 x 4hr back to back stoppages) until 8pm 17 NovA 12 hour work stoppage by deckhands (MUA members)
Kwinana2022-11-17 19:00:003.25 days (until 01:00 Mon 21 Nov)A ban on overtime, including recalls from leave by deckhands (MUA members)
Kwinana2022-11-17 08:00:0024 hours until 08:00 18 NovA 24 hour work stoppage by tug masters (AMOU members)
Lucinda2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Melbourne2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Melbourne2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on entering data by tug masters into a Svitzer system (HELM) (AMOU)
Melbourne2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers (AIMPE members)
Melbourne2022-11-05 00:01:007 days – until 00:01 12 November7-day ban on performing recall and/or relief work until 00:01 12 November – this will affect tug crew availabilities (AMOU members)
Melbourne2022-11-10 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 11 NovemberA 24 hour ban by tug masters on performance of work on certain shipping line vessels (this customers has already been contacted (AMOU members)
Melbourne2022-11-11 00:01:003 days (until 11.59pm Sun 13 Nov)Ban on the performance of overtime, including recalls from leave, for deckhands (MUA members)
Melbourne2022-11-14 00:01:008 hours (2x 4hr stoppage) until 08:012 back to back 4 hour work stoppages by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Melbourne2022-11-14 00:01:008 hours (2x 4hr stoppage) until 08:002 back to back 4 hour work stoppages by deckhands (MUA members)
Melbourne2022-11-14 00:01:008 hours until 08:008hr work stoppage by tug masters (AMOU members)
Mourilyan2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Mourilyan2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on continuous operation of vessel or vessels (by a tug master) for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break (AMOU)
Mourilyan2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Mourilyan2022-11-04 00:00:00indefiniteAn indefinite ban on training crew – except for training relating to statutory drills and emergency preparedness (AMOU members)
Mourilyan2022-11-09 00:01:007 days until 00:01 16 Novban on fixed term employees (tug masters) availability for duty for 7 days (AMOU action)
Mourilyan2022-11-09 00:01:006 days until 23:59 15 NovA ban by tug masters on performing recall and/or relief work (AMOU action)
Mourilyan2022-11-16 00:01:007 days until 00:01 23 Nov7 days where casual employees that are tug masters are not available for duty (AMOU action)
Mourilyan2022-11-16 00:01:0024 hours until 23:59 16/11/2022A 24 hour ban on performing recall and/or relief work by tug masters commencing (AMOU)
Newcastle2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Newcastle2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan by tug masters on entering data into a Svitzer system (HELM) (AMOU)
Newcastle2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Newcastle2022-11-04 00:00:00indefiniteBan by tug masters on the the training of crew including masters, engineers and ratings except for training relating to statutory drills and emergency preparedness (AMOU members)
Newcastle2022-11-17 00:01:0024h work stoppage until 00:01 Fri 18 NovA 24h work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Newcastle2022-11-17 00:01:0024h work stoppage until 00:01 Fri 18 NovA 24h work stoppage by tug engineers (MUA members)
Port Kembla2022-11-01 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Port Kembla2022-11-01 08:00:00Indefiniteban on entering data into Svitzer system (HELM) by tug masters (AMOU)
Port Kembla2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Port Kembla2022-11-16 00:01:004 hours – until 04:014 hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Port Kembla2022-11-16 04:00:004 hrs – until 08:004 hour work stoppage by deckhands (MUA members)
Port Kembla2022-11-16 04:00:004 hours until 08:004 hour work stoppage by tug masters (AMOU members)
Port Pirie2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Port Pirie2022-11-16 12:00:004hr stoppage midday until 4pma 4 hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Port Pirie2022-11-16 12:00:004hr stoppage midday until 4pma 4 hour work stoppage by deckhands (MUA members)
Port Pirie2022-11-17 00:01:004 hr stoppage until 04:00a 4 hour work stoppage by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Port Pirie2022-11-17 00:01:004 hr stoppage until 04:00a 4 hour work stoppage by deckhands (MUA members)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on beginning a job that will take employees (tug masters) past the 12th hour of continuous duty (AMOU)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on continuous operation of vessel or vessels (by tug masters) for a period in excess of 5 hours without a 30-minute rest break (AMOU)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-10-28 08:00:00IndefiniteBan on tug masters entering data into a Svitzer system (HELM) (AMOU)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-11 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 12 NovemberA 24 hour ban on the performance of work by tug masters on certain shipping line vessels (customers have been contacted directly already) (AMOU action)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-11 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 12 NovemberA 24 hour ban by the AMOU on tug masters performing recall and/or relief work
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-12 00:01:0048 hours (2×24 hour bans) until 00:01 14 NovA 48 hour ban by tug masters on the performance of work on certain shipping line vessels (customers has already been advised) (AMOU members)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-12 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 13 NovemberA day where casual tug masters will not be available for duty (AMOU members) (nb. rolls into the same ban the following day)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-12 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 13 NovemberA day where fixed term employees outside of rostered duty will not be available for duty commencing at 00:01 (AMOU members) (nb. rolls into the same ban the following day)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-12 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 13 NovemberA 24 hour ban on performing recall and/or relief work by tug masters commencing (AMOU) (nb. rolls into the same ban the following day)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-13 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 14 NovemberA day where casual tug masters will not be available for duty (AMOU members) (nb. rolling ban from day earlier)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-13 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 14 NovemberA day where fixed term employees outside of rostered duty will not be available for duty commencing at 00:01 (AMOU members) (nb. rolling ban from day earlier)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-12 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 13 NovemberA 24 hour ban on performing recall and/or relief work by tug masters commencing (AMOU) (nb. rolling ban from day earlier)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-15 20:00:0008 hours until 04:01 16 Nov (2x 4hr bans)2 x 4h work stoppages (back to back) by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-15 18:00:0012 hours (until 06:00 16 Nov)12 hour work stoppage by tug masters (AMOU members)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-15 20:00:0008 hours until 04:01 16 Nov (2x 4hr bans)2 x 4h work stoppages (back to back) by deckhands (MUA members)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-16 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 17/11/2022A day where tug masters that are fixed term employees outside of rostered duty will not be available for duty (AMOU members)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-16 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 17/11/2022A 24 hour ban on the performance of work by tug masters on certain shipping line vessels (customers have been contacted directly already) (AMOU action)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-16 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 17/11/2022A 24 hour ban on performing recall and/or relief work by tug masters commencing (AMOU)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-17 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 18/11/2022 (back to back action so 48h in total)A day where tug masters that are fixed term employees outside of rostered duty will not be available for duty (AMOU members)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-17 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 18/11/2022 (back to back action so 48h in total)A 24 hour ban on the performance of work by tug masters on certain shipping line vessels (customers have been contacted directly already) (AMOU action)
Sydney (Port Jackson & Botany)2022-11-17 00:01:0024 hours until 00:01 18/11/2022 (back to back action so 48h in total)A 24 hour ban on performing recall and/or relief work by tug masters commencing (AMOU)
Westernport2022-11-03 00:01:0027 days – ends midnight 30 Nov 2022ban on performing recall and/or relief work by engineers
Westernport2022-11-11 00:01:003 days (until 11.59pm Sun 13 Nov)Ban on the performance of overtime, including recalls from leave, for deckhands (MUA members)
Westernport2022-11-14 00:01:008 hours (2x 4hr stoppage) until 08:012 back to back 4 hour work stoppages by tug engineers (AIMPE members)
Westernport2022-11-14 00:01:008 hours (2x 4hr stoppage) until 08:002 back to back 4 hour work stoppages by deckhands (MUA members)

Europe

Regional Commercial Team
Sara Gerdner Kalle
Regional CCO
 
For operational matters, please find local contacts below
Local contact

Americas

Regional Commercial Team
Rutger Thulin
Regional CCO
 
For operational matters, please find local contacts below
Local contact

Australia

Regional Commercial Team
Veronica Jensen
Regional CCO
 
For operational matters, please find local contacts below
Local contact

AMEA

Regional Commercial Team
Ralph Franjul
Regional CCO
 
For operational matters, please find local contacts below
Local contact