The standoff between Hutchison Ports Australia and a number of sacked dockworkers is heading to court. Last week the terminal operator made 97 employees at its two ports redundant, a move that has sparked six days of protests. Now the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has filed Federal Court documents today seeking an injunction and damages for the sacked workers.
“They (Hutchison) think they can just come around and bust unions and walk all over the rights of working people in this country,” MUA Queensland secretary Bob Carnegie said.
Blockades remain in place in front of Hutchison’s two terminals despite authorities saying they are illegal. Some ships have had to transfer to alternative terminals as Hutchison’s facilities are barely working due to the industrial dispute.
