Offshore workers get pay rise, industry concerned
THE Maritime Union of Australia is hopeful that its agreement with Total Marine Services over a pay increase will help with negotiations with Farstad Shipping and Go Offshore.
The union struck an agreement on Monday for a 30% wage rise over three years and an increase in allowances for TMS workers, who service the offshore oil and gas industry.
MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said the agreement gave workers security and companies stability through to July 2013.
“This is a crucial agreement for the industry,” he said.
Crumlin went on to say the pay rise was also measured against a reasonable wage increase and payment of a project allowance bonus (PAB) for workers on construction projects which will be adjusted with wage increases from January 1.
“We fought hard for this payment which now brings maritime workers close to parity with other workers like riggers doing exactly the same tasks on those projects.
“While other EBAs [enterprise bargaining agreement] being negotiated with Farstad and Go Offshore are separate EBAs, we are hopeful that this agreement with TMS will assist in bringing those talks to a conclusion as well.”
However, the national employers’ organisation for the resources and energy sector, Australian Mines and Metals Association, said the so-called agreement has created a worrying precedent.
AMMA chief executive Steve Knott said the three-month dispute highlighted acts of virtual piracy were allowed to occur under the Fair Work regime, with the agreement coming down to employers being forced to either “comply or die”.
“The nature of the dispute clearly demonstrates the ease unions can use the new Fair Work Act laws to initiate damaging strike activity in pursuit of outrageous claims, all while the government sits idly by and watches such reckless action unfold from the sidelines,” he said.
“When people hear members of the government cheering on an agreement which in effect results in a $50,000 pay rise to already world's best-paid seafarers earning $130,000, they would rightly be asking themselves how such increases could be economically justified.”
The Australian Shipowners Association told the Australian TMS could only resist repeated strike action for so long, and the wage rise could flow onto other shipping companies.
The 30% wage increase comprises 8.5% back dated to September 2009; 3.5% from January 1, 2010; and 6% from July 2010 to July 2012.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
PNN
PNN
