AMMA wants stikes made illegal
A peak mining body wants future maritime strikes over the new enterprise bargaining agreement in the offshore resources sector to be declared illegal.
The Australian Mines and Metals Association launched the pre-emptive strike against the Maritime Union of Australia, claiming it had already breached Fair Work orders during negotiations for an agreement, which rendered future strikes unlawful.
AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs Scott Bark- lamb, said the application, backed by four vessel operators, clarified that the MUA had breached interim bargaining orders.
He said the legislation made clear that any party which had been found to have contravened the commission's orders could not be approved to take future protected strike action.
Local MUA boss Christy Cain was unrepentant, claiming he would not back down from the dispute over rosters and training.
"The MUA stands by our resolve to ensure offshore projects are built by a fully trained local workforce and reduce the amount of time our workers are away from home, from five weeks at a time to the industry standard four weeks," he said.
"Delivering more family friendly rosters is essential to easing mental health pressures on our members."
