1998 Australian Waterfront Dispute - Resolution

Resolution

The MUA and Patrick negotiated a new work agreement, which was adopted by the company and workers in June 1998. The agreement specified a near-halving of the permanent workforce through voluntary redundancies, the casualisation and contracting out of some jobs, smaller work crews, longer regular hours, company control over rostering, and productivity bonuses for faster loading. While the union retained the ability to represent maritime workers, the company achieved significant changes to work practices as it desired. Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith stated at the time "There appears to be a number of reforms which will satisfy the seven benchmark objectives which is very important."

The non-union workers who had been employed to break the union were dumped by their employer at the conclusion of the dispute. Many workers from the non-union group claimed they were still owed thousands of dollars in unpaid wages, and successfully sought payment of the unpaid wages through the courts. In contrast, the Fynwest employees, who were on an annual salary of around A$120,000, were awarded bonuses and commissions worth around $50,000 each on cancellation of their contracts.