Another cruise ship carrying over 1,000 passengers will be bypassing Hobart this week as TasPorts pilots intensify their ‘disruptive’ industrial action.
The Azamara Journey had originally planned to spend the night in Hobart this Friday, with around 700 passengers and 400 crew members on board.
TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said he was “deeply disappointed” by the missed visit, which is the second to occur as a result of the industrial action after Disney’s cancellation of their Sunday stopover.
“We had enquired if the ship could shorten its port call to depart Friday evening, however, the line has decided to proceed directly to Sydney,” he said.
“This is a terrible blow for Tasmania’s small businesses which are supported by cruise ship passengers and crew during their visits.
The marine pilots are refusing to adopt the company’s electric vehicle policy and are demanding better pay.
“TasPorts has an offer to its pilots where in addition to a 12% salary increase over three years, we have provided the opportunity to retain their existing vehicle conditions for the life of the agreement, in an attempt to prevent this further protected industrial action from happening,” Donald said.
“While we respect the right for marine pilots to take protected industrial action, we are calling on the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) to return to the negotiating table and land an agreement that is fair and reasonable so that safe and reliable port operations can continue.”
He said the AMOU informed TasPorts of an extension to their protected industrial action on Sunday, now covering weekends and public holidays.
The union has also implemented a ban on working beyond regular rostered hours, except in emergencies, from 6am this morning.
Last week, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson urged both parties to “work it out” – but said the issue of pay wasn’t a state government issue.
