TasPorts is warning that a potential strike by Tasmanian marine pilots this weekend could impact thousands of cruise ship passengers and result in significant disruptions to freight transportation.
The Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) is threatening to initiate an indefinite stoppage of weekend work starting from midday on Sunday unless their demands over pay and working conditions are met.
The industrial action also includes a ban on communication with agents and schedulers, a ban on night-time pilotage services and a four-hour scheduled stoppage.
According to TasPorts, 15 ships carrying tens of thousands of tonnes of freight could be affected this Sunday alone, along with approximately 5,000 cruise passengers.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson has urged both parties to “work it out”, but said the issue of pay wasn’t a state government issue.
“Shipping is vital for an island state and our economy,” Ferguson said.
“What we need, for our state Tasmania, is we need all parties involved in that dispute between TasPorts and the pilots union is to sit down and talk.”
“We want to see minimal disruption because where there’s disruption, it will hurt Tasmanian families, it will hurt Tasmanian businesses. Disruption equals cost.”
