The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has announced further industrial action at the Port of Brisbane in a bid to improve wages and working conditions.
The latest stoppages are scheduled to begin on January 8, 2025, and will involve members of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) under the Qube Ports Pty Ltd Brisbane Port 2020 Enterprise Agreement.
According to GAC Hot Port News, the protected industrial action at Brisbane will include the following stoppages:
- January 8 (Wednesday): 24-hour stoppage starting at 11:00 PM
- January 9 (Thursday): 24-hour stoppage starting at 11:00 PM
- January 10 (Friday): 24-hour stoppage starting at 11:00 PM
- January 11 (Saturday): 24-hour stoppage starting at 11:00 PM
- January 12 (Sunday): 24-hour stoppage starting at 11:00 PM
- January 13 (Monday): 24-hour stoppage starting at 11:00 PM
- January 14 (Tuesday): 24-hour stoppage starting at 11:00 PM
The Port of Brisbane, located at the mouth of the Brisbane River in southeast Queensland, is Queensland’s largest seaport and one of Australia’s fastest-growing container ports. The port primarily handles imports such as crude oil, cement, iron, steel, gypsum/limestone, fertilizers, chemicals, timber, paper, construction products, transportation equipment, and motor vehicles. It exports commodities including coal, refined oil, metal ores, scrap, grain, meat, meat products, wood chips, timber, animals, vegetable oils, fertilizers, chemicals, fruits, vegetables, silica sand, cotton, cottonseed, and steel.
The industrial action is likely to disrupt port operations, especially the movement of goods. This could affect the timely export and import of critical commodities, causing delays that may ripple through supply chains, impacting various industries and markets.
Businesses with operations or shipments passing through the Port of Brisbane should consider making contingency plans to minimize the impact of these stoppages.
