Port of Melbourne threatened by tit-for-tat strike-lock-outs next week

AUSTRALIA`s busiest container facility, the Port of Melbourne, faces the threat of a 48-hour shutdown next week as a result of a day long strike and follow up one-day lockout between the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and DP World, according to the Australian Financial Review.

The MUA yesterday told DP World that it would hold a 24-hour strike, its terminal at the Port of Melbourne, beginning Sunday night.


The company responded by saying it would lock out its workers for 24-hours at the outset, which would together would result in a 48-hour shutdown.


DP World said the closure would affect about 16 ships transporting 20,000 containers for import and export.


"We are trying to send a clear message to the workforce that the claims that are being put forward by the union are unacceptable to us in the current form," said DP World Australian operations chief Andrew Adam.