Port of Newcastle is investing in a US$35 million ship unloader with the latest safety and environmental compliance features – a level of infrastructure investment unseen at Port of Newcastle since privatisation.
“Stevedore employees experience a high degree of casualisation. Port of Newcastle is interested in creating a number of full-time positions for wharf and crane operators that would provide workers with greater job security and the education and training required to support the operation of the new ship unloader.
Port of Newcastle has initiated discussions with the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) regarding the project. While the parties have met on three occasions to discuss the project, these discussions are at a very early stage.
“Port of Newcastle does not currently have an enterprise agreement with the MUA for wharf operations.