Manly Fast Ferry dispute settled

Date: 18 February 2009

The weeklong dispute between Bass and Flinders and the Maritime Union of Australia was settled this morning, with both parties signing off on an agreement to raise both wages and safety for the Manly Fast Ferry.

"It's a win for commuters and a win for the workers," said MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Warren Smith. "Commuters will get the insurance of a service that will maintain the highest community and safety standards, the workers will get decent wages and conditions. It's all we ever wanted."

However Mr Smith also called for the NSW government In future to give proper consideration to workers' rights in tendering processes.

Maritime workers and community supporters have been protesting the new service with picket numbers swelling to around 70 a day at Circular Quay.

Under question was the company decision to bypass the union, cutting back on wages and safety conditions on the new service at the same time undermining the public ferry service. Negotiations broke down last week and the union has been mobilising supporters daily, raising safety and wage issues while urging commuters to give the new fast ferry a miss.

This morning union officials and management met and agreed to work together, signing off on a heads of agreement, which includes

• Commitment to a union collective agreement

• guaranteed safe operating procedures

• 25 per cent pay rise for crew

The parties aim to finalise the agreement by March 31. All pickets and protests will stop while negotiations are under way.

For further information

Contact:	Warren Smith
Union:	MUA
WWW:	http://www.mua.org.au/

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