Workers who did not take part in industrial action labelled as ‘scabs’
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action against the Maritime Union of Australia over the distribution of abusive posters.
The posters labelled workers who did not take part in industrial action as scabs, and were distributed at the Fremantle Port last December.
The posters named five Fremantle Port Authority employees, accusing them of turning on their colleagues and describing their behaviour as treacherous.
The legal action against the union and its WA secretary, William Tracey, will be heard in the Federal Court.
If found guilty, Mr Tracey faces a maximum fine of $6600 per breach, while the union could be forced to pay up to $33,000 for each offence.
The Ombudsman is also seeking compensation for the employees.
