Maritime union groups around the world are closely monitoring a dispute over the replacement of the Australian-flagged bulk carrier MV Portland in south-eastern Australia, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has said.
New York-based metals manufacturer Alcoa wants to sell the aluminum carrier MV Portland and dismiss 40 local seafarers. The company plans to replace the bulk carrier with a ship sailing under a flag of convenience (FOC) and operated by cheap foreign labor.
ITF’s affiliate Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has been in dispute with Alcoa over its plan for nearly two months. International unions are backing the local campaign to protect jobs.
The MV Portland had been used by company for 27 years on the Western Australia-to-Portland route. The Australian government allowed Alcoa to replace the vessel with a foreign ship under a temporary license. But later, the Australian Senate denied to make changes to the country’s laws and open routes to foreign ships.
“The ITF and international unions continue to show their solidarity with the workers on the front line at Portland because if it can happen to them it can happen to any of us. It beggars belief that the company and the Government have allowed this to develop, rather than show leadership and find a mutually agreeable solution to protect local jobs,” ITF President Paddy Crumlin said.