The Maritime Union of Australia has been ordered to pay thousands of dollars in penalties and compensation to five employees named as “scabs” in posters distributed at Fremantle port.
Federal court justice Antony Siopis ruled in May that the union had contravened the Fair Work Act by taking adverse action against the Fremantle Port Authority employees, who worked as vessel traffic service officers and small craft masters.
Four of the five men had worked during a period of strike action, which meant the union’s bid to bring operations to a halt had failed, while the fifth man had “fraternised very briefly” with the others as they came on shift, Siopis said.
On Tuesday, the MUA was ordered to pay a total penalty of $80,000 while assistant secretary Will Tracey was ordered to pay a penalty of $15,000. Both respondents must also pay $20,000 compensation to each of the four men who worked during the strike, and $40,000 to the other man.
Jack London said it best:
