Background
Workers at Quantem fuel terminals Australia’s major ports took protected industrial action today in the form of one-hour stoppages and overtime bans
United Workers Union (UWU) members from the bulk fuel supplier have been negotiating with the employer for months.
Workers are seeking a cost-of-living increase and pay parity across the board and Quantem responded by offering significant cuts to pay at some sites.
Stoppages took place as follows:
- Pinkenba: Rally at 2:00pm AEST
- Geelong (already undertaking overtime bans): One hour stoppage 4:00pm – 5:00pm AEDT today.
- Fremantle: One hour stoppage 2:20pm to 3:30pm AWST today.
- Adelaide (Largs Bay): One hour stoppage 2:20pm to 3:30pm ACST today.
Quotes attributable to UWU executive director Godfrey Moase:
“Quantem is one of the most recalcitrant bosses I have encountered in recent years. It would be insulting to offer a zero percent wage increase when the cost-of-living pressures are the way they are but much worse than that, Quantem is attempting to slash wages by upwards of $20,000-a-year in some instances.”
“Union members have been trying to find a peaceful resolution by offering some productivity and efficiency concessions but Quantem have chosen a destructive path, which will serve to hurt its customer base, which includes some of Australia’s largest airports.
“My strong advice to Quantem would be to pull-their heads in before they embarrass themselves further.”