Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 07:17:04 +1000
From: pmargin-AT-xchange.anarki.net (Profit Margin)
Subject: AUT: LL:ART:P&O want to axe 450


>Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 16:07:21 +1000
>From: "S. Plunkett" <snezp-AT-peninsula.starway.net.au>
>To: Leftlink-AT-vicnet.net.au
>Subject: LL:ART:P&O want to axe 450
>Sender: owner-leftlink-AT-vicnet.net.au
>Precedence: bulk
>Status:
>
>from: http://www.smh.com.au/daily/content/980511/pageone/pageone1.html
>
>New battlefront: now P&O wants to
>     axe 450
>
>The P&O operation at Port Botany yesterday ... the company wants to
>increase productivity by cutting 450 jobs and doing away with
>overtime. Photo by ANDREW TAYLOR
>
>     By BRAD NORINGTON, Industrial Editor
>
>A new battlefront has opened in the fight to reform the docks as a
>second large stevedoring company prepares to tackle the Maritime
>Union of Australia with big job cuts and an assault on work
>practices.
>
>P&O Ports, the rival of Patrick stevedores in a corporate duopoly on
>the waterfront, is certain to face resistance from the MUA as it
>seeks to reduce its 1,300 workforce by 450 and regain management
>control over the allocation of shifts.
>
>Company executives are due to meet the MUA's national secretary, Mr
>John Coombs, today to re-open enterprise-bargaining negotiations
>following the expiry of union agreements.
>
>P&O Ports is the country's largest stevedore with a 55 per cent
>market share, compared with Patrick's 45 per cent.
>
>It may be hoping to exploit its strategic position during the MUA's
>continuing conflict with Patrick to extract major concessions from
>the union.
>
>Throughout the month-long union fight against Patrick, the MUA
>ensured that operations of P&O Ports' CTAL terminals around the
>country operated smoothly. With the fate of Patrick's 1,400 employees
>still precarious, the MUA can ill-afford a battle on two fronts.
>
>If P&O cannot achieve its objectives by negotiation, it is believed
>to be ready to use the full weight of the Workplace Relations Act
>against the MUA. Weapons available include company lock-outs and
>non-union replacements during strikes.
>
>Mr Coombs said last night he knew nothing of P&O's intentions to cut
>450 jobs, and no detail about other changes.
>
>"They've always wanted changes - but it won't go smoothly if they
>want to communicate like this," he said.
>
>P&O's chairman and managing director, Mr Richard Hein, said his
>company would not use Patrick's tactics, but was determined to
>negotiate cost cuts and improve productivity. "The main thrust of
>what we want is a change in work practices and to change overtime
>into an aggregate salary so we get a significant lift in
>productivity," he said.
>
>Among key changes sought by P&O are 450 job cuts. The figure includes
>350 regarded as additional to needs. P&O wants to outsource another
>100 cleaning and other jobs - now held by MUA members - to less
>expensive non-MUA members.
>
>The company is seeking to limit overtime by introducing an average
>salary and wants more control over rostering crane operators.
>
>A Morgan opinion poll to be published in this week's Bulletin
>magazine shows 74 per cent of people believe the docks should be
>opened to non-union workers. It also shows 53 per cent disapprove of
>the Federal Government providing funds for MUA redundancies.
>
>Administrators in charge of Patrick companies said yesterday that no
>work was available for 600 of the 1,400 workers reinstated last week.
>
>The chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and
>Industry, Mr Mark Paterson, said: "There should be competition on the
>wharves so that management is free to hire those who are willing to
>work efficiently and to dismiss those who are not."
>
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>
>
>
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