Unions claim government pressure in case against ship workers
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The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) will take a shipworkers union and nine of its members to court over an alleged unlawful protest that prevented a ship run by aluminium company Alcoa from leaving a Victorian port for almost two months.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) could face fines of up to $54 000 per contravention and nine of its members could face fines of up to $10 800.
Given the FWO alleges 14 contraventions in total, the MUA could be liable for over 500 000 in fees.
Both the MUA and the national peak body the Australian Council of Trade Unions have lashed out at the decision, calling it politically motivated.
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