Hutchison Port workers refuse to unload cargo in protest of sacking 97 workers

Workers of the Hutchison Port protested the overnight sacking of 97 workers in Sydney and Brisbane through text message and email by refusing to unload the first cargo ship to arrive at the port since the incident last week. The ship Capitaine Tasman arrived at Port Botany in Sydney and had to return still fully loaded out into the sea.

Picket lines were formed by the Maritime Union Australia members and the workers in both cities to protest the sudden decision by the company last Thursday. The sacked workers were also joined by colleagues who were not chucked out by the company in the protest. Demonstrators chanting slogans said that the move to dismiss 97 workers overnight through an email and a text message asking them not to come to work the next day was un-Australian and disgraceful. They also said that the protests would continue until the decision is reversed.

Maritime Union Australia member Bob Carnegie said that he and his fellow members are prepared to fight for the workers who were treated horrifically by the company. "We will win this dispute because our resolve is stronger, our belief is total, we are the wronged party," he said. "Hutchison have all the wealth in the world, Lee Karshing the major shareholder of HPH, is worth $46 billion, he's the richest man in Asia. Well all of his billions of dollars can't defeat us."

The ABC news reported that a Fair Work Commission order issued on Friday evening to make the workers of the company report to work is being defied by the workers. Carnegie also said that members who are rostered have reported to work but they have made a collective decision that they would start working only if they are guaranteed a secure working environment by the company. According to him, the company had brought in security guards who do not have maritime industry security clearance cards and who are on 547 visas.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.