The newly-appointed towage contractor at the Port of Abbot Point has walked away from a commitment to continue the employment of local crews, instead revealing plans to replace the 19 workers with interstate workers, according to the Maritime Union of Australia.
In April, Engage Marine was awarded a 15-year contract to operate towage services at the port by Queensland Government-owned North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation, commencing from 1 October 2021.
Both NQBP and Engage Marine made a commitment at the time that the contract would see regional employment retained, with the current towage workforce given the opportunity to continue in their roles with no change to employment terms and conditions.
MUA Queensland Assistant Branch Secretary Paul Gallagher said Engage Marine had now walked away from the commitment, threatening 19 permanent jobs.
“When the Queensland Government-owned North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation announced Engage Marine had been awarded the lucrative towage contract for Abbot Point, a firm commitment was made that local crews would see their employment continue,” Mr Gallagher said.
“Just months later, Engage Marine is attempting to walk away from that agreement, denying work to the 19 Bowen locals that currently operate tugs at the port and revealing they actually intend to bring in employees from Western Australia and elsewhere. They interviewed 90 people for 24 jobs in what we believe to be an underhanded sham.
“The current tug crews are long-term residents of the Bowen area, with some having worked at the port for more than 20 years, yet their future in the area is threatened if the company presses ahead with plans to replace the local workforce.
“Engage Marine lied to the people of North Queensland when they promised local jobs would be transitioned to the new provider.
“The local community are outraged that this company intends to rip apart the social fabric of Bowen by forcing these 19 workers out of their jobs, which will mean 19 families moving away as they look for work.
“NQBPC also has serious questions to answer about their decision to take the contract away from Svitzer, which has operated tugs at the port for 35 years, given the result of that decision will be 19 Queenslanders losing their jobs.
“Their procurement policies have clearly failed if Engage Marine can simply walk away from its commitment to preserve the local workforce, including job numbers, pay and conditions.
“The MUA refuses to accept our members being thrown on the unemployment scrap heap after so many years of service to the Bowen community, the maritime industry and the Queensland economy.
“On behalf of our members, their families and the community in Bowen, the union will be fighting to defend each and every one of these good quality local jobs at a time when regional Queensland is so desperate for secure employment opportunities.”
The NQBPC media release committing to retain the local workforce is available here:
