06/08/2026
Maritime workers responsible for the safe operation of Tasmania's ports will commence lawful protected industrial action this weekend after months of unsuccessful enterprise bargaining negotiations with TasPorts.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), alongside the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU), has been negotiating a replacement Enterprise Agreement covering Launch Masters and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Officers.
The MUA Tasmania Branch Secretary, Alisha Bull, said that “despite months of discussions, TasPorts has failed to put forward an offer that recognises the vital role these highly skilled, safety-critical workers perform every day,”
The Fair Work Commission has approved the unions' application for Protected Industrial Action, with action set to commence on Saturday, 8 August. It marks the first time MUA members employed by TasPorts have been pushed to take protected industrial action by the recalcitrance and pigheadedness of their bosses.
Launch Masters and Vessel Traffic Service Officers are responsible for keeping Tasmania's maritime industry operating safely across the state's eleven commercial ports. They coordinate vessel movements, protect lives, safeguard the marine environment and support the industries that underpin Tasmania's economy.
Launch Masters provide a twenty-four hour, seven day a week service, often responding at all hours of the day and night to ensure vessels can safely enter and depart Tasmanian ports.
Despite the critical nature of their work, TasPorts continues to offer little more than CPI-level wage increases while refusing to make meaningful progress on the issues workers have consistently identified as priorities.
Union members are seeking fair wage increases that properly recognise their qualifications, experience and responsibilities, pay rates that are comparable with equivalent maritime workers interstate, the introduction of an even-time roster for Launch Masters to provide a sustainable work-life balance, and an increase in employer superannuation from 12.5 per cent to 15 per cent, bringing marine employees into line with industry standards and other TasPorts employees.
Instead, TasPorts has pursued what members describe as a "no change" agenda across almost every substantive claim over a proposed four-year agreement.
After months of bargaining, workers have grown increasingly frustrated by what they see as repeated excuses, unnecessary delays and a lack of genuine engagement from management.
The consequences extend well beyond this bargaining round. Staff morale has deteriorated significantly, experienced employees are questioning their future with the organisation, and there are growing concerns about TasPorts' ability to recruit and retain the skilled workforce needed to safely operate Tasmania's ports into the future.
MUA Tasmania Branch Secretary, Alisha Bull, said that “TasPorts should be investing in the workers whose knowledge, skill and commitment keep the state's ports operating around the clock. Instead, it risks driving away experienced maritime professionals while expecting those who remain to shoulder ever-increasing responsibilities,”.
The company's bargaining position is made even more difficult for workers to understand when viewed alongside TasPorts' own public reporting.
“TasPorts has continued increasing charges to port users year after year while publicly promoting strong financial performance and results exceeding budget expectations. At the same time, its remuneration disclosures reveal substantial salary increases for senior executives, with some executive pay rising by almost nine per cent in a single year,” Ms Bull said.
The company’s own half-year financial report also records a reduction in employee costs.
“Workers rightly question why there always appears to be money available for executive salaries while the employees who keep Tasmania's ports operating safely are told they should accept little more than inflation,” Ms Bull said.
The MUA has underlined the fact that its members have not taken the decision to commence industrial action lightly.
“Industrial action is always a last resort. Our members would much rather reach a fair negotiated agreement than withdraw their labour. But after months of respectful bargaining, TasPorts has left workers with little alternative,” Ms Bull said.
The MUA and the AMOU remain committed to reaching an agreement and stand ready to continue negotiations at any time.
TasPorts now has an opportunity to return to the bargaining table with a fair and reasonable offer that properly values the workers who keep Tasmania's ports operating safely every hour of every day.
