DP World calls for Government intervention in stevedore pay spat claims disruption costing Fremantle millions

DP World is urging the Federal Government to intervene in its bitter pay dispute with stevedore workers, and claims the Port of Fremantle has lost about $3.2 million in cargo and disrupted $8.9m worth of exports as a result. The Dubai-headquartered container and shipping company has sought to lay bare costs of industrial action that’s been playing havoc with exports and imports at ports across Australia since October 1 last year. Claiming the situation has reached a stalemate, it wants to have the matter taken to arbitration where the parties will be forced to hash out a deal under the watch of the Fair Work Commission. “DP World believes that we have reached a point where intervention by the Industrial Relations Minister or the Fair Work Commission is our final option,” a spokesman said. As it stands, DP World claims the State Government-owned Port of Fremantle had lost about $3.2m worth of cargo and that freight delay costs were standing at $1.5m. It has also claimed the cost of disrupted exports was about $8.9m. Maritime Union of Australia workers have been engaging in stoppages and bans in their fight for a pay increase from their employer with workers at Fremantle Port cleared to keep industrial action rolling for at least another week. It’s understood negotiations are due to resume later this week. Strikes kicked off after DP said the Union rejected its offer for about a 15 per cent pay rise over four years in response to calls for a 27 per cent increase from workers. Last year maritime workers and electricians based at Henderson took part in industrial action calling for better pay from their UK-based defence employer BAE Systems.