Arabic version: عمال عبّارات بريزبن يخططون لتوقف لمدة 24 ساعة خلال «ريفر فاير»
According to ABC News, Brisbane ferry workers will undertake a 24-hour work stoppage on Saturday, coinciding with the Riverfire fireworks display. Workers are due to walk off the job at 4am, affecting CityCat and ferry services operated by RiverCity Ferries along the Brisbane River.
The action is the latest development in a pay dispute between the Maritime Union of Australia and RiverCity Ferries. Negotiations have continued since October last year, while MUA ferry workers have conducted stoppages of varying lengths since July 30.
Riverfire officially opens the Brisbane Festival, and up to half a million people are expected to visit major river precincts on Saturday evening. About 27,000 people used Brisbane ferry services to travel to Riverfire last year.
RiverCity Ferries general manager Paul Rigby urged the union to abandon the action, saying the company had put a strong offer before staff. MUA organiser Jaiden Simpson said the operator had not meaningfully engaged with unions, delegates or its workforce over the past 17 meetings. He cited fatigue management, work-life balance, meal breaks, salary, superannuation and other conditions as unresolved concerns.
Mr Simpson said the MUA wants a three-year agreement with a 6 per cent pay rise in its first year, with later increases yet to be determined. Brisbane City Council public transport chair Andrew Wines criticised the timing, while Labor opposition deputy leader Lucy Collier said council had failed to resolve the matter before Riverfire. The union said no further action had yet been planned beyond Saturday’s stoppage.
