DP World Criticized for Prioritizing Profits over Australian Workers’ Well-being

The Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus criticized DP World, a foreign-owned company, for prioritizing profits over the well-being of Australian workers. She accused the company of attempting to pressure the government into intervening in a labor dispute, but expressed confidence that the government would prioritize the interests of Australian workers. The company’s workers earn an average of $130,000 to $140,000, including overtime and penalty rates, with base wages starting at $83,000. The union’s offer to the company includes a 27.5% pay increase, as well as proposed changes to disciplinary policies, sick leave, and work allocation rules.

DP World rejected the union’s offer, stating that it was not sustainable and would lead to more industrial action in the future. Freight and trade groups also criticized DP World for raising container fees by up to 50% from February 1. In response, the Maritime Union of Australia withdrew three items of protected industrial action in an effort to prevent the company from pitting workers and customers against each other through a “pseudo-lockout.” The union’s assistant national secretary, Adrian Evans, defended the union’s position as fair, reasonable, and sustainable in the negotiation process.

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