Port Hedland Qube workers ban long shifts in housing allowance dispute

Qube workers in Port Hedland cut shift hours last week over a union-led pay dispute centred on housing allowances. The Maritime Union of Australia WA enacted a ban on working shifts longer than seven hours for Qube Port Hedland members from May 28-June 1. Shifts for Qube Port Hedland workers are usually 12 hours. The employee action came in response to negotiations for a new enterprise agreement with Qube, which have been ongoing since 2019. MUA WA union organiser Joel O’Brien said the union took industrial action when negotiations with Qube broke down. “It’s about showing Qube that we’re serious about wanting to advance our claims about bargaining,” he said. “These guys are pretty much busting their guts for the company, and the company is refusing to negotiate properly.” Mr O’Brien said the dispute centred on housing allowances to cope with the cost of living in the North West. “Qube is failing to acknowledge the increase in costs of living in Port Hedland,” he said. “Who knows how high rent will go? And the living costs in general far exceed Perth.” A Qube spokesperson said Qube had agreed with the MUA nationally for a 2.5 per cent increase to the enterprise agreement. “Almost all ports nationally accepted the agreed position, including Esperance, Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton in WA,” they said. “In Port Hedland the local MUA branch is seeking an outcome different to the agreed national position and have exercised their right to take employee action.” The Qube spokesperson said not all employees agreed with the ban and therefore worked regular shifts during that period. “A large number of employees do not support the additional claims and chose to work a normal 12-hour shift over the period,” they said. “At no stage was there any interruption or disruption to our clients or the work being performed by Qube in Port Hedland.”