HONG KONG's Hutchison Ports Australia (HPA) and the Maritime Union of Australia, meeting under the auspices of the Fair Work Commission, has been "useful and constructive", according to HPA acting chief executive Mark Jack.
HONG KONG's Hutchison Ports Australia (HPA) and the Maritime Union of Australia, meeting under the auspices of the Fair Work Commission, has been "useful and constructive", according to HPA acting chief executive Mark Jack.
In a company statement, Mr Jack said it had been "very difficult time for HPA", but insisted the company had followed correct Australian procedure in relation to announcing 87 waterfront lay-offs in Sydney and Brisbane.
In a company statement, Mr Jack said it had been "very difficult time for HPA", but insisted the company had followed correct Australian procedure in relation to announcing 87 waterfront lay-offs in Sydney and Brisbane.
MUA dockers had reacted uncooperatively after being told of the coming lay offs.
Mr Jack said he regretted that there had been some misunderstanding about the actions of the company more widely in the media, but acknowledged this was perhaps "inevitable given the painful situation confronting both the company and its employees and the associated emotions".
In a less concilliatory tone, an earlier statement from HPA personnel chief Harriet Mihalopoulos, the company said that without an agreement HPA was considering all of its options ahead of the Federal Court hearing on September 1.
The company has maintained its position that due to severe financial pressures, it has had to make some hard decisions about the Australian operations.
Mr Jack said he regretted that there had been some misunderstanding about the actions of the company more widely in the media, but acknowledged this was perhaps "inevitable given the painful situation confronting both the company and its employees and the associated emotions".
In a less concilliatory tone, an earlier statement from HPA personnel chief Harriet Mihalopoulos, the company said that without an agreement HPA was considering all of its options ahead of the Federal Court hearing on September 1.
The company has maintained its position that due to severe financial pressures, it has had to make some hard decisions about the Australian operations.
"Hutchison Ports Australia says it remains committed to negotiating a resolution to the current industrial dispute with workers in Brisbane and Sydney," said the earlier press statement.
"HPA has invested A$700 million (US$498 million) in the Australian operations since June 2013 and made an A$87 million loss for the 2014 calendar year.
"The company has been incurring substantial losses in Australia after finding it extremely difficult to break into the current duopoly in the Australian market," said the press release.
"HPA has invested A$700 million (US$498 million) in the Australian operations since June 2013 and made an A$87 million loss for the 2014 calendar year.
"The company has been incurring substantial losses in Australia after finding it extremely difficult to break into the current duopoly in the Australian market," said the press release.
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