Calls for the federal government to intervene to prevent an escalation of a bitter waterfront dispute have been rejected by Australia's peak union body.
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The long-running standoff between stevedore DP World and the Maritime Union of Australia has resulted in port workers refusing to carry out certain parts of dock work amid pay negotiations.
While staff have still been paid during the industrial action, DP World has threatened to dock pay from Friday for those taking part.
Despite fears an escalation in the dispute could lead to disruption in some of Australia's busiest ports, ACTU president Michele O'Neil rejected suggestions from the coalition the federal government should intervene.
"It doesn't need an intervention, what it needs is some fair negotiation and for the company to stop taking extreme action and threaten that action," she told ABC Radio on Thursday.
"This is hard and dangerous work that these workers do for us on the docks, so the proposals that the company have put forward are unreasonable.
"The union is trying to find some common ground."
DP World is the second largest port operator in Australia and manages about 40 per cent of maritime freight.
A spokesman for DP World said talks were ongoing with unions.
"Should our employees not perform their full duties (on Friday), DP World will proceed with implementing the pay docking policy for those employees," the spokesman said.
In an email sent by DP World to industry groups, the company said it would no longer tolerate partial work bans.
"This is a necessary step to address the detrimental effects of the industrial action on vital industries such as meat, agriculture and retail," the email read.
"The livelihoods of countless individuals are at stake and we must take action to curb economic losses and stabilise port operations.
"We want to assure you that DP World Australia remains fully committed to resolving the dispute while protecting our business interests and the broader economy from the impacts of industrial action."
The federal opposition has warned an escalation of the pay dispute could lead to economic disruption.
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor urged Workplace Minister Tony Burke to step in to help resolve issues in the dispute.
"We all pay a much higher price when Australia's ports aren't working properly, we've learned that in the past," Mr Taylor told ABC Radio.
Negotiations between DP World and the maritime union are set to continue until Thursday.
Ms O'Neil encouraged DP World to come to the table with a better deal for its workers.
"I've just urged the company to step back from escalating it, don't threaten to stand people down, which will cause more problems on the dock," she said.
Freight and Trade Alliance director Paul Zalai said the escalation of the workplace dispute from both camps was alarming.
"It appears that we are rapidly heading towards the point of a lockout of workers," he said.
"We must avoid an escalation of the crippling disruption experienced in the infamous 1998 Patrick waterfront dispute."
Australian Associated Press
