Australian waterfront dispute spreads to west coast port of Fremantle

The waterfront dispute at some of Australia's largest ports will spread to Fremantle in Western Australia due to continuing row between stevedoring company Patrick and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), local media reported on Thursday.

Wednesday's industrial action saw the closure of container ports in Sydney and Brisbane, and the dispute is threatening to shut down ports around the country for a week, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said.

The union has rejected an offer from Patrick to enter into voluntary conciliation and arbitration before Fair Work Australia on a new enterprise bargaining agreement.

MUA deputy national secretary Mick Doleman says Patrick's offer is a case of double standards.

Patrick says it is preparing an application to Fair Work Australia, citing the economic impact the dispute is having and seeking the arbitrator's intervention.

The union is demanding pay rises of six percent a year for workers, over three years, as well as increases in superannuation and staffing levels.

It has rejected a five percent offer, saying that is actually a four percent pay offer, with one percent in productivity bonuses.

Patrick said the dispute is affecting 26 ships nationwide, including six in Fremantle and will cost the company about eight million AU dollars (8.45 million U.S. dollars).

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