The Australian Wharf Lockout

Abstract

THE AUSTRALIAN WATERFRONT DISPUTE between the union movement on one side, and the federal government, the National Farmers' Federation (NFF) and Patrick Stevedores on the other, is arguably the most important Australian industrial struggle this century, and has significant international implications. This paper outlines the historical background to the fight, and the strategies and tactics employed by each side. The Australian government and its allies were clearly engaged in a coordinated effort to debilitate the union movement, and to enforce the introduction of individualised working arrangements within the stevedoring industry, and more generally. Although this attempt failed, the government and the company have argued that ‘waterfront reform’ has been advanced by concessions wrung from the union. It is forecast that the words in the agreement will prove less important than their implementation, and that further turmoil on the wharves is likely as the parties strive to advance and defend their positions.