Mermaid’s Weber hits back at MUA tactics

Mermaid Marine Australia managing director Jeff Weber has defended the company’s stance on negotiations with the Maritime Union of Australia, after employees at its Dampier Supply Base said on Friday they would strike for 10 days.

With the 10 consecutive 24-hour work stoppages set to begin from July 31, Mr Weber said the company was not making unreasonable demands of its employees.

“What we’re basically chasing here is stability of the workforce, because as demand goes up and down we need to match the requirements of our clients,” he said.

“The guys are already well paid, they’re getting above $200,000 per year.”

Mr Weber criticised a statement by MUA assistant WA secretary Will Tracey that union members did not get any annual leave and deserved a break.

“There are those working normal nine-to-five working days and they get five weeks of annual leave, and then there are those working on rosters, working six days on and three days off, and they get six weeks of annual leave, as well as sick leave and other benefits,’’ Mr Weber said.

“Our employees are really important to us, so the last thing we want to do is burn them out.” 

The striking workers are seeking increased wages and long-term job security, while Mermaid on Friday said it needed to retain flexibility to service the changing needs of its clients. 

Mr Weber said the strike would affect about 70 of the 200 employees working up in Dampier at the moment, with vessel operations, the slipway, and a second supply base behind the main supply base to continue operations as normal. 

“All we’re after here is looking after our clients,” he said.

“Job security is really important, I get that, but the best form of job security is looking after your clients really well and that’s what we’re trying to do; get into a situation where our clients are serviced well.” 

Mr Weber said there administration and supervisory staff in Dampier would continue to work through the strike, which would help to reduce the impact of the strike on the company's clients. 

Mermaid Marine's share price fell by 2.2 per cent to $2 per share at 1:30pm.