MP calls on State Labor to stop tug boat job losses

JUNE 24, 2016: THE imminent threat of BMA tug boat operators losing their jobs could be averted immediately if the State Labor Government acted to change the State legislation that enabled unfair partnership arrangements to undermine the Fair Work Act.I met with a Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) official and a worker whose job was under threat yesterday to discuss what could be done before the June 30 deadline.I have already issued the call for the Fair Work Ombudsman to investigate a number of claims about unfair work practices, including the imminent dismissal of BMA tug boat operators.But that will take some time and these workers lose their jobs on June 30.I’m calling on BMA to hold fire on these changed workplace arrangements so that the Fair Work umpire has time to conduct that investigation.But I’m also calling on the State Labor Government, and the Labor Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert in particular, to step in and change the state legislation which allows BMA to enter into this partnership arrangement with RivTow.This issue only arose after the Federal Government went into caretaker mode ahead of the election, so we can’t legislate right now.But the State Government can.Labor’s Julieanne Gilbert can step in and call on her government to save the day.BMA has serious questions to answer in relation to the treatment of workers.It seems to me that BMA is doing the wrong thing, and I am going to take this up with the Employment Minister and the Prime Minister at the first opportunity.BMA are using and abusing state legislation which allows doctors, accountants and lawyers to operate partnerships.It may be the case that changes need to be made to the Fair Work Act to stop such unfair practices, and I am more than willing to prosecute that argument following an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman.But time is of the essence for these workers right now, and my hands are tied until after the election.