Workers have returned to their posts at Mermaid Marine’s supply base in Dampier, ending industrial action that began last Friday.
Mermaid said in a statement to the ASX today the return to work followed discussions between the company and the Maritime Union of Australia in respect to new enterprise agreements for the supply base.
“Employees have now withdrawn from the claim action and have returned to their normal hours of work at the Dampier supply base,” Mermaid said.
The employee claim began after the union said Mermaid rejected a compromise agreement to end a protracted dispute at Dampier, which the union said stemmed from workers’ inability to meet the high cost of living in the Pilbara.
The MUA claimed last week workers were asking for a 10 per cent increase on base pay rates of $58,000 a year.
Mermaid's response claimed workers at the supply base currently earn an annual salary of $100,342 and total remuneration of $155,454 after adding in allowances.
Mermaid today said negotiations with the union would continue in "good faith", in order to finalise the agreement in a timely manner.
