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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Ian Kirkwood

Svitzer's threatened national shutdown of 17 ports returns to Fair Work Commission noon Wednesday

Maritime Union of Australia Newcastle branch secretary Glen Williams yesterday, with Svitzer tugs escorting the coal ship Cape Rainbow out of the port and on its way to Japan. Picture by Jonathan Carroll

AUSTRALIA'S biggest tug operator Svitzer and three waterfront unions were called into the Fair Work Commission yesterday in an effort to avoid the company's planned indefinite shutdown of its 17 Australian ports from Friday.

A simmering dispute flared into action on Monday when the Danish-owned company said it would lock out its entire 580-strong workforce from Friday in response to union action.

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