Darwin Port Faces Industrial Action Over Wages and Conditions

Darwin — Workers at Darwin Port have unanimously endorsed industrial action, raising the prospect of strikes as early as next week amid a protracted pay and conditions dispute with port management.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) said the outcome of a Protected Action Ballot, returned on Friday, demonstrated workers' determination to secure an improved employment agreement.

The union said strike action could begin in approximately a week, although the timing and nature of the proposed action have not yet been confirmed.

Workers are seeking annual wage increases of 5% over a four-year agreement, a AU$5,000 sign-on payment and superannuation contributions two percentage points above the statutory minimum.

MUA Deputy National Secretary, Warren Smith, accused management of resisting reasonable demands despite improved financial performance at the port.

“Profits are up; productivity is up, there is no excuse,” Smith said, arguing that workers responsible for keeping the port operational deserved a fair share of its growth.

Darwin Port recorded earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of AU$42.4 million, up from AU$34 million in the previous year, the union said.

Smith said workers had made compromises during negotiations but accused management of responding with additional demands rather than resolving outstanding issues.

The dispute comes despite the port receiving the 2025 Port or Terminal of the Year award at the Daily Cargo News Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards, with the organisation previously crediting its workforce's dedication for the achievement.

MUA Northern Territory Branch Secretary, Andy Burford, said an agreement could still be reached before industrial action begins, placing responsibility on management to improve its offer.

“Darwin Port has an opportunity to resolve this dispute before action begins. There is still time to avoid industrial action,” Burford said.

He said the union had reached agreement on several matters but remained concerned about unresolved provisions in the proposed employment agreement.

One outstanding issue involves the agreement's coverage clause.

The union says it is prepared to accept changes, provided safeguards prevent management from introducing new job titles to remove workers from the protection of the agreement.

The MUA also pointed to Darwin's annual inflation rate of 5.2% in the 12 months to September 2026, compared with the national rate of 4.3%, as part of its argument for higher wages.

The union has accepted a four-year agreement running until June 30, 2030, alongside several other bargaining provisions, but negotiations have yet to produce a settlement.

Industrial action would threaten to disrupt operations at a strategically important Northern Territory shipping gateway if the parties fail to reach an agreement.