The Federal Court has granted interim orders preventing the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) from encouraging an international boycott of certain ships.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has begun action against the union for alleged breaches of the Trade Practices Act.
The orders prevent the MUA from encouraging or conspiring with the International Transport Federation (ITF) and its affiliates to institute boycotts on ships loaded by non union labour in Australia.
The MUA is seeking to have the matter placed before Juctice Tony North who is hearing the union's conspiracy case and Patrick Stevedores cross claim for damages.
Justice Beaumont says he will refer the matter to the Chief Justice of the Federal Court to decide who should hear the ACCC's case.
Meanwhile hundreds of tonnes of exports loaded on a ship by non union labour will be sent back to Australia under and agreement to settle a dispute that has stranded the vessel in Los Angeles for more than two weeks.
The Federal Court in Melbourne has been told payment of wages to maritime union members at Patrick Stevedores would enhance the prospect of meaningful discussion and a resolution of the dispute.
Julian Burnside QC told the court union secretary John Coombs believes the release of wages owed to hundreds of union members would settle the two month dispute, despite an earlier undertaking to go without pay.
Lawyers for the company's administrator have told the court $3.5 million will be available at the end of the month to pay the reinstated workers, however the banks are yet to make a commitment to release the funds.
The hearing continues.
Wednesday 27 May, 1998 (2:35pm AEST)
The Federal Court has granted interim orders restraining the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) from causing the International Transport Federation to institute an international boycott of ships.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has begun action against the union, claiming breaches of secondary boycott provisions under the Trade Practices Act.
Justice Beaumont's orders relate to the ships Columbus Canada and Direct Kea and have have been put in place until a hearing next week for interloculartory injunctions. The MUA is seeking to have the matter placed before Justice Tony North, who is hearing the union's conspiracy case against Patrick Stevedores and the company's cross-claim for damages.
The chief justice of the Federal Court will be asked to decide, possibly this week, who should hear the case and when.
