Hutchison Ports Australia (HPA) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) today agreed to continue conciliation proceedings in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in an effort to keep the company viable and create a sustainable workforce. The parties signed a new agreement to extend negotiations until November 16 under the auspices of Deputy FWC President Anna Booth. Under the terms agreed today, a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) will be negotiated and made by November 16. The date can be extended by mutual consent. HPA Acting CEO Mark Jack said HPA had been vigorous in its pursuit of conciliation for more than two months. HPA officers had attended conciliation and private talks on at least ten occasions, and the company had kept on full pay all workers earmarked for redundancy nine weeks ago. “This is not an easy time for our workers and the company. We have been working on solutions to keep the company viable and to demonstrate to the union how creating a sustainable long-term workforce is the only way forward for both the company and HPA’s workers,” he said. “We will continue to negotiate in good faith during this extended period and hope that the MUA and its members will cooperate to try to work out a solution in the best and balanced interest of all stakeholders including the workforce, the customers and the shareholders.” Both parties agreed that a voluntary redundancy program would be opened for workers in Brisbane and Sydney. The parties also agreed that the Federal Court action brought by the MUA against HPA would be vacated, with each party bearing its own costs. Mr Jack said critical terms remained at issue, and he was realistic that a mutually agreeable outcome about the company’s future employment needs at Sydney and Brisbane port operations may not be achievable at all, but he intended to continue a helpful process under the auspices of FWC aimed at ensuring the company’s future viability. He also noted that the economic reality of a third operator on Australia’s eastern seaboard was that without creative thinking from all stakeholders, the future looked challenging. Mr Jack said he appreciated the MUA’s clearer understanding of the serious challenges facing HPA. “We acknowledge the MUA’s role in these productive negotiations in the FWC before Deputy President Booth,” he said. “HPA is a committed commercial ports operator, but we are also realists. All options for our future will have to be considered.”