Workers on the Sydney Harbour ferries that have been privatised went on strike for two hours on March 6. The strike involved workers on the NRMA-owned My Fast Ferry and Fantasea Cruising.
While the company brought in non-union skippers, all Fast Ferry services between Manly and Circular Quay were stopped by the strike and picket.
Last year the NRMA posted more than $97.1 million in profits, yet almost all their ferry workers are casual and they are not being paid award wages. They are not guaranteed shifts and have to come to work on short notice. Union-active workers have been left off rosters, union organisers said.
Maritime Union of Australia Assistant Secretary Paul Garrett said that the NRMA claims, by way of excuse for not giving their ferry workers the same condition as workers on the still public-owned ferries, that their vessels are not ferries but instead "charter boats". However, on the side of the manly ferry stranded in Circular Quay's Wharf 2, it said "myfastferry.com.au"!