The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has been fined US$424,700 by Australia's Federal Court after it found officials had bullied an employer to bar non-unionised workers from employment.
The Australian reported Federal Court judge John Gilmour also ordered the employer, Skilled Offshore, to pay US$182,550 to a Perth-based couple that were refused work in 2009. The court found their application to join the union was refused by MUA's Western Australian secretary Chris Cain.
Justice Gilmour said this reflected the MUA's "blatant use of illegitimate industrial action power" that was intended to "bully" the company into rejecting the couple.
Justice Gilmour said the MUA's actions deprived the couple of work "at a critical time of their lives, of the opportunity to gain well paid employment".
Employment Minister Eric Abetz called the behaviour of the MUA unacceptable.
"This important decision is a welcome showing of support for the honest worker over the militant union boss.
"It's time that Bill Shorten and Labor distance themselves from these militant union bosses who have engaged in this unlawful conduct."
