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Australian Dockers Seek 28-Hour Week, Same Pay as DP World Expands Automation

July 7, 2026 at 20:04 EDT

Robotics
Policy & Regulation
Sales & Business

Australia's Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is demanding a 28-hour working week with no loss of pay from port operator DP World, tying the claim to the company's expansion of AI and automation at the nation's terminals. The demand has become the focal point of ongoing labor negotiations.

July 2026 · Waterfront Automation Dispute

Wharfies Demand a 28-Hour Week as the Price of Port Automation

As DP World moves to replace human drivers with AI-guided vehicles at its container terminals, the Maritime Union of Australia wants the productivity gains shared back as a "social dividend" — shorter hours with no loss of pay.

~1,000

workers potentially affected — over 60% of the wharf & maintenance workforce

40%

of Australia's container trade handled by DP World across 4 terminals

18+

months the plan has been delayed through safety approval and consultation

The Demand — weekly hours, no loss of pay

32–35h

current week

→

28h

MUA demand

Fewer hours, same pay — the union's "social dividend" from automation.

A Low Tax Bill Fuels Distrust

A$6.9bn

revenue over 11 years

A$31.8m

first corporate income tax paid — under 0.5% of revenue

The Automation Plan · The Process

AHT / IGV
AI-guided vehicles replace human drivers

→

Safety approval
+ 9-month consultation

→

Agreement or panel
independent decision

Union: people over profits

"No automation without agreement." The benefits of AI should be shared with workers — no move without worker participation.

Critics: Australia lags behind

Singapore and Hong Kong automated quickly while Australia stays inefficient — a 28-hour week is called extreme.

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