Image: Twitter/ Peter Boyle – Union protesters

Ben Fordham has clashed with a union boss over this morning’s ferry strike.

Union protesters blocked commuters from boarding ferries as they tried to get to work.

Manly Fast Ferry organised extra staff to cope with the approved workers’ strike, but union members boarded ferries and prevented passengers from getting on.

Workers on the @manlyfastferry stopped work for two hours this morning demanding better working conditions. The action delayed commuters on the north side of the harbour, while at Circular Quay the riot squad was called in to keep protesters at bay. #7News pic.twitter.com/9PZ8H8PKjp

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) March 6, 2019

The Maratime Union of Australia (MUA) has been negotiating with the NRMA, who owns the fast ferry, for better pay.

Ben Fordham asks MUA Sydney Assistant Secretary Paul Garrett why he thought he had the right to prevent people from getting to work.

“People who are going to work should get to work,” says Mr Garrett.

“But public transport workers shouldn’t be used and prostituted at the wrong rates of pay just so others can get to work.”

Click PLAY below to listen to the full interview

But CEO of Manly Fast Ferry Richard Ford denies paying workers below the minimum wage and says he is willing to negotiate.

“We’ve offered them an attractive deal based on the ferry award.

“We’re absolutely disappointed that we impacted peoples’ lives this morning.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview