Leading tugboat operator Svitzer will lock out their workforce of almost 600 people in response to the Maritime Union’s 2,000 hours of industrial action.

The dispute over a new deal with the union includes Svitzer wanting to remove a clause where the union has the right to be consulted on every new staff member hired.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke told Ben Fordham he does not “understand why that one is there”.

“I’m devastated by the way the whole dispute’s unfolded.”

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Image: Getty/Sam Mooy