Port operator DP World has called in the Fair Work Commission to resolve a long-running industrial dispute that has left hundreds of dock workers locked out of major terminals in Sydney and Melbourne.
The Maritime Union of Australia has been locked in an 11-month negotiation over a new enterprise bargaining agreement with DP World, saying the company is not doing enough to support its workforce as it increases its reliance on automation.
But DP World chief executive Paul Scurrah said the company's offer of a 2.8 per cent annual wage increase was "very generous" given the challenging business environment and structural changes within the company.
With the two parties at odds, DP World have applied for conciliation with the commission to sort out the dispute.
"We want this resolved," Mr Scurrah said.
"We would like to see our workers back on the docks before Christmas."
Mr Scurrah hopes the commission, as an independent umpire, will bring "focus and discipline" to the negotiation.
DP World has closed operations in Melbourne and Sydney and will shut down its Fremantle port for four hours on Friday after workers voted in favour of work stoppages.
"Clearly we're disappointed with that, particularly with the timing," Mr Scurrah said.
The union has said the company wants to scrap penalty rates.
MUA assistant national secretary Warren Smith urged DP World to return to the negotiating table.
"They won't come and meet us," Mr Smith told AAP.
Further industrial action would take place in Sydney on Monday and Tuesday if an agreement was not reached.
"The workers are prepared to continue taking whatever action we need to take to get DP World back to the table," Mr Smith said.
David Anderson, chief executive of peak industry body Ports Australia, has called MUA's industrial action "unwarranted and extreme".
"It has created unprecedented scheduling disruptions across our networks in the lead up to the Christmas period," Mr Anderson said.
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