The waterfronts of Australia are a stir with industrial unrest as big business flexes its muscles. Not since the 1990's Patrick dispute has there been such a concerted effort by business and government to fillet the rights of workers – Marinetime workers in Australia and around the world. We look at the MV Portland dispute and forcible removal by private security by US company Alcoa with support from Federal Liberal Government; we also look at the National tugboat stoppages over the employer desire to put Engineers, deckhands & skippers under one award.