Gladstone port strike called off

Unions have agreed to an 11th hour meeting to ensure that one of Australia's biggest ports will not come to a grinding halt through a week of strike action, Sky News reports.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), the Maritime Officers Union and Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers planned to strike at 7pm (AEST) on Friday after a breakdown in negotiations with Dutch-based towing company Smit.
The company has exclusive rights to towage services in Gladstone port and a seven-day strike would have effectively closed the coal export hub down.
But Smit on Friday consented to mediation at Fair Work Australia.
The parties will meet in Brisbane on Monday at 10am (AEST).
'This is a positive development,' MUA Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray said in a statement to AAP.
'It's pleasing that the company has agreed to to come back to the negotiating table. 'Hopefully, we'll get a good outcome for all parties though this process.'