Aussie exports slowed as workers' pay rise refused

The Maritime Union of Australia is going head to head with the Federal Government after being accused of slowing down container ships full of exports.

Up to 90,000 containers at Port Botany in Sydney are stuck in limbo as the union attempts to negotiate a pay rise.

The union wants a six per cent lift in pay and has denied that the delivery of medicine has been interrupted.

"(They are) painting us as unreasonable, lazy slobs, which they've been doing for 120 years," branch secretary Paul McAleer told 9News.

"They have chosen not to negotiate."

Today, Patrick Terminals went to the Fair Work Commission to force the union to call off the industrial action and the Federal Government has offered its support.

"We need to get our produce out of that port," Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said.

"And we need it to happen very soon."

Pete MacSmith from NSW Milling in the NSW Central West said the company had a bumper canola season, but were currently unable to get their product onto ships.

"We've got containers lined up for China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, Fiji," he said.

The delays mean surcharges are being added to each container, damaging any potential profit.

"It couldn't be more devastating to an industry that was starting to see some hope after three years of tough times," Mr MacSmith said.

The union's actions are completely legal, and Patrick Terminals has to prove to the Fair Work Commission that the industrial action is having an economic impact and must be stopped.