Watersiders to start talks

Press, 7 May 1987, Page 9

Watersiders to start talks

Waterside workers and their employers will begin conciliation talks in Wellington today in an attempt to avoid further strike action at New Zealand ports. The two parties last met early in April, but, after five days of negotiations on the General Principal Order, they separated without agreement. The Waterside Workers’ Federation gave 14 days notice of strike action on April 27 and this “helped to initiate a Waterfront Industry Tribunal,” said the chief advocate for the employers, Mr Ron Palmer. The tribunal judge directed the two parties back into conciliation, and talks are set down for today and tomorrow. The last General Principal Order ran out' in December. Watersiders

have taken industrial action several times since then in support of their wage claims. The main hurdle has been the employers’ insistence that wage talks be linked with talks on manning levels, the bonus system, and restrictions at the container terminal, while the unions have insisted these issues be discussed separately. Mr Palmer said the employers’ position had not changed on these points. The Waterside Workers’ Federation general secretary was not available for comment. Mr Palmer said the Waterfront Industry Tribunal would arbitrate on the matter on May 27 and 28 if no agreement was reached during the conciliation talks to begin today.