Union endorses port unit head

Press, 27 July 1988, Page 1

Union endorses port unit head

By

TOM METCALFE

Mr John Mannering is the neW chairman of the Lyttelton port establishment unit, replacing Mr Allan Williams, who was asked to resign. Mr Mannering’s appointment, announced last evening, was received positively by the Lyttelton Harbour Board Workers’ Union, which earlier in the day had joined the Waterside Workers’ Union in a march to protest against “personality and power politics” at the Harbour Board. Mr Williams on Monday resigned under pressure as head of the unit after it was revealed that all copies, of a controversial report used by the establishment unit in appointing the new port company’s chief executive, Mr lan Brokenshire, had been destroyed. Another member of the unit, Mr Don Church, also resigned during the controversy. The secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board Workers’ Union, Mr Paul Corliss, said last evenng he had “no problems” with the appointment. “It is good they have appointed him from within the existing unit.” he said. “I think it is a good decision, given the people,

they have got left.”. As a member of the unit, Mr Mannering had done all the background work necessary to have a full understanding of what was involved in the restructuring of the port, Mr Corliss said. “He is no greenhorn,” he said. Mr Corliss said the union

wanted to begin negotiations on manning levels and conditions in the restructured port company. “At least that is one of the work force’s fears out of the way, and some progress will be made towards finalising what we are going to do about restructuring,” he said. “Now we can get on with the real fight.” The chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr George Wright, said be appreciated the concern expressed by the unions. “It is pretty important that we get on with the business of making the port a success,” he said. He said that in his view the matter was over and there was no need for further discussion. “I think these matters have been settled. Mr Brokenshire’s appointment has been confirmed, and that is all that can be said,” he said. Mr Wright said he was confident the remaining members of the establishment unit were competent to conduct the business of establishing the port company. He said he had no information that the board would be replacing Messrs Williams and Church on the establishment unit.