Seamen reissue notice to strike

Press, 15 February 1989, Page 12

Seamen reissue notice to strike

By

PAM MORTON

Notice of industrial action has been reissued by the Seamen’s Union to try to resolve a deadlock in award talks. Strike action was to have taken effect yesterday but was averted last week by a meeting between the union and Shipping Federation employers. But 14 days notice of strike

action has been reissued by the union. The union secretary, Mr Gerry Evans, said there had been some movement in the talks but the sticking point was the attempt by the Shipping Corporation to be cited out of the award. The corporation and Searail want to be exempted from the award to enable them to pursue

reduced crew and leave provisions with the unions. “We simply won’t allow it to happen," said Mr Evans. “We are involved in a serious industrial dispute with the corporation.” He said no further meetings were scheduled at this stage with the employers. The federation’s industrial re-

lations officer, Mr Roy Bravnboer, said the employers had made changes in their stance but the union was not listening to the whole offer. “They only hear what they want to hear,” he said. Mr Bravenboer said it was hoped the two parties would resume negotiations before any industrial action.