CTU Should Apologise To Police

31 January 2001

The Council of Trade Unions should be apologising to the Police not criticising them, says Mainland Stevedoring Director Greg Dickson.

"The Waterfront Workers Union and its supporters have been involved in violence, sabotage and intimidation in South Island ports which has required an ever-increasing Police presence. I believe that the Police are doing a difficult job very well."

Mr Dickson says that the WWU must take responsibility for the clashes. "They have a right to lawful protest, but they have frequently crossed the line. If the WWU leaders exercised more control, the Police would not be in this situation."

Mr Dickson says that he is proud of the restraint shown by Mainland workers. "They have been exposed to outrageous threats and intimidation, but they have done exactly the right thing and let the Police handle the situation. I am particularly proud of our new recruits who are refusing to be cowed by death threats from the bully boys on the picket lines.

"It is appalling that New Zealand workers, all of them union members, should be subjected to this sort of treatment. Why doesn't Ross Wilson have anything to say about their rights?"

ENDS

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