WWU show they can't be trusted

17 February 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WWU show they can't be trusted

Greg Dickson, Director of Mainland Stevedoring Limited, said today that the Waterfront Workers Union breach of confidentiality shows they can't be trusted.

"The mediation took place on the explicit agreement amongst all parties that the content of the talks would not be disclosed. That was confirmed again at the end of the discussions, but within two hours the WWU had broken that agreement. This is the clearest evidence to date that the WWU had no intention of entering into the discussions in good faith."

"Their lack of honesty and integrity is at the heart of this dispute. How can we possibly work with them when we can't trust them? How can their own members trust them when they have not presented the very generous offers made by Mainland during mediation?"

Mr Dickson said that the offer by the WWU to load the Bright Phoenix in Nelson on Sunday showed how desperate they are to keep Mainland and the Amalgamated Stevedores Union out of the South Island.

"The bizarre thing, of course, is that the WWU is not a stevedoring company and can't contract to load anybody's ship. Unless of course they were speaking as representatives of another stevedoring company."

ENDS

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