HC Deb 18 July 1989 vol 157 cc164-5W
50. Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the port-by-port negotiations between dock workers and the port employers; and if he will make a statement.

84. Mr. Michael Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has received any representations about the need for port-by-port negotiations between the dock workers and their employers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. Friend has received no representations about port-by-port negotiations between former registered dock workers and their employers. Following the abolition of the restrictions of the dock labour scheme, employers and employees must decide what form of negotiations about the terms and conditions of 9,200 former registered dock workers meets the needs of the ports concerned.

The Government note that terms and conditions of 30,000 other workers in scheme and non-scheme ports are the product of successful local negotiations between employers and employees, and that port employers have offered similar talks to former registered dock workers. The Government believe that the offer should be taken up, in the interests of the dock workers themselves and the ports on which their jobs depend.

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