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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Ferry workers' strikes called off | Ferry workers' strikes called off |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A series of strikes planned by dockside workers at Dover has been cancelled to allow talks to settle the dispute. | |
| A 16-hour stoppage by members of Unite at the Kent port was due to begin at 1500 GMT on Monday, with two more planned for Wednesday and Friday. | |
| The Port of Dover and the union said the strikes had been called off while talks begun last week continued. | |
| More than 300 workers have already held two strikes to protest at plans to privatise 190 jobs in January. | More than 300 workers have already held two strikes to protest at plans to privatise 190 jobs in January. |
| Talks between Unite and the port management were held for two hours on Thursday and an hour on Friday, in a bid to settle the dispute over mooring, trailer handling and security. | Talks between Unite and the port management were held for two hours on Thursday and an hour on Friday, in a bid to settle the dispute over mooring, trailer handling and security. |
| Afterwards, the parties issued a joint statement saying useful discussions were continuing. | Afterwards, the parties issued a joint statement saying useful discussions were continuing. |
| The port said a full ferry schedule of more than 60 daily departures was maintained throughout the action. | The port said a full ferry schedule of more than 60 daily departures was maintained throughout the action. |
| Non-union staff kept the port running, and chief executive Bob Goldfield branded the strikes as "pointless". | Non-union staff kept the port running, and chief executive Bob Goldfield branded the strikes as "pointless". |
| But Unite said the stoppages had affected the ferry schedule. | But Unite said the stoppages had affected the ferry schedule. |
| Spokeswoman Jane Jeffery said: "They are very early talks. We are just going to see what happens." |