High Court decision halts port strike - but more action planned (From Western Telegraph)

Judge rules against port pilots strike

11:21am Wednesday 17th February 2010 in County News

BREAKING NEWS: Court decision halts port strike

A court ruling has stopped strike action by pilots and launch crew going ahead at Milford Haven port tomorrow (Thursday) but notice of further strike action has been served.

At the High Court in London this morning, Judge Mr Justice Sweeney granted the injunction sought by Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) against the Unite Trade Union and its plans to hold two days of strike action and a further day of ‘work to rule’ action.

Mr Justice Sweeney said that the ‘balance of convenience’ favoured the port authority and found that notices of industrial action issued by the union did not comply properly with the relevant legislation.

A MHPA spokesman said: "While the authority is pleased that the injunction has been granted, the real issue is that of getting agreement with the union and we remain fully committed to resolving this dispute through continued discussion."

Unite regional officer Allan Card said he was disappointed with the ruling and said the union would only take part in lawful action.

More than two weeks of talks have taken place between both sides, concerning changes that are being introduced by the authority to its pension scheme and provision of pension benefits.

MHPA chief executive Ted Sangster said: "Like many organisations across the UK, the authority’s defined benefit pension scheme faces a large and growing deficit that is unsustainable.

"Having undertaken a long and detailed process of consultation with all its staff in 2009, the authority believes that the revised defined benefit scheme remains a good package, from an employer that has carefully considered the needs of both its employees and the business."

Mr Card said: "The inescapable fact is that those workers looking to retain their final salary pension scheme are facing an immediate 9% salary pay cut and losing up to 30% of their pension."

He said that formal notice of further strike action planned for next Tuesday (February 23), had been served to the authority.

The 12 hours of industrial action is scheduled to begin at 6am and will involve a complete withdrawal of labour of up to 50 pilots and launch crew from the haven.

Mr Card said progress had been made during talks with the authority and ACAS, the independent conciliation service, and ‘figures were on the table’.

However, as yet no deal has been struck.

A MHPA spokesman said they were prepared to go to the binding arbitration, but had received confirmation from the trade union that it was not willing to do this. An offer by the union to postpone strike action for up to 28 days was also turned down by the authority.

Mr Sangster said: "The authority is disappointed that industrial action is planned which could potentially damage the port’s reputation, impact on customers and the wider needs of the country."

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP, Stephen Crabb, said he didn’t believe a strike would be in the local or national interest.