11:17am Tuesday 16th March 2010
The threat of a pilots’ strike crippling the port of Milford Haven has passed.
Milford Haven Port Authority and the Unite Trade Union reached agreement yesterday (Monday), resulting in planned industrial action by pilots at the port being called off.
The talks came just a week before the end of a 28 consultation period in which Unite agreed to suspend industrial action in order to discuss details of further offers tabled by MHPA on February 22nd.
The dispute concerned changes to the Authority's pensions scheme following a long period of increased deficit on the company's final salary pension schemes.
The new Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, Alec Don, said: "I am pleased that there will be no industrial action at a time of such uncertainty for both the wider economy and a number of our customers in particular.
“One of my priorities is to re-establish a strong sense of partnership between the Authority and its marine staff, who have a vital role to play in ensuring MHPA’s ability to continue to invest in the future of the port."
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