UNIONS - WATERSIDERS STRIKE

The wharfies at five ports are striking in protest at employers attempts to replace their national award with port to port agreements. While general cargo is being held up by strike action, containerised cargo is still moving. Container terminal staff are covered by a seperate award as Janice Rodenburg explains. Watersiders Union secretary, Sam Jannings, says the situation is quirky as the people for the container cargo and the general cargo are the same people. Employers Advocate, John Button, says the general and the container awards can not be compared because of individual port requirements.