Port strike talks 'proved useful'

Non-union staff kept the port running during the strikes

Talks between officials at a Kent port and national union leaders aimed at avoiding a strike by dockside workers have been described as "useful".

Dover Harbour Board and the Unite trade union had a two-hour discussion in Dover on Thursday.

Workers at the port have already held two strikes over plans to privatise 190 mooring and security jobs.

Both parties said they would meet again on Friday. The next strike is due to be held on 8 December.

More than 300 staff took part in the two previous walk-outs in November.

Second terminal

An agreed statement from both parties said: "The discussions have proved useful. We are meeting again tomorrow."

The harbour board wants to turn the former Hoverport at the Western Docks into a second ferry terminal with a new marina and four new berths.

The board said a second terminal would help create 1,000 new jobs locally and ease traffic problems, but service operations first needed to be opened up to competition, in line with European Commission objectives.

Members of Unite have expressed concern about the terms and conditions and their pensions if the move to outsource jobs goes ahead.