New Talks in Catalina Boat Strike Planned
As a strike by crewmen and officers against Catalina Cruises enters its second weekend, negotiators for the company and the striking Inland Boatman’s Union have agreed to resume bargaining talks--but not until next Friday.
Union negotiators, who sent the company a telegram on Wednesday requesting the new bargaining round, complained Friday that Catalina Cruises chose the distant date to punish the 100 striking workers, who walked off their jobs Aug. 1 to protest 15% pay cuts and reductions in overtime pay sought by the company.
The union’s three-year contract with the firm expired in January. Wages currently range from $14.33 to $17.11 an hour.
“We are willing to meet now,” said Marco Vuoso, a union negotiator. “This is our punishment. They are making us wait.”
Terry Koenig, general manager for Catalina Cruises, which provides daily passenger ferry service between Santa Catalina Island and the mainland, denied that the delay was intended to punish the union. He said Friday was the first date available to negotiators for the company.
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