October 4 likely for Liverpool Devlin II
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• Introduction date of the newly negotiated Devlin II agreement in the Port of Liverpool will be either September 27 or October 4, depending on how quickly individual employers can make the necessary preparations.
The later date is the more likely as considerable work is involved in organizing the labour force so that the requisite numbers will be available for the evening ("twilight") and night shifts. Talks are also in progress with road haulage interests and port users to establish procedure for the new system, which can mean that the port is worked 22 hours out of 24. Shipowners are also being consulted because of the higher costs involved in working vessels in the evening and throughout the night. Efforts are being made to establish what sort of demand there will be for these added services.
Said one port official: "An enormous volume of preparatory work is involved and October 4 seems to be the most likely starting date-.