No available shotlist




Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: NEW YORK, AUG. 26 (UPI)--THE SUPERLINER UNITED STATES SAILED TODAY FOR EUROPE--THE FIRST STRIKEBOUND U.S. PASSENGER LINER TO LEAVE AN AMERICAN PORT SINCE THE EAST AND GULF COAST WALKOUT BEGAN JUNE 16.

NINE HUNDRED PASSENGERS, SOME OF WHOM HAD WAITED TWO MONTHS TO MAKE THE TRIP ON THE UNITED STATES, WERE ABOARD WHEN THE WORLD'S FASTEST LINER PULLED AWAY FROM ITS HUDSON RIVER PIER AT NOON EDT. MANY ADMITTED THEY WERE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE EMBARKATION UP TO THE MOMENT OF SAILING.

A WILDCAT STRIKE OF LONGSHOREKEN WHICH PREVENTED THE GRACE LINER SANTA PAULA FROM SAILING LAST WEEK CAST DOUBT ON THE UNITED STATES' SAILING SCHEDULE TODAY. BUT OFFICIALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREKEN PROMISED THAT THE DOCK WORKERS WOULD NOT REPEAT THEIR WALKOUT. THEY HAVE BEEN LOADING THE SUPERLINER SINCE MONDAY.

THE UNITED STATES LINE'S SUPERLINER WAS ONE OF FIVE PASSENGER LINERS RELEASED FOR SAILING AFTER AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN EIGHT SUBSIDIZED SHIPPING LINES AND THE MARINE ENGINEERS BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION WAS REACHED LAST WEEK. THE PILOTS AND RADIOMEN'S UNIONS ARE STILL NEGOTIATING WITH THE SHIPPERS IN WASHINGTON.

HOUSECLEANING ON THE UNITED STATES BEGAN LAST MONDAY, INCLUDING SCRUBBING, DUSTING, PAINTING, DISCARD OF SPOILED FOOD, AND REPLACEMENT OF STONES INCLUDING NEARLY A TON OF WINE AND LIQUOR. THE SHIP WAS LESS THAN HALF OF PASSENGER CAPACITY FOR THE TRIP, REFLECTING THE END OF THE TOURIST SEASON AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE STRIKE SITUATION.

SETTLEMENT OF THE 72 DAY STRIKE HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY DISPUTES OVER MANNING OF AUTOMATED VESSELS AND ARBITRATION OF MANNING PROBLEMS. IN THE CASE OF THE ENGINEERS, THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO A PRESIDENTIAL PANEL HEADED BY AFL-CIO PRESIDENT GEORGE MEANY AND SECRETARY OF LABOR W. WILLARD WIRTZ.

NINETY-FIVE U.S. FLAGSHIPS REMAIN IMMOBILIZED IN PORTS FROM MAINE TO CALIFORNIA AS THE STRIKE DRAGS ON.