Negotiators congratuled

Balearic President Francesc Antich last night congratulated both sides in the dispute f or having reached a solution. In an official statement, Antich said “social peace and the correct economic and social conditions for the workers are vital for the good performance of our principal economy, tourism.” Antich said that the strike being called off “is very positive for our region” because industrial action had been planned “right in the middle of the tourist season, at a time when all our effort is needed to project a good image of the islands.” But, a certain amount of damage has already been done in the Balearics key feeder markets. In the United Kingdom and Germany, in particular, the dispute and strike threats have hit the headlines in print on the radio and television, and made holidaymakers think twice about booking a Balearic holiday around the dates of the strikes. Hostelry sector workers were last night urged by the USO union, which opposed industrial action because of the tourism crisis, to put their effort into trying to save the summer season and provide clients with a quality service.