1.   Patrick chairman Chris Corrigan said Patrick had acted to cut losses following fruitless talks with unions over waterfront reforms.

2.   Coombs said he was prepared to negotiate waterfront reform after the workers had been rehired.

3.   The Maritime Union of Australia, which represents the fired workers, has refused to enter into negotiations on waterfront reform before the court case is settled.

4.   The union claimed the Cairns confrontation was the first major test of federal government plans for waterfront reform.