In Reply to: Re: LIVERPOOL DOCKERS posted by Jennifer Wolfe on December 12, 1996 at 23:34:53:
There are probably many of you out there that know about the
Liverpool Dockers dispute. It is a battle that has raged for
over a year now and though it has atttracted worldwide support
and sympathy, the media in this country refuses to cover it.The dispute has ramifications not only for the docks in that city,
the city itself or even dockers worldwide. For workers in this
country still under attack from repressive employment practices
(eg. those used by McDonald's) the issues are painfully relevant
- lack of union recognition, casual labour hours, profits that
are driven by the lowering of wages, job security and hours,
all mean that the Liverpool Dockers are fighting for rights
that are under attack in every community.After 14 months the dispute between 500 sacked Liverpool dockers
and the Mersey Dock and Harbour Company is still going on.In recent weeks 10,000 supporters of the dockers demonstrated
through the streets of Liverpool - the press said 1200 attended.
The TV carried no reports. Yet on Monday the 30th when a thousand
supporters fumed up to a mass picket and 41 people were arrested
the media carried as the number one news item the story of so-called
rent-a-mob and troublemakers hell bent on violence.The Mersey Dock and Harbour Companys cause is to boost profits,
drive down wages, increase working hours, destabilise job security,
take away pension and sickness benefits, introduce casual labour
and break trade union power. These are the real trouble makers,
the real rent a mob who do not talk of class war but wage it every
day of their lives.Support however, has been evident worldwide. In Sweden, Denmark,
Canada, France, Portugal, Spain, Australia, America workers have
been prepared to take industrial action against shipping companies
in support of sacked Liverpool dockers. Every week dockers worldwide
organise collections to support the hardship fund of sacked dockers
and their families.The investors too certainly have no confidence in the company.
From a high of 485p the share value has continuously declined to 367p
and it will fall even further.And what of the cost of this dispute to the tax-payer. The Police have
spent one and a half million pounds on this dispute. The para-military
units of the Operational Support Division (OSD), a law unto themselves,
have intimidated, beaten and even tortured dockers and their supporters
in the pursuit of keeping dockers out of their jobs. But even the police
have grown tired of the dock company and are now appealing for the
dispute to be settled.And it could be so easily settled. All the dock company have to do is to
agree to the reinstatement of 500 dockers - many of whom have 30 and 40
plus years of service. Then those that wish to retire with dignity can
leave the port, the youth can take their jobs and the port can begin to
prosper. Without this the port will continue to be hit by the increasing
worldwide boycott. Shipping lines will pull out and no new business will
be attracted. Investors will continue to pull their money out of the
company. But the sacked dockers refuse to go away until they have won
their just and rightful cause - reinstatement.The Liverpool dockers have said:
"One thing should be absolutely clear; Our jobs are not for sale.
We are not selling our jobs. We rejected in a secret ballot,
with 84% voting against, the offer of ú25,000. It is not money
we want but our jobs and jobs for the future generations on Merseyside."Support the Liverpool Dockers!