Victory to the dockers - it's a moderate demand

'I know that this conference is discussing the anti-trade union laws,' he said. 'No matter in what country they have the same driving factor - the crisis and collapse of the world economic system. They are one of the attempts to offset this crisis.'

Billy argued for universal strike action in support of the dockers. He spoke of three types of trade unionists: those who are convinced that the class struggle is over and the interests of workers and the owners of industry are the same; those who offer nothing more than verbal support; and those whose path begins and ends with simple universal principles, namely:

• you never cross a strikers' picket line, no matter what the law says;

• you give solidarity when it is requested and you demand solidarity when you need it, no matter what the laws says.

'Effective trade unionism was not inaugurated when the union had enough money, it was carried forward by people like you - people who have nothing to lose but their chains.'

'It has to be admitted by even the most comnlited 'realist' that what is left of this government is hardly about to start using anti-trade union laws - let alone take on several unions at once!' he said.

'One of the results of the crisis is that it creates more repressive regimes and at the same time creates laws which deny people asylum from these regimes.

'Politicians of every hue and nationality applaud the end of apartheid in South Africa and openly or tacitly support the creation of apartheid on a global scale!

'What is embodied in this conference is an international association of workers, something which could be called an Alliance of Worker with Worker.

'We do, I think have a world to win. This is a moderate demand under the circumstances. Victory to the Liverpool dockers!