While Dockers' Support Group members went round with the buckets collecting donations for the dispute fund en route, Mick and Billy were honoured to carry the ATGWU banner, and Mick spoke at the rally together with UNISON general secretary, Rodney Bickerstaffe and ATGWU regional secretary John Freeman.
At the union's headquarters later a local branch raised a collection of £500 for the dispute fund.
Mick Carden says on behalf of all Liverpool dockers that they are eternally grateful for the excellent solidarity given by John Freeman and Michael O'Reilly of the ATGWU.
In Dublin, a meeting of 200 local union members and activists collected £300 and Mick and Billy were presented with a cheque for £5,000.
It was very moving when on the following day the May Day march culminated at the famous Post Office in O'Connel Street. A statement about the Liverpool dockers' fight was made from the platform.
In Derry, Fred Roberts and Doreen McNally of Women of the Waterfront addressed the May Day Rally.
Doreen spoke with great admiration of Multiplex 5 - a group of women who won a recent struggle against a multi-national cinema group.
They had written a play about this which they performed at the Derry Theatre to raise money for the Liverpool dockers.
In between visits to Derry, Fred Roberts and Geoff Liddy attended the Irish TUC conference in Newcastle, Co. Down.
On behalf of the 500 sacked Liverpool dockers, we say 'thank you one and all'.
