That was at the end of a tour which started when Terry Southers and Herbie, Liverpool dockers' shop stewards, met dockers' leaders in Norway, who gave an immediate donation of £1,000.
'They are in the midst of negotiating their own contract,' said Terry, 'and quickly understood our situation. They responded with solidarity and financial assistance. This was followed by great support from transport, oil and metalworkers' unions.'
At a public meeting in Oslo, attended by many political and trade union activists a substantial financial collection was donated towards the dockers' airfares and there were pledges of continuing support.
Then on to Germany, where docker Jorg Wessels arranged for the two stewards to meet portworkers in Hamburg and Bremerhaven.
They also met Rolf Fritsch and Uwe Sehroder, president and vice-chairman of the ÕTV union, who gave financial support, and a letter of solidarity with the Liverpool dockers and condemning the actions of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.
'Speaking to dockers in the gigantic German ports, we realised that many of these workers have not yet understood that what has already happened in Britain is about to happen in Germany, said Terry.
'Thousands of German workers have already been out on the streets demonstrating against the government's attacks on welfare benefits. Thousands more will follow as they realise the so-called "German miracle" is over.
'No wonder there were so many interesting questions at the public meeting in Bremerhaven, and those present set up a support group for the Liverpool dockers'
