Dockers delegated by their unions and/or port organisations in 8 countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Spain, Sweden, USA, and England) and 12 ports (Sydney, Montreal, Arhus, Copenhagen, Le Havre, Tarragona, Bilbao, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Portland (Oregon), St. Johns (New Brunswick), and Liverpool) spent last weekend debating tactics and strategy. Their common aims are to force Mersey Docks to concede reinstatement, and to build a democratic alliance of dock workers internationally. By Sunday afternoon, a hectic programme of immediate action was ready to be taken back to ports and unions for ratification.
The ITF and its affiliates are being asked to work towards an international day of action around the end of the month.
Delegates will seek a coordinated campaign to hit all ACL/CAST traffic and containers, along with other shipping consortiums using Liverpool and Medway ports.
Swedish and Danish dockers intend to join Liverpool in visits to Germany while French dockers will renew approaches to Belgium and Holland.
Visits to Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Israel will seek action against Gracechurch, Ellerman, and Zim.
A rolling programme of action in Northern Europe, Southern Europe, America, and Canada will seek support for boycotts, go- slows, and all other methods familiar to dockers which affect productivity and efficiency on Ellerman, Zim, Cast, and Canmar.
In line with Swedish dockers, regular weekly collections for Liverpool will be sought in all ports where consistent with tradition. Conference delegates will sign a joint appeal with the sacked Liverpool dockers for worldwide circulation, calling on the ITF and affiliates to support the plea for finance.
A separate resolution recognised the need to formalise the conferences which have been held this weekend and last February, aimed at achieving a "democratic alliance of dock workers internationally". A temporary elected Steering Committee will be established to develop constitutional proposals.
While both resolutions await ratification in the various organisations represented last weekend, delegates expressed their personal commitment to pursue these objectives.
LabourNet Report
