Kenny Karlsson is a docker in the Gothenburg Freeport, and Vice Chairman of the Gothenburg dockers. His union, the Hamnarbetarforbundet (Swedish Dockworkers Union) has taken a leading role in the industrial action against ACL, the key transatlantic shipping line calling in Liverpool. He spoke to LabourNet on 1 September in Liverpool.
"I have seen the strength here after 12 months so I know they can win. They are so well organised. The Women of the Waterfront are great, along with the men."
In early June, sacked Liverpool dockers "Young Jimmy Davies"and Bob Ritchie were invited to Gothenburg and met the membership in the Container base. Swedish dockers then decided to delay every ACL vessel, so long as the ship continues to use Liverpool and there is no agreement to end the dispute.
The action had just begun when ACL switched to Thamesport on the Isle of Grain and the Gothenburg men suspended their go-slow, having heard the move was probably temporary. The day after ACL returned to Liverpool in late July, they were hit with a 19 hour action in Gothenburg. Every subsequent boat has faced a 12 hour go slow, forcing ACL to pay over the odds in other ports so as to turn up early in Sweden.
"Management tell us we can't help Liverpool, and ask 'why should you act when no one else is?' as if they were concerned for our welfare," Kenny explains.
"Our members do think action should be taken in other countries against ACL and other shippers, and we know Liverpool agree with us. Swedish and Danish dockers should go with Liverpool to Bremerhaven and Hamburg and explain why dockers there should join the boycott. What happened in Liverpool last September could happen in Sweden or Germany tomorrow. Our only way to confront it is to join forces to fight against the shipowners and dock companies which already organise internationally. Our only chance is international organisation and I think it is possible. It must be."
"In the end, Mersey Docks won't be able to afford it. They complain we're hurting the local economy, but sacking 500 men was a social catastrophe and if there are no proper jobs in future that will be another disaster."
