ACL and CAST/CanMar are the key transatlantic shipping lines now using Liverpool, and ACL has relocated to Thamesport twice during the past year.
MDHC communications manager Eric Leatherbarrow is quoted in the "Liverpool Echo" as rejecting the move:
"No matter how well intended, ill-informed and ill-advised intervention can only prolong and hinder the practical efforts being made to resolve the dispute." MDHC told the Echo the dockers should take up the invitation of TGWU General Secretary Bill Morris for 'talks without preconditions.'"The MP's letter to ACL and CAST, dated 7 October, reads:
"As you will know, for the past 12 months there has been a serious industrial dispute which led to 430 Liverpool dockers losing their jobs. Without rehearsing the arguments before you it is our considered cross-party view that the dispute is not insoluble and that a fair package of proposals, put to all members concerned, could be acceptable.We are hoping that you may agree to act as an intermediary in trying to resolve this dispute. We have approached Professor Toyne, Vice Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, who is agreeable to participating and a small group including yourselves, to evaluate the issues and put forward new recommendations. The University has agreed to provide a secretariat and back-up facilities if required.
This dispute has been extremely damaging for the City's reputation, which is especially tragic given that so many positive things have been happening on Merseyside in recent years. It should not be allowed to fester and we hope that you will consider this request very seriously."
LabourNet Report
