The dockers Steering Committee, a follow-on from the Liverpool conference at the end of August, was hosted by Le Havre dockers and had representatives from ports in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Quebec, Canada, the US West Coast, and Liverpool. Apologies were received from Australia and New Zealand, whose maritime unions remain committed. A separate Liverpool delegation flew to Cyprus where support is now expected in the ports of Limassol and Larnaca.
Over the weekend, 35 ports in Spain were poised to strike for one hour in solidarity (see separate article). The Spanish delegate reported that shipping line Ellerman had furiously demanded to know what Liverpool's problem had to do with Spain, only to be told "It could happen to us".
Delegates recognised that all unions now involved in solidarity would be affected by the outcome with Mersey Docks. The Committee will therefore organise approaches to European ports, with a particular focus on Belgium, Holland, and Germany, seeking industrial action against shipping lines calling in Liverpool. A fund to be administered by the Le Havre dockers will finance the tour. Montreal dockers have pledged $5 per man per week directly to Liverpool, with $25,000 up front.
The Committee has written to T&GWU General Secretary Bill Morris requesting a meeting to clarify the union's attitude to international solidarity, and likewise aim to meet ITF General Secretary David Cockcroft.
Meanwhile, Doreen MacNally and Sue Mitchell had been telling delegates from 70 countries how things stand with Women of the Waterfront. "It's true that after 13 months, the struggle is very hard. But we don't have any choice. And we do not have the right to refuse to fight. We are the guardians of the future. If we don't resist, there won't be a future in this society for our children," Doreen declared.
The conference, organised by the French "Parti des Travailleurs" (Workers Party), focused on opposition to privatisation, deregulation, and defence of the public sector. Conference set up an international committee for the victory of the Liverpool dockers.
LabourNet Report
