Liverpool sympathy actions

The day of action has been called by the Liverpool dockers' leadership and is being supported by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).

We are supporting it because we have been asked to do so by dockers' unions in other countries who are concerned about worldwide attacks on dockers' job security.

This is not an international strike or international boycott. Any action taken will be entirely made by the individual decisions of the unions concerned.

Any action taken is in support of the early achievement of a settlement which provides secure jobs for all dockers who want them, building on the significant progress which has already been made in negotiations between the Merseyside Docks and Harbour Company (MDHC) and the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU).

For further information about these discussions and background to the situation, please contact the UK-based TGWU at the following number: +44-171-828 7788.

ITF-affiliated unions have responded strongly to the appeal of the Liverpool dock workers because they are concerned about the global attacks on dock workers' working conditions. Unions have expressed a particular concern at the world wide growth of casualisation in the port industry. Many of the sympathy actions that are being organised also stress the unions' oppositions to casualisation.

Many unions will be specifically targeting Liverpool trading vessels. As such it is not possible to state in advance what will happen in specific cases. Other unions are organising more general sympathy actions, demonstrations and even picnics and it is these that we are able to report on.

What follows is a summary of sympathy actions planned by ITF affiliates based on the information they have provided to us. Should you wish to obtain further information about these actions, please contact the unions concerned wherever possible. Telephone numbers have been provided.

ASIA/PACIFIC

1. Australia

   The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is discussing possible actions. For further information, please contact MUA Communications Officer Zoe Reynolds on +61 2 267 9134.

2. Japan

   ZENKOKU-KOWAN (All-Japan Federation of Dock Workers' Unions) (Tel: +81 3 3733 2561) discussed the Liverpool situation at their December 12th Presidium meeting and have declared the 20th of January as an international solidarity day. On the day, throughout Japan, union members will hold workshop rallies to demonstrate their support for the Liverpool dockers.

   The President of the All-Japan Seamen's Union (JSU) (Tel: +81 3 5410 8330) Shoshiro Nakanishi has written personally to the Liverpool dockers expressing his and his union's backing for them and the day of action.

3. New Zealand

   Support action is being organised by the New Zealand Seafarers' Union (NZSU) and the New Zealand Waterfront Workers' Union (NZWWU) on the 20th of January. Since no Liverpool bound ships will be calling in New Zealand, the unions are organising a series of rallies and picnics. In Auckland, on 20 January, the unions are organising a picnic day dedicated to the Liverpool dock workers. This event will raise funds for them. Additionally every union-organised port in New Zealand has been asked to write to the Liverpool dockers and make a financial contribution.

   For further information, contact Dave Morgan (NZSU) on +64 4 499 3560 and Trevor Hanson (NZWWU) on +64 4 385 0792.

   EUROPE

4. Belgium

   The Belgische Transportarbeidersbond (transport workers' union, Tel: +32-3 224 3411) and Christian Transport and Diamond Worker's Union CVD (Tel: +32 3 232 9929) have publicly expressed their sympathy with the day of action and have already taken action against a Liverpool trading ship (Atlantic Compass) from 23:00 hours on 15 January to 06:00 on 16 January. Work stopped on this ship, including unlashing work. The unions intend to wage further actions next week. The unions also plan a demonstration outside the British Embassy in Brussels.

5. Cyprus

   The Federation of Transport, Petroleum and Agricultural Workers (Tel: +357 2 44 11 42) have declared their solidarity with the dockers of Liverpool and have stated that so far as they know there will be no Liverpool bound ships calling in Cyprus on 20 January. But the union will be organising a special identification of all incoming vessels in case any Liverpool bound vessels arrive.

6. Denmark

   Meetings are being organised by the Danish General Workers' Union (SiD) (Tel: +45 33 14 21 40) in Arhus, Copenhagen and Odense on 20 January.

7. France

   The French transport workers' federation Force Ouvriere (Federation de l'Equipement, des Transports et des Services) have declared their support for the day of action. In a statement issued on 15 January, the union has appealed to French workers to support the Liverpool dockers.

   For further information, please contact Yves Veyrier on +33 1 42 46 36 63.

8. Italy

   A rally and stop work meeting is being organised by FILT-CGIL dock workers' section in Genoa (Tel: +39 6 442 961).

9. The Netherlands

   The Vervoersbond FNV (transport workers' union, Tel: +31 30 273 82 22) has agreed to support the action and has declared the week of 20 to 25 January as a week of action, including a number of information meetings and potential stop work meetings.

   Further information about any actions in Rotterdam can be obtained from the FNV official in Rotterdam, Niek Stam (Tel: +31 10 48 60 444, mobile: +31-6-54790 627).

10. Sweden

    Action is being discussed by the different trade unions. For further information, please contact Swedish Transport Workers' Union International Secretary Malte Segerdahl on +46 8723 7700 or 7707.

    NORTH AMERICA

11. Canada

    Action in support of the day of action is being organised by the Canadian area of the International Longshoremen's Association (+1 212 415 1200) in the port of St. John (Tel: +1-506 635 8610) in New Brunswick. Further actions in other Canadian ports are under consideration.

12. United States of America

    Actions are being arranged in most West Coast ports by the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU) (Tel: +1-415 775 0533), including a 24 hour stoppage in the port of Los Angeles and stop work meetings throughout the State of Oregon.

    The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) on the East Coast is organising a major demonstration outside the British Embassy in Washington.

Unconfirmed possible rumours

We can report rumours of possible action against Liverpool trading vessels in the port of New York, USA and in German ports....