URGENT

Liverpool Docks Dispute

Further to our Fax Messages of 5 and 6 December1996 I am writing to update you on the progress of the Liverpool Docks dispute and on the request by the shop stewards in Liverpool for an international day of action on 20 January.

We have been informed by the Transport & General Workers' Union (TGWU) that negotiations took place during the month of December between the MDHC and the union leading to a revised offer from the company consisting of 41 permanent jobs; #25,000 in severance pay for workers not re-employed; and an additional 3 months' salary for all former MDHC workers. This offer, which represented a slight improvement on the "final " offer made earlier this year, was conditional on a secret ballot being held. On the recommendation of the shop stewards, however, the offer was put to and rejected by a mass meeting at the end of the month.

During the course of the negotiations the company indicated that it has taken a decision to cease the direct employment of dockworkers and to become a port authority with cargo handling work being contracted to private stevedoring companies.

In the view of the negotiators from the TGWU, the key issue which still remains to be resolved is the creation, either through direct employment or, if necessary, through the granting of appropriate contracts to other companies, of sufficient decent permanent dockworkers jobs to ensure the continued employment in the industry of all workers involved in the dispute who do not wish to take advantage of the severance package.

In this situation, it is important that further pressure should be exerted on the management of the MDHC to ensure that they respond positively to further initiatives planned by the TGWU in favour of the creation of an acceptable number of decent employment opportunities in the port of Liverpool. I am therefore requesting all ITF dockworkers affiliates:

1. To take whatever steps are open to you, including public demonstrations and, if possible, direct action aimed at ships currently using the port facilities in Liverpool affected by the dispute during the week commencing 20 January;

2. To send further messages to the management and to the shop stewards indicating that the action is taken in support of the successful conclusion of the negotiating process already under way;

Yours fraternally

David Cockroft
General Secretary

Kees Marges
Dockers' Section Secretary