Jorgen Arbo works in the Royal Danish Porcelain Factory, the only large site in the industry. He is a board member of the Porcelain Industry branch of the General Workers Union in Copenhagen. This union also organises dockers. Jorgen has been active in the growing solidarity movement with Liverpool since December 1996.
contact: Liverpool Solidaritet"From the beginning of the dispute the dockers, especially in Copenhagen and Arhus, have followed the dispute and given donations. They also took part in the international actions in January 97 and in September 96.
"After the last day of action, the solidarity work has spread and Liverpool stewards have visited Denmark twice, in March and in late April. This led to big support from all kinds of unions and workplaces throughout Denmark.
"For example the Transport Workers Union in Esbjerg took an extra subscription from members totalling £5,000 for Liverpool. The shop stewards at a big shipyard and a big printing plant decided to contribute £3,000 from each site.
"Over the last 4 months we have collected approximately £60,000 from over 100 unions and nearly 50 workplaces.
"We have set up a committee with people who know each other from previous disputes and solidarity campaigns, both dockers and other members of the General Workers Unions. Previous campaigns include support for the 1984 Miners' Strike in Britain.
In Denmark we have a long experience of organising disputes on a rank and file basis. We also have experience of national networks of shop stewards to discuss disputes and solidarity work. Unfortunately it's not as effective as it was during the 1970's. But I hope it will improve.
"This is one reason why there is a high level of consciousness about the Liverpool situation, despite the lack of media coverage.
"Now we are trying to get the "Flickering Flame" shown on Danish television, and we will continue to raise money and strengthen the political pressure on the national unions.
"Coming to Liverpool, I'm surprised to see that all the dockers still believe in their victory despite being out for 21 months. There seem to be two main problems: lack of money, and how to get the new government and the union leaders involved to make a solution. After the Labour victory and the Socialist victory in France, all the social democrats talk about a "left swing", but they don't do much to make it happen in reality."
