July 2 1997 by fax

To: Bill Morris
General Secretary
TGWU
Transport House
Palace St.
London SW1E 5JD

Dear Brother Morris:
From the West coast of America, we congratulate you and your colleagues upon the convening of the T&GWU Biennial Delegate Conference. As you know, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union along with scores of other maritime unions around the world have been supporting morally, financially and physically the Liverpool dockers in their just struggle against Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. Indeed, you and your union should be proud that they have inspired thousands of dockers in different countries to rally against employers seeking to privatize the docks and bust unions through the exploitation of casual labor. In an exemplary fashion they have put into action the ILWU slogan: "An Injury to One is An Injury to All."
After 22 months of a bitter and heightening conflict (pickets are now being brutalized by police) we respectfully request that the T&G at this conference go on record officially supporting the dockers, which will greatly facilitate the ITF formally endorsing actions in support of this critical struggle.
Once again, best of luck for a fruitful and productive conference.

Victory to Liverpool dockers!

In solidarity,

Lawrence Thibeaux
President
ILWU Local #10