from: Terry Ryan, Ass't Gen. Sec. New Zealand Waterfront Workers Union

July 1, 1997

Dear Sir,
For almost 2 years now we have been concerned for the position of our brothers and your members, the 500 Liverpool dockers and their families locked out by the Merseyside Docks and Harbour Company. Their only crime appears to be maintaining Trade union principles and not crossing a picket line.
Regardless of the labour legislation in your country, we feel sure that, unofficially, all workers in Britain must be proud of the way the Dockers have stood up for their principles, the principles of workers worldwide. Also the magnificent support given by their wives and families. Brother Morris, as one of the most influential leaders of the Trade Union movement we would sincerely urge you and the TGWU to make a strong case to the newly elected British Labour government to resolve the Liverpool dispute.
Given the British labour laws, we still feel that it's possible for you to make strong representations up front or behind the scenes to satisfactorily resolve this just struggle of our Liverpool Brothers.

Fraternally Yours,

Terry Ryan