I want to add my support to Chris' position--to talk about solidarity in the future, while denying it now, is absurd. When is the ITF going to get off its ass and support the Liverpool dockers? And the dockers in Amsterdam?

It's time for the so-called "leaders" of the T&GW to get out of the way. If they are too busy trying to kiss the ass of Tony Blair, the least they can do is tell the ITF that they've dropped opposition to its supporting the Liverpool dockers. If ya can't lead, get out of the way!

But one thing that the T&GW "leaders" should keep in mind: while they're busy trying to get the best angle so they can plant a big kiss on Blair's ass, they might find their union has been so decimated because they've been too preoccupied to fight back--and once Blair recognizes that, he'll pull up his pants and get out of the way, so the T&GW will fall on its face in the dirt! I think the experiences from the US might teach them a thing or two about this....

The attacks on the ports are not isolated. The shipping industry wants to play ports off against one another, inflicting small cuts here and there until port worker organizations around the world bleed to death. If the ITF doesn't recognize this, it might as well as save Capital the effort, and just disband.

The Liverpool dockers have shown the way--they have gone out and built support for their struggle among dockers around the world. They've shown the ITF how to do it, despite meager resources and under unfavorable circumstances. If the ITF would mobilize its substantial resources, and build together in support of Liverpool, dock workers around the world will have a chance to beat back these attacks. The ports are strategic sites in global transportation networks, and that gives dockers some real power--but they have to have the support and encouragement of their organizations, and this specifically includes the ITF.

To the ITF, I say, "Quit fucking around. Get off your ass and help Liverpool win. Loose this one, and the next fight--and I can promise you, there WILL be a next port targeted (as Amsterdam has already shown)--will be all the much harder, despite your rhetoric. Don't put the gun to your own head and pull the trigger!"

Victory to the Liverpool Dockers--and port workers everywhere!

Kim Scipes