To: Bill Morris
General Secretary
T&GWU
18 August 1997
Dear Bill,
Having spoken to the TUC we have been informed that an official request needs to be made from our union for a stall and speaker facilities.
We therefore seek your support in requesting that the Liverpool dockers be given the opportunity to both have a stall and address Conference.
Yours fraternally,
J. Nolan
To: Mr. J Nolan
c/o TGWU
Transport House
Islington
Liverpool L3 8EQ
Dear Brother Nolan,
Thank you for your letter dated 18 August 1997. I am sorry for not replying sooner, but I have only just returned to the office from annual leave.
Whilst the General Secretary of the TUC had informally advised my office of your approach, my understanding of Congress procedures is that the General Purposes Committee would only consider appeals during Conference proceedings for national disputes sanctioned by an affiliated union or group of unions.
Whilst we are constrained by law, the policy of the Union throughout the period of the dispute has been based on the following three principles:
a) to seek a negotiated settlement
b) give support within the constraints of maintaining the fabric of the
Union, and
c) relieving hardship to the Dockworkers' families.
In these circumstances the T&G cannot associate itself with any move that did not fully conform to these principles.
However whilst stall and exhibition space may be limited I have asked the TUC to consider making some provision to enable collections outside the Conference Hall solely for the purpose of raising contributions to the Fund to relieve hardship to the Dockers' families.
Yours sincerely,
Bill Morris
GENERAL SECRETARY
TGWU
