We are now aware of a couple of small corrections to the "Final Report" of actions around 8 Sept.
Vancouver: Whilst the ILWU locals did participate in the West Coast actions, there was no demonstration by outside supporters on 8 Sept. (See "Neptune Jade" coverage for more recent action in Vancouver).
Holland: A stop work meeting was held on the morning of 8 September in Amsterdam to discuss Liverpool. Joint action against casualisation took place on 2 October, including a strike by 250 Rotterdam workers supporting their Amsterdam colleagues.
Sweden
All ports organised by Swedish Dockworkers Union stopped and all ACL and CAST containers halted for 24 hours. All trade with Liverpool and Sheerness hit.
Gothenburg: ACL vessel diverted until Wednesday. Dockers refusing to handle any feeder ship cargo. Ongoing actions to follow.
Denmark
Arhus and Copenhagen out. 60-23 secret ballot in Arhus led to 24 hour stoppage on what should have been a busy day. The affected ships were: "Sea Nordica" (Sea-Land), "Transestonia" (Estonia Line), "Finn Oak" (Finn Carriers - roll on roll off), "Athos" (Limasol, big bulk carrier), "Donnington" (Douglas, big bulk carrier), "Pia" (Germany, timber ship), "Sormovsky 19" (Russia, coal ship), "Lavita", "Krautzand", "Harma", "Hallilaid" (various smaller coasters).
Also, all traffic on terminals (Maersk - Ask) was stopped for loading or unloading trucks and trains. "Sea Nordica" eventually left port, probably for Germany. Copenhagen walked out after canteen meeting addressed by Micky and Sylvia Tighe and a 46-4 vote to leave work in solidarity with Liverpool until Tuesday 6:30 am. 3 boats affected: Panevezys, a ro-ro owned by DFDS Baltic Line, and 2 smaller container feeder ships run by a local feeder service, Uniship. Reported by local television and press. Ongoing actions to follow
Holland
Amsterdam held all-day stop-work meetings on international issues including Liverpool and on their own dispute. The Amsterdam committee went to Rotterdam to meet with dockworkers, calling on them to support the struggle of Liverpool dockworkers and the Amsterdsam fight against casualisation.
Belgium
Bob Baete, head of the BTB union in Antwerp was fully informed of the international day of action. However, according to our information, no support was given.
Germany
The support group in Hamburg gave out leaflets to dockworkers in the port. OTV. Union leader, Manfred Rosenberg sent a letter to all dockworkers in Germany instructing them not to support the day of action.
France
On 10 September there was an eight-hour action against 'OOCL Canada in Le Havre. Further ongoing actions have been promised against all ships that sail to ports which have connections with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company (i.e. ships of CAST/ Canmar and ACL).
Spain
Stop work meetings took place as planned. The Coordinadora (which organises 80% of Spanish dockworkers) is organising a Southern European dockworkers conference to be held with the CGT in Paris.. The conference is proposed in order to plan Europe-wide campaign including 24 hour stoppages targeting trade with Mersey Docks. and the date is to be confirmed. Delegates from the CCOO (Workers Commissions) and from the UGT, led by CCOO president Marcelino Camacho, met the British consul, Christopher Ingham in Madrid. They called on the British Government to intervene demanding the unconditional re-instatement of the 500 sacked dockers. Ingham handed them a written statement explaining that labour disputes can be referred to the ACAS (conciliation service) if both parties are willing, and expressing confidence that the matter could be resolved "to avoid it having a negative effect on the port of Liverpool and the future of employment in this area". Ingham added that the International Transport Federation is not supporting the dockers. The delegation stressed the important support which is being received and pressed the Council for a written response from London.
Portugal
Stop work meetings in Lisbon, Setubal and Sines were reported in the press. Antonio Mariano, president of the Portuguese dockworkers was quoted as saying Lisbon and Setubal would be paralysed for several hours. There were confirmed reports of actions at Leixos where workers stopped from 08:00 to 10:00 and held a meeting to debate Liverpool and the situation in Portugal.. Aveiro stopped from 08:00 to 10:30 to show solidarity and debate The Flickering Flame". Figuera da Foz stopped for 24 hours and sent workers to Lisbon for a joint meeting. Lisbon stopped for 24 hours .The dockers there assembled at 8.00 am and the first seven hours were taken up with debating and a showing The Flickering Flame . A motion to donate a day's pay was agreed. Sines held a meeting from 08:00 to 13:30 to show and debate The Flickering Flame.
Italy
Letters were sent to Monks (TUC) and to Blair. Antonio Benvenuti (Chairman, Genoa dockworkers) is organising a delegation from all Italian ports to be present at the Southern European dockworkers conference. (See Spain, above).
South Africa
The 9th of September was National Port Action day, with a mass demonstration in Durban, despite threats of legal action. In the demonstration, international issues, including the struggles in Liverpool, Australia, and Brazil ,were linked with the problems facing South African dockworkers who are demanding a national dock labour scheme. The South African dockers' union - the TGWU - is implementing a boycott of all trade involving Mersey Docks, including Liverpool and Sheerness. Employers are threatening dismissals under the Labour Relations Act in retaliation.
Liverpool docker, Mark Crichton, addressed a meeting of 60 port stewards in Cape Town on 6 Sept., where action is also being taken against Australian trade. The branch secretary declared: "people supported us during the apartheid era; now they need help and we have the chance to repay them".
India
The Centre for Indian Trade Unions called on all unions in the Waterfront Industry to observe 8th September by wearing badges, holding meetings, and passing a resolution in support of Liverpool dockers. Lloyds List reports an impending dispute to improve working conditions and practices.
Japan
Zenkoku Kowan (All Japan Dockworkers Federation) passed a strong resolution last week pledging action against major shipping lines. This will take time to implement.. A delegation visited the British Embassy in Tokyo and got sympathetic reception but were told that "you must understand that it would be difficult for the Government to solve the problem of Liverpool".
The delegation visited O.O.C.L. and Sanko shipping, demanding shipping companies boycott Liverpool and Sheerness. This also includes Slot Sharing Schemes that are in operation with CAST, CanMar, and ACL. Failure to do so will result in ongoing direct actions against shipping companies and vessels using M.D.H.C. controlled ports.
OOCL denied any connection with Port of Liverpool. Terry Southers and Bob Ritchie, Liverpool dockers, who were on the delegation, pointed out the links with Liverpool shipping companies CAST, ACL, and CanMar. The entire delegation made it clear to OOCL that unless they instructed CAST, ACL, and CanMar to stop using Liverpool, Sheerness and Thamesport, they would be hit by solidarity actions in the Japanese ports.
Faxes were sent to Furlong (MDHC managing director) and to, Margaret Becket (Labour Minister) and T. Blair(Labour Prime Minister) calling on British Government to intervene.
New Zealand
The Auckland stop-work meeting on 8 September was 90% effective. The only dockers working were volunteers on essential services. All Labour MPs, including the opposition leader, Helen Clark, signed a letter to the Blair Government asking them, as part owners of the Mersey Docks, to intercede and resolve the problem for the 500 Liverpool dockers.
Australia
All major ports were hit by 5 hour or longer stoppages on the day and night shifts, including Sydney, Fremantle, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Burnie, Port Kembla and Newcastle. The Maritime Union wrote to TUC calling on them to "adopt the same approach to the Liverpool Dockers as has been adopted throughout the world and that is SUPPORT".
P&O Ports took a complaint to the Australian Industrial Relations Commissions in an attempt to prevent repetition of such action by members of the Maritime Union of Australia.
An officer of the Maritime Union of Australia in Sydney who put up posters around the harbour calling for solidarity with Liverpool, was taken to the same Commission on 10 September, accused of 'inciting industrial action' . The Ken Loach documentary was screened Australia-wide on 7 September.
Canada
Saint John (New Brunswick) shut down for 24 hours. There was a showing of the Ken Loach film and dockers debated the struggles of Liverpool and other ports.
Vancouver stopped in line with West Coast ILWU action, with solidarity demonstration by outside supporters.
Halifax shut down for 4 hours on the morning shift after pickets ("Supporters of Liverpool") appeared at the gates of the port.
Over 170 workers from three locals representing longshoremen, checkers and gearmen, respected the picket line. The ACL "Atlantic Cartier" and ZIM vessels were affected immediately. A twinning ceremony - "Port Days" - between Halifax and Gothenburg, with hundreds of delegates, including the Mayor of Gothenburgh and shipping dignitaries, was disrupted by the action. Halifax is also twinned with Amsterdam.
Port employers have accused longshoremen of being part of a conspiracy, and threatened 90 day suspensions with sackings to follow any further action. Press coverage is building up. Lloyds List spoke to ACL in New York who acknowledged that disruption is affecting the company.
Quebec
In accordance with the decisions of the Montreal Conference held in May 1977, planned actions in the port of Montreal will be taking place at the most strategic time.
West Coast US
There was an eight -hour shutdown on the second shift from 6pm - 2am in all ports from San Diego, California to British Columbia and Dutch Harbour, Alaska, including the third largest port in the world: Los Angeles/Long Beach. 10,000 ILWU longshoremen participated. Around 100 ships were affected.
The Pacific Maritime Association (employers) refused a request in Los Angeles and Long Beach for the monthly stop-work meeting to be rescheduled to tonight. Action went ahead regardless.
There was on-going delay to Hapag Lloyd vessels. "Koeln Express" was said to have left 2 days late from LA to Thamesport. Following various delays. "Cape Charles", due in Oakland at 3 p.m. on Monday, was delayed until 3 a.m. Tuesday. On the 10th of September, the ship was delayed for a further 16 hours in the port of Los Angeles. Agents for the shipping company - Hapag Lloyd - were asking local trade union leaders how the issue could be resolved.
Further actions in the port of San Franscisco and Seattle are expected against ships and shipping companies that use Liverpool and Thamesport. ILWU spokesman, Steve Stallone, was quoted in the Seattle press: "Until demands to reinstate the Liverpool workers are met, we will continue taking job actions such as this".
East Coast US
According to our information no actions took place.
Brazil
A five person delegation from the Santos-Liverpool Dockers Solidarity Committee (composed of Santos portworkers, other trade unionists, students and activists) met with David Walton, the British Consul in Santos and delivered a message demanding of the new British Government headed by Tony Blair, the immediate reinstatement of 500 unjustly sacked workers.
Ireland
Derry go slow and overtime ban was implemented on 8 September by ATGWU (Region 3 of the British TGWU) members.
Belfast overtime ban was implemented from midnight Sunday. Physical action by all ATGWU dockers and maintenance men began 5 pm Monday against Coastal Containers (100% owned by Mersey Docks), affecting 3 ships.
The Belfast to Dublin vessel was on the verge of completion when workers walked out. Management came in as scabs to complete operations. The vessel sailed to Dublin.
The Belfast to Cardiff vessel was delayed 5 hours and 30 containers were short shipped (left on quay). The Belfast to Liverpool vessel was delayed 5 hours and containers were short shipped.
The Belfast Support Group held a very successful morning demo at the port gates, turning back some lorries and obstructing traffic for several hours. Royal Ulster Constabulary found it difficult to remove the pickets due to a traffic pile-up.. On his arrival, an inspector smiled and asked if Robbie Fowler was planning to turn up. A further demo was held in the city centre at mid-day.
Drogheda implemented action as planned - a complete closure of the port from 5pm Monday to 8 am Tuesday. The three ships due in port were diverted, at least one to Dublin.
Dublin action collapsed. despite several co-ordinating and information meetings. According to one of the pickets, seven marine and portworkers set up a picket line, but sadly, dockworkers belonging to SIPTU, Marine and Port, and the few ATGWU members in the port of Dublin crossed the line, including leading stewards.
Even sadder, the men allowed management to hire fresh dockers to take the place of the seven men on the picket line. The Coastal vessel handled by management during the Belfast action was then worked in Dublin.
Liverpool
Information from inside the port indicates no vessels were handled from Thursday evening (4 Sept.) until Monday evening (8 Sept.) when an ACL vessel arrived, apparently half empty.
After the magnificent international actions, the Merseyside Port Shop Stewards Committee on the 15 September put out a press release calling once again for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company to open immediate negotiations with the aim of bringing the dispute to a just settlement.
London
Thirty members of Reclaim the Streets picketed the house of Mersey Docks Chairman Gordon Waddell in West London from 7am to 11am. They displayed banners reading "Injustice is not Anonymous, it has a Name and Address" and "Victory to the Dockers". There were no arrests, although police did move the group across the road. A sympathetic neighbour brought them tea on a tray. Mr. Waddell had no comment to make.
The group then went to Charles House, Regent St., the offices of Drake International. 13 protesters managed to enter the building and occupy the offices for over 30 minutes to the amazement of staff, who insisted Drakes were offering long term as well as casual employment. RTS engaged Drakes management in debate over the Liverpool dispute, and attempted to hang banners from the windows. The group dispersed after the police arrived and threatened arrests.
Ten members of the London Support Group attended Sheerness to picket on 8 Sept. They leafleted and distributed copies of the Dockers Charter to all workers going in and out of the port. Unfortunately, the dockworkers themselves had been called into work early. But the support group had a very good response from auto transport workers who are themselves TGWU members and were familiar with the Liverpool dispute. The steward came out to meet the pickets, gave a donation towards the dispute, and reported that he would convene a meeting during the day with all drivers to consider their options for further support. The transport workers would normally enter and leave the port frequently during daily operations.
ITF
On 8 September, ITF issued statement to all affiliates concerning attacks on maritime workers in Australia and Sri Lanka, threatening to target shipping companies who continue to use the port of Colombo and offering full support to the Maritime Union of Australia in their fight against Government and P&O attempts to attack the MUA. No mention of Liverpool.
Media.
Lloyd's List gave extensive coverage including a hostile editorial but which called for a settlement. The Financial Times had a report in the run-up to the action. BBC radio four quoted Fire Brigades Union general secretary, Ken Cameron, at the TUC, contrasting international industrial action with British trade union inactivity. Local Liverpool radio gave extensive reports, included a repeated interview with Bjorn Borg (Sweden). A Liverpool Echo article of 8 September quoted Jim Donovan Australian Maritime Union leader who has been a consistent supporter of Liverpool dockers. It also reported Peter Jones, operational manager of Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, who described claims of widespread international action as "fantasy"!!
We are aware of press coverage in Sweden, Portugal, Denmark, Australia, Canada, (Halifax Herald), US (Financial Times and Journal of Commerce, and live radio link with Jack Heyman and Mike Carden), Japan, Ireland.
LabourNet Report compiled together with Merseyside Port Stewards.
