Topic: Liverpool Dockers Strike ~ 10th Anniversary

[wild_rover]

This September marks the 10th anniversary of the Liverpool dockers strike. The dispute started when eighty employees of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company refused to accept a reduced overtime rate for doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The next day they were sacked. They mounted a picket and the other dockers refused to cross it. The remaining 329 workers were also sacked. The dispute was about more than wages, it was about the casualisation of the workforce and the attacks on workers rights.

The Mersey dockers were on strike for 28 months, enduring great hardships but also great international support and solidarity. They were sold out by the Labour government which came to power in 1997 and by their own union leadership which refused to officially support them. The strike ended on January 26th after the dockers accepted a £28,000 settlement.

"Who is it speaks of defeat? I tell you a cause like ours is greater than defeat can know. It is the power of powers." ----James Larkin.



The t-shirt shown by Robbie Fowler after scoring his second goal against Brann Bergen in the Cup Winners' Cup. His t-shirt reads "Support The 500 Sacked doCKers". He was subsequently fined £2,000 by Uefa.

More pictures:

http://www.labournet.net/photopage/dockers/thumbkat.htm
http://www.labournet.net/photopage/dockers/thumbsin.htm

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE

[IrishRed]

good thread

cheers

[Joe Rogans Chin]

This September marks the 10th anniversary of the Liverpool dockers strike. The dispute started when eighty employees of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company refused to accept a reduced overtime rate for doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The next day they were sacked. They mounted a picket and the other dockers refused to cross it. The remaining 329 workers were also sacked. The dispute was about more than wages, it was about the casualisation of the workforce and the attacks on workers rights.

The Mersey dockers were on strike for 28 months, enduring great hardships but also great international support and solidarity. They were sold out by the Labour government which came to power in 1997 and by their own union leadership which refused to officially support them. The strike ended on January 26th after the dockers accepted a £28,000 settlement.

"Who is it speaks of defeat? I tell you a cause like ours is greater than defeat can know. It is the power of powers." ----James Larkin.



The t-shirt shown by Robbie Fowler after scoring his second goal against Brann Bergen in the Cup Winners' Cup. His t-shirt reads "Support The 500 Sacked doCKers". He was subsequently fined £2,000 by Uefa.

More pictures:

http://www.labournet.net/photopage/dockers/thumbkat.htm
http://www.labournet.net/photopage/dockers/thumbsin.htm

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE

The 80 dockers you refer to were actually employed by a firm called Tor side & originally went on strike because of sacked colleagues.

The Tor side dockers started to picket the docks at seasforth so naturally the Mersey dock and harbor company dockers would not pass the picket line.

The owner of Tor side offered to reinsate the sacked workers, but the T&G steward who represented the Tor side and Mersey docks dockers failed to communicate this to his members   and the dispute escalated into a situation where 0ver 350 men lost their jobs.

The dockers are know in the process of suing the T&G, and I for one hope they win.

[wild_rover]

Cheers for that DosyMickKeane.

Incidentally the dramatisation of the dispute starring Ricky Tomlinson, and written by ex-dockers and Jimmy McGovern is going for about £5 in HMV.

[Joe Rogans Chin]

Cheers for that DosyMickKeane.

Incidentally the dramatisation of the dispute starring Ricky Tomlinson, and written by ex-dockers and Jimmy McGovern is going for about £5 in HMV.

Don't think me birds al fella would appreciate that, brought back painful memories the first time he watched it. but thanks all the same 

[wild_rover]

This sounds quite good for anyone that's interested:

What: Communities In Struggle Film Night

Where: The Venue, The Casa, 29 Hope Street Liverpool

When: Thursday 15th September. 7.30pm

This event, organised by the Liverpool Social Forum, is the opener to the week of events recalling and celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the start of the Liverpool Docks Strike in 1995.

Films include The Kirkby Rent Strike, The Harder They Fall, excerpts from Dockers, Argentina In Revolt, Undercurrents videos featuring the Seattle, Prague & Seattle riots and a same-night showing of the brand new film featuring the struggles of the residents of the Boot Estate, Norris Green.

Poets and acoustic musicians will also perform in a night of exciting and stimulating discourse.

[the red rebel]

KEEP UP THE FIGHT BOYS.

[wild_rover]

KEEP UP THE FIGHT BOYS.

Shame a thread on Sex Lives of the Potato Men attracts more interest  than one about a struggle by our own for their livelihoods and working conditions. You'll Never Walk Alone, eh?

Guess that's just the way of the world...

[IrishRed]

bought the dvd the other day, one by Jimmy McGovern

really gets the blood going

special features include some of the meetings of the focus group that wrote the drama.  fantastic

well worth buying and only a few quid in hmv

[Bronx Red]

Any one got the pic off  robbie when he flashed the t-shirt

[Acaustiq]

[wild_rover]

There's a bigger version at http://www.fowpics.fcpages.com/pictures/fowpics/fowler797.jpg

[Graham Smith]

My firm acts for the Dockers in their claim against the union.

Long drawn out process but the end is in sight.