Liverpool Dockers' Strike

Unexpected Guests at Mersey Docks

Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 19:17:00 GMT
From: "LabourNet" <chrisbailey@gn.apc.org>
Reply-To: union-d@wolfnet.com

The Port of Liverpool had unexpected guests last week. The venerable
Nakazato Chujin, aged 71, a representative of the Central Joint Committee
in Support of Railway Workers Struggle, had made his way into Mersey Docks
headquarters to discuss a matter of mutual concern.

By coincidence, 7 vans full of Operational Support Division police officers
arrived at the Seaforth picket line alongside 27 Japanese trade unionists
including leading officials of the All Japan Dock Workers' Union (Zenkowan)
and the National Railway Workers' Union (Kokuro). Whatever plans the OSD
may have had were immediately revised.

Over coffee Eric Leatherbarrow explained that the picket line was illegal,
the TGWU had approved the settlement terms, the recent ballot rejection was
caused by "intimidation" and any remaining problems were not the
responsibility of the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company.

Nakazato listened politely before informing the Communications Manager that
he represented 1,500,000 Japanese workers and led the current delegation in
Liverpool. "There is great support in Japan for the sacked Liverpool
dockers, and we'll expand it when we go home.

"No one should cross picket lines either here or in Japan. I regret the
company's prejudice against the decision making process followed by the
union. What matters is not whether the General Secretary approves the
settlement, but whether the members accept it or not. Mersey Docks &
Harbour Company must settle as soon as possible because they have done
wrong."

Having paid his respects for an hour, Nakazato returned to the dockers and
told them "Mersey Docks let us in because your struggle is affecting them
through international support. Have confidence and keep fighting."

The delegation also met with the Mayor of Liverpool, telling her that
economic growth depended on resolving the dispute and asking the City
Council to use its influence with the company.
Amid an exchange of gifts including the traditional "One Thousand Cranes"
origami prepared by the wife of Nakazato Chujin, the delegation cheered as
Liverpool dockers vowed to fight on despite the timidity of their own
union's General Executive Council.

The National Railway Workers Union (Kokuro) have been fighting for the
reinstatement of 1,047 members dismissed during railway privatisation 11
years ago. Their delegation accompanied representatives of the Central
Joint Committee in Support of the Railway Workers Struggle, the All Japan
Dock Workers' Union (Zenkowan), the National Union of General Workers
(Zenkokukyo), the Workers Union of the Waste Management Bureau of Tokyo
Metropolitan Government (fighting subcontracting), Tokyo Water Workers'
Union (fighting deregulation and privatisation), the Akishima City Union of
All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers Union, Kokuro Metropolitan Area
Support Group, the Co-operative Centre (Rodo Joho), and Video Press.
Intense discussion with the dockers and Women of the Waterfront lasted two
full days.

Zenkowan Vice President Mizukami Kenji recounted the impact of "The
Flickering Flame", translated under the title "Men who did not cross the
picket line" and screened in Japan. Just after the 2nd anniversary
Liverpool stewards Terry Southers and Bob Ritchie joined Japanese dockers
on their demonstrations and the ITF Conference in Tokyo, attended by the
ILWU, voted to support Liverpool with industrial action by affiliates.

Zenkoku Kowan (The National Federation of Dockworkers Unions) instructed
members to refuse to handle all cargo from Liverpool, Sheerness, or
Thamesport. When the "Neptune Jade" sailed for Japan after ILWU members
declined to cross picket lines in Oakland and Vancouver, 7 containers
originally destined for Oakland were left on board in Yokohama and Kobe.

Mizukami also acknowledged the solidarity message received from Liverpool
during the recent 24 dockworkers strike against deregulation, after the US
intervened to force Japan to weaken the system of "prior consultation" in
ports and set up a fast track procedure for foreign shipowners to establish
their own terminals, with lower prices. Working conditions and labour
relations will be excluded from consultation, while Zenkoku Kowan members
will be replaced.

Mizukami told the mass meeting, "Globalisation and deregulation mean that
dockworkers must unite all over the world and act with fighting
solidarity!"

LabourNet report by Greg Dropkin

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