ILWU Conference supports Liverpool

22 April 1997

Liverpool stewards Bobby Morton and Tony Nelson were made honorary members of the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU), at their Thirtieth International Convention held in Honolulu, Hawaii in mid April.

Bobby and Tony are "delighted with the full backing of the ILWU. We appeal to all other unions organising dockers in all other countries to follow suit. International solidarity in the fight against casual labour and privatisation is a question of survival."

The following resolutions were carried by the Convention.

Resolution #R-18A

SOLIDARITY WITH THE LIVERPOOL DOCKERS

WHEREAS: Union dockworkers around the world are now under the daily threat of the privatization and casualization of our respective growth; and WHEREAS: In England, a succession of Tory governments have passed several new laws which paved the way to the privatization and casualization of all the ports in the country; and

WHEREAS: As a result, Liverpool is the last port in England where union dockworkers still exist; and

WHEREAS: Eighteen months ago, 500 Liverpool dockworkers were "legally" fired for refusing to cross a picket line set up by a small number of their fellow dockers; and

WHEREAS: Despite incredible economic hardships, massive political opposition and a conspiracy of silence throughout most of the British press, the Liverpool dockworkers continue their desperate fight for reinstatement; and

WHEREAS: The Liverpool dispute is only the latest in a series of similar struggles around the world; and

WHEREAS: It is clearly imperative that this trend toward privatization and casualization be stopped once and for all now in Liverpool; and

WHEREAS: It is further imperative that all dockworkers' unions do everything possible in a co-ordinated effort to aid the Liverpool dockworkers in their ongoing struggle to regain their jobs and jurisdiction;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the ILWU continue to work with our brothers and sisters around the world to win this struggle through the full utilization of every resource at our disposal, financial, political and material; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we stand ready to take whatever further actions we may deem necessary to bring victory to the Liverpool dockworkers.

Submitted by, ILWU Local 200

Resolution #R-18 SUPPORT FOR LIVERPOOL DOCKERS

WHEREAS: The Liverpool Dockers strike has continued for nearly two years; and

WHEREAS: The employer of the dockers have reduced their numbers from 4,000 to 400; and

WHEREAS: Solidarity means that the Liverpool Dockers strike is our strike and their families are our families; and

WHEREAS: The Liverpool Dockers' employers are teaching our employers how to fight us; and

WHEREAS: We are all facing the same attacks in all Divisions of the ILWU;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That this Convention go on record in solidarity with the striking Liverpool Dockers and their families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we do everything possible to assist our brothers and sisters in Liverpool toward achieving a well-deserved victory; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we pass the hat in order to assist these strikers and their families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the ILWU assist the Liverpool Dockers' union by using our resources through our International President to put pressure on the British Labour Party; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That we engage in actions to put pressure on the Liverpool companies and their corporate affiliates in any way possible until victory has been achieved.