Dave Walsh, Liverpool Socialist Party
Liverpool dockers are celebrating! Their strike action, which began over two months ago, secured pay increases between 14% and 18%, depending on grades.
Their action was solid from the start, with a turnout for the strike ballot of over 90% and a vote for action almost 100%.
Since then, the gates of the dock entrance have been regularly picketed and they have had tremendous solidarity support from other trade unionists and the Liverpool community.
They also received support from around the world, with the International Dockers Committee and the International Transport Federation both agreeing not to move goods coming from or going to Liverpool.
The determined way this action has been organised by Unite the Union, under Sharon Graham’s leadership, will go a long way to restore confidence in the union among Liverpool dockers.
A long shadow had been cast by the Transport and General Workers Union (one of the predecessor unions of Unite) under Bill Morris’ leadership. It failed to support the dockers who were sacked in 1995 and waged an almighty struggle. Over 600 dockers voted overwhelmingly in favour of the latest offer. The victory is being celebrated across the city, which has given a tremendous fillip to other local striking workers.
