01.02.1996

Dockers vote to reject deal

OVER 400 sacked dockers met on Tuesday to discuss a proposed settlement from the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. The deal involved only 40 of the MDHC dockers getting their jobs back with the vast majority being offered £25,000 cash settlements. Several dockers interviewed made the same point: the dispute was not about money. Either they all went back or none did.

The vote at the meeting was by show of hands. It will be followed by a postal ballot. Officials of the TGWU have made a point of stressing the meeting was not legally binding. The views of Bill Morris were expressed by deputy general secretary Jack Adams. He urged dockers to accept an offer that left most of them sacked. The union leaders were joined in their recommendation by several local church leaders who addressed the meeting.

The lousy nature of the deal is shown in the termination of the contract with Drake Port Services. This firm recruited 200 scabs during the dispute.

The scabs will be retained under the deal after the contract ends. Meanwhile Torside, the firm in which the dispute began, has also re-emerged. The firm was liquidated but plans to start up again with 30 of the previous staff. The rest get £1,000 if they drop cases set for industrial tribunals.

Dockers know this deal stinks. They are right to reject it.