The Future of the Docks Industry

from Humherside Voice The ,ublication of the Government's proposed 'Amendments' to the Dock Labour Scheme has thrown the whole industry into ferment, and a great chance for a real step forward for dockers now presents itself. For the dockers' reactions against the Amendments were so firm and determined, that the Government is unlikely to press forward with them in their original form. If they do, we can be sure'of a massive protest response; for these Amendments are nothing more than the employers'wishes, for which they have been struggling for years. Jack Dash has taken the initiative in calling for the Nationalisation of the industry, and the rejection of the Amendments, Humberside Voice, in a leaflet issued to dockers last month, called for support for these demands, and the leaflet has received widespread approval ame Shia SLED RB workers. The Hull Portworker'tg Comittee has held joint/Jack Va the London Liajson Committee, and supported the lopby of the Prime binister, which demgnded the suspension of the Amendments, pending an enquiry. Dash has now said that, because of a Government promise to hold an en.uiry, the dockers should refrain from furthsr pressure for the time being, The i.erseyside Blue Union was in favour of token strikes for the rejection of the Amendments, immediately. They called off their stoppage however, as it failed to arouse support on other Ports. The mass meeting heard that the Hull Committee is going to take part in a national meeting of all Portworkers and Liaison Committees in the near future, at which a united policy towards the Amendments and the Nationalisation issue will be worked out. As between the Liverpool and London tactics and deminds, the Hull Committee at present appears to have taken no firm position, and is clearly prepared to weigh up the situation for the time being. How-ver, things are now mov ng quite rapidly towards the possibility of.a united dockers'policy, which can sweep Devlinisation away forever, and usher in a new era for the dockers and for a socialist altern tive to that backward Report. The position of the different groups= and the view of tie local "Humberside Voice"= can be summed up as follows:- 1. The Government: at first, ready to do the bidding of the employers and Devlin, and still at present committed to the Amendments, But wavering and retreating before the obvious determination of the dockers. Therefore likely to consider some form of public ownership in the near future. ND) EFFORT SHOULD BE SPARZD TO PUSH THE GOV RNIEZNT INTO N.iTSONALIS “ATION NOWS IF PARLIAM@iT'S TIME CAN BE SPENT ON THE AMSNDPENTS, IT CAN BE SPENT ON A NATIONALISAPION BILL JUST 4S WELL! 2. T&G Leadership and Labour Back Benchers: like the Government, they have been forced, by the dockers'stand, to consider nationalisation. They have a report on nationalisation, which speaks of "some" dockers going .. on to the Boards, but the Executive seems curiously reluctant to publish it. Kevin McNamara has called for early nationalsiation, This view is bound to find strong support cm the backbenches, and even amongst some of the Cabinet. But there is a real uncertainty as to WHAT KIND of nationalisation should be proposed. Somes kind of "workers! participation" is being discussed very widely in the Party, but this is only a step in .. the right direction.