[PEN-L:6697] Worldwide action in support of Mersey (fwd)

[D Shniad <shniad@xxxxxx>]

> Date:         Tue, 15 Oct 1996 14:26:12 +0100
> Sender: Forum on Labor in the Global Economy <LABOR-L@xxxxxxxx>
> From: LabourNet <chrisbailey@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject:      Worldwide action in support of Mersey
>
> In the wake of the 1st anniversary of the Liverpool sackings, waves of
> industrial action are battering ports around the world. A letter from
> Merseyside Port Shop Stewards Chairman Jim Nolan to international supporters
> describes solidarity taken and/or planned in 7 countries.
>
> Australia: In Sydney, Australian National Line vessels have been hit with
> go-slows and actions. ZIM Australia was held up for 24hrs and further action
> is planned against ZIM Line ships. ZIM Line links Liverpool with the
> Mediterranean. Bernard Cliff, Chairman of MDHC, has recently been in Israel
> where ZIM is based, possibly dicussing the situation with them.
>
> Denmark: Dockers in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Horsens and Odense held stoppages
> lasting from 3 to 24 hours.
>
> Canada: Montreal rail workers have operated a 4 day work-to-rule on the
> freightliner system disrupting 80% of all container traffic passing through
> the port. Montreal dockworkers union delegates have met the President of the
> Canadian Labor Congress, and the CLC is to circulate all affiliates with a
> letter of support. CAST and CanMar, owned by Canadian Pacific, ship through
> Liverpool.
>
> France: Le Havre dockers held up an OOCL vessel for 16 hours. OOCL has a
> slot-sharing scheme with CAST and CanMar to ship containers through
> Liverpool.
>
> Germany: The OTV Congress agreed on 1 October to monthly financial
> donations, publicity, and industrial pressure in German ports on Mersey
> Docks and shipping companies trading with Liverpool.
>
> Spain: A special delegates meeting representing all Spanish ports agreed on
> 3 October that all ports represented by the Coordinadora, UGT, and CCOO will
> take 1 hour solidarity strike action on 28 October.
>
> Sweden: In the ports of Gothenburg, Helsinborg, and Stockholm a 24 hour
> blockade was successfully imposed on all ACL containers transported by road,
> rail or sea.
>
> Jim Nolan concludes, "the actions are having a big effect on the financial
> base of the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company as the share value continues to
> fall to an all time low. On behalf of the Liverpool dock workers and their
> families, may we once again thank you all."
>
> Finally, late news from Cyprus: a Liverpool delegation has been invited to
> Nicosia by the Pancyprian Transport, Port, Seamen and General Workers Trade
> Union.
>
> LabourNet Report
> by Greg Dropkin
>
> The Mersey dockers' web site is on http://www.gn.apc.org/labournet/docks/
>