Dockers Support

Monday 21 st January was an international day of action in support of the sacked Liverpool dockers who have been fighting for their jobs and against casualisation since September 1995. Sixteen countries saw solidarity actions, from Japan to the US to Scandinavia to Cyprus, including 24 hour work stoppages in many places. At 6am that day, a convoy of six cars entered Liverpool docks, despite jeering and abuse from the coincidentally large picket that morning. The police, desperate to get the ‘scab cars’ past the crowd, didn’t look too carefully at their passengers and unwittingly let in a group of sacked Liverpool dockers and several of their supporters (who thought they’d also protest about importing genetically engineered food as well while they were about it).

The cars drove straight to the bottom of the gantries used to unload cereals and soya and the occupants quickly found their way to the top, with just enough time to settle in before a beautiful sunrise. A large and vocal picket, a taxi drive past and an all night candlelit vigil helped the protesters occupy the gantries for over 26 hours, before coming down and getting arrested. Twelve people were charged with aggravated trespass and breach of the peace. For more information contact the dockers on: 0151 207 3388.