Dockers' Union chiels -under fire

What DOCKS UNION leaders are now under fire from two angles over their handling of issues affecting working rights.

Besides a threat from Liverpool port stewards to call for an inquiry into secret union-employer talks about abolishing the 1947 dock labour scheme, they now face accusations of shelving the vexed question of the definition of dock work.

Some London stewards are pressing Transport and General Workers' docks officer Tim O'Leary to demand implementation by the government of last year's Bristow Report.

In an attempt to end disputes over the use of non-dock labour at inland container depots and warehouses, this joint union-employer report recommended a five-mile-wide corridor along the Thames within which such work would be the preserve ( registered dockers.

Any interference with th 1947 scheme would, of coursı end the register system an invalidate Bristow at a strok‹ assume major amp riane | Both issues are likely the near future.

In a letter to Workers Pres written shortly after seein last Saturday's article detai ing discussions about 1947 scheme between O'Lear! T&GWU secretary Jack Jone and leading port employer Mersey port stewards' secr tary Alan English says:

"My first reaction to th article was that they wouldn dare try to deceive us-th rank and file-over such major issue as this. ...

"To even think abor abolishing the National Doc Labour Board is enough 1 frighten the ordinary docl workers, but 'I shudder 1 think of the reactions of tł militants who obviously wou] be the first to be on the r eiving end of the employe xe if he had the sole rig to hire and fire.' INQUIRY He went on to say that tł Liverpool stewards would 1 calling for an inquiry in1 the Workers Press accus. tions, adding:

'I hope our leaders can e plain their actions, otherwi: there will be hard times ahea within our own organizatic as well as against the dreade Tory Bill' So far, our attempts reach Mr O'Leary for h comments have proved u successful.

He is, however, reported be thinking writing strong letter to Employme Minister Robert Carr abo the fate of the Bristow recor mendations on dock work.

After almost seven mont in office and after four mont in receipt. of O'Leary's la letter on the subject, Ca was said by the Departme of Employment yesterday be 'still considering' the repol Perhaps he sees little poi in suplementing rights whir the port employers tell hi may soon be handed ov lock, stock and barrel by tl T&GWU leadership anyway. £1,250 January Fund now at HUNDREDS of thousands of workers have begun to realize that only a General Strike can defeat the Tory government and its anti-union laws.

The Workers Press has been out in front leading the struggle for such a policy. The weak opposition to the Bill by the Stalinists and reformist trade union leaders can only encourage the Tories.

All those who want to make this government resign must join in the fight with the ize mass support for the anti-Tory rally at Alexandra Palace. Push up January's Appeal Fund and send extra towards the £1,000 needed for the February 14 rally.

Don't waste a day. Post all donations to:

10cn Planham Uink Cluent lo0a Clapnam nign street.

London, SW4.