London port Devlin

LONDON'S port workers voted in a postal ballot yesterday to reject the secondstage proposals for Lord Devlin's 'modernization' scheme.

Dock bosses had hoped to achieve the end of piecework, a new system of employment on the docks, complete mobility and flexibility of labour, shift-working and stricter time-keeping and discipline.

In return, they had offered basic rates between £25 and £36 a week.

Even if the terms were approved, the employers would need to gain acceptance from the other docks union-the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers-before full implementation.

And the NASD points out that 2,000 dockers out of the 10,000 working in the port's key 'enclosed docks' are completely opposed to shift-work.

Other disputes Meanwhile, a new dispute began on Merseyside yesterday—where an interim pay agreement leading up to Phase Two was recently accepted by most dockers.

The strike, at the Port of Liverpool Stevedoring Co., was over an award for working in tanks.

The men refused to accept a ls. 6d. an hour offer.

'Bobbers' — who unload trawlers—went on strike over pay at Hull yesterday morning and there was no early morning fish market as a result.

Dockers working British Rail ships to the Channel Islands at Weymouth, Dorset, continued their strike over hours yesterday.

But BR were hoping to resolve the dispute after talks with union officials.

Rugby guard

HUNDREDS of Monmouthshire police sealed off narrow roads leading to Ebbw Vale rugby ground yesterday prevent anti-apartheid demonstrators disrupting the afternoon's Springboks versus Gwent county rugby, match. Once again Labour shows it will use state forces to maintain relations with Vorster's apartheid regime.

7.30 p.m.

SW House

3 Beverley Roac OLLERTON (NOTTS) essons of the Miner Strike' Saturday, November 22 12 noon Speakers :

Yorkshire Miners