Behind the Tilbury

WHY IS the Communist unable to discuss the real issues behind containerization?

As was explained in the first part of this article yesterday, while the docks remain in capi. talist hands, containerization poses an immediate threat to conditions, jobs and wages. taken The only principled position that can be here is no co-operation with new methods of cargo handling until full nationalization of the docks the control of those who work in them.

This is the position that has been fought for by the All Trades Unions union's Road Transport Alliance. Why is this important?

Because, as the Communist Whether most dockers Party's Liverpool docks branch realize this consciously or has pointed out and the not, containerization poses Party's leadership ignores, the very sharply the question of employers try constantly to power. split up the dockers in order to take them on and defeat Neither the union leaders them section by section. nor their 'loyal opposition' in The formula now being le British Communist Par used in an attempt to force ght on these line through containerization both London and Liverpool is Last Friday, the first and precisely this. last time to date the Parts carried more than neutral re- There has already been portage of the Tilbury ques- a considerable campaign to tion, the 'Morning Star" came give the impression that followingriotically Liverpool dockers are going to work containers regardless of the pay and conditions container company attached. to be to blackmail the No Liverpool docker spoken to by the Workers Press over should be taken or To the last few days knows of Many meeting where such a decision was taken.

Press reports appear to be nationalized port musty: inspired entirely by interviews with T&GWU officials and members of the local modernization committee.

DATED monday 27! May 1968 botreen P. G. Waymouth R. Sallis D. W. Humphrios being authorised by the partners (hereina referred to a "the Federation") who inte Containerbase Federation Limited which wi Containerbaso (Leeda) Ltd.

Containerbase (Liverpool) Ltd.

Containerbase (London East) Ltd.

Containerbase (Manchester) itd.

Containerbase (Scotland) Ltd.

HE TRANSPORT AXD GENERAL VORKERS UN eferred to as "The Union" record that it has been afreed as 101 It is desirable to co-operato to develop, maintain and safeguard mutually satisfactory conditions of employment and to promote harmonious relationships.

The Federation recognises that the Transport and General Workers Union is the appropriate Union to negotiate on behalf of operatives aployed by the Containerbase Companies listed above.

Trade Union sembership will be a condition of employsent.

An agreement will be negotiated betwee:

the Federation and the Union through i' Road Iranaport Corneroial Group for (a) The determination of basic rates o hours of work and holidays and other conditions of service as shall be agroed from time to timo.

(b) The establishaent of seasures to secure the obserranco of joint decisions.

30568 The establishmont and operation of procodure for the speedy settlement of diffcrences and disputes at both local and national levels. (d) The establishment of consultarivo arrangaments.

For recruitment purposes, the Federation will consult the Union and a joint procedure will be established in respect of each Containerbase.

Preference vill be given to registered dock workers, possessing the necessary aptitudes and akills, when applications are considered for this new Employsent. Consideration will also be given to other suitably qualified Port Transport Industry workers where applicable.

This agreement may be amended by mutual consent or terminated by six calendar months notice in writing by either party or earlier by mutual. agreement.

For and on behalf The agreement signed with Containerbase in SCREENEMI Containerbase (Birmingham North) Ltd and Jack Jones and Tim O'Leary. ¡econd of two ontainerization and Live (Continuad)

Balant Waynouth R. S0111 D. V. Humphrio Did ens lasietang Executire Secretary o'Leary latiopal secret ry, Docks Group Kill. fachsog National Secretary, Road Irapaport Commercial Group May 1968 by Nothing has changed between January and the publication of the government's nationalization Bill last Friday.

In fact the Bill is even more right-wing than the White Paper. articles in London pool FOURTH RAID BY ISRAELIS ISRAEL launched new attacks day, with jet raids on Arab on Jordan and Egypt yesterguerrilla positions along the Suez canal and near the Jordanian village of Adasiah. It was the fourth such raid in 36 deal