Private spied on dockers

Workers Press no. 810, 6 July 1972 · scan page 2

Topics: Docks, Trade union leaders and the TUC, Police and the courts

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DOCKERS picketing a storage depot in East London were followed by private detectives, and their conversations were overheard and recorded.

Pickets were also photographed, it was revealed in the National Industrial Relations Court yesterday.

Eurotec, a London firm of inquiry agents was hired by the Midland Cold Storage Company on June 26. They were instructed to find out the names and addresses of those regularly on the picket line to 'ascertain the affiliations of such persons to any organization' and to report fully on their activities at the picket line.

A Mr Christopher Burch, who took part in the surveillance operation, told the court that on one occasion he had driven a lorry to the depot.

He was told by pickets the place was blacked. While he was there he tape recorded a conversation he had with the dockers. The recording was played to the court yesterday. • Burch, who today leaves for an army training camp, the NIRC was told, also said he took part in following dockers to a public house.

The dockers' conversation in the pub was overheard and recorded although it didn't turn out to be satisfactory.

When the case against seven London dockers, members of the port shop stewards' committee, opened Mr Alan Campbell, QC, counsel for Midland, asked to hear some of the evidence in private.

"The situation is such that it is extremely difficult to call evidence before this court on account of the intimidation,' he said.

'It is very difficult to get anyone to come and give evidence and you will hear in due course that certain evidence is available only on the basis that it has been given to us in confidence.' During the lunch adjournment both Victor Feather of the TUC and Jack Jones of the Transport and General Workers' Union made attempts to get the case called off.

USDAW's solicitor told the court that if the company withdrew its application, Jones and Feather had agreed to a meeting of all parties.

Mr Campbell said he had message sent to Feather saying that the company must go ahead unless undertakings about picketing were given to the court.

'I accept that they [the union leaders] cannot, unfortunately control these activities. Therefore I have to inform Mr Feather and Mr Jones that until an undertaking is given by the respondents [the dockers] we must continue' See Dockers 12. Another sign