MERSEYSIDE MAY EXPLODE ANY DAY NOW

A RECENT notice published by the Merseyside Dock Labour Board informs the docker who is absent from work for ‘less than two days’ that he no longer needs to provide a medical certificate. This, says the Dock Labour Board, will save the docker a shilling.

However, the notice has aroused angry comments. The reasons why are explained in the latest issue of the Northern Broadsheet (the paper of the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers, the ‘blue union’):

‘Events have proved the hypocrisy of this kind-hearted “concession” extended to the docker by the local Board.

‘Instead of previously clearing himself with a medical certificate (one shilling) we find that when a docker presents himself for work after an absence of less than two days .. . he is denied his rights to seek work.

‘Instead of his labour being made full use of, he is sent down to Sefton House [headquarters of the Dock Labour Board] and interrogated about his absence.

Half a day’s work ‘Thus, under the pretence of saving one shilling, we find the docker concerned losing half a day’s work (it could be more), and if he questions the validity of his unnecessary trip to Sefton House it will cost him another day’s work to put his case to the local Board.’

Dockers I have discussed it with see this recent regulation as one of a series of moves to increase the power of the Board and the employers over the dockworker.

The opinion is widely expressed that over the past few months the Dock Labour Board has begn steadily increasing ‘discipline’ and sceking to prune the register of dockers by imposing penalties, including dismissals, for the smallest offences.

These activities, added to the conditions of near-poverty into which a great number of dockers are being driven because of the shortage of work, are raising the fighting spirit along the Mersey docks to a level not seen for many years.

As one seasoned militant put it: ‘The six-week strike for HULL BOCKERS STRIKE FOR A FULL