NAS&D Joins Campaign Against Dock Amendments

The campaign against the proposed amendments to the Dock Labour Scheme is gaining ground in dockland. The executive council of the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers has now gone on record against the acceptance of any amendments. This development has taken place since the Dock Labour Board distributed its 'explanatory' leaflet. Contrary to the predictions of the capitalist Press more and more dockers are indignantly rejecting the amendments.

Mr William Lindley, secretary of the Lightermen, Bargemen and Tugmen's union attended the meeting of the NASD executive where the amendments were discussed. He stated the case for the amendments, but failed to convince anyone present that they were in the interests of portworkers. Mr Lindley also claimed that the amendments had the support of northern dockers.

This strange theory of Mr Lindleys is made all the more peculiar when one remembers that where northern dockers have had the chance to express themselves on the amendments they have replied with an emphatic no!

In Hull a mass meeting of Transport and General Workers' Union members and NASD men not only decided to reject the amendments but set up a rank-and-file committee to campaign nationally against them.

Liverpool dockers previous to this had already elected a joint 'blue' and 'white' committee in the North-end docks to oppose the amendments.

This latest stand taken by the NASD executive council is welcomed. However, if it is to be effective then the NASD must begin to act now on the lines suggested by a number of its London branches. Resolutions sent in from 'blue' union branches calling for dock gate meetings would help to prepare dockers of all unions for the fight that is coming up.

The London Star, which naturally welcomed the NJIC leaflet, said: 'When men know the facts they are not deceived.' How true. The NASD, together with the unofficial rank-and-file committees should now start a campaign ensuring that dockers are given the facts.