Socialism in Liverpool: Episodes in a History of Working Class Struggle

Published by Hegemon Press, 2000. ISBN 0900183195. £2.50. ISBN 0-953098-0-3, £2.50. Email hegemonpress@hotmail.com for postage rates.

Discussion: North West Labour History

From the Preface

As long as there are people who are prepared to exploit others for profit, there will be others who are prepared to fight back in the cause of justice or fair play. That is the basis of struggle. Because of its industrial nature, higher than average unemployment, and a large pool of mostly unskilled labour, Merseyside has been at the forefront of class struggle. Because of these conditions unscrupulous employers have considered the working class of Liverpool fair game.

At an early age I began to witness at first hand the effects of the conditions described in this pamphlet. I would see my father, a docker, returning home after failing to get a day's work, despite leaving home as early as 5.30 am. He would then return to the pen at lpm and start the process again. Often he had no bus fare and had to walk miles to the dock. If he didn't work he didn't get paid, and when he was ill he could not afford to take time off. My father vowed, 'No son of mine will ever work on those docks.'

In 1967, after the six-week national dock strike, all that was to change. Liverpool as usual was the last to go back, because all the conditions they had struck for had not been met. When the dockers did return to work, they had achieved permanent employment with a designated employer. If no work could be found for that man, they would sign on with pay for each half-day period (albeit at a reduced rate). They also won two weeks holiday with pay, sick leave, canteen and proper toilet facilities.

The dockers' victory had the effect of giving confidence to other workers, who also took action to improve their lot. If you are prepared to take a stand against injustice, if you believe in a cause, you are halfway to victory. Despite my father's vow, in 1968 I joined him on the docks, fortunately the conditions were nothing like he and his colleagues had to endure, thanks to their fighting spirit.

We were often called upon to support others by blocking ships' cargo to places such as South Africa, Chile or any place where injustice prevailed. At home we also took strike action in support of others in struggle, particularly on Merseyside. With the advent of containerisation and modern working practices, we were also involved in many battles to defend our own jobs. Several redundancies reduced our numbers from fifteen thousand when I started work in 1968 to just five hundred in 1995. Those of us who remained preferred the security of a job with regular pay to the uncertainty outside the gates.

After many attacks on our conditions, in September 1995 the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company sacked the workforce for refusing to cross a picket line, set up by some of our colleagues from another company who had also been unjustly sacked. Our struggle was to last 27 months, and is described in this pamphlet, but when I meet my former colleagues, we all agree that if called upon we would do it again. Others say that they miss the camaraderie of the picket line.

Despite not winning back our jobs, we were enriched by the experience of the struggle. Families were drawn close together, some found talents they didn't realise they had, speaking, organising, and even acting. Politically, we became more aware, and began to recognise the things that are used to divide us, racism, religious differences and homophobia. We made links internationally which continue to the present day. Hopefully we have given other the confidence to continue the fight: 'the harder the struggle, the sweeter the victory'.

We cannot be surprised by the ruthlessness displayed by those in power to hang on to that power and the wealth that comes with that power. They will use every means at their disposal, with no concern for human life. When the working class is roused, however, nothing will stop the tide of anger. The signs are still there, bubbling under, the discontent will give way to struggle, and Merseysiders will play their part.

Brian Dooley, sacked Liverpool docker