28.03.1996

Relearn solidarity

Thousands turned out to support the Liverpool dockers’ continuing fight for their jobs on Saturday. Led by pipers, the march had delegations from Hillingdon Hospital and Jenny’s Textiles, two disputes that have consistently supported the Liverpool dock workers. There were many trade union banners and some firefighters attended in uniform. The march was addressed by Arthur Scargill and is a symbol of an emerging political resistance.

The Hillingdon workers are fighting cuts in hospitals. Mainly Asian women, they understand the need for solidarity. Those from Jenny’s are a spirited group of Turkish workers who have fought for and won basic trade union rights. They also understand basic solidarity. It is a lesson trade union leaders would do well to learn. The dockers’ dispute remains vibrant because international solidarity has given it strength. UK workers will regain strength if they relearn the basic trade union lesson: united we stand; divided we fall.

Arthur Scargill’s presence as the main speaker indicates a willingness to engage in politics left of Labour. The larger numbers on Saturday’s demonstration were in part drawn by his stand. They also had ringing in their ears the announcement of an obscene pay rise announced last week for the chair of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.

The dockers can still win. When they do, their victory will strengthen all workers facing arrogant and aggressive management. We should follow the example of the workers from Jenny’s and Hillingdon Hospital. Solidarity is strength. In the growth of the SLP the revolutionary left have an opportunity to unite this growing resistance with a political focus.

Chris Jones