LONDON DOCK STRIKE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27471, 4 October 1954, Page 11

LONDON DOCK STRIKE

Leader’s Warning To Men (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 2. Striking London dockers were warned by one of their leaders today that they were taking part in one of the most bitter struggles the industry has known. The speaker. Mr Vic Marney, was addressing a mass meeting of men engaged in the Victoria. Royal Albert, and King George Fifth docks, where more than 2000 wer6 idle today and 18 ships held up. This is one of two unofficial stoppages crippling the Port of London. The other,- involving 8000 men in Thames repair yards, is holding up w’ork on 100 vessels. Another walk-out is expected on Monday to add to the chaos. It will involve 7000 members of the National Amalgamated Stevedores’ and Dockers’ Union. This union-called strike is aimed at forcing the employers to restart discussions on matters like piecework rates, overtime conditions, and wage claims. The employers dropped all talks on the men’s grievances when the union banned overtime last January. The first strike began three days ago when 300 workers refused to sort New Zealand meat from the 11,281-ton ship Haparangi. They claimed that a return to the pre-war system of sorting meat slowed down their work and reduced their piece-work earnings.