from a Bristol correspondent The first independent proposals for ending the Bristol and Avonmouth dock strike (Editorial notes this item was written before the strike ended) have been submitted by Mir. Geoff. Wood, a member of DATA and Bristol Left Club in a long letter to the Bristol Evening Post. Geoff Wood has for many years played an active role in his union and has over 20 years! experience in the negotiating field. At the time of writing the unofficial dock strike is at the end of its third week and is one of the bitterest disputes in recent years affecting TGWU workers, The strike arose from a dispute over an agreement for unloading packaged timber from the Gloucester City, negotiated by the union's full-time officials,
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The key paragraphs of Mr. Wood's ldter are interesting because they cast light on one of the causes of unofficial strike, i.we., where the officials get out of touch with the men on the job. He says: "I have not seen any report that the employer's offer was made known to the members for their consideration before they were officially committed." He then goes on to describe the procedure in DATA in which agreements negotiated at a district level are invariably submitted to the members for approval, and which lead to good relationships between the members and the full-time officials. Commenting on the dilemma of the union in the dock strike: "Apparently the employers are sitting tight because they have an official agreement. I might think that it would be in their own interest to recognise a genuine dilemma of the union and cancel the offending agreement and allow negotiations to be reopened," He concludes: “This means that I would return to work on the Gloucester City under the existing agreement, satisfied with public recognition of a moral victory, and satisfied that a contribution had been made to getting an improved trade union organisation. This would be contingent upon an assurance from the executive that adequate consultation
ee ne ate oe 2 Se A Se Se UES OY OS OO NS EE ES OS GS GE Se (AO me A em aR ee cee oe en es SEN he em a FE ORR Ue oe would’ take “place with members to Secure “a “new agrecment,......"
The strike will indeed have achieved something important if it leads to a more democratic procedure at this level of the TGWU.