Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Having known Jack Dash quite well & having been to diner with him a couple of times, ( & to try to understand him & his philosophy & that of communism better)I expect that the phrase " Never give a docker an even break" is as true today as it was then.
For those who do not know -Jack Dash was the militant union leader who caused so much trouble in the London docks.
His claim to fame was leading 60,000 dockers out in a march on strike..
That being said , conditions in the London docks ( coupled with P P management) were always going to cause strife & his book, " Good Morning Brothers" is a good historical read about dockers conditions.
I imagine that the reason Felixtowe survived when London & Tilbury declined, was because it avoided the dock labour scheme, designed to guarantee dockers jobs for life. Worse thing ever dreamed up.
Perhaps the unions have never forgiven Felixtowe. There will be people in Unite with long memories.
For those who do not know -Jack Dash was the militant union leader who caused so much trouble in the London docks.
His claim to fame was leading 60,000 dockers out in a march on strike..
That being said , conditions in the London docks ( coupled with P P management) were always going to cause strife & his book, " Good Morning Brothers" is a good historical read about dockers conditions.
I imagine that the reason Felixtowe survived when London & Tilbury declined, was because it avoided the dock labour scheme, designed to guarantee dockers jobs for life. Worse thing ever dreamed up.
Perhaps the unions have never forgiven Felixtowe. There will be people in Unite with long memories.
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