The Dockers' Decision
Today, a national delegate conference of union representatives will decide whether to accept or reject the Evershed Committee's recom- mendations on wages in the dock industry. The Committee has recommended a general increase in the national minimum wage from 16s. to 19s. a day ; the dockers have claimed 25s. a day and the employers had previously offered 18s. a day. Thus the recom- mendations, which have already been accepted by the employers, fall considerably short of the dockers' demands. But the increase offered is substantial and in comparison with other industries the minimum wage guaranteed to the men is high. If they are wise, the men will accept the award ; certainly all the influence of the union leaders will be employed in favour of acceptance. Nevertheless, dockers at various ports are reported to be disappointed by the terms of the award and the London Central Strike Committee has
urged that they be rejected. The folly of such a policy canno be emphasised too strongly. If they reject the award, the men wi forfeit all public sympathy, and without public support a renew of the strike can have no prospect of success. But there are wide issues at stake than the dockers' sectional interests. Rejection the award, and of their leaders' advice, can only serve to introduc confusion into the dockers' trade union organisation and into th whole system of industrial negotiation by which the men hal gained so much ; moreover, it will open the way to industn disputes which no one in the country can afford. If they reject the own leadership, the dockers will weaken their own cause and th cause of all trade unionists, and prejudice the results of years effort and struggle.
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