News Bulletin No1. March 2000

· Our IT project, Akademie, closed in February due to a shortage of funding, but we hope the 25 Dockers who took part in this project will come to 29 Hope Street and use their computer skills to take up some of the possibilities for work in this area that are now being promised to us by various companies and organisations.

· The Arts Fusion project continues to deliver training and support to 10 young unemployed people in all areas of the performing arts.

· The International Movement that came to the aid of the Liverpool Dockworkers during their 28-month struggle is still very much alive and active. It is keen to build on the good work and solidarity achieved at the Liverpool, Montreal and Gothenburg conferences, by organising 4th Full International Conference in Barcelona April 28th - 29th that will enable the movement to progress and evolve.

· Our international links continue and we have had involvement in recent actions covering Seattle, Charleston, Japan, Australia and the West Coast Dockers.

· Its with great sadness that we have to report the death of one of our international commrades Gianni Dozza from Genoa. Gianni who died of a heart attack whilst driving a crane, attended the first international conference here in Liverpool and played a major role throughout the dispute

· At the Museum of Liverpool Life an exhibition of the Women of the Waterfront goes on show this week 14th March.

· A celebration of the life of Billy Hunter will take place in the Unemployed Centre on April 22nd his 80th birthday. And we hope as many of his friends and comrades will attend.

· The Liverpool Dockworkers and the Initiative Factory have now moved into their new premises in Hope Street. The new address and telephone/fax numbers are as follows: THE INITIATIVE FACTORY, 29 HOPE STREET, and LIVERPOOL.L1 9BQ. TEL: 0151 709 2148 FAX: 0151 709 5596 MOBILE: 0403 259 511/ 512/ 513. e-mail: dockers@gn.apc.org web page: www.gn.apc.org/initfactory All the ideas, beliefs and projects that started in September 1995 will hopefully continue to grow and prosper at this new building which will now be our permanent home.

· Work on the top floor should be fully renovated this week allowing the committee to operate from this floor.

· Plastering work and electric's etc. has began on the first floor which will house our computer suite and projects room. This refurbishment could be completed in two weeks allowing the Dockers to return to their project.

· We need a dedicated team of volunteer workers, especially those with skills in carpentry, decorating and general labouring to help out in this second phase of renovation so please come forward if you can spare a few hours each day.

· The final phase of building work will cover the basement and ground floor areas of the building to enable us to provide work in the running of a bar/bistro and performing arts centre. Much of this initial work may involve heavy labouring work, putting in a damp course, knocking walls down and general repair work and again volunteers will be needed.

· It is important to realise that once the building has been renovated we want all our members, associate members and the community to make use of the facilities available.

· As you will understand the cost of all this work is considerable and until we start to establish a clear revenue source from any of our projects your co-operative will require voluntary support.

· The principles upon which we established the Initiative Factory two years ago are still our primary objectives, to create employment, partnership and global links, services to the disadvantaged and to encourage the creative potential of all people.

· A legal challenge has now been lodged against the TGWU over the role and actions of a certain officer during the dispute. Initially there will be 7/8 test cases arguing for unfair dismissal and depending on their success, it could lead to all those dismissed claiming compensation.

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