Bulletin No 2. May 2000

· We have also decided to re-launch the labour supply side of the Initiative Factory. Linking it directly with those successful candidates who have passed out at Transneeds. Once again for this to succeed we will require members who are willing to go to work at short notice to forward their names to the committee at the end of the meeting.

· The full committee has now moved into 29 Hope Street following the completion of the top floor. This will now be the centre for all our operations. The second floor is almost finished. Once complete it will house computer suites and education rooms that we hope the membership and local community will put to good use, either through our existing projects or successfully starting new ones. The main area of interest for members should be the latest developments concerning the first floor and basement. Everyone understands that speedy advancement with this section of the building will be key to the future of the entire operation. Following set backs with various funding bids, we have decided to take out a loan to pay for the establishment and refurbishment of the bar, bistro and performing arts centre. The committee is fully aware of the need to push ahead and make sure that a much-needed source of income and jobs can be achieved without further delay. We are calling on our friends and supporters in the labour and trade union movement to join forces with our own volunteer workforce and professional builders, to help us accomplish our objective.

· In order to accommodate all our International comrades the dates and the venue of the next International Dockers Conference have been changed to June 26th-28th at the Port of Tenerife. PTO. · The conference hosts the Coordinadora have chosen Tenerife instead of Barcelona so that they can honour the life of that great internationalist and friend of Liverpool "Paco" by combining the work of the IDC with special tribute to "Paco the Man, his Family and his Port."

· The committee are currently looking at ways of extending the membership base., by offering supporters and friends the opportunity of becoming associated members. This in no way will infringe on the rights of the full membership (The Founder Members) who will still be the only people with voting rights at Annual General Meetings. (AGMs)

· The final touches to the Hardman Street CD ROM are now being concluded with a series of interviews with members of the committee. Once completed we will be looking at ways to mass produce, promote and sell it.

· Following the successful negotiation for the members of the FRDW Pensions scheme to access a pension once they have turned the age of 50. The trustees have now requested that example calculations should be made available for members to consider.

· Messages of solidarity have been sent out to the Longbridge Car Workers in Birmingham and the Charleston Dockworkers in the USA. Requests for May Day greetings have been sent to our Turkish comrades and the SWP.

· The tremendous work of the Welfare Committee has once again secured the annual outing for the retired dockers. The committee would like to thank members for their continuing financial support. ·

24th March 2000

Dear Friends,

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, 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. .

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