Nigerian dock strike continues unabated despite attempts by the government to break it. The dockers are fighting for elementary rights taken for granted in Europe and North America —=- a fixed wage rate, guaranteed minimum rate, closed shop, etc.
The dock workers union is affiliated to the left-wing national union organization led by Michael Imoudu, which is giving the fullest support to the strixe. In fact the fears of the government that the strike will spread sre such tnat they have arrested the leader of the Seameus us.iou.
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Rom . .. Widespread sympathy for the dockers has forced the right~ wing trade-union congress leadership to take a neutral position — despite. heavy pressure from the government to come out against the strikers. P a .
Threats to break the strike through use of unemployed workers heve, failed to materialize because of mass sympathy for the waterfront men, Fear of a rash of sympathy strikes has prevented the governnent from using troops uv to now to break the strike.
The strike is the longest since the 195€ postal workers strike and recalls the days of the 1945 general strike.
The strike is of political import in its challenge to the government. It has already strengthened the left wing against right-wing trade-union leaders who had gained due to government © De rOnace and recognition. .The Nigerian working class is on the
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