The National Dock Labour Board (NDLB), which administered the National Dock Labour Scheme, was an administrative board for the operation of

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docks.

Creation of National Dock Labour Board

In 1947,

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introduced the "Dock Workers’ (Regulation of Employment) Scheme". The scheme was administered by the National Dock Labour Board, and by local boards, made up of equal numbers of "persons representing dock workers in the port and of persons representing the employers of such dockworkers", the scheme was financed by a levy on the employers. Each local board was responsible for keeping a register of employers and workers, paying wages and attendance money, controlling the hiring of labour, and responsibility for discipline.

Reasons for creation

The scheme was introduced by the

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in response to the Dock Strike of 1945. The

strike Strike may refer to: People * Strike (surname) Physical confrontation or removal *Strike (attack), attack with an inanimate object or a part of the human body intended to cause harm *Airstrike, military strike by air forces on either a suspected ...

was a rank-and-file protest for an increase in basic pay, and was not officially supported by the

Transport and General Workers Union The Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU or T&G) was one of the largest general trade unions in the United Kingdom and Ireland – where it was known as the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union (ATGWU) to differentiate its ...

. The strikers were condemned as 'unpatriotic' by

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, General Secretary of the T&G. The government used troops to keep the ports open, and the strike ended after six weeks when the striking dockers accepted an assurance from the T&G leaders that they would negotiate a 'Docker's Charter' with the government. Under the scheme, dock work was considered a "job for life", with any registered docker laid off by any of the 150 firms associated with the scheme either being guaranteed employment elsewhere or a £25,000 pay off.

Abolition of the National Dock Labour Board

The National Dock Labour Scheme was abolished in 1989 by the

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government under

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. The then Employment Secretary,

Norman Fowler Peter Norman Fowler, Baron Fowler, (born 2 February 1938) is a British politician who served as a member of both Margaret Thatcher and John Major's ministries during the 1980s and 1990s. He held the office of Lord Speaker from 1 September 201 ...

, told MPs the scheme had become 'a total anachronism' that stood in the way of a modern and efficient ports industry. Fowler offered assurances that any docker laid off as a result of the scheme being abolished would be compensated up to the value of £35,000.

Notable members

Notable members of the National Dock Labour Board included Jack Dash.

Sport and recreation

The NDLB introduced a sport and recreation programme for the workers which included a rowing club called the Argosies Rowing Club. The club achieved national success when winning the coxless pairs title at the inaugural

1972 British Rowing Championships The 1972 National Rowing Championships was the first edition of the National Championships, held from 22 to 23 July 1972 at the National Water Sports Centre in Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham. These inaugural Championships were held at the newly op ...

References

External links

''Registered files relating to the administration of the business of the National Dock Labour Board (NDLB)''
- nationalarchives.gov.uk
''National Dock Labour Board: Photographs 1953-1963''
- nationalarchives.gov.uk *Statistics and circulars relating to all 20 local Docks Labour Boards in ports around Britain are held a
Special Collections and Archives, Cardiff University
* Account of how the board was abolished and why it mattered to the employers and Conservative Government do so
Iain Dale: 27 Years Ago Today the Dock Labour Scheme Was Abolished - And Here's How I Helped It Happen
{{Authority control Labor relations boards Labour relations in the United Kingdom British trade unions history Government agencies established in 1947 1989 disestablishments Water transport in the United Kingdom 1947 establishments in the United Kingdom