The second of two films produced by Northern Newsreel and Trade Films for the Save Our Shipyards Campaign that looks at the need for greater governmental support of the shipbuilding industry on the River Wear to effectively compete in the world market. The film speaks with representatives from many of the unions whose members work at the two remaining yards on the Wear, Austin and Pickersgill and Doxfords, about the strategies they have in place to help retain jobs and prevent the...

The second of two films produced by Northern Newsreel and Trade Films for the Save Our Shipyards Campaign that looks at the need for greater governmental support of the shipbuilding industry on the River Wear to effectively compete in the world market. The film speaks with representatives from many of the unions whose members work at the two remaining yards on the Wear, Austin and Pickersgill and Doxfords, about the strategies they have in place to help retain jobs and prevent the privatisation of this nationalised industry. A montage of voices featured in this film talking about the issue of cheaper ships being produced in Japan and South Korea and the British industry not surviving without government subsidies. Over the opening credits the Sunderland skyline featuring the cranes and empty slipways along the River Wear, part of Austin and Pickersgill shipyard. Title: The Price of Ships Men on scaffolding working to construct a new vessel that sits on a slipway changes to men coming down a gangplank from a different ship moored along a dockside part way through being fitted out. Arthur Scott from the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU) Tyne District states that developing country have realised that if they want to pick industry that would guarantee economic growth then shipbuilding would be it. He goes onto explains that shipbuilding is also important as it generates economic activity in all areas of industrial life. Mike Lloyd, former Executive British Shipbuilders talks about the downstream effects of the collapse in the shipbuilding industry. As he continues to explain the benefits of a strong shipbuilding industry on the whole economy being the reasons why both the Japanese and South Korean governments are investing in the industry, men at work inside a large factory space laying out the keel of a new ship. In a local pub Andy Murray from CSEU Neptune Yards gives the example of the British motorcycle industry which was allowed to go into decline because of a government policy that allowed cheap imports. However, he states once the competition was out of the way the prices of Japanese bikes rose. George Hill of the General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trade Unions (GMBATU) (Boilermakers) concurs with Andy’s comments and is critical of the lack of support from the current Conservative government. Back in the pub Billy Green from the Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section (TASS) of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (AUEW) union states that the unions aren’t being critical of either the Japanese or South Koreans who have a right to build ships the problem he believes is with British capitalism. 24th October 1984 and the launching of the general cargo vessel Abyot at Austin and Pickersgill. Standing on the launching platform a man attempting to smash a bottle of Champagne against the hull of a ship. After several attempts it breaks and the crowd cheers and applauds and the vessel slowly slips down into the River Wear. Title: The last ship out of Austin and Pickersgill Smartly dressed men and women stand around chatting in the rain as representatives of both Austin and Pickersgill and the Ethiopian Shipping Lines shake hands. Inside an interview with Tesema Gezaw, General Manager of the Ethiopian Shipping Lines who is asked if he plans to place any further orders with Austin and Pickersgill. He explains it would be dependent on the financial package they would receive from the British government and British Shipbuilders. Sunderland North MP Bob Clay talks about another order from the Ethiopian Shipping Lines and Austin and Pickersgill having to compete with Italy. He explains that a cheap loans packet was offered to the company by the Italian government which helped secure this deal. No similar deal was offered by the British government as they considered it ‘unreasonable’. However, as Bob points out the reality of the situation is governments around the world are doing such deals as there is a market for it. An overview of an empty shipyard with a vessel on a slipway part way through construction, in voiceover Mike Lloyd explains that presently the shipbuilding industry is in terminal decline. However, this can be reversed as there is a demand for ships which comes down to competitive market conditions which Britain does not have. Peter Callaghan, a Austin and Pickersgill Joint Shop Stewards believes as an island nation we need a shipbuilding industry and believes that as he and his members have given their commitment so should the government and keep shipbuilding a state-owned industry. As he talks general views of men at work on a ship inside a large factory space. Tony Carty, also an Austin and Pickersgill Joint Shop Stewards believes that if government aid isn’t forthcoming direct action will need to be made to bring to the attention the plight on those on the River Wear. Bob Welford, CSEU Swan Hunter Group talks about the current system of divide-and-conquer which is eroding shipbuilding across the country bit-by-bit. Over general views of the slipways at Swan Hunters on the River Tyne Bob is critical of shipyards being bought out and closed as is happening at Swans. He is also critical of the lack of leadership and the lack of combined efforts between the yard to combat these buyouts and closures. Returning to Peter Callaghan he is asked if the ‘confed’ is an effective national body for taking forward the Save the Shipyards campaign. He doesn’t believe so as they are not prepared to fight at a national level. Sitting at his desk Alex Ferry, National Secretary of the CSEU is asked about the need for a united campaign to resist yard closures and job losses and the lack of support from the Shipyard Negotiation Committee (SNC). Alex Ferry outlines the position of the SNC by stating they are only able to help those members who are willing to help themselves. He is asked about the SNC policy of leaving it to individual yards to make decision as being both isolating and demoralising creating conditions for defeat. Alex understands these views but believes that no union would or could give better support to the members they represent. Outside the Wallsend shipyards of Swan Hunters, a crowd of shipyard workers crosses a busy road with men of the men staring at the camera as they pass. In voiceover Arthur Scott explains that the yards need to stop the approach on a national level, have refresher courses with their members explaining the terrible price that has already been paid and that we don’t want the industry to get any smaller. Mike Lloyd believes the strategy needs to set a target level of capacity below which we won’t allow shipbuilding and associated industries to fall. As he talks about the need to maintain and support this level for the benefits of the industry workmen at in a factory unit working on an early ship build. Bob Welford provides details of what has happened at Swan Hunters whereby they have combining all seven different union sections and created one common policy to fight for the retention of jobs and against privatisation. Sitting next to Bob is Buzz Howe of the GMBATU (General Workers) who talks about a new balloting system in which everyone is united as one as only as one can they all survive. Back in the yard George Hill talks about how the industry has been decimated, he is asked about the type of strategy the unions needs to pursue and what type of fight should they take on? He says the strategy is not to leave the premises as once you do he’s had experience of being locked out. Tony Carty states the membership have already given authority and a mandate to resist by occupation or strike action compulsory redundancies or layoffs. Bob Clay MP states he would support those men who decide to occupy the yard as it would be the only option left while Tony Carty clarifies that if it comes to the crunch and workers are being forced onto the streets, they intend to occupy the whole merchant shipbuilding. The film comes to a close with a montage of men and cranes at work in a shipyard working on various vessels, playing in the background a protest song about many of the points raised in this film. A second montage follows featuring many of those voices featured in the film repeating some of the comments made. Billy Green ends by saying it’s their industry and work and as long as they have a basic working-class attitude, they [the government] aren’t going to get away with destroying his industry. Title: Stop the job loss, oppose privatisation. Demand effective government support Also available DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN, The Cost of Privatisation, Tel 0632 775532 A Northern Newsreel video End title: Funded by Tyne and Wear County Council for the Save Our Shipyards Campaign. © Trade Films 1984