A protest outside the 1960 TUC congress in Douglas by supporters of the National Seamen’s Reform Movement. MARX MEMORIAL LIBRARY were enforcing the new agreement and making crew members work even longer hours. In January 1966 the NUS executive council, which now contained members of the NSRM, agreed to instruct negotiators to secure a cut in the working week from 56 to 40 hours and a pay rate of £60 a month for an able seaman. The demands were put to shipowners on the National Maritime Board, along with a strike ultimatum. The owners flatly rejected the claim and an official national strike – the first since 1911 – began on 16 May.
10 Turning The Tide