In May 1995 US-based Colin Davis, who at that time was beginning to do comparative research on dockers in New York and London, was also invited to participate in the organisation of the conference that aimed to draw together as wide a range as possible (both in geographical and conceptual terms) of historians and social scientists. This chapter provides an overview of the state of international research on dock labour history. The reports based on the framework document were written and delivered by the various participants by March 1997. Many historians would agree with the assertion that dockers have been an especially militant and strike-prone group of workers. Taking dock workers as a focal point and using a broad social and historical perspective, it is important to analyse their everyday lifeand their political articulations and strikes, as well as the economic structures and organisations that influenced their working and living conditions.