Crossword Genius

Deserve to operate as a dockside worker (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stevedore

'a dockside worker' is the definition.
(someone who works at a dock)

'deserve to operate' is the wordplay.
'operate' indicates anagramming the letters.
'deserve'+'to'='deserveto'
'deserveto' with letters rearranged gives 'STEVEDORE'.

'as' is the link.

(Other definitions for stevedore that I've seen before include "one working in docks" , "Hold worker" , "he'll have loads on board" , "Worker who loads and unloads ships" , "Dock-worker loads and unloads ships" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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