Strike Over Pay Affects UK Container Port

The UK's main container port, Felixstowe, is expected to shut down next month as a result of Unite, the country's largest union, members majority supporting strike action in a salary dispute.

At Felixstowe, Unite members are in charge of running the port in all respects. On an 81% turnout, the employees recorded a 92 percent vote in favor of strike action. The Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company only gave its employees a 5% salary raise, which sparked the conflict. Given that the actual (RPI) rate of inflation is at 11.9%, this is effectively a pay decrease.

“The bottom line is this is an extremely wealthy company that can fully afford to give its workers a pay rise. Instead it chose to give bonanza payouts to shareholders touching £100 million.

“Unite is focused on defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and we will giving 100 per cent support to our members at Felixstowe.“Workers should not be paying the price for the pandemic with a pay cut. Unite has undertaken 360 disputes in a matter of months and we will do all in our power to defend workers,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

A strike would halt traffic in Felixstowe and pose serious logistical challenges for incoming land and maritime cargo delivery.

“Strike action at Felixstowe will inevitably create huge disruption across the UK’s supply chain. This dispute is of Felixstowe’s own making. Strike dates have yet to be announced but even at this late stage the dispute could be resolved by the company returning to negotiations and making a realistic offer,” said Unite regional officer Miles Hubbard.