Industrial Action Ends at the Port of Felixstowe But More Strikes Planned
The Port of Felixstowe in Suffolk recently saw eight days of strikes by dock workers, which came to an end on Sunday 28th August and further strike action is due to take place again later this month. As the UK’s busiest container port, the Port of Felixstowe is responsible for the handling of approximately half of all container freight that enters the UK and is also vitally important to the local economy.
Why are workers striking?
The action in August marked the first strikes by dock workers in 30 years. The strikes are the result of a pay dispute, with workers demanding a rise in line with inflation. It’s understood that the port workers have been offered a pay rise of 7% plus a £500 bonus, however members of the union, Unite are demanding that the pay rise match inflation, which is currently around 10%.
As a result, almost 2,000 workers took 8 days of industrial action with those striking including stevedores and crane operators. The company who owns the port has reported that the average wage of its dock workers is £43,000 but the union has pointed out that in reality, many of its members who are taking part in the action receive a salary of around £20,000 a year.
When will further strikes take place?
With no sign of an agreement being reached in the near future, further strike action is now planned at the Port of Felixstowe, with dock workers due to walk out again on the 27th September for another eight days of industrial action, which will continue up to an including October 5th.
At the same time, dock workers in the Port of Liverpool are also planning industrial action later this month, with a two-week walkout due to take place from September 19th through to October 3rd, again over a pay dispute.
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