According to the union, the strike will impact British supply chains, the logistics and haulage industries, and international maritime trade.
In a disagreement over salary, workers at the largest container port in the United Kingdom will go on strike for more than a week later this month.
More than 1,900 Unite union members in Felixstowe will go on strike for eight days from Sunday, August 21 to Monday, August 29.
The employer Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company, according to the union, failed to improve upon its promise of a 7 percent salary raise, following a meager 1.4% increase the previous year.
Nearly half of the United Kingdom’s container traffic passes through Felixstowe, and Unite stated that the strike will impact supply chains, the logistics and haulage industries, and international maritime trade.
It is the most recent phase of industrial action by workers demanding salary increases to match the rising cost of living.
Bobby Morton, unite national officer for docks, stated: “Strike action will wreak havoc and send tremendous shockwaves across the UK’s supply system, but the firm is solely to blame for this disagreement.
“It had every opportunity to make a reasonable offer to our members but decided not to. Felixstowe must stop delaying and provide a salary offer that matches the expectations of our members.”
Extremely profitable and extremely affluent
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, stated that both Felixstowe docks and its Hong Kong-based parent firm CK Hutchison is “massively lucrative and immensely wealthy,” adding: “They are capable of paying their employees a decent wage.
“The corporation has prioritized multimillion-pound dividends over paying its employees a living salary.
“Unite is solely focused on improving its members’ jobs, wages, and working conditions, and it will provide the workers at Felixstowe with its full support until this dispute is resolved and a fair pay raise is secured.”
On Monday, additional discussions are scheduled.
In a statement, a port official stated: “The organization continues to actively pursue a solution that benefits all parties and prevents industrial action.
“We recognize our employees’ worries regarding the rising cost of living and are committed to doing all possible to assist while continuing to invest in the development of the port.
“The company’s most recent negotiating position calls for a 7 percent salary rise. On Monday, August 8, we will meet again with Acas and the union.
“Since 1989, there has not been a strike at the port, and we are dismayed that the union has sent notice of industrial action while negotiations are ongoing. The port provides stable, well-paid jobs, and industrial action will result in no winners.”
Additionally, the Department of Transportation has been approached for comment.
According to its website, Felixstowe welcomes roughly 2,000 ships annually, including some of the world’s largest container ships.
Approximately 17 shipping companies operate from the port, providing 33 services to and from over 700 ports worldwide.
