Robert Morton, national officer for Unite, told: “I accept that the supply chain will be badly impacted. This is one of the unpleasant aspects of such situations.”
The supply chain will be “severely interrupted” by strikes at the main container port in the United Kingdom, according to the chairman of Unite, who also warned that “there will be further strikes.”
On the second day of an eight-day walkout, about 2,000 workers walked off the job, the latest in a summer of industrial action.
Following a vote of more than nine-to-one in favor, over 1,900 Unite members, including crane workers, machine operators, and stevedores, are participating in the first strike to disrupt the port in 31 years.
Robert Morton, national officer for Unite, told: “I accept that the supply chain will be badly impacted. This is one of the unpleasant aspects of such situations.
If the employer agreed to meet us for real-time negotiations, the situation may be resolved by the end of the day.
“The final message we received from them was, “Yes, we will meet you, but we will not budge an inch from our position.”
“This is the incorrect strategy.”
He continued, “There will be additional strikes if we don’t achieve what we’re attempting to.”
The union is requesting a wage increase in line with the current inflation rate of 12.3%. Previously, employees were promised a 7% raise and a £500 lump sum payout.
This offer has not been extended to members, and Mr. Morton explained why: “At the outset of the negotiations, we inquired as to what they desired, and they responded, “We want you to bargain and return with a minimum rate of inflation.” If it is anything less than that, do not return it.”
Mr. Morton stated that a figure ranging from 7% to 12.3% would be “acceptable to my membership.”
Paul Davey, head of corporate relations at the port of Felixstowe, said, “We have offered a salary package.” “The compensation arrangement we’re discussing now is only valid until the end of this year. On January 1st, there will be a new salary arrangement. So that next year we can deal with future inflation.
“The deal we offered them is significantly better than what the vast majority of people receive, and we are glad and proud of the fact that we pay very well at the port of Felixstowe.”
According to him, the average salary is 40% higher than the national average.
In response to the offer being significantly higher than that made to NHS employees, Mr. Morton stated: “I can’t speak for NHS employees or the benefits they receive, but it depends on your position.
“I believe that the NHS workers should be compensated more than everyone else, but our member’s work (outside) in all types of weather, they are highly skilled individuals, and I believe they deserve more from a company that generates enormous profits.
“My advice to them is ‘if you can afford it, pay it.”
The walkout concludes a week in which thousands of transport workers engaged in various pay-related strikes, as the cost of living issue intensifies.
