Port of Felixstowe workers set to walk out in dispute over pay

Workers at the UK's largest container port will go on strike next month in a dispute over pay.

The Port of Felixstowe is set to come to a standstill after members of Unite, the UK's leading union, overwhelmingly backed strike action.

Ninety-two per cent of members voted for industrial action in a turnout of 81 per cent.

The dispute is a result of the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company offering a pay increase of just five per cent to its workers.

Bosses of the Union said this was an effective pay cut with the real rate of inflation (RPI) currently standing at 11.9 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “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 pay outs 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.”

With Felixstowe responsible for 48 per cent of the UK's container trade, strike action would cause major problems for the container trade and vehicles entering the port.

Unite regional officer Miles Hubbard added: “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.”