Port of Felixstowe workers to go back out on strike as Unite threatens action

Workers at Britain's largest container port are set to go back out on strike tomorrow.

Over 1,900 staff at the Port of Felixstowe - all members of the trade union Unite - will return to the pickets at 7am, running from tomorrow until October 5.

This is because port authorities refused to return to the negotiating table following the strikes in August, the trade union said.

Workers previously went out on strike for eight days on August 21.

An offer of a 7 per cent pay rise was rejected by the union, saying it didn't adequately reflect the cost of living and inflation.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is a tremendously wealthy company which can fully afford to pay its workers a fair pay increase but has chosen not to in order to boost their already huge profits.

“Unite is now entirely focused on promoting and defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. The Felixstowe dock workers are receiving the union’s unflinching support."

This strike overlaps with action at the Port of Liverpool, which began on September 9, and will run through until October 3.

This means that roughly 60% of the UK's container port capacity will be affected by strikes.

Unite national officer Bobby Morton said: “This latest round of strike action will inevitably cause huge disruption at Felixstowe and send shockwaves through the UK’s supply chain but this dispute is entirely of the company’s own making. It has been given every opportunity to negotiate an agreement but it has refused to do so.”

The Port of Felixstowe has been approached for comment.