Commenting on the announcement of the 8-day strike, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“The company has prioritised delivering multi-million pound dividends rather than paying its workers a decent wage. Unite is entirely focused on enhancing its members’ jobs, pay, and conditions, and it will be giving the workers at Felixstowe its complete support until this dispute is resolved, and a decent pay increase is secured.”
A spokesperson for the Port of Felixstowe told Sky News that the port understands the concerns of their employees regarding the cost of living. A meeting is due to take place with Unite on Monday, with a pay increase of 7% on the table.
However, many unions are demanding increases of around 11% in order to match the current rate of inflation. Indeed, according to the Guardian, the 7% offer has already been rejected.
“Both Felixstowe docks and its parent company CK Hutchison Holding Ltd are both massively profitable and incredibly wealthy. They are fully able to pay the workforce a fair day’s pay.” @UniteSharon https://t.co/AjKFUIzKxY
— Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) August 5, 2022
The Felixstowe Port spokesperson added:
“The port has not had a strike since 1989 and we are disappointed that the union has served notice of industrial action while talks are ongoing. The port provides secure and well-paid employment and there will be no winners from industrial action.”