Strike talks end without deal
Disruption at the UK’s largest container port looks unavoidable as talks aimed at halting an eight-day strike by dock workers have ended without a breakthrough.
Negotiations between the Unite union and the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company came to an end despite an additional offer of a £500 bonus for the 1,900 workers on top of a 7% pay rise. Workers had already voted in favour of strike action between 21 and 29 August.
“There will be no winners from a strike which will only result in their members losing money they would otherwise have earned,” said a ports spokesperson. “Our focus has been to find a solution that works for our employees and protects the future success of the port.”
Unite has rejected the pay offer, arguing it is well below the RIP level of inflation and pointing to the port’s decision to pay multimillion-pound dividends to shareholders. Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company made a pre-tax profit of almost £61m in 2020, according to its most recent accounts.
‘Greed, not need’
“The port can afford to put forward a reasonable pay offer to our members but once again has chosen not to,” said Unite’s national officer, Robert Morton.
“That decision was driven by greed, not need.”
“Unite’s door remains open for further talks but strike action will go ahead unless the company tables an offer that our members can accept,” he added.
