Felixstowe strike begins

Around 1,900 workers at Felixstowe voted for the strike action after the Unite union rejected a pay offer of 7% plus a £500 bonus from the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company. It is the first time workers at Felixstowe have walked out in more than 30 years and may be followed by industrial action at other ports.

Haulage firms have warned that the strike could have a serious impact on business, while trade organisations have said consumers could be hit with price rises and goods unavailability.

“We are just entering peak season for consumer goods movements in UK international trade and transport,” said James Hookham, director of Global Shippers Forum.

“Consumer prices are already rising due to the dramatic increases in shipping rates experienced since mid-2020. Further disruption will add to these cost pressures, although temporary unavailability of some goods may be the first noticeable effect to consumers.”

‘The damage is coming’

Managing director of haulage company Turners of Soham, Paul Day, says the strike will have a ‘huge impact’. The company moves around 500 containers through the port every day.

“We might be able to keep operating for two or three days but I can’t see we’ll be able to after that,” said Mr Day.

“It will cost us a stack of money, but all I can do is optimise what we can do and try to minimise the damage – but the damage is coming.”

The Port of Felixstowe said in a statement, “The company is disappointed that Unite has not taken up our offer to call off the strike and come to the table for constructive discussions to find a resolution.

“We recognise these are difficult times, but, in a slowing economy, we believe that the company’s offer, worth over 8 per cent on average in the current year and closer to 10 per cent for lower-paid workers, is fair.”