Around 1,900 Unite members in Felixstowe are to walk out in a pay dispute. It is the latest outbreak of industrial action to hit a growing number of sectors of the economy. Workers, including crane drivers, machine operators and operators, are taking action after voting by more than 9-1 in favor of strike action. The union said the shutdown would have a major impact on the port, which handles about four million containers a year from 2,000 ships. However, a port source said the strikes would be an “inconvenience rather than a disaster”, arguing that the supply chain had already been used to disruption following the pandemic. “Disruption is the new normal. The supply chain has moved from “for the time being anyway,” he added. He also suggested that some suppliers of white goods such as fridge freezers may welcome a break due to slower sales due to the cost of living crisis. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Felixstowe docks is hugely profitable. The latest figures show that in 2020 it made 61 million profits. “Its parent company, CK Hutchison Holding Ltd, is so rich that, in the same year, it distributed 99 million to its shareholders. “So they can give Felixstowe workers a decent pay rise. It is clear that both companies have prioritized delivering multi-million pound profits and dividends over paying their workers a decent wage.” The Port of Felixstowe said in a statement: “The company is disappointed that Unite has not accepted our offer to call off the strike and come to the table for constructive discussions to find a solution. “We recognize these are challenging times, but, in a slowing economy, we believe the company’s offer, worth more than 8% on average this year and closer to 10% for low-wage workers, is fair.” Felixstowe handles almost half of the containers coming into the country and the action could mean ships have to be diverted to ports elsewhere in the UK or Europe. It comes amid widespread disruption to rail and bus services at the weekend due to ongoing industrial action by transport workers seeking better pay and conditions. Network Rail, several train companies and bus services in London and parts of Surrey were hit by industrial action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) unions, TSSA and Unite, which were also due to affect train services on the morning of Sunday.
