Felixstowe’s port workers to launch fresh protest today over pay hikes dispute

Workers at Britain’s Felixstowe port will start protesting and vote for a consultative strike ballot today as their pay dispute with the port worsens, says Unite union.

PHOTO: Container handling facility at the Trinity terminal in Felixstowe. Port of Felixstowe

There are concerns that the strike could disrupt vessel movements and cargo handling in the UK’s largest container port.

According to the port workers, represented by Unite union, their management is going to take strict action against some of them.

“The trumped-up charges against those who have been prominent in fighting for a new (pay) deal must be dropped,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham says.

Around 2,000 port workers at Felixstowe port took strike action between August and October after hitting an impasse with their management over pay hikes.

Workers rejected a 7% pay hike offered by the company in September, saying the offer is much lower than the current inflation rate.

By Shilpa Sharma

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