The Felixstowe dockworkers’ strike has ended after eight days of industrial action with no result. Workers at Felixstowe Port were offered a 7% salary increase plus a one-time payment of £500, but the union has yet to pass this on to their members.
The salary offer was regarded by the Unite union as “substantially below” the rate of inflation.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the consumer price index (CPI) metric of inflation was 10.1% in July 2022, with the broader CPIH all goods index at 13.6%, which includes owner occupiers’ housing expenses.
Unite national executive Robert Morton admitted at the start of the strike that the union had not made the employer’s offer to its members, but claimed they had sought an improved salary offer that was “at least the rate of inflation” before doing so.
He indicated a pay increase in the range of “7% to 12.3%” would be considered and most likely accepted.
The union is now deliberating on further action, which could result in another strike. Any new strike would require the Unite union to give two weeks’ notice.
In their response, a port official stated, “The port of Felixstowe offers safe, well-paid jobs. Its employees enjoy a variety of benefits that go above and beyond the statutory requirements, such as paid sick leave, an annual profit share bonus, a performance-related bonus, opportunities for advancement, access to an occupational health centre, many of whom still have a defined benefit pension, and generous company pension contributions. The yearly profit-sharing bonus awarded to all employees was boosted by 53% in 2021. This is the type of firm and job that Unite should be supporting, not undermining.”
The port’s official also suggested that Unite should consider and make its “quite fair” 7% offer, plus a one-time £500 payment, to its members.
Paul Davey, the port’s spokesperson, insisted that if Unite seeks to push the strike action further it will do more damage to the local economy and cost the workers more money.
“The strike serves their national purpose well in that it sends a message to other firms that Unite is not to be trifled with.”
The average number of days import vessels wait to berth at Britain’s largest container gateway has nearly doubled in the previous week to 10 days, while export waiting time has only increased by 9%. Some container ships have been redirected to the alternative UK or European ports, resulting in shipping delays of several days, if not substantially longer.
