August 22, 2022
2 mins read

Over 1,900 port workers start eight-day strike in UK

Unite, which represents mainly dock workers, says the proposal is significantly below the current inflation rate, and followed a below inflation increase last year…reports Asian Lite News

More than 1,900 workers at Britain’s biggest container port are due on Sunday to start eight days of strike action that their union and shipping companies warn could seriously affect trade and supply chains.

The staff at Felixstowe, on the east coast of England, are taking industrial action in a dispute over pay, becoming the latest workers to strike in Britain as unions demand higher wages for members facing a cost-of-living crisis.

“Strike action will cause huge disruption and will generate massive shockwaves throughout the UK’s supply chain, but this dispute is entirely of the company’s own making,” said Bobby Morton, the Unite union’s national officer for docks.

“It (the company) has had every opportunity to make our members a fair offer but has chosen not to do so.”

On Friday, Felixstowe’s operator Hutchison Ports said it believed its offer of a 7 per cent pay rise and a lump sum of £500 was fair. It said the port’s workers union, which represents about 500 staff in supervisory, engineering and clerical roles, had accepted the deal.

Unite, which represents mainly dock workers, says the proposal is significantly below the current inflation rate, and followed a below inflation increase last year.

“The port regrets the impact this action will have on UK supply chains,” a Hutchison Ports spokesperson said.

The port said it would have a contingency plan in place, and was working to minimise disruption during the walkouts that will last until August 29.

Shipping group Maersk, one of the world’s biggest container shippers, has warned the action would have a significant impact, causing operational delays and forcing it to make changes to its vessel line-up.

Figures released on August 17 showed Britain’s consumer price inflation hit 10.1 per cent in July, the highest since February 1982.

The squeeze on household incomes has already led to strikes by the likes of rail and bus workers demanding higher pay rises.

ALSO READ-Fresh transport strikes to cause travel chaos in London

Previous Story

Doha Festival City wraps up ‘Back to School’ campaign

Next Story

Food insecurity to spike in Kenya amid drought

Latest from -Top News

UN Slams Pakistan Over Minority Attacks

The minorities in Pakistan – including Ahmadiyya Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Shia Muslims – continue to be neglected and increasingly subjected to targetted state-backed persecution….reports Asian Lite News Alarmed by rising violence

Cambodia-Thailand Agree to Truce

The border violence has claimed at least 35 lives and left more than 200 injured, based on figures from Thai and Cambodian officials….reports Asian Lite News Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to

Baloch Activist Thanks India, Slams Pakistan Terror

Mir Yar Baloch also appreciated the extraordinary courage and professionalism of the Indian Armed Forces, the “responsible and patriotic role” of the Indian media…reports Asian Lite News Prominent Baloch human rights activist

UK Warns China Over Taiwan Moves

Healey’s comments come amid rising global concerns over Chinese military activity around Taiwan and the growing Western focus on the Indo-Pacific region. British Defence Secretary John Healey has said the UK is

US Sticks to August 1 Tariff Deadline

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ruled out any possibility of an extension…reports Asian Lite News The US administration on Sunday said the August 1 deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs remains unchanged and
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Priti unveils UK digital visa

It will be required of all non-British or Irish citizens

Indian Happiness coach Yogesh Karikurve brings ‘The Happyness Factory’ to UK

Mumbai-based Yogesh Karikurve, India’s popular coach in wellness, well-being and