Further strike action planned at key UK ports

The Port of Felixstowe in Suffolk is the UK’s busiest container port, dealing with almost half of all Britain’s containerised trade. As such, any strike action at the port has the potential to significantly impact many of Logistics UK members.

Despite the port offering workers a 7% pay rise and a bonus of £500, Unite has responded by asking for a 10% pay rise to match inflation rates.

In the north west, workers at the Port of Liverpool have been on strike since Monday evening (19 September 2022) and plan to continue their strike for two weeks in a dispute over pay, that could further disrupt UK supply chains. Unite members have turned down a pay offer from the Peel Ports Group of a 8.3% pay rise, plus a one-off payment of £750. This dispute will overlap with the planned strike at Felixstowe.

Alexandra Herdman, Public Policy Manager, Logistics UK, said: “Container imports are, generally, not extremely time sensitive, so while there may be some short-term delays to some goods as a result of the strikes at Liverpool and Felixstowe, it should not affect short-life goods which are primarily transported via road or air freight.

“While strike action of any kind can cause problems for the supply chain, the UK’s logistics industry is flexible and resilient, and alternative ports local to Liverpool and Felixstowe will remain open and functional. Logistics UK is working with its members and encouraging them to engage with the ports involved to ensure any disruption is minimised.”

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns/maritime-logistics

Published On: 22/09/2022 16:00:13

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