Jasmine Andrade
[ad_1]
Felixstowe port workers to strike for eight days from August 21
Dockers at the UK’s largest container port, in Felixstowe, are to hold an eight-day strike from 21st August, in a pay dispute.
The Unite union has announced the dates for the strike action, saying the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company had failed to make an acceptable pay offer.
Over 1,900 workers who are members of Unite will take part in the strike action, from 21st to 29th August, the union says.
The move is the latest blow to efforts by ministers to contain a wave of industrial unrest sparked by the cost of living crisis.
Workers at the port of Felixstowe in Suffolk balloted 92% in favour of a strike last month after they were offered a below-inflation pay rise by the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company.
Key events
Filters BETA
The owners of Felixstowe port say they’ve not given up on reaching a deal with workers.
Hutchison Ports says they improved their pay offer from 5% to 7%, and are disappointed by Unite’s announcement of an eight-day strike.
A company spokesperson says:
The company continues to actively seek a solution that works for all parties and that avoids industrial action. We understand our employees’ concerns at the rising cost of living and are determined to do all we can to help whilst continuing to invest in the port’s success. Discussions are on-going and the company’s latest position in negotiations is an enhanced pay increase of 7%.
We are meeting again on Monday 8th August with Acas and the union.
“The port has not had a strike since 1989 and we are disappointed that the union has served notice of industrial action while talks are ongoing.
The port provides secure and well-paid employment and there will be no winners from industrial action.”
Deal news: Amazon is buying the makers of the Roomba, the robot vacuum cleaner, in a $1.7bn all cash deal.
The acquisition of iRobot will expand Amazon’s range of smart home devices.
Roomba’s aren’t cheap — iRobot’s j7+ costs…
[ad_2]
Read more here
