Unite have announced that around 600 Liverpool port workers will embark on a further two weeks of strike action from the 24th October, as the fallout over pay continues.

Peel Ports Group have offered workers a 10.2% pay increase, which has been rejected by Unite.

Due to the continuing rise in inflation and the cost of living Unite believe the proposed increase to be a ‘real-terms wage cut’.

The proposed strike action follows previous action, which took place on the 11th October and replicated strikes which were carried out by port workers at Hutchison’s Port of Felixstowe.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Peel Holdings is hugely profitable and can absolutely afford to pay our members a proper wage increase. It did so at Camel Laird, so why not at Liverpool docks?

“Instead of negotiations to resolve this dispute, the company has chosen to threaten jobs and repeatedly mislead about the deal it has tabled.

“Our members are standing firm, and have their union’s complete support. The company must put forward a pay rise they can accept or this strike continues.”

David Huck, Chief Operating Officer at Peel Ports said: “Unite’s decision to call a further two-week strike, against a backdrop of dramatic reductions in container volumes, is entirely self-defeating.

“This pay offer is greater than that of any UK port and we are disappointed they are resorting to the old fashioned, mass meeting show-of-hands, when we believe every single worker deserves the chance to have their say, without undue influence.”

So close to the Christmas period, it’s predicted the strikes will cause further delays and disruption to supply chains throughout the country, and alternative methods of transport and routes should be explored to keep disruption to a minimum.

Uniserve are offering bespoke contingency plans that will keep your supply chains moving, contact your Customer Development Manager today on 01375 856060 or at crmteam@ugroup.co.uk