Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Categories
    • Categories
    • Africa
    • Air Freight
    • BEE
    • Border Beat
    • COVID-19
    • Crime
    • Customs
    • Domestic
    • Duty Calls
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy/Fuel
    • Events
    • Freight & Trading Weekly
    • Imports and Exports
    • Infrastructure
    • International
    • Logistics
    • Other
    • People
    • Road/Rail Freight
    • Sea Freight
    • Skills & Training
    • Social Development
    • Sustainability
    • Technology
    • Trade/Investment
    • Webinars
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
International
Sea Freight

Thousands of UK dockworkers to strike

13 Sep 2022 - by Lyse Comins
Port of Felixstowe. 
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

The United Kingdom’s Port of Felixstowe has confirmed that it has received notice from the trade union Unite that workers intend to embark on further strike action on September 27 over a pay dispute.

The news of a fresh bout of industrial action over a dispute that has dragged on for weeks at the UK’s largest port follows an announcement that workers at the Port of Liverpool will down tools from September 19 to October 3, also in a fight over pay hikes.

Felixstowe port management confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the company had received a notice of further eight-day strike action from Unite, for the period September 17 to October 5. Workers are expected to return to work at 07h00 on October 5.

“We are very disappointed that Unite has announced this further strike action at this time. The collective bargaining process has been exhausted and there is no prospect of agreement being reached with the union. The port is in the process of implementing the 2022 pay award of 7% plus £500 which is backdated to January 1,” Felixstowe port said.

However, Unite earlier vowed to investigate the port’s financial statements, saying it could well afford to pay workers a higher inflation-related increase, especially since they had agreed to take a below-inflation pay hike of 1.4% in 2021. The UK’s real inflation rate is around 11.8%. 

Unite has expressed its outrage at the wage increase proposal.

“Amid the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, the dockworkers have been given a real terms pay cut. This is totally unacceptable. The Port of Felixstowe is fabulously wealthy and profitable, banking pre-tax profits of £61 million in 2020, and doling out £100m in dividends to shareholders. If it can afford these huge sums, it can easily afford to pay our members a fair pay rise. A wage rise to help them cope with their soaring living costs,” Unite said in a statement.

Last month around 1 900 Felixstowe dockworkers downed tools over the same pay dispute, and now they will be joined by more than 560 dockworkers who will strike over a pay row and working conditions at the Port of Liverpool.

Striking port workers have vowed to continue with their industrial action despite workers in other sectors of the economy placing their strikes on hold out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II who died on September 8.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Transnet union to issue 48-hour strike notice if deadlock remains

Logistics

Untu says a revised wage offer is expected on Monday, failing which workers will down tools.

19 May 2025
0 Comments

Shipwreckers returns for first 2025 event

Logistics

The event has previously raised over R100 000 for charity.

19 May 2025
0 Comments

SaferStops Association calls for commitment to truck driver wellness

Road/Rail Freight

Hundreds of drivers, fleet operators and industry experts gathered for the 2025 Truck Driver Safety and Wellness Symposium.

19 May 2025
0 Comments

Non-mineral economy gaining traction in Namibia

Logistics

Collaboration has been a key driver of the country’s recent progress, said Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua, chief executive of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group.

19 May 2025
0 Comments

Shippers warned to monitor cargo closely during Untu strike

Logistics

Logistics company advises shippers to communicate concerns about urgent or time-sensitive cargo.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

GNU targets livestock auctions after China bans SA beef

Imports and Exports
16 May 2025
0 Comments

New tariff protection for South African wheat hits a snag

Imports and Exports

Itac request for comment for stronger tariff protection for locally produced wheat only protects brown flour.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

Creecy outlines logistics sector reforms

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

The government is continuing to collaborate with original equipment manufacturers to ensure that spare parts for essential machinery can be sourced.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

Suez Canal offers toll reductions for large containerships

Logistics
Sea Freight

“We are monitoring developments moment by moment and assessing the changing dynamics.” – Maersk.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

Oil spill response in Red Sea under the spotlight

Sea Freight

Workshop focuses on equipping officials and responders with the skills and knowledge to manage and mitigate major marine pollution incidents.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

President Ramaphosa to meet Trump in US

Economy
Other

The engagement will focus on a range of bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

Belgium port strike on the cards

Imports and Exports
Logistics

Port operator PSA Antwerp will suspend truck export deliveries ahead of the strike.

16 May 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Durban & Richards Bay 6 June 2025

Border Beat

Zim's anti-smuggling measures delay legitimate freight operations
06 Jun 2025
Cross-border payments remain a hurdle – Masondo
30 May 2025
BMA steps in to help DG and FMCG cargo at Groblersbrug
21 May 2025
More

Poll

Has South Africa's ports turned the corner?

Featured Jobs

New

Seafreight Import / Export Controller DBN

Tiger Recruitment
Durban
09 Jun
New

Transport Operations Manager

Lee Botti & Associates
Durban
09 Jun
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us