News
British trade union Unite the Union will stage a strike at the Port of Liverpool on Sept. 19-Oct. 3. Some 500 dockworkers and 60 maintenance engineers are expected to join.
The wage increase of 7% proposed by the Mersey Dock and Harbour Co. (MDHC) under the real rate of inflation of 12.3% can only mean a pay cut, Unite says, demanding a higher wage increase. “The strike action will severely disrupt both shipping and road transport in Liverpool and the surrounding areas,” the trade union claims. “More strikes are set to be scheduled in the coming weeks if MDHC fails to put forward an acceptable offer to the workers.”
Unite took strike action at the Port of Felixstowe on Aug. 21-29, at which 1,900 members at the port demanded a 10% wage hike to Felixstowe Dock and Railway Co. Although the strike came to an end as scheduled, no agreement was reached. The union could announce another action.
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF); National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staff's Association (TSSA) also plan nationwide strikes on Sept. 15, 17 and 26.
