It has been announced that dockers from Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container port, have voted in favour of taking strike action which is planned for August.
According to the Guardian, 92% voted in favour of strike action and thereby rejected a 5% pay rise offer. If this action goes ahead, then it would likely leave the port of Felixstowe at a “standstill” which would have huge implications across the UK supply chain. It is estimated that the port handles “40% of containers entering and leaving the UK”.
Reuters quoted a port spokesperson as saying “we hope that any industrial action can be avoided” and there are reports that a meeting with the conciliation service ACAS, are set up for next week. Unfortunately, Felixstowe may not be the only port affected by upcoming strike action as the Unite union says that it is in similar discussion with dockworkers at Liverpool Port.
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