Liverpool Dockworkers Plan Another 2 Weeks of Strikes
Two more weeks of strikes can be expected at Britain's Port of Liverpool, with dockworkers planning the extension after the pay dispute escalated between the union and employer Peel Ports Ltd. over job losses, the Unite union said in a statement Oct. 14. Nearly 600 workers plan to walk out Oct. 24 to Nov. 7 after the ongoing strike that ends Oct. 17 and an original two-week strike that began Sept. 19.
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Peel has resisted Unite's demands for higher wages in line with inflation, and has issued redundancy notices to 132 staff, Bloomberg reported. The employer cited a dip in container traffic given weaker British demand for imports coupled with higher interest rates and energy costs. Unite said it's seeking a 12.3% pay increase for its members, while Peel said the union is looking for 15.7%.
“Instead of negotiations to resolve this dispute, the company has chosen to threaten jobs and repeatedly mislead about the deal it has tabled," said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham. "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."