“serious disruptions” to be expected in logistics in the United Kingdom
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Employees in many sectors are demanding wage increases equivalent to the record inflation affecting the island.
The ongoing pay strike at the UK’s largest cargo port will result in “serious disturbancesin the supply chain, a Unite union official said on Monday. The eight-day social movement which began on Sunday at the port of Felixstowe in the east of England, “could be finished this afternoon if the employers agree to meet with us for real negotiations“, underlined Robert Morton, head of the logistics branch of the union. Otherwise, “the supply chain will suffer serious disruptions. This is one of the unfortunate consequences of such situations.“, he added to the Sky News television antenna.
Unite members are calling for wage hikesat least equal to the rate of inflation“, while the employers proposed 7% according to him. “If we don’t get our way, there will be more strikes“, he warned. Inflation reached 10.1% over one year in July and could exceed 13% in October, the highest level of a G7 country.
First strike since 1989
This is the first strike since 1989 for this port, which handles around four million containers a year. According to a note from financial analyst firm Hargreaves Lansdown on Monday, Felixstowe “is a vital cog in UK business operations, and an eight-day strike risks leading to supply disruptions to supermarkets“.
A Felixstowe official noted management had adjusted their stance, from a 5% to 7% raise plus £500 bonus paid at once, while Unite remained on 10%, he said. “Only one of the two parties tries to reach an agreementadded Paul Davey, director of public affairs for the port, on Sky News.
Read alsoFaced with inflation, the UK hit by massive transport strikes
This strike is the latest episode in a series of industrial action for better wages in the United Kingdom, where households are facing a historic drop in their purchasing power. The country experienced between Thursday and Saturday three consecutive days of work stoppages that disrupted transport, including the London Underground. Other professions have mobilized, such as lawyers, who announced on Monday that they had decided to strengthen their movement following an internal consultation of their order, which risks aggravating the congestion of the courts.
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