Workers’ strike could bring UK’s biggest container port to standstill

Dock workers plan to bring Britain’s biggest container ship port to a standstill, worsening the country’s supply chain problems amid a bitter dispute between unions and government ministers.

Unite the Union said Thursday that 92% of its members at Felixstowe voted in favor of a walkout as they battle for steeper pay rises to offset inflation. Unite said the port operator’s offer of a 5% pay rise was unacceptable. UK consumer price inflation was 8.2% in June.

The strike, planned for dates in August yet to be confirmed, will “bring Felixstowe to a standstill and cause major logistical problems for maritime and road haulage transport entering the port,” Unite said. It added that the port, which is key for exports as well as goods deliveries to British consumers and businesses, is responsible for nearly half the UK’s container trade.

A spokesperson for Hutchison Ports, which owns Felixstowe, said: “The company made what we believe to be a very fair offer and we are disappointed with the result of the ballot. The union has agreed to our request to meet with ACAS next week and we hope that any industrial action can be avoided.”

Unions are ramping up industrial action across a number of sectors in the UK, particularly transport, with train strikes planned on several dates in August. Britain’s transport ministry has accused unions of having no interest in reaching a settlement to avoid mounting disruption on the rail network.

Responding to Wednesday’s announcement of further strikes by train drivers across much of the country on Aug. 13, a Department for Transport spokesperson said it was “incredibly disappointing that Aslef bosses have announced more destructive strike action, particularly when it has become clear they have no interest in holding constructive talks with the industry.”

The Aslef labor group had said that drivers supported another strike affecting nine train companies as part of an ongoing dispute over pay.