Almost 2,000 workers are walking out of their jobs at the UK’s largest container port for eight days from Sunday, in the latest round of industrial action hitting various sectors of the economy.

The strike at Felixstowe port on the east coast rounds off a week that saw various strikes by thousands of transport workers in disputes over pay, as the cost of living crisis bites.

About 1,900 members of Unite, including crane drivers, machine operators and stevedores, will take part in the first strike to disrupt the port since 1989, following a more than 9-1 vote in favour.

The union has warned the stoppage at the port, which handles almost half the container freight entering the country, will have a significant impact on UK supply chains and the logistics and haulage sectors.

But a port source downplayed the warning, telling the PA news agency that the strikes will be an “inconvenience not a catastrophe”.

The supply chain is used to disruption following the pandemic, he claimed.

“Disruption is the new normal. The supply chain has moved from ‘just in time to just in case’,” he added.

Fresh transport strikes set to cause more travel chaos for rail, tube and bus passengers

Millions of public sector workers preparing to vote on strikes in what could be biggest wave of industrial action since 1970s

Sir Keir Starmer says Labour MPs should not be on picket line if they want to be in government

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said Felixstowe docks is “enormously profitable”.

“The latest figures show that in 2020 it made £61m in profits,” she said.

“Its parent company, CK Hutchison Holding Ltd, is so wealthy that, in the same year, it handed out £99 million to its shareholders.

“So they can give Felixstowe workers a decent pay raise,” she argued.

The Port of Felixstowe said it was “disappointed” that Unite had not “come to the table for constructive discussions to find a resolution”.

“We recognise these are difficult times but… we believe that the company’s offer, worth over 8% on average… is fair,” it said in a statement.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

“The port regrets the impact this action will have on UK supply chains… there will be no winners from this unnecessary industrial action,” it added.

According to the company, the Port of Felixstowe staff union, representing approximately 500 positions, voted to accept the same pay offer that Unite had refused to put to its members.

Related posts:

Murder investigation after man and woman found dead at house in Suffolk Back in business: Pubs, hairdressers and shops reopen as lockdown eases Fresh uncertainty for UK tourists as Portugal extends ‘state of calamity’ until 30 May Family pay tribute to ‘gorgeous’ two-year-old boy as woman held on suspicion of murder COVID tests for international travel reduced to £68 each to ‘remove excessive costs’ Over-50s and care workers among those to be offered booster COVID jabs Premier League could ask fans to stay away unless they are doubled jabbed or have negative COVID test Police appeal to find heart surgeon’s specialist glasses after they were stolen from his car Have you seen these people? Police hunting for 12 wanted violent offenders release images Insulate Britain activists plan new protests The government’s Omicron strategy was a gamble that paid off – will lifting Plan B rules be the same? Angela Rayner and PM condemn ‘sexist’ and ‘misogynistic’ Mail on Sunday article about her