Felixstowe port workers are set to stage a second eight-day strike, which is causing concern for retailers as the Christmas trading period approaches. The scheduled strike will take place from 27th September to 5th October. This follows a separate strike announced by workers at the port of Liverpool, which is also centered around a pay dispute and will occur from 19th September to 3rd October.
The Unite union has informed the port of Felixstowe that they have reached an impasse in their collective bargaining process and see no possibility of an agreement being reached. In response, the port has stated that it is in the process of implementing a 7% pay increase as well as an additional £500, which is retroactive to the beginning of this year.
The previous strike at Felixstowe, which occurred last month and was the first in over thirty years, had a somewhat mitigated impact due to other ports in the southeast of England increasing their capacity. Ports such as Southampton and London Gateway experienced a surge in trade during the strike period as they took on redirected shipments from Felixstowe.
However, Felixstowe still remains the largest container port in the UK, accounting for nearly half of all container movements in the country. It plays a crucial role in the supply chain for a variety of imported goods, including those found in supermarkets, as well as clothing, furniture, and toys. The upcoming strike has the potential to cause significant disruptions to the flow of goods, particularly with the Christmas season approaching, even if other ports try to compensate. This impact would be amplified if strikes were to occur at other ports in the UK.
The ongoing dispute between the port of Felixstowe and its workers exemplifies the challenges faced by the logistics industry, particularly during peak shopping seasons. Retailers are paying close attention to the situation and hope for a resolution to prevent any disruptions to their supply chains.
Useful links:
1. BBC News article on Felixstowe port workers’ strike
2. Unite union’s official statement on Felixstowe port workers’ strike
