- Unite continues to push for double the rate of inflation pay rises as it calls on its members to begin another week of strikes at the Liverpool Containers Port
- The Port of Liverpool’s offer of an average increase of 10.2% in basic pay is rejected by the union
- Unite acknowledges it was aware of the downturn in market conditions for many months
Unite the Union is to begin a second wave of strike action at the Port of Liverpool from Tuesday 11 October(today) to Monday 17 October, as it rejects an average increase of 10.2% in basic pay by port operator Peel Ports.
Port of Liverpool management highlight the offer is 2% higher than the UK’s key measure of inflation (CPIH) of 8.2% at the time of pay anniversary negotiations in June, and 5% higher than the national average of 5.2%, as per ONS figures.
Unite, in talks last week, demanded a 15.7% pay rise, almost double the rate of inflation at the June pay anniversary review date and refuses a tripartite meeting with ACAS, the independent advisory, conciliation and arbitration service, which would support mediation between the parties.
Unite has also issued a statement which confirms their full knowledge of a decline in container volumes for months, due to wider economic uncertainty, dismissing the issue as old news.
A spokesperson for Peel Ports, operator of the Port of Liverpool, said: “Unite continues to make unrealistic and unsustainable above-inflation pay demands, whilst declining a meeting with ACAS.
“We are concerned Unite have no interest in resolving matters through the collective bargaining arrangements we have in place or via an independent ballot, as it continues to push for more strikes.
“Our average 10.2% basic pay increase offered in talks last week represents an industry leading deal and is 2% above inflation, at the time of the pay anniversary and review in June.
“Ongoing strikes are hurting Liverpool City Region’s businesses and prospects for future growth and jobs, at a time of economic uncertainty and volatile market conditions.
“We call on Unite to reconsider the greatly enhanced offer via an independent ballot, so we can bring these damaging strikes to an end.”
