Hundreds of dockworkers in Liverpool will vote on whether to strike over wages and working conditions. More than 500 workers at MDHC Container Services, a subsidiary of British billionaire John Whittaker’s Peel Ports unit, will vote on a strike action that could cost Britain’s biggest economy, the United union said. Peel, one of the container ports, ‘effectively ground to a standstill’ at the end of August

The union said the dispute was caused by MDHC’s failure to provide a reasonable pay rise, adding that the final 7 per cent pay rise was well below the current real inflation rate of 11.7 per cent. The union also highlighted issues such as wages, shift schedules and bonus payments agreed in the 2021 pay agreement that have not improved since 2018.

“The strike action will inevitably severely impact shipping and road transport and create supply chain shortages, but this dispute is entirely of Port Peel’s own making. Unite has held extensive talks with the company, but it has refused to address members’ concerns. “Unite District Officer Steven Gerrard said.

As the UK’s second largest port group, Peel Port handles more than 70 million tons of cargo annually. The strike action vote will begin on July 25 and end on August 15.

It’s worth noting that the big European ports can’t afford to lose again, with dockworkers in Germany’s North Sea ports going on strike last week, the latest of several strikes that have largely left Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven among others. Cargo handling at major ports has been largely paralyzed.

If you want to export goods to China, Oujian group could assist you. Please subscribe our Facebook page, LinkedIn page, Ins and TikTok.