Strike at port of Felixstowe

Workers at Felixstowe port are to hold an eight-day strike later this month over a wage dispute.

Unite members will walk out on August 21 after talks at the Acas conciliation service failed to resolve the conflict.

Unite said more than 1,900 workers at Felixstowe, the country's largest container port, would go on strike.

The strike was called after Unite said Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company had failed to improve its offer of a 7% wage increase, calling it "well below" inflation.

Unite general secretary Sharon M. Graham said: "Both Felixstowe Docks and its parent company CK Hutchison Holding Ltd are both extremely profitable and incredibly wealthy. They are fully capable of paying the workforce a fair wage."

Workers take on manual work at the docks, including crane drivers, mechanics and loaders.

National Unite officer (NUO) said: "The strike will cause huge disruption and cause massive upheaval across the UK supply chain, but this dispute is entirely caused by the company's own initiative.

"He had every opportunity to make a fair offer to our members, but he chose not to.

"Felixstowe needs to stop dodging and make a pay offer that meets our members' expectations."

Further talks are said to be scheduled for next Monday at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas).

A company spokesman said: "The company continues to actively seek a solution that satisfies all parties and avoids industrial action."

However, there have been no strikes at the port since 1989. A company spokesperson also said they were disappointed that the union had given notice of the strike while negotiations were ongoing.