Hundreds of dockworkers in Liverpool are to vote on whether to strike in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Unite said more than 500 of its members employed at MDHC Container Services, which is part of Peel Ports, are to be balloted from Monday, July 25, to Monday, August 15. If the employees back the industrial action, stoppages could begin at the end of August.
Unite has said the dispute is a result of MDHC "failing to make a decent pay increase", adding that the final offer of 7% is "far below" the current real inflation rate (RPI) of 11.7%.
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It also said the company has "failed to pay the bonus payment" that was agreed in the 2021 pay deal. Peel Ports has been contacted for comment.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "MDHC made more than £30m profits last year so the money is there to offer a decent wage deal.
"However MDHC and its owner Peel Ports seem to have different priorities.
"That is not acceptable. We know the money is there and the dock workers who made that money, deserve a decent share of the pie.
"Unite is wholly dedicated to prioritising the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and it will be giving our dock workers in Liverpool its complete support until this dispute is resolved."
Unite regional officer Steven Gerrard added: "Strike action will inevitably severely affect shipping and road transport as well as creating shortages in supply chains but this dispute is entirely of Peel Ports own making. Unite has held extensive negotiations with the company but it has refused to address members' concerns.
"Even at this late stage strike action can still be avoided by the company returning to negotiations and making an offer that meets our members' expectations on pay and the other areas of concern."
Richard Mitchell, port director Liverpool containers at Peel Ports Group, said: "At Peel Ports Group, we pride ourselves in offering industry-leading rates of pay and conditions, so this threat of industrial action is extremely disappointing.
"We have made a significant offer of a 7% uplift to basic pay as well as an increase in night work allowance to £30 per week. This is on top of the commitments we made as part of the 2021 pay review, meaning we have increased pay between 16% and 25% over the last three years, subject to different roles within the Port. Inflation over the same period is 11%, as measured by CPIH.
"We have also significantly enhanced shift patterns, company sick pay, pension contributions and other benefits since Port Operatives were TUPE-ed from their former agency employers in 2018.
"These rates of pay exceed industry standards and take into account the current economic climate. It is therefore extremely disheartening to receive threats of industrial action especially when the entire industry is experiencing volume stagnation due to the ongoing issues with Covid in Asia, the conflict in Ukraine and global shipping disruption.
"Any disruption to the country’s vulnerable supply chains would be extremely bad news for the sector, UK business and families across the country, with the effects being felt for many months. We remain committed to resolving the situation and, against the backdrop of a challenging current economic environment, have stretched the boundary to a sustainable position."
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