|
What's going on?
Negotiations over pay have failed. The offer included a general increase and the movement of 102 dock workers from "blue" to "green" contracts.
What Happened?
A substantial majority of those voting have rejected the pay offer. 980 to 539
Of the total workforce, including those that abstained, a slender majority rejected the offer.
What happens next?
A local ballot followed, if appropriate, by a Union organised postal ballot.
If the majority favour a strike, there will be a strike at Britain's major liner port.
When will the result be known?
The local ballot is expected to take most of February.
The local ballot will either eliminate or give a final warning of the possibility of a strike.
The earliest possible date for action would seem to be sometime in March.
Why the earlier confusion in the media?
At least four groups are capable of briefing the press.
The Management (reluctantly),
The Union (probably reluctantly too)
... and two groups of workers (the Blues and the Greens) sometimes with considerable enthusiasm and some skill.
We can expect plenty of off the record comment.
see Wages Battle At Felixstowe?
What are the owners Hutchison saying?
What one might expect really. That it is a good offer; that they are disappointed with the employee reaction and that it is final.
They also suggest that action will jeopardise their plans to expand the port.
The plan to expand may anyway be getting less attractive every day that passes.
see Felixstowe to Expand?
Since this was written they have already announced plans to dredge their Thamesport facilities to take larger vessels.
That expenditure may well make better economic sense for the shareholders.
Is a strike likely?
It is simply too early to say.
A similar situation developed in early 1999
see Strike Free Port
We will try to give readers accurate reports and informed comment as the situation develops.
|
|
