Irish Foyle Port and Burke Shipping Services rocked by strike action

Irish Foyle Port and Burke Shipping Services rocked by strike action
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/foyle-port-burke-shi...

The workers are demanding a pay increase
ByAnna McAree
12:38, 29 NOV 2021
Foyle Port workers on strike
Operations at Foyle Port and Burke Shipping Services have been significantly impacted by strike action.
Workers who kept goods moving during the pandemic are picketing today to demand a pay increase.
It is the second day of strike action at Burke Shipping Services and the first at Foyle Port.
Unite Regional Officer Gareth Scott said he expected the actions to significantly impact operations at the port complex following previous determined pickets by Burke Shipping Service workers on Friday.
He said: “Our members working for both Burke Shipping Services and Foyle Port have kept goods moving throughout the pandemic.
"Yet stevedores and warehouse workers at Burke Shipping Services are paid less than comparable workers in the sector, while dockers and warehouse workers at Foyle Port faced a pay freeze last year and are being asked to accept a derisory pay increase this year.
“This sector is critical to the local economy as well as the Northern Ireland economy as a whole, and our members are determined to secure pay increases which reflect their role as essential workers.
“Given that both companies operate on the same complex and pickets will be placed at all entrances and exits, I expect that the port’s operations will be significantly impacted tomorrow – especially given the strong show of determination by our members at Burke Shipping Services during their first day of action on Friday.
“Both Foyle Port and Burke Shipping Services can resolve this situation by making our members realistic pay offers.”
Strike action in Burke Shipping Services and Foyle Port today
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin has been supporting the striking workers.
He said: "Strike action is often a last resort but workers are being given no option. Two groups of dockworkers at Foyle Harbour represented by the trade union UNITE are taking strike action to challenge low pay and poor treatment from employers.
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"Dockworkers at Burke Shipping Services are taking strike action this weekend to demand pay parity. Many workers are categorised as 'casual' and receive substandard pay.
"Foyle Port dockers are striking to demand a very modest pay rise of 2.1 per cent. After agreeing to a pay freeze last year, the dockers were offered an insulting 0.4 per cent increase by Foyle Harbour bosses.
"Dockworkers are essential workers and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. The whole sector has been kept afloat by dockworkers, It is time for across the board pay justice and improved terms for all workers in the sector."
A spokesperson for Foyle Port said: "Having consistently paid inflationary rises over many years, the average remuneration of a Foyle Port employee in 2020 was 58% above the median annual earnings for the Derry City & Strabane District Council Area as reported by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.
“The Port’s senior management team and Commissioners were confident of reaching agreement with the Union earlier last week through talks facilitated by the LRA.

Irish Foyle Port: Some Port workers taking strike action over pay
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-59436666
Published18 hours ago
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Foyle PortIMAGE SOURCE, FOYLE PORT
Image caption,
Members of trade union Unite say the strike is expected to significantly affect operations at the port
Some staff at Foyle Port in Londonderry are taking strike action over pay.
Members of the trade union Unite said the strike is expected to significantly affect port operations.
The union said the dispute centres on a rejected demand for a 2.1% pay rise this year, following a pay freeze.
Foyle Port said average remuneration for employees last year was 58% above the median annual earnings for the local council area.
Unite said that almost every worker at the port and their families were "struggling to make ends meet and now face a second year of poverty pay".
Foyle Port said the Unite statement "does not accurately reflect the context of the ongoing dispute with a minority of employees at Foyle Port".
The spokesperson added that they "wholly reject the loaded term 'poverty pay', as referenced in the union's statement" and said they have "consistently paid inflationary rises over many years".
Picket lineIMAGE SOURCE, BBC NEWS NI
Image caption,
Unite members from Burke Shipping Services joined Foyle Port employees at the picket on Monday
On Monday morning, between 25 and 30 Unite members were at a picket line at the port.
The union, which represents workers at Foyle Port, previously wrote to the Port and Harbour Commissioners outlining the background to strike action.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said a recent survey of members working in Foyle Port showed that "almost every worker there is suffering growing financial hardship".
"The effects of last year's pay freeze combined with significant levels of inflation means that our members have had their pay cut in real terms," Ms Graham said.
"Trying to make ends meet is getting tougher and tougher for our members and their families year by year."
The port's senior management team said they were confident about reaching agreement with the trade union earlier this week, and were "disappointed the process did not result in agreement".
They said Foyle Port "remains committed to finding an affordable solution which can provide long-term organisational stability".
Meanwhile, some workers at Burke Shipping Services, which is also located at Foyle Port, are continuing strike action on Monday.
They are continuing strike action from last Friday over a separate pay grievance.
Burke Shipping Service workers at the picket line on Monday told BBC Radio Foyle they want pay parity with Foyle Port employees, as well as others in the shipping industry.
Burke Shipping Services told BBC News NI that they will not be commenting on the matter.