During the two and a half year long Liverpool Lockout, the TGWU-organised port of Felixstowe kept its powder dry. A month after Liverpool went down, working practices came under review. As the following article from Lloyd's List reveals, Felixstowe management have now unveiled proposals for flexible working, contract labour and a two-tier employment structure.
Lloyds List 5 December
Dave Osler
A MASS meeting of Felixstowe dockers yesterday [WED] condemned management proposals for a dramatic shake up of working practices at the port.
Union officials argue the changes will be detrimental to the vast majority of employees at Britain's biggest container terminal, which has traditionally enjoyed the most harmonious industrial relations climate anywhere on the UK waterfront.
Around 1,300 employees attended the meeting, according to Transport and General Workers' Union senior convenor Geordie Landles. "The mood of the men was one of shock, anger and disappointment," he said.
Proposals from Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company - ultimately owned by Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa - were contained in a 78 page document, which has resulted from a nine month review of working practices. The union has been given 56 days to respond. According to the union, the plan specifies that new workers will henceforth be hired on conditions inferior to those of existing employees. New shift premium arrangements will be less favourable than current arrangements for most dockers. Major reductions in sickness and accident benefits are also called for. Shift premiums will not be payable to employees when they are off sick.
Preference will be given to contract labour instead of overtime work, although overtime payments make up a large proportion of many wage packets. Flexible rostering is to be introduced, while many workers will be redeployed to functions other than their existing jobs. The practice whereby dockers are given a day in lieu when a public holiday falls on a rostered rest day will be axed.
Mr Landles said that there had been no disputes at Felixstowe for over ten years, and that the last agreement on working practices had been signed just 18 months ago. Union representatives will meet management for talks on Monday next week. A spokesman for the company said: "It is a complex deal and I cannot comment on the details."
