Tuesday May 18 1999 (Lloyd's List)
by David Osler
FELIXSTOWE dock workers have voted massively in favour of strike action that could cripple Britain's biggest container port, the Transport and General Workers' Union confirmed yesterday.
Any stoppage could have a devastating effect on the North Sea trade, as the port is a key transhipment link for the UK.
It may also spark solidarity action at other facilities where Felixstowe's Hong Kong-based parent Hutchison Whampoa has an interest, including Rotterdam's massive Europe Combined Terminals.
Meanwhile, other ports on the east and south coasts will be seeking to take commercial advantage of their rival's present difficulties.
Felixstowe management is seeking to implement a labour restructuring package that could see basic pay for some dockers slashed by 40%.
Such a reduction would leave many employees with pay packets significantly lower than those of their counterparts at other major UK ports. The company argues that the shortfall will be made up by supplementary payments.
Unrest has been simmering since the plans were announced late last year, despite the port's reputation for enjoying some of the most stable industrial relations in the sector.
Dockers were asked by the TGWU if they were prepared to take strike action on the issue. The result of the ballot was 1,467 in favour and 220 against, a yes vote of 87%.
A second question, asking if members were prepared to take action short of a strike, was carried by an even higher margin. Some 1,600 backed the call, with only 58 against, a yes vote of 95%.
A total of 1,816 ballot papers were issued and 1,691 returned. The 93% turnout was unusually high for a vote of this kind.
Under UK law, the union, which has formally declared the dispute official, now has 28 days in which to commence action. At this stage, however, it is likely that it will seek to use the strike mandate as a bargaining tool. Both sides were yesterday talking to government conciliation service ACAS.
Management seemingly took the vote in its stride, describing the result as "disappointing but not altogether unexpected".
