Industrial action within the Port of Liverpool has ended as Peel Ports Group (PPG) and Unite the Union agreed on a bargain deal.
The deal was first reached on 8 November.
PPG, which operates the Port of Liverpool’s container terminals alongside TIL (Terminal Investments Limited), has now reported that Members of Unite at the Port of Liverpool Containers Division fully accepted the deal to increase basic pay by 9 per cent in a vote on 10 November.
In addition, parties reached an agreement to implement a new pay structure for port operators.
This, along with an increase to night shift allowance, will enhance the pay deal by a further 0.2 per cent to 4.5 per cent said PPG.
Workers at the port have been on a months-long dispute over pay amid rising cost of living and inflation, which led to escalating strike action since the beginning of September.
“We are delighted to have closed the pay deal with Unite the Union and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with focus on the future,” said Peel Ports’ Chief Operating Officer, David Huck.
“We thank our key customers across the supply chain for their support and patience during a challenging period for them, as well as our employees and the wider business.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham praised the long-awaited deal: “This is a highly significant victory for the Unite members on Liverpool docks.
“The determined resolve of our members on the picket line and Unite’s strikes-plus strategy has forced the company to see sense and do the right thing.”
In the meantime, strike action is rampaging through ports as the Port of Antwerp is the latest announcing further walkouts which commenced earlier this week.