docks - national strike looms
WORKERS, MAR 2005 ISSUE
Negotiations between Associated British Ports (ABP) and the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) have broken down over the company's failure to increase its pay offer. T&G workers rejected a 2.9% pay rise, and indicated they would be willing to be balloted over industrial action if talks failed.
The T&G represents around 300 workers across ABP's operations in the UK and a majority of those who are covered by collective agreements with the company. The union also has a growing number of members in the other section of the workforce, which is covered by personal contracts. ABP operates 21 ports, including Hull, Immingham, Cardiff and Southampton. A formal ballot will be run shortly.