Workers at a Merseyside dock are set to go on strike after an "appalling low" pay offer. More than a dozen workers at GAC at the QEII dock in Eastham are to take strike action next week after a recent pay offer from their employer.
Workers have rejected a real-terms pay cut and voted for industrial action after some workers have been offered a pay increase as low as 2%. Workers are also said to be angry over on-call arrangements.
GAC's presence in Wirral
GAC, one of the world's largest providers of ship agency, employs more than 7,500 people across in excess of 50 countries. In 2020, GAC UK opened its 25th UK site in Eastham, Wirral.
On the current situation in Wirral, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is an appalling low offer from GAC and our members won't stand for another year of below-inflation pay offers that will make them worse off."
"They have the full backing of Unite in this dispute against a company that can easily afford to pay them properly for the incredibly valuable work they perform."
Strike dates and picket lines
Workers at GAC will be taking industrial action on September 1, 3, 14, and 16. Picket lines will be from 7am until 12pm on these days at the dockside in Eastham.
Unite regional officer Ian McCluskey said: "There is a real appetite from the members to strike this year, because they reasonably believe that they have been left behind in pay deals for a number of years. This cannot continue and they are determined to win this dispute."
The ECHO has contacted GAC for comment on the planned industrial action.
