It is the fifth day of strike action at the port of Felixstowe, the largest in the country. Three-quarters of the workers have been on strike since Sunday to demand better working and wage conditions. Their enthusiasm does not waver.
With our correspondent in London, Emily Wine
They are well 200, gathered in front of the entry of the port of Felixstowe. Eoghan has been coming every day since Sunday. ” We want better conditions, better pay. We deserve it. I earn 24,000 pounds a year, it’s barely more than the minimum wage, it’s far from enough. I do a skilled job, I have to be constantly vigilant. »
The young crane operator compares his salary to the port’s £60million profit, against the backdrop of double-digit inflation. The last strike here was in 1989. Luke, 24 years old: “ I have never gone on strike in my life, this is the first time. We understand that shareholders need money to reinvest, but they need to understand that instead of pocketing millions of pounds, they need to give a small portion back to the people on the ground, those who created this wealth. »
The management considers having made a reasonable offer (7% increase, against 5% on average…). The strike could resume in September.