Contents:
- Update: Workers at UK’s Felixstowe port to strike
- South African Trade Union, Cosatu, agrees to upcoming strike action
1. Update: Workers at UK’s Felixstowe port to strike
Following our recent post, concerning strike action at UK’s largest container port, it has been confirmed that workers will go ahead with an eight-day strike from 21 August after ‘disappointing’ negotiations over pay.
Our partners have been contacted to understand the effect on our immediate clients. Please refer to the correspondence received:
‘Please note that typically our LCL bookings move via Southampton or London Gateway. It is unlikely we will directly be affected by the strike at Felixstowe.
This being said, we do expect there to be a ripple effect in that with this port being closed, cargo will be rerouted to the remaining ports. Which is likely to result in overcrowding on the available vessels, an increase in vessels omitting London, and therefore delays in the departure of cargo out of the ports. It is difficult to foresee the exact impart of the port closure, however we are hoping that the impact will be minimal at that the other ports are prepared for the influx.’
2. South African Trade Union, Cosatu, agrees to upcoming strike action
We wish to bring your attention to reports of a National Shutdown on Wednesday 24 August.
Cosatu, one of the largest trade union organisations in South Africa, have agreed to go on strike alongside the original planners of SAFTU.
‘With both Cosatu AND SAFTU members taking to the streets next week, this could be a National Shutdown that really does succeed in bringing Mzansi to a standstill. The ‘double whammy’ of protests will likely have more of an impact than anything else we’ve seen this year.’
Please refer to the below-published articles for more information: