Strike at Felixstowe, a key port for Irish hauliers, could drag on beyond the weekend

Port of Felixstowe, Britain's biggest and busiest container port. 

Strikes at the Britain's largest container ship port could extend beyond the eight days currently planned by unions, threatening more disruption to Britain's supply chains and to Irish exporters and importers accessing the continent. 

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, told Bloomberg Radio that workers at Felixstowe want a 10% rise, up from the port operator’s offer of 7% and a £500 one-off bonus. 

British inflation is on track to rise above 18% next year, investment bank Citigroup predicted this week. It has already climbed to over 10%.

Ms Graham said it would be “totally unacceptable” for workers at Felixstowe, which is owned by a unit of CK Hutchison, to accept a pay rise below the rate of inflation. The union “will do everything in our power” to secure higher pay, she added.

Felixstowe, Britain's largest, is also key for Irish hauliers to and from the continent.   

Strikes have broken out across Britain as workers demand pay hikes that keep pace with a rapid jump in living costs. 

Commuters and tourists were hit by three days of walkouts on the rail network last week, affecting 14 train companies as well as the London Underground. 

Dock workers at the Port of Liverpool have voted for a strike as the cost-of-living crisis squeezes wages while shipping lines reel in record profits.

Barristers in England also started the week by voting for indefinite industrial action amid a row with the government over funding and fees. 

• Bloomberg and Irish Examiner