Freightliner port staff and drivers at Southampton and Felixstowe docks have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute about pay and conditions after the RMT union accused the company of intimidating its members.
The union has given the company until Wednesday 16 March to work towards a settlement or face the prospect of strike action that could bring operations to a standstill.
RMT general secretary, Bob Crow, said: “Freightliner chiefs made £30m between them from selling off the company, but when it comes to our members’ pay and conditions we are told to be grateful for what we are given.
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“The company should stop trying to divide, intimidate and victimise our members and get round the table to negotiate a settlement that reflects the contribution the workforce have made to Frieghtliner’s success.”
In a separate dispute, also over pay and conditions, about 100 Freightliner road motor drivers at inland terminals around the UK are voting on strike action in a ballot due to end 17 March.
