Unite the Union, Ireland Region

Workers at Burke Shipping Services and Foyle Port demanding pay increase

Essential workers kept goods moving during pandemic

Unite members at Burke Shipping Services and Foyle Port will be taking strike action tomorrow (Monday) in pursuit of pay increases.  It will be the second day of strike action at Burke Shipping Services and the first at Foyle Port.  Commenting, Unite Regional Officer Gareth Scott said he expected the actions to significantly impact operations at the port complex following determined pickets by Burke Shipping Service workers on Friday:

“Our members working for both Burke Shipping Services and Foyle Port have kept goods moving throughout the pandemic.  Yet stevedores and warehouse workers at Burke Shipping Services are paid less than comparable workers in the sector, while dockers and warehouse workers at Foyle Port faced a pay freeze last year and are being asked to accept a derisory pay increase this year. 

Low-paid essential workers seek pay parity with rest of sector

Unite members working for Burke Shipping Services are taking strike action today (Friday) in pursuit of a pay increase to bring them into line with comparable workers in the sector.  Workers will take strike action again on Monday 29 November.  Burke Shipping Services is owned by the Fane Valley Cooperative.

Commenting, Unite Regional Officer Gareth Scott said:

“Our members have worked throughout the pandemic, performing essential work ranging from stevedoring to warehousing, and ensuring the smooth movement of goods.

“Yet the company has refused to engage meaningfully with us regarding our claim for a wage increase that would bring our members’ pay into line with the rest of the sector.