Unite Operational Note / Media Release

For immediate issue: Tuesday 23 August 2022

Unite General secretary, Sharon Graham to visit Felixstowe picket line - Wednesday 24th August 2022;

WHEN: 08:30 hours, Wednesday 24 August, 2022

WHERE: Port of Felixstowe, The Dock, Felixstowe, IP11 3SY

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Felixstowe Port latest profits reveal record profits and bonanza dividends

New figures reveal that the Port of Felixstowe made record profits last year, demolishing the claims that the company is unable to afford a fair pay increase for its members.

The latest accounts for 2021 for the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company reveal that the company made record profits of £79 million, a 28 per cent increase on the previous year. On top of this the company paid dividends of £42 million. The latest accounts demonstrate that the company is fully able to pay the workers a wage increase in line with inflation.

Meanwhile, Unite has challenged the figures given to the media of average wages at Felixstowe. The Port of Felixstowe’ communication director Paul Davy claims the average wage is £43,000. Unite has dismissed this as ‘corporate spin’. Unite’s analysis is that the true figure is far lower; the union has operative wage slips which show an annual wage of c£25,000. 

In the 2020 accounts the highest-paid director earned £1.3 million.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Wednesday marks the mid-way point of the eight day strike, which is backed by 92 percent of the workers. The Port of Felixstowe is the epitome of an economy that doesn’t work for workers.  In 2021 the company accounts show profits that are the highest in recent company history, along with bumper dividends. So there’s a bonanza for the shareholders and a pay cut for the workers”.

The ultimate owners of the Port of Felixstowe are Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings. It is registered in the Cayman Islands. Since the Financial Crash the Felixstowe company and its associates have paid out £404 million in dividends.

 ENDS

Notes to editors

Unite calls out ‘crocodile tears’ of Felixstowe employers claiming they can’t afford to pay workers wage rise

For interview requests for Sharon Graham please contact Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315 or email: [email protected]

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org

 

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.