BOATMEN at the Port of Liverpool are on the verge of strike action over plans to transfer them to a private company.
Forty-six men who tie up ships are being balloted for action by Unite.
The boatmen claim the move to Drake Port Services will mean a pay cut of £10,000 and an end to the final salary pension scheme.
The move is seen as a further indication that docks owner Peel Ports wants to make radical changes to its manpower requirements across port operations. Dock company managing director Gary Hodgson said: “We are in talks with 45 boatmen and their representatives about a TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) Regulations transfer to an external supplier. “Under TUPE regulations, existing terms and conditions are protected, and as such there has been no discussion around reductions in pay.
“However, there could be implications for pension provision as this is currently not covered under TUPE, and it is part of our ongoing discussions.”
One worker countered: “We have been told there will be a change to working hours and that they are definitely looking for pay cuts.
“The say the loss of container trade due to the recession makes this justified, but we believe this is just an excuse to outsource us. People may recall that Drake were brought in to break the 1994 dock strike and no doubt they will do the same this time.”
The source said if Drake’s use untrained men to tie up vessels “it could be a disaster if people don’t know what they are doing,” he said.
Discussions took place earlier this year on transferring the last remaining Mersey dockers to Drake. Mr Hodgson has already pointed out that some of the old working practices at the port need modernising.
