Victory for dockers

Liverpool dockers at Peel Ports have won pay hikes of between 14% and 18% in an “inflation-busting” deal secured by the Unite general union. The union used escalating strike action that began in September 2022 and a leverage “strikes plus” strategy.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called the victory “highly significant” and down to the “determined resolve” of members on the picket line.

Unite also employed forensic accountants and economists “to pore over complex and opaque company finances to hold finances and firms to account”.

Leverage strategies identifying and targeting hidden company decision makers have become integral to fighting disputes.

Over the last year, they have seen the union win over 81% of more than 450 disputes, putting an extra £200 million into the pockets of its members.