Trade union Unite has warned the Associated British Ports (ABP) that strike action could be looming across its 21 ports which handle around a quarter of the United Kingdom’s seaborne trade.
Unite has lodged a dispute concerning new health checks for maritime pilots who safely navigate ships in and out of the UK’s waterways and ports.
This comes after ABP introduced increased medical standards for marine pilots last July without any consultation with workers, which is required under health and safety legislation and the union’s recognition agreement.
Unite said in a statement that it has no objection to improving standards, but there had been no negotiations and no detail about how the medical tests will be done or what happens if a member fails, raising serious concern as workers’ jobs could be at stake.
Most Unite members are located in South Wales (Swansea, Port Talbot, Barry, Cardiff and Newport), Southampton and the Humber (Port of Hull and Immingham) although the dispute could be wider and impact all 21 ports operated by ABP.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Maritime pilots are scarce, skilled and highly experienced.
“Ships can’t leave or enter the UK’s ports without them. So it’s all the more incredible that ABP Ports is refusing to negotiate important changes to their health and safety.
“Unite is not opposed to enhanced checks but they need to be negotiated and introduced fairly.
“ABP needs to realise that Unite stands ready to defend our members’ jobs, terms and conditions.”
Pilots carry specific responsibilities set down in national legislation such as The Pilotage Act 1987.
Under law, the pilots are already required to hold medical certificates.
Unite regional coordinating officer, Jane Jeffery said pilots were required to be in a good physical condition to tolerate the physical stresses of boarding and landing ships.
“Unite is not opposed to enhancements, but we do expect the company to honour our agreements, honour health and safety legislation and enter into meaningful consultation,” Graham said.
