UK dockers unite over job threat

by Andrew Turner
BBC Radio Norfolk

Dockers held a protest at the offices of EastPort UK in Great Yarmouth

More than 100 dock workers and their families have demonstrated against job cuts at the Port of Great Yarmouth.

The protest was organised by the Unite union and was held outside the offices of EastPort UK.

The Great Yarmouth-based firm, which has refused to comment, is building the new outer harbour for the town.

Unite says the remaining 11 cargo handlers have been served redundancy notices as EastPort moves to use a casual labour force.

Union members from Hull, Felixstowe, Tilbury, Dover and Southampton joined Great Yarmouth dock workers.

'Not right'

Brendan Gold, national secretary for the Docks and Waterways division of Unite, said: "We have got tremendous support from other dockers."

He said they "recognise the problems we're facing in Great Yarmouth of deregulation and casualisation, is exactly the same problem they're facing in their own ports".

Gary Punton, a dock worker from the Port of Dover, who had travelled up to the demonstration, said: "We're all members of Unite and what's happening to our brothers and sisters in Yarmouth is not right."

Frank Drew, a retired docker, demonstrated in support of the workers, who include his son.

"I would like to see a total embargo on this port so it doesn't move," he said.

"Maybe that's because I'm so left-wing, but I really do think they should not allow casualisation in any way, shape or form."

In April, Eastport UK's Great Yarmouth port manager Eddie Freeman told the BBC: "Our position has always been and remains, to try and deliver a platform for growth.

"We have been talking to the union and have also utilised the services of Acas and in fact we are trying everything we can to increase growth."