Workers at the Queen Elizabeth II dock at Eastham on the River Mersey vote to take industrial action in support of a sacked colleague. Tony McDonough reports

Dock workers at Ellesmere Port on the River Mersey have voted in favour of industrial action.

In mid-July Unite the Union announced a ballot of workers at the Queen Elizabeth II dock next to the entrance to the Manchester Ship Canal. It is home to a £10m automotive hub that brings parts from Spain for the Stellantis van factory at Ellesmere Port.

It also handles oil tankers using the discharging jetties at Eastham Locks for the giant Stanlow oil refinery nearby and has been operated by maritime shipping and logistics specialist GAC since 2020.

Unite says one of the workers was sacked because a change in hours meant he could no longer care for his disabled mother.

It adds that GAC sacked the man for “refusing a reasonable working request”. He had informed the company he could not comply with the new rota due to being the primary caregiver for his mother.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said in July: “GAC has behaved appallingly towards our member.

“The company knows full well that he is the primary caregiver for his disabled mother and should have offered a workable solution. This is a cruel and totally unjustified decision that has incensed the workforce and it will not go unanswered by Unite.”

LBN understands around 20 workers are involved in the action. We have contacted Unite for further details on what form the action will take.

In a statement GAC UK added: “A number of GAC UK’s jetty operators based at the port of Eastham on the Wirral, Merseyside, and who are Unite Union members, have voted in favour of taking strike action.

“Following the ballot outcome, GAC UK is continuing to engage in due process and looks forward to closing the matter in a satisfactory manner. We do not anticipate any significant disruption to our services as contingency plans have been put in place.”

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Peel Ports and Spanish logistics specialist Suardiaz completed the £10m logistics hub for automotive giant Stellantis in late 2023. It provides a supply chain link via sea between the Stellantis factory in Ellesmere Port and the company’s sister plant in Vigo in Spain.

A twice-weekly shipping route ferries essential parts between the two locations. It is estimated that sending parts by sea instead of by road will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 30% and energy consumption by 37%.