Victory at Liverpool Mooring Services

Unite has secured a pay increase and a major improvement to their conditions for workers employed by Liverpool Mooring Services (part of the Briggs Marine group).

The workers will receive a three per cent pay increase backdated to January 1, 2021 and then a further three per cent increase from January 1, 2022.

In addition, the workers will receive enhanced sick pay above the statutory sick pay (SSP) rate. The workers will receive 30 days of full pay when sick, with the enhanced sick pay provision beginning from day one. Previously this policy had been limited to 15 days sick pay, after four waiting days, and the uplift in the policy was welcomed by Unite members.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Unite is the union which always puts the jobs, pay and conditions of its members first.

“It is great that the workers at Liverpool Mooring Services have achieved significant improvements in their sick pay scheme alongside this pay rise. Unite will keep fighting for our members in docks and waterways to receive decent pay deals which fully recognise the challenges they face on a daily basis.”

The pay and conditions deal will apply to 47 workers who are responsible for mooring vessels in the River Mersey both in Liverpool and on the Wirral. The workers undertake various roles such as mooring operatives, charge hands, and coxswains.

Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard added, “This was a challenging set of negotiations, but Unite was able to finally persuade the employer to introduce a much fairer sick pay scheme for our members.

“Briggs Marine’s commitment to enter into early talks prior to the 2023 pay award is very welcome and Unite will be making a strong case for a further substantial pay award at that time.”

Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and will fight back against any efforts to diminish workers’ living standards.

By Shaun Noble