Operations at Foyle Port and Burke Shipping Services have been significantly impacted by strike action.
Workers who kept goods moving during the pandemic are picketing today to demand a pay increase.
It is the second day of strike action at Burke Shipping Services and the first at Foyle Port.
Unite Regional Officer Gareth Scott said he expected the actions to significantly impact operations at the port complex following previous determined pickets by Burke Shipping Service workers on Friday.
He said: “Our members working for both Burke Shipping Services and Foyle Port have kept goods moving throughout the pandemic.
"Yet stevedores and warehouse workers at Burke Shipping Services are paid less than comparable workers in the sector, while dockers and warehouse workers at Foyle Port faced a pay freeze last year and are being asked to accept a derisory pay increase this year.
“This sector is critical to the local economy as well as the Northern Ireland economy as a whole, and our members are determined to secure pay increases which reflect their role as essential workers.
“Given that both companies operate on the same complex and pickets will be placed at all entrances and exits, I expect that the port’s operations will be significantly impacted tomorrow – especially given the strong show of determination by our members at Burke Shipping Services during their first day of action on Friday.
“Both Foyle Port and Burke Shipping Services can resolve this situation by making our members realistic pay offers.”
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin has been supporting the striking workers.
He said: "Strike action is often a last resort but workers are being given no option. Two groups of dockworkers at Foyle Harbour represented by the trade union UNITE are taking strike action to challenge low pay and poor treatment from employers.
"Dockworkers at Burke Shipping Services are taking strike action this weekend to demand pay parity. Many workers are categorised as 'casual' and receive substandard pay.
"Foyle Port dockers are striking to demand a very modest pay rise of 2.1 per cent. After agreeing to a pay freeze last year, the dockers were offered an insulting 0.4 per cent increase by Foyle Harbour bosses.
"Dockworkers are essential workers and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. The whole sector has been kept afloat by dockworkers, It is time for across the board pay justice and improved terms for all workers in the sector."
A spokesperson for Foyle Port said: "Having consistently paid inflationary rises over many years, the average remuneration of a Foyle Port employee in 2020 was 58% above the median annual earnings for the Derry City & Strabane District Council Area as reported by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.
“The Port’s senior management team and Commissioners were confident of reaching agreement with the Union earlier last week through talks facilitated by the LRA.
"We are disappointed the process did not result in agreement, however, Foyle Port remains committed to finding an affordable solution which can provide long-term organisational stability.”
Burke Shipping Services stated that they will not be making any comment regarding this matter.
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