THE labour dispute at the port of Liverpool that has been running since August has finally been resolved after union members voted to accept an offer from employer Peel Ports.

Around 600 dockworkers voted to support the deal, which was negotiated by Unite the Union, and they will now resume normal duties, having called off a threatened fourth strike that was due to take place next week.

Unite claimed that workers had won pay hikes of between 14% and 18%, according to job grades, but Peel Ports said that basic pay had been increased by 9%, with an increased night shift allowance increasing the pay deal by another 0.2-4.5%.

“This is a highly significant victory for the Unite members on Liverpool docks,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

“The determined resolve of our members on the picket line and Unite’s strikes-plus strategy has forced the company to see sense and do the right thing.”

Peel Ports chief operating officer David Huck said he was “delighted” to have closed the deal with Unite and looked forward to working in partnership in the future.

“We thank our key customers across the supply chain for their support and patience during a challenging period for them, as well as our employees and the wider business,” Mr Huck said.

“We have invested £1.2bn ($1.4bn) over the past decade, helping Liverpool to proudly reclaim its position as one of the UK’s most important port operations and the busiest transatlantic port in Britain.”

The resolution of the dispute has been welcomed by Atlantic Container Line chief executive Andy Abbott, whose only UK call is made at Liverpool.

“ACL will be back in Liverpool faster than Salah can stick his first shot into the net,” said Mr Abbott.

While some customers had signed up contracts to get space for containers on services via Southampton and London Gateway, Mr Abbott said he expected those to return to Liverpool.

“Once word broke of the potential agreement, our Liverpool bookings skyrocketed, so a lot of people are still loyal,” he said.

He warned, however, that ACL would have found it more difficult had the dispute lingered on until the end of the year.

“But the statesmanship and perseverance of both the union leadership and Peel Ports saved the day in the nick of time,” Mr Abbott said.

“It’s great to be back at home again.”