STRIKING Liverpool dockers are celebrating victory after winning pay increases of 14-18 per cent.

The deal was overwhelmingly accepted by a mass meeting of around 600 dockers on Thursday night.

The dockers are members of Unite, whose general secretary Sharon Graham said that action by its members in 450 disputes over pay in the last year has “put an extra £200 million in the pockets of our workers.”

Pickets had regularly been in action since the dockers walked out on September 19.

Liverpool Docks are run by Peel Ports, one of Britain and Ireland’s largest port operators.

Ms Graham said that the dispute had been won through strike action backed by “leverage” – pressure on other parts of the company’s operations.

She said: “This is a highly significant victory for the Unite members on Liverpool docks.

“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. 

“Make no mistake – Unite will continue to fight for jobs, pay and conditions and defend workers relentlessly.”

Unite said that its nationwide pay campaign uses forensic accountants and economists to “pore over complex and opaque company finances” to hold firms to account.

National officer Bobby Morton said: “The hard work and solidarity of our members and reps at Peel Ports, combined with the union’s strategic tactics, has paid off. 

“This victory is another reminder of why those who want to improve their pay and working lives should join Unite and become part of the fight for a better deal.”

Peel Ports contested the size of the settlement with the dockers, arguing that it involved a 9 per cent increase in basic pay and up to a further 4.5 per cent in other enhancements.

Peel Ports’ chief operating officer David Huck said: “We are delighted to have closed the pay deal with Unite the Union and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with focus on the future.

“We have invested £1.2 billion over the last decade, helping Liverpool to proudly reclaim its position as one of Britain’s most important port operations and the busiest transatlantic port in Britain.”