UNIONS have warned Southampton port faces major disruption in the latest wave of strike action announced for next week.

Port health workers will be among hundreds of council workers walking out next Monday as unions ramp up pressure to reach a deal in an ongoing dispute over pay cuts.

Inspectors and importation control workers will join bin men, librarians, Itchen Bridge toll collectors, parking staff, vehicle mechanics and street cleaners in another stoppage.

Containers brought through the docks and the city's lucrative cruise trade could be disrupted by the walkout which unions claim may bring the the port to a halt.

Unison regional organiser Andy Straker said: “It will probably cause disruption across the world. It shows how serious we are and hopefully management will meet us and negotiate.”

Ian Woodland, Unite regional officer, said: "Our great port will now suffer badly thanks to the stubbornness of the council leadership.

"They know full well there is a better way forward and it ought to have dawned on them that the people of this city do not believe their dire propaganda about Southampton's finances."

Port director Doug Morrison said there would be delays getting containers out but said the disruption would not be "catastrophic".

Council staff face dismissal unless they sign up to new contracts cutting their pay by between two and 5.5 per cent by Monday next week. Unions have dubbed it "Armageddon Day".

Industrial action by up to 2,400 council staff in protest at proposed cuts to terms and conditions is now in its seventh week.

Two and a half days of talks between the council and unions collapsed in stalemate 11 days ago.

Union leaders were meeting members at lunchtime today to discuss the way forward.

Striking children's workers are due to return to work on Thursday.