Union officials expressed anger last night over threats to dismiss workers at a Yarmouth dock company if they do not accept new contracts.

Union officials expressed anger last night over threats to dismiss workers at a Yarmouth dock company if they do not accept new contracts.

Unite said it was 'dismayed' following the announcement by EastPort UK threatening to dismiss the 11 remaining dock workers at EastPort Cargo Handling if they refuse to accept new highly flexible contracts.

The new working conditions would require them to be on call 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

Yesterday's job fears came a week after the EDP reported that a third of jobs had been shed at the company.

Dockers - who load and unload vessels in a port - currently work normal day time hours with overtime as required. However, EastPort UK wants them to be available only when the ships arrive or depart.

Victor Brazkiewicz, Unite's regional industrial organiser, said: 'With the arrival of new equipment and as the construction of the outer harbour is reaching its final stages, it would appear to be a bizarre act to dismiss experienced and skilled workers.'

Last week Unite attacked EastPort for shedding five jobs at the company bringing its workforce down from 16 to 11- a move which left dock workers doubting what the outer harbour can deliver for jobs.

No one from EastPort UK was available for a comment.