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Angry protesters demonstrated outside Dover Harbour Board offices against privatisation plans.

More than 30 workers gathered outside DHB’s offices as chief executive Bob Goldfield met with Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser and Thanet South MP Dr Steve Ladyman for talks.

The demonstartors are furious at Goldfield’s refusal to negotiate with unions and what they see as a loss of trust between workers and management.

Under the new proposals by the board 190 DHB staff would be taken over by Port Operators or a third party company.

This could mean workers would lose their final salary pensions and see their working conditions changed drastically.

National Secretary for Docks and Waterways in Unite Brendan Gold said: “This is simply not acceptable, especially in today’s economic climate.

“It would be a huge detriment to the terms and conditions of employment and pensions of the workers.

“There will be some initial protection under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) but experience has shown this will be diluted over time.

“Pension provisions will not be the same as they operate now and that is going to have a massive financial impact.

“The whole worforce is together on this. We are taking an industrial action ballot which closes on November 10 and we will see then if our workers are prepared to strike in support of their jobs and their terms and conditions."

Port of Dover is a trust port meaning its priority is to serve the community and the industry before making a profit.

In 2007 turnover increased for the sixth year running whilst profit before tax rose to £20.6 million.

Shortly after his meeting with Mr Goldfield MP Gwyn Prosser said: “The news is not good.

“There has been a change of tone over last few years at the Port of Dover and there is no longer that special relationship it should have as a trust port.

“It would be a very serious situation if this workforce did not show up to do its job one day.”