Dock workers at the Port of Liverpool have begun a two-week strike.
More than 560 operators and engineers are taking part in the 13 days of industrial action after talks over pay with employer Peel Ports broke down.
Unions representing the striking dockers claim the offer of an 8.3% pay rise and one-off payment of £750 is not in line with the current rate of inflation.
Tuesday’s walkout had been delayed by 24 hours as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II, whose state funeral was held on Monday afternoon.
Local MPs Ian Byrne and Kim Johnson joined workers on the picket line alongside delegates from docking companies based in several Europaen countries.
Steve Gerrard, Unite’s lead officer for freeports, said: “The strike is an absolute last resort and we have been forced to take action because they won’t bring to the table a reasonable offer.
“The profits that this company has been making, both its shareholders and directors, is increasing year on year, and yet they tell us that they cannot afford to give workers a decent pay increase.
“It’s obscene and they have got to break the cycle of greed. We workers in no way want to disrupt the general public or the supply chain, but they have given us no choice.”