P&O Ferries news LIVE – Crew clash with drivers and Brits left stranded in France after company suddenly sacks 800 staff

P&O Ferries has sparked outrage after sacking 800 staff on the spot – leaving Brits stranded in France amid a string of cancelled services.

P&O employees were ambushed this morning via Zoom and reportedly given just "five minutes to get their stuff and get off the ship".

The company has confirmed all 800 staff will be made redundant with immediate effect to plug a £100million black hole.

Many of those fired were refusing to leave ships, leading to security guards with handcuffs being deployed to remove them.

The ferry operator, bought by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2019, insisted the decision to cut jobs was "very difficult but necessary" as it was "not a viable business" in its current state.

Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) general secretary Mick Lynch said: "We are receiving reports that security guards at Dover are seeking to board ships with handcuffs to remove crew so they can be replaced with cheaper labour.

"We are seeking urgent legal action and are again calling for the Government to take action to stop what is fast turning into one of the most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations."

Read our P&O live blog below for the latest updates and information…

  • Joseph Gamp

    Nicola Sturgeon condemns P&O announcement as 'appalling'

    Nicola Sturgeon has condemned ferry operator P&O's decision to sack 800 seafarers and replace them with cheaper agency workers after claiming it is "not a viable business" in its current state.

    The firm, bought by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2019, said it has suspended sailings "for the next few days", including its route between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

    On Twitter, the Scottish First Minister said: "I'm deeply concerned at P&O announcement – due to the importance to Scotland of Cairnryan/Larne route obviously, but also the impact on 100s of workers.

    "Fire & rehire is an appalling practice & offends the basic principle of fair work."

  • Joseph Gamp

    Fired P&O workers clash with motorists in Dover

    Fired P&O Ferries workers in Dover have clashed with motorists after blocking a road close to the port.

    Dozens of employees who lost their jobs stood on the road with banners and flags saying "Stop the P&O Jobs carve up".

    A lorry driver trying to enter the port began shouting and beeping at those in the road, before being told "we're not moving".

  • Joseph Gamp

    In pictures: Police arrive at workers protest in Dover

    Police officers then attended the scene close to the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union office in Dover.

    One of the protesters, who had worked for the company for decades, said: "I refuse to move from this road. All this service for nothing.

    "The police will have to take me away."

    Demonstrators then began chanting "Support local jobs" before moving to another road.

    NINTCHDBPICT000719605262Credit: Gary Stone
  • Joseph Gamp

    P&O workers block road leading to Port of Dover

    Police have intervened after P&O workers blocked a road leading to the Port of Dover.

    Dozens of employees who lost their jobs on Thursday stood on the road holding banners and flags saying "Stop the P&O jobs carve up".

    It came after buses carrying agency workers hired to replace them appeared to arrive at the Kent port.

    A lorry driver trying to enter the port began shouting and beeping at those in the road, before being told "We're not moving".

    Another driver, Richard Gamby, said: "I understand what they're doing but I want to get home – I've been up since four."

  • Joseph Gamp

    Passengers to be provided with alternative ferry crossings

    Passengers with trips booked today have been told their travel will be provided by alternative ferry companies, such as DFDS and Irish Ferries.

    Roads are now jammed after passengers queued up to catch their ferry – only to find out services were cancelled.

    One driver in Calais due to return to the UK said he had been waiting for a ferry since 6am.

    He added: "More than anything I'm frustrated at the fact nobody from P&O was there to help and advise … I've never had such shoddy service from anybody."

  • Joseph Gamp

    Security guards 'removing crew from ships’

    Security guards with handcuffs are attempting to board ships at Dover to remove crew, the RMT Union has claimed.

    General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “We are seeking urgent legal action and are again calling for the government to take action to stop what is fast turning into one of the most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations.

    “If this happens at P&O it can happen anywhere and we are calling for mass trade union and wider public mobilisation and protest against the company.”

  • Joseph Gamp

    Passengers booted off ferries and told to 'await instructions'

    The chaos unfolded this morning when workers were told to expect "serious disruption" at all of its ports.

    Passengers were booted off ferries and told to await "further instructions".

    As cars began to snake around the motorway near Dover, the company then announced services had been suspended "for the next few days".

    They added: "We are advising travellers of alternative arrangements."

  • Joseph Gamp

    Department of Transport response over passengers

    Responding to the situation with P&O Ferries, a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman said: "The DfT is working with the Kent Resilience Forum and all local partners to ensure the free flow of traffic in Kent.

    "There are other operators running services on cross Channel routes, so passengers and goods can continue to travel.

    "Ministers and officials will be speaking with P&O Ferries later today to understand more about the changes and the impact on staff and passengers."

  • Joseph Gamp

    Statement from P&O Ferries

    P&O Ferries said in a statement: "In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business.

    "We have made a £100 million loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent, DP World. This is not sustainable.

    "Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries."

    The company added that, after "seriously considering all the available options", it has taken the "very difficult but necessary decision" to hand immediate severance notices to 800 seafarers.

    Those sacked will be compensated for the lack of notice with "enhanced compensation packages".

  • Joseph Gamp

    Coaches of agency workers hired to replace staff

    Workers currently on-board ships were instructed by unions not to leave.

    Coaches carrying agency workers hired to replace them are parked near ships at ports.

    There were reports that balaclava-clad security teams were sent on to ferries to remove the sacked staff.

  • Joseph Gamp

    Mass sacking slammed as 'highly immoral'

    A mum whose husband and son have lost their jobs branded mass axing "highly immoral".

    She told Kent Messenger: "When P&O suspended sailings this morning crews were waiting on the ships with no idea what was happening – even the captains didn't know.

    "Then pictures emerged of three coach loads of foreign workers waiting at ports to take their jobs. They were already wearing P&O uniforms – yet the staff still hadn't been told they were being let go.

    "They were told they had five minutes to get their stuff and get off the ships. These guys are week on week off workers who have called these ships home for half of the year every year.

    "They have personal effects in lockers which they can't get to – clothes, bedding, photographs and in some cases financial documents which will be taken out and thrown."

  • Joseph Gamp

    'All this service for nothing'

    One man, who has worked in ferry engine rooms since the 1980s, said: "I'm fuming, to be honest with you. I've known people who've been with the firm for years – this is no way to treat people.

    "It was just a short message this morning saying you've all lost a job, basically – all this service for nothing.

    "I've seen coach loads of agency crews waiting in the car park at Hyde services just waiting to come down – it's as simple as that.

    "There's going to be a protest here, one of the union guys just said if there's no one working to come along and support."

  • Joseph Gamp

    Labour calls move 'scandalous'

    Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: "This scandalous action shows sheer contempt for the workforce.

    "Unscrupulous employers cannot be given free rein to sack workers and replace them with agency staff."

    P&O Ferries said in a statement: "In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business.

    "We have made a £100 million loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent, DP World. This is not sustainable.

    "Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries."

  • Joseph Gamp

    Who are P&O?

    P&O Ferries, which transports passengers and freight, operates four routes: Dover to Calais; Hull to Rotterdam; Liverpool to Dublin; and Cairnryan, Scotland, to Larne, Northern Ireland.

    It has 2,200 employees remaining in the UK.

    DP World was criticised for paying a £270 million dividend to shareholders at the end of April 2020 while P&O Ferries cut around 1,100 jobs as demand for travel collapsed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    P&O began operating ferries in the 1960s.

    Cruise line P&O Cruises is unaffected by the developments as it is a separate business owned by Carnival UK.

    Source: Read Full Article

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