P&O Ferries announces staff redundancy, with 800 employees losing their jobs

The move took effect immediately and is the result of the company’s efforts aimed at saving the business and protect the remaining 2.200 employees.

 

800 people were affected by the decision and all P&O transport services were cancelled for the next couple of days.

According to P&O representatives, the existing £100m yearly loses in the company's budget make the business "not viable", so a strategic decision had to be made with no delays in order to put profitable operations back on track.

"We have made a £100m 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 ferry operator declared.

Nevertheless, unionists oppose the decision, as they advise crews to remain onboard.

After the announcement was made, the Kingston upon Hull North MP stated that P&O's actions are "shameful" during a House of Commons meeting. Reports on crew being removed from the ships with the use of handcuffs were also announced by RMT general secretary Mick Lynch.

“[The government needs 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," Lynch commented.

Moreover, Nautilus International union's general secretary Mark Dickinson stated that it is "in our members' best interests to stay onboard" and wait for further instructions.

"The news that P&O Ferries is sacking the crew across its entire UK fleet is a betrayal of British workers.

"It is nothing short of scandalous given that this Dubai owned company received millions of pounds of British taxpayers' money during the pandemic", Dickinson added.

Enormous queues formed following the service disruption, as P&O Ferries announced that they are trying to keep the impact on customers at a minimum level. Nevertheless, despite all efforts from the company, clients are considerably affected by this decision.

The UK Government is also “concerned” about the move, as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps called for "urgent discussions" with P&O Ferries representatives.

However, back in 2020, the company has warned that the employees might be at risk of losing their jobs due to financial difficulties of the business.

P&O Ferries is owned by industry giant DP World, based in Dubai, and serves routes from Dover to Calais, Hull to Rotterdam, Liverpool to Dublin and Cairnryan to Larne.

 

Source: news.sky.com