P&O Ferries should be ‘ashamed’, TSSA says

P&O Ferries’ decision to sack 800 sailing staff has been widely slammed, with one trade union boss calling the move “disgraceful”.

The operator today (March 17) confirmed 800 seafaring staff had been issued with “immediate severances notices” and they would be issued with “enhanced compensation packages”.

Staff will reportedly be replaced by agency workers, according to ITV.

In a statement, P&O Ferries revealed the business in its “current state” was “not sustainable”, adding “without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries”.

Travel trade union TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “This is absolutely despicable behaviour from P&O Ferries, designed to reduce pay, and worsen terms and conditions for their staff. They should be ashamed of themselves, treating loyal and hardworking staff like this.

“In any civilised country these actions would not only be unlawful but punishable in the harshest possible terms.”

He said he doubted the government would “lift a finger” to ensure the firm was punished.

Cortes added: “I’m sending our union’s solidarity to the members of our sister unions being treated in such a despicable way by this dishonorable employer.

“I am also putting the rest of the ferry sector on notice: TSSA will fight any attempt to replicate P&O’s disgraceful behaviour tooth and nail.”

Clive Wratten, Business Travel Association chief executive, said the organisation was “deeply disturbed” by the news.

“This disregard for important roles in the travel sector will have a devastating impact on business travel at a crucial time for recovery,” he added.

“Our thoughts are with P&O employees during this uncertain time. The BTA will work with all relevant bodies to support impacted employees in the coming weeks.”

Earlier, before P&O Ferries confirmed the redundancies, transport secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: “I am very concerned about the news from P&O Ferries this morning and we will be speaking to the company today to understand the impact on workers and passengers.

“Important to note other operators continue to run cross Channel routes, so passengers and goods can flow, but I am working with the Kent Resilience Forum to minimise disruption.”

East Hull Labour MP Karl Turner posted pictures appearing to show the Pride of Hull vessel in port.

He tweeted: “I’m hearing that the captain of the Pride of Hull will refuse to allow the police to board the vessel if P&O Ferries ask them to do so.”

Earlier, National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) had told staff not to leave vessels until clarity was provided.

The majority of P&O Ferries staff are members of the RMT union, the spokesperson added.

Services were suspended this morning, with P&O Ferries saying there would be no departures for ‘the next few hours’.

Later on Twitter, the company said: “Our services are unable to run for the next few days.”

It advised passengers on the Dover-Calais route: “Please arrive as booked, we will get you away on an alternative carrier as quickly as possible. Once at the port, please make your way to the DFDS check-in booths. We apologise for the inconvenience.

• Meanwhile, P&O Cruises tweeted a clarification, as there has been some confusion on social media between the cruise line and ferry operator.

It said: “P&O Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & PLC and as such is entirely unrelated to P&O Ferries.”