P&O Ferries has caused widespread outrage after sacking 800 employees and replacing them with cheaper agency workers.
On Thursday many of those who were fired refused to leave their ships, leading to security guards with handcuffs being deployed to remove them, according to Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).
The ferry operator claimed the decision to cut jobs was “very difficult but necessary” as it was “not a viable business” in its current state.
Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, 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.”
It has led to widespread confusion at ports with passengers taken off ferries and told to await information amidst rumours they would need to use other services, according to Mirror Online.
Furious passengers were initially told routes would be cancelled for a “few days” but then by up to 10 days as they locate new crews, it was reported.
But who is behind the shocking news and its brutal delivery to 800 staff?
Andy Good
Andy Good, Head of Internal Relations and Employer Relations at P&O, told stunned staff they were all being made redundant with immediate effect via an online Zoom call held at 10.30am on Thursday morning.
Four months ago a promo video declared: “It’s not just a job, it’s a career... It’s family.”
In a statement delivered to employees, Good said: “As you may be aware the business has been struggling financially the last few years”
"Whilst these losses have beeb covered by P&O parent company DP World this is clearly not sustainable in the future. The business cannot continue to operate like this so i t has had to consider a range of different options to drastically reduce costs.
He went on to say the decision to “restructure” P&O operations had been taken, saying vessels would be crewed by a third party crew provider.
He added: “Therefore i am sorry to inform you your employment is terminated with immediate effect on the grounds of redundancy.”
In an official statement, the firm’s statement said: “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.”
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem of Duba
P&O began operating ferries in the 1960s.
In 2019, the company was bought by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World, a “leading enabler of global trade”, for £332million.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem of Dubai, the chairman of Dubai-based logistics giant DP World has a team of more than 36,500 global employees from 103 countries and works closely with governments, shipping lines and other important constituents.
It is one of the largest port operators globally, and is owned by Dubai’s sovereign wealth fund, chaired by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who also heads Dubai’s customs authority.
In 2020, the company came under the spotlight after paying a £270million dividend to shareholders while P&O Ferries cut around 1,100 jobs due to a collapse in travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement released at the time of the announcement, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World said: “DP World supports Russia’s efforts to diversify trade flows between Asia and Europe.
“The Northern Transit Corridor holds out the prospect of shorter transit times between East and West.”
The agreement was signed in St Petersburg by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, and Aleksey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
Mystery men in balaclavas
P&O Ferries workers were hauled off ships by men in balaclavas as the company made 800 staff redundant, an MP has claimed.
All staff on board P&O ferries were ordered to leave, some with just five minutes’ notice.
But the crew of the P&O vessel Pride of Hull are refusing to leave out of protest.
Labour MP Diana Johnson told the Commons today: “I understand from the RMT union [the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers] that these agency staff, mainly from overseas, are in buses on the quayside with a security firm... wearing balaclavas and taking British crew off these ship.
She added: “This is shameful and it goes against all norms of fair and reasonable behaviour and it’s clear that foreign ratings will be employed on terms that are less favourable than our current UK seafarers are.
“And this is about a race to the bottom in terms and conditions reminiscent of the worst Thatcherite policies.”
CEO of P&O
The CEO of P&O Ferries has defended the brutal sacking of 800 staff members in a new letter.
Peter Hebblethwaite said the firm was forced to take the ‘difficult but necessary’ decision after losing £100million year on year.
In a letter to employees, he said: “Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now to protect the future of P&O Ferries, and jobs across the whole business.
“These circumstances have resulted in a very difficult but necessary and pivotal decision, which was only taken after seriously considering all the available options
“Without the changes we’re making today to our crewing model there is no future for P&O Ferries.
“What are the changes and the support available
“As of this morning, we are severing the contracts of all 800 Jersey-contracted seafaring colleagues with immediate effect and will be compensating them for lack of notice with enhanced severance packages.”
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