Alan McCulloch and Mark Patterson felt like they were part of the P&O happy family – until their 30 years of service were torpedoed without notice.
As documented in today’s Daily Record, their proud careers ended in a watery grave, killing the strong feeling of goodwill they had for the company.
The chefs, obviously, deserved better than one of the most cynical attacks on workers’ rights we have seen in the UK.
Their Dubai-based bosses put profits before people’s futures.
Alan and Mark’s exemplary service extended beyond the nine to five.
They made it into work all the way through lockdown, braving the very worst of covid, when the death rate – and fear – were through the roof.
DP World’s balance sheet won’t tell them much about the way faithful servants such as Alan and Mark have gone beyond the call of duty.
They have been reduced to statistics – and that’s another nasty element that will stay with individual workers for years.
The bigger reality is that this case now highlights how greedy employers are riding roughshod over UK employment law.
They are aware that litigation will take years to sort out – time that employees don’t have as they seek to rebuild their lives.
The people of Scotland won’t forget P&O’s heartless conduct in a hurry.
But if we are to stop this disgrace from happening time after time, the ferry giants should be hammered with the full weight of the law.
We’re with Ukraine
The Scottish people who have responded to Ukraine’s plight are heroes.
Many have dropped everything to help raise funds and supplies to help a brave people suffering at the hands of a tyrant.
Some like Dominic Harris, Demelza Sully and Neil Broome headed to the region to support refugees fleeing to safety.
Their stories which we tell today are inspirational.
They have put themselves at risk to help others in their moment of need.
Some Ukrainian families will sleep safely tonight because of the efforts of these brave Scots and others.
Putin’s vile war on Ukraine has united the civilised word in revulsion.
And it also garnered support for a smaller nation bravely resisting an unjustifiable, murderous attack.
Scots have made it clear where they stand on the matter from the start. We stand with Ukraine.
