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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Sophie Buchan

Scottish P&O workers and customers issued advice following 'callous' redundancy announcement

Scots employees and travellers of P&O Ferries have been issued with advice following the latest news this week.

Just yesterday (March 17) the news broke that the company were set to make 800 staff redundant with immediate effect as they warned of 'significant disruption' to services 'over next few days'.

Mark Dickinson, general secretary of the maritime trade union Nautilus, told the BBC: "It's absolutely ripped the guts out of everybody."

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"I've seen some curveballs and some shocking developments over that time... but for a company to treat the legal process in such an underhand and callous way has shocked me.

Following the news, Advice Direct Scotland (ASD) – which runs the national advice service – has today published two new resources to make people aware of their rights in relation to redundancy or as consumers.

Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for ASD, said: "The recent announcements about redundancies and disruption to journeys on P&O Ferries will have left staff and customers with questions about what this means for them.

"The redundancy process being used by P&O is being disputed by many of the workers who were terminated, with trade unions involved.

"Regulations on redundancy state that employees must be consulted during the process.

"Advice Direct Scotland has put together a guide to redundancy and how it works in practical terms, which is available at advice.scot/po-ferries-redundancy-announcement-employment-rights.

"Additionally, a number of ferry services have been cancelled, causing major disruption at multiple ports around the UK.

"It is important people know what their rights are, either as a consumer or in relation to redundancy.

"Customers facing delays or cancellations may be entitled to compensation, a replacement journey if available or a full refund.

"We would advise them to raise an initial complaint with the operator and follow the procedure fully. More information is available at consumeradvice.scot/po-ferry-disruptions-cancellations-your-consumer-rights."

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