P&O Ferries news LIVE – Travel chaos could last WEEKS as sailing suspended for 10 days after 800 staff suddenly sacked
P&O FERRIES are suspending sailings for the subsequent seven to 10 days, as 800 had been sacked ‘with fast impact’. The ferry firm has now suspended sailings, however the choice to sack 800 employees with fast impact has been branded “holly unacceptable” by parliamentary under-secretary for transport, Robert Courts. The corporate defended the mass redundancies, saying it’s…
P&O FERRIES are suspending sailings for the subsequent seven to 10 days, as 800 had been sacked ‘with fast impact’.
The ferry firm has now suspended sailings, however the choice to sack 800 employees with fast impact has been branded “holly unacceptable” by parliamentary under-secretary for transport, Robert Courts.
The corporate defended the mass redundancies, saying it’s shedding £100m a yr. “In its present state, P&O Ferries will not be a viable enterprise,” mentioned a spokesperson.
“As a part of the method we’re beginning immediately, we’re offering 800 seafarers with fast severance notices and will probably be compensating them for this lack of advance discover with enhanced compensation packages.”
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer mentioned the remedy of staff was “disgusting”.
“It simply makes my blood boil. It’s a full betrayal of the workforce. It’s simply disgusting,” he advised BBC Radio Humberside.
Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) normal secretary Mick Lynch additionally mentioned that the union is threatening authorized motion in opposition to the agency, calling yesterday’s transfer one of many “most shameful acts within the historical past of British industrial relations”.
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‘Not one thing authorities can cease’
A minister has claimed that the federal government is unable to stop P&O sacking 800 seafarers and in the end exchange them with cheaper company employees.
Armed forces minister James Heappey advised BBC Breakfast that the federal government was powerless to cease it saying, “I believe that’s the actuality”.
Heappey continued: “The federal government anger will imply little or no to those that have been sacked. I do really feel very sorry for these individuals.
“I do suppose P&O have behaved disgracefully and I want that P&O had given the federal government and the unions extra alternative to have interaction with them to attempt to save these jobs.
“Finally, it’s not one thing the federal government can cease P&O from doing. Now the main focus will probably be on supporting those that have misplaced their jobs.”
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Defined: Who owns P&O?
Though initially a British owned firm, P&O Ferries was offered to DP World, a world Emerati logistics firm primarily based in Dubai in 2006.
It was taken over by investment company Dubai World shortly after.
Then, in February 2019 DP World bought P&O Ferries back from Dubai World in a deal costing an estimated £322million.
P&O, who employed 1,700 staff back in 2020 has suffered sustained financial losses of “£100m year on year” according to a P&O statement released on the day of the mass redundancies.
A statement, released on March 17, 2022, said: “We are providing 800 seafarers with immediate severance notices and will be compensating them for this lack of advance notice with enhanced compensation packages.”
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P&O worker slams the Dubai-owned firm
RMT boss Mick Lynch branded the sackings “one of the most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations”.
And one P&O worker slammed the Dubai-owned firm for “stabbing us in the back”.
The dad of two, in his 20s, said of his video call firing: “I had to switch off.
“They claim the firm is running at a £100million loss but DP World who run it from Dubai is thriving.
“What they want is British seafarers gone as they see us as too expensive.
“The new foreign workers are already on board. And I’ve got nothing against them. But clearly the company has been planning this behind our backs for a long time. It’s not fair.
“We should have been given notice. Not half an hour.”
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Employees ‘fired via Zoom’
P&O employees were ambushed yesterday morning via Zoom and reportedly given just “five minutes to get their stuff and get off the ship”.
Security teams in balaclavas were then drafted in to remove P&O staff — some given just five minutes to gather gear from quarters.
Defiant captain Eugene Favier refused to leave his Pride of Hull ferry in protest and barred cops and security from boarding.
Other workers blocked roads near Hull and Dover as queues of lorries built up.
Passengers were marched off ships, or stopped from boarding, leaving thousands stranded.
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Huge queues at ports after P&O axes ferry routes
HUGE queues snaked outside ports last night after P&O Ferries sensationally axed all routes for up to TEN days.
The company was labelled “appalling” after it brutally axed 800 crew members over Zoom on Thursday.
It said it was cancelling services for the “next few days” before confirming the wait could be as long as TEN while the company “locates new crews”.
Bosses dramatically halted all services early on Thursday before the 11am firing bombshell.
And ferry ports were later plunged into chaos as passengers, workers and lorry drivers had nowhere to go.
At Dover, dozens of employees who lost their jobs stood on the road with banners and flags saying: “Stop the P&O jobs carve-up.”
One lorry driver trying to enter the port began shouting and beeping at those in the road, before being told: “We’re not moving.”
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Milica Cosic logging on this morning, and will bring you the latest news and updates.
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Mass sacking slammed as ‘highly immoral’
A mum whose husband and son have lost their jobs branded mass axing “highly immoral”.
She told Kent Messenger: “When P&O suspended sailings this morning crews had been ready on the ships with no thought what was taking place – even the captains didn’t know.
“Then photos emerged of three coach a great deal of overseas staff ready at ports to take their jobs. They had been already sporting P&O uniforms – but the employees nonetheless hadn’t been advised they had been being let go.
“They had been advised that they had 5 minutes to get their stuff and get off the ships. These guys are week on week off staff who’ve known as these ships dwelling for half of the yr yearly.
“They’ve private results in lockers which they will’t get to – garments, bedding, images and in some circumstances monetary paperwork which will probably be taken out and thrown.”
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Nicola Sturgeon condemns P&O announcement as ‘appalling’
Nicola Sturgeon has condemned ferry operator P&O’s choice to sack 800 seafarers and exchange them with cheaper company staff after claiming it’s “not a viable enterprise” in its present state.
The agency, purchased by Dubai-based logistics big DP World in 2019, mentioned it has suspended sailings “for the subsequent few days”, together with its route between Scotland and Northern Eire.
On Twitter, the Scottish First Minister mentioned: “I’m deeply involved at P&O announcement – as a result of significance to Scotland of Cairnryan/Larne route clearly, but additionally the impression on 100s of staff.
“Fireplace & rehire is an appalling follow & offends the fundamental precept of honest work.”
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MPs line as much as condemn P&O
Travellers have been warned they face days of disruption following P&O’s “appalling” choice to sack 800 seafarers, a transfer which left the Authorities “indignant”.
Transport minister Robert Courts led the condemnation of the choice by the ferry operator, purchased by Dubai-based logistics agency DP World in 2019, to interchange the employees with cheaper company employees.
Mr Courts advised MPs that routes affected included Dover to Calais, Larne to Cairnryan, Dublin to Liverpool, and Hull to Rotterdam, however that “various provision” from different operators was being offered.
Labour in contrast the remedy of staff to the “motion of thugs”.
Making an emergency assertion to the Home of Commons, Mr Courts mentioned: “Stories of staff being given zero discover and escorted off their ships with fast impact whereas being advised cheaper alternate options would take up their roles exhibits the insensitive approach during which P&O have approached this situation, some extent I’ve made crystal clear to P&O’s administration after I spoke to them earlier this afternoon.
“I’m extraordinarily involved and admittedly indignant on the approach staff have been handled by P&O.”
He added: “In taking this choice to make seafarers redundant, P&O have additionally immediately knowledgeable us they are going to be suspending companies for roughly per week to 10 days whereas they find new crew.”
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Starmer says P&O remedy of staff ‘disgusting’
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer mentioned the remedy of 800 seafarers sacked by P&O was “disgusting”.
“It simply makes my blood boil. It’s a full betrayal of the workforce. It is simply disgusting,” he advised BBC Radio Humberside.
“This can be a firm that had furlough in the course of the Covid disaster. It’s completely disgusting what they’re attempting to do. They mustn’t be allowed to get away with it.
“I simply want the Authorities had finished what we mentioned and strengthened employment rights in order that they could not do this sort of factor.
“The Authorities mentioned it was going to cope with this type of state of affairs. It hasn’t finished it.”
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P&O staff clashed with motorists in Dover
P&O staff in Dover yesterday clashed with motorists after blocking a highway near the port in protest at being sacked.
Dozens of workers who misplaced their jobs stood on the highway with banners and flags saying “Cease the P&O jobs carve up”.
A lorry driver attempting to enter the port started shouting and beeping at these within the highway, earlier than being advised “we’re not shifting”.
One of many protesters, who had labored for the corporate for many years, advised the PA information company: “I refuse to maneuver from this highway, all this service for nothing.
“The police should take me away.”
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How a lot compensation can I declare?
According to ABTA, you’re entitled to compensation of 25% of your ticket value for the a part of the journey that was affected, and in case your service is delayed for no less than:
- One hour for a journey of 4 hours length
- Two hours for a journey of 4 to eight hours length
- Three hours for a journey between eight and 24 hours length
- Six hours for a journey of greater than 24 hours length.
If the delay exceeds double this, you may get 50% of the ticket value and you must get it inside one month.
“However don’t assume in relation to extras,” Martyn added.
“Converse to P&O to see if it is keen to cowl further prices – don’t simply ebook into a flowery lodge and hope it would cowl it due to the chaos immediately, you won’t get your a refund for it.”
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What does P&O stand for?
P&O is the abbreviation for The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Firm.
It was based in 1837 by London shipbroker Brodie McGhie, former Royal Navy clerk Arthur Anderson, and Dublin Shipowner Captain Richard Bourne.
The corporate received contracts to move mail by way of sea.
This included a authorities contract to move the dear written cargo between Falmouth, Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz and Gibraltar.
The primary P&O ship was known as the William Fawcett and was owned by Richard Bourne.
It travelled on routes from London to Spain and Portugal in 1835.
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Can I get compensation if my journey would not go forward?
ABTA says your ferry operator ought to give you lodging freed from cost in case your ferry has been cancelled and also you’re caught for the night time.
You need to be capable to declare again the quantity you’ve got paid for lodging, although this can be topic to a restrict.
Usually it is a most of £66 an evening per passenger for a most of three nights.
However the precise quantity you possibly can declare will depend upon the particular state of affairs, together with how lengthy you may have needed to wait amongst different elements.
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P&O prone to droop all companies for 10 DAYS – minister
Transport minister Robert Courts mentioned passengers ought to count on disruption to ferry routes in coming days, with P&O prone to droop all companies for so long as 10 days.
He advised MPs: “In taking this choice to make seafarers redundant, P&O have additionally immediately knowledgeable us they are going to be suspending companies for roughly per week to 10 days whereas they find new crew.”
He advised MPs that routes affected included Dover to Calais, Larne to Cairnryan, Dublin to Liverpool, and Hull to Rotterdam, however that “various provision” from different operators was being offered.
Mr Courts mentioned: “Passengers will nonetheless be capable to journey to and from the UK, together with throughout the Channel, with freight coming in and in another country.
“I need to warn travellers they need to count on some disruption over the approaching days.”
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What routes do P&O Ferries use?
Earlier than suspending companies and recalling its ships to port, P&O operated a variety of ferry routes all through the UK, Eire and Europe.
P&O Ferries often function on routes corresponding to Cairnryan in Wales to Larne in Northern Eire, in addition to Hull to Rotterdam and Liverpool to Dublin.
And, the Dover to Calais route is fashionable with holidaymakers and the freight trade.
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Who’re P&O?
P&O Ferries, which transports passengers and freight, operates 4 routes: Dover to Calais; Hull to Rotterdam; Liverpool to Dublin; and Cairnryan, Scotland, to Larne, Northern Eire.
It has 2,200 workers remaining within the UK.
DP World was criticised for paying a £270 million dividend to shareholders on the finish of April 2020 whereas P&O Ferries reduce round 1,100 jobs as demand for journey collapsed as a result of coronavirus pandemic.
P&O started working ferries within the Nineteen Sixties.
Cruise line P&O Cruises is unaffected by the developments as it’s a separate enterprise owned by Carnival UK.
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Sturgeon tells P&O Ferries boss of ‘utter disgust’
Nicola Sturgeon has advised the boss of P&O Ferries of her “utter disgust” on the remedy of seafarers who’ve been sacked and changed with cheaper company staff.
The ferry operator, which was purchased by Dubai-based logistics big DP World in 2019, cancelled sailings “for the subsequent few days”, together with on its route between Scotland and Northern Eire, and sacked 800 of its employees.
Simply hours after the corporate introduced the transfer, the Scottish First Minister mentioned she had spoken with its chief government and had “made clear my utter disgust at this appalling remedy of its staff”.
She mentioned on Twitter: “I made clear that @scotgov stands with these staff and can do every part attainable to make sure honest remedy for them.”
At ports throughout the UK, staff who had been fired had been refusing to go away ships on Thursday, resulting in safety guards with handcuffs being deployed to take away them.
The ferry operator insisted the choice to chop jobs was “very troublesome however mandatory” as it’s “not a viable enterprise” presently.
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‘All this service for nothing’
One man, who has labored in ferry engine rooms because the Nineteen Eighties, mentioned: “I’m fuming, to be trustworthy with you. I’ve identified individuals who’ve been with the agency for years – that is no approach to deal with individuals.
“It was only a quick message this morning saying you’ve all misplaced a job, principally – all this service for nothing.
“I’ve seen coach a great deal of company crews ready within the automotive park at Hyde companies simply ready to return down – it’s so simple as that.
“There’s going to be a protest right here, one of many union guys simply mentioned if there’s nobody working to return alongside and assist.”
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Unions threaten authorized motion
Unions had been threatening authorized motion in opposition to P&O on Thursday after the ferry big sacked 800 seafarers and changed them with cheaper company staff.
The transfer sparked outrage from politicians and staff, a lot of whom refused to go away ships, resulting in the unbelievable scene of safety guards with handcuffs being deployed to take away them.
The ferry operator, purchased by Dubai-based logistics big DP World in 2019, insisted the choice to chop jobs was “very troublesome however mandatory” because it was “not a viable enterprise” in its present state.
Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) normal secretary Mick Lynch mentioned: “We’re looking for pressing authorized motion and are once more calling for the Authorities to take motion to cease what’s quick turning into one of the crucial shameful acts within the historical past of British industrial relations.”
Within the Commons, Transport Minister Robert Courts mentioned the corporate’s actions had been “wholly unacceptable” – some extent he mentioned he made “crystal clear” when he spoke to the P&O administration.
“I’m extraordinarily involved and admittedly indignant on the approach staff have been handled by P&O,” he mentioned.
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Supervisor who advised P&O staff they had been redundant was concerned in Royal Mail row
The supervisor who advised P&O staff by video name that they had been being made redundant was concerned in a dispute with the postal staff union in a earlier job, it has emerged.
Stephen Nee advised seafarers on Thursday: “The corporate has made the choice that its vessels going ahead will probably be primarily crewed by a third-party crew supplier.
“Subsequently, I’m sorry to tell you that this implies your employment is terminated with fast impact on the grounds of redundancy.”
He labored at Royal Mail throughout a dispute in 2019 with the Communication Staff Union over jobs, pay and situations.
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Vital disruption over subsequent few days, says P&O
On Thursday, March 17, 2022, P&O introduced by way of its website that there can be “vital disruption” over the subsequent few days.
The corporate maintained that these travelling on the Dover to Calais route ought to arrive at ports as deliberate the place various transport could possibly be organized.
Nonetheless some travellers had been nonetheless left stranded in Calais and Dover.
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Starmer manufacturers P&O’s remedy of fired staff ‘disgusting’
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer mentioned the remedy of 800 seafarers sacked by P&O was “disgusting”.
“It simply makes my blood boil. It’s a full betrayal of the workforce. It is simply disgusting,” he advised BBC Radio Humberside.
“This can be a firm that had furlough in the course of the Covid disaster. It’s completely disgusting what they’re attempting to do. They mustn’t be allowed to get away with it.
“I simply want the Authorities had finished what we mentioned and strengthened employment rights in order that they could not do this sort of factor.
“The Authorities mentioned it was going to cope with this type of state of affairs. It hasn’t finished it.”
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Labour calls mass firing ‘scandalous’
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh mentioned: “This scandalous motion exhibits sheer contempt for the workforce.
“Unscrupulous employers can’t be given free rein to sack staff and exchange them with company employees.”
P&O Ferries mentioned in an announcement: “In its present state, P&O Ferries will not be a viable enterprise.
“We now have made a £100 million loss yr on yr, which has been coated by our dad or mum, DP World. This isn’t sustainable.
“Our survival relies on making swift and vital adjustments now. With out these adjustments there isn’t a future for P&O Ferries.”
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Dover MP says P&O ‘has put the economic system in danger’
The Conservative MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, mentioned P&O has put the economic system in danger, whereas a transport minister mentioned the corporate’s actions had been “unacceptable”.
She advised the Commons: “The way in which during which P&O Ferries and DP World have acted is shabby, disgraceful and completely unacceptable. They’ve mistreated 600 loyal staff in Dover, and along with this they’ve introduced site visitors disruption and put in danger the economic system and the commerce routes by it.”
Transport minister Robert Courts mentioned her constituents will probably be “anguished, damage, distraught on the information that they’ve been given immediately”.
He added: “She asks me do I agree that the best way P&O have behaved is unacceptable. Sure, it is unacceptable.”
