P&O Ferries

Passenger and freight shipping routes could experience at least a week of disruption after the group dismissed its workers, who it plans to replace with cheaper ...

It is a dark day for the shipping industry. “This is a new low for a shipping company. I have been in this industry for over 40 years and I’ve seen some curve balls and shocking developments but this is a new low for a shipping company – to treat due legal process in such an underhand and callous way has shocked me, it has taken my breath away.”

&O Ferries will halve crewing costs through by replacing 800 employees with agency workers, according to the boss of the ferry operator.

P&O said early on Friday it would not be able to operate services “for the next few days” from Dover to Calais, Hull to Rotterdam, Liverpool to Dublin, and Cairnryan, Scotland, to Larne, Northern Ireland. A spokesperson for P&O said “all affected crew who worked yesterday were notified face-to-face” and apologised for the shock it may have caused. “We don’t believe this was the case for P&O staff,” he said, adding: “We are looking into this very carefully.” “We expect companies to treat their employees fairly.

An employment lawyer said the sacking of 800 people with no consultation period 'beggars belief'

It is a complete betrayal of the workforce. “In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business,” said a spokesperson. It’s just disgusting,” he told BBC Radio Humberside.

Long planned contingencies put into action to reduce disruption to travel for passengers and freight.

I know members across this House will share my concern over the loss of these routes. Today, the Dover TAP has been activated, although as members will know this is not all that uncommon. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. I will say more on this in a moment or 2. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. As a matter of urgency, I have asked my Department to liaise closely with counterparts in the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that workers are being signposted to the most relevant support and I am intending to call the trade unions immediately after this statement to discuss the situation with them.

The cross-Channel ferry operator has said it is not going bust but that all ferries had been instructed to remain in port.

P&O staff at Larne told Pearlean that they would be transferred to a Stena Line ferry from Belfast at 11:30, which they could access with their existing P&O ticket. The group were then told by Stena Line to book online for the 11:30 ferry at a cost of €590, only to discover that the sailing was full, despite the ferry firm having taken their money. Pearlean is now left with two unused ferry bookings which she hopes to claim a refund for, and two nights of hotel accommodation that is non-refundable. ‘I’m £1,000 out of pocket with two unusable ferry tickets and a non-refundable hotel stay’ Pearlean Chadha, a lecturer at Technological University Dublin, is around £1000 out of pocket after her P&O ferry from Larne in Northern Ireland to Cairnryan in Scotland was cancelled this morning. In an internal company statement, the ferry operator said it will be “making a major announcement today” which would “secure the long-term viability of P&O Ferries”. In a later tweet, he added: “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.”

UK-registered P&O Ferries has made all staff redundant with immediate effect and will use agency workers to sail its ships, the Times newspaper reported, ...

A P&O ferry leaves the Port of Dover following the end of the Brexit transition period, Dover, Britain, January 1, 2021. The BBC reported that a P&O message sent to staff said the company announcement "will secure the long-term viability of P&O Ferries". A P&O ferry leaves the Port of Dover following the end of the Brexit transition period, Dover, Britain, January 1, 2021.

P&O Ferries are believed to have dismissed their on-board crews today in a major move which has enraged union bosses.

P&O Ferries is a separate company to P&O Cruises which is operated by Carnival UK. It split from the ferries part of the business in 2000 and is unaffected by today's announcement. “We are deeply disturbed by growing speculation that the company are today planning to sack hundreds of UK seafarers and replace them with foreign labour. Responding to reports about the future of P&O and speculation that hundreds of UK seafarers employed by the company could be replaced by foreign labour RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said,

P&O Ferries has fired 800 seafarers as it is “not a viable business” in its current state.

P&O Ferries said in a statement: “In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business. The firm, bought by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2019, said it has suspended sailings “for the next few days”. P&O Ferries has fired 800 seafarers as it is “not a viable business” in its current state.

The firm announced the move to staff on a pre-recorded video call on Thursday,.

Many crew members were reported to be refusing to leave their vessels, with private security officers called in and tasked to remove the staff. The company expects 'significant disruption' to its services over the next few days, it said in a statement on its website with numerous sailings cancelled today and in in the coming days. Unions in the UK said staff were given almost no warning of the move, and that the laid-off employees have been replaced by cheaper agency workers.

Fired P&O Ferries workers in Dover have clashed with motorists after blocking a road close to the port. Dozens of employees who lost their jobs stood on the ...

Meanwhile, Mark Dickinson, general secretary of maritime union Nautilus International, said: “Be assured the full resources of Nautilus International stand ready to act in defence of our members. RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “We have instructed our members to remain onboard and are demanding our members across P&O’s UK operations are protected and that the Secretary of State intervenes to save UK seafarers from the dole queue.” “As part of the process we are starting today, we are providing 800 seafarers with immediate severance notices and will be compensating them for this lack of advance notice with enhanced compensation packages.”

British ferry operator P&O Ferries has sacked 800 staff members in a move condemned by unions as “a betrayal of British workers”.

“As part of the process we are starting today, we are providing 800 seafarers with immediate severance notices and will be compensating them for this lack of advance notice with enhanced compensation packages.” In a statement, P&O confirmed the workers would be made redundant immediately as a result of “unsustainable” financial losses. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said officials would be having “urgent discussions” with the firm after it suspended sailings on Thursday.

P&O Ferries is owned by DP World, a logistics company based in Dubai that bought the firm for the second time in 2019.

P&O workers in Dover clashed with motorists after blocking a road close to the port in protest at being sacked. I’ve known people who’ve been with the firm for years – this is no way to treat people. He said: “The Government should make it clear that it will not condone this behaviour. A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said the company was currently not a “viable business” in a statement on Thursday. The operator said it has suspended ferries for “for the next few days,” and that crew members will be given “enhanced” compensation packages. Mark Dickinson, general secretary of maritime union Nautilus International, said: “The news that P&O Ferries is sacking the crew across its entire UK fleet is a betrayal of British workers.

Politicians on both sides called on the government to act to stop what Labour and trade unions called a “scandalous betrayal”. Staff were told by P&O to ...

DP World has also come under fire for a £146m deficit in the Merchant Navy Ratings pension fund, which includes retired P&O crew. But a number of passengers were left stranded and unable to rebook immediately on alternative services on Thursday morning. Conservative MPs joined calls for the government to act. DP World, one of the largest port operators in the world, is owned by Dubai’s sovereign wealth fund, and chaired by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who also heads Dubai’s customs authority. Unions had instructed members to stay onboard as they demanded urgent government intervention, but by the evening the potential for prolonged standoffs ended, when crew in Hull left their ship. They learned the news of their redundancy via a pre-recorded video message this morning.

Unions fear job losses after crews told to return to port but company denies going into liquidation.

“We have instructed our members to remain onboard and are demanding our members across P&O’s UK operations are protected and that the secretary of state intervenes to save UK seafarers from the dole queue.” Passengers on Irish Sea crossings have been sent to Stena Line. This means we’re expecting all our ports to experience serious disruption today.”

Ferries from Liverpool, Hull, Cairnryan in Scotland and Dover have been affected by the suspensions. The alert was flagged on INRIX, the traffic and travel ...

Mr Turner shared the memo and said: "This is troubling for crews and their families. This means we're expecting all our ports to experience serious disruption today so please bear with us and we will give further information in an all colleague announcement later today." It has asked all its vessels to discharge passengers and cargo.

It comes as the the firm announced that services'are unable to run for the next few hours' with passengers being passed on to other operators.

All ships were asked to "come alongside in preparation for a company announcement". A statement was released on social media by P&O Ferries at 7.39am on Thursday. It read: "Regretfully, P&O Ferries services are unable to run for the next few hours. It comes as the the firm announced on social media that services 'are unable to run for the next few hours' with passengers being passed onto other operators. Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease linked to 10 health conditions up to 15 years before diagnosisHealth conditions associated with Alzheimer's can develop long before diagnosis of the devastating disease. Follow us on Twitter @Daily_Record - the official Daily Record Twitter account - real news in real time. Customers took to social media fearing the operator had 'gone into liquidation'. The nearby Stena Line service runs between Cairnryan and Belfast. A P&O spokesman refuted claims the firm is going into liquidation, and said travellers were being advised 'of alternative arrangements'. He told the Daily Record: “P&O Ferries is not going into liquidation. "One friend, who is a lorry driver, was told he couldn't get in and had to go to the Stena Line port.

Exclusive: Motorists and truck drivers hoping to sail between Dover and Calais are expected to be directed to rival ferry firms or Eurotunnel.

We have asked all ships to come alongside, in preparation for a company announcement. Thank you for your patience and support.” A spokesperson said: “Stena Line will do what we can to assist passengers and freight that are re-routed via our services, however, we are afraid that we have not received any contact from P&O and do not yet have any agreement in place with them to accept their bookings. “We would like to remind passengers that if they cannot book space on our Belfast sailings that we also have services running from Dublin and Rosslare.” “To facilitate this announcement all our vessels have been asked to discharge their passengers and cargo and standby for further instructions. In a message to staff seen by The Independent, P&O Ferries said: “We will be making a major company announcement today which, with the support of our shareholder DP World, will secure the long-term viability of P&O Ferries.

All ships have been asked to discharge their passengers and cargo and "standby for further instructions".

The MP also posted a picture of cars waiting at King George Dock and said: "New foreign crew waiting to board the Pride of Hull on King George Dock. ⁦@RMTunion⁩ sitting in onboard the vessel. She didn't know why, only that they'd been told all operations were suspended at 7.30am. "Of course, when we got there they had no knowledge of any arrangement and had not received any contact from P&O. We had to fork out the fare again as we need to be in Glasgow today." "We got to the front of the queue and a P&O staff member informed us all services had been suspended. P&O said the announcement will "secure the long-term viability of P&O Ferries". They will not be boarding her.

Union bosses have demanded job protection for staff at P&O Ferries as they wait to hear a company announcement that has disrupted all services.

"We have instructed our members to remain onboard and are demanding our members across P&O’s UK operations are protected and that the Secretary of State intervenes to save UK seafarers from the dole queue.” General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “We are deeply disturbed by growing speculation that the company are today planning to sack hundreds of UK seafarers and replace them with foreign labour. Speaking earlier today, the Rail, Marine and Transport union's general secretary issued advice to members ahead of the company statement.

Ferry services are cancelled as staff are told via zoom that they are being made redundant immediately.

Security officers were sent onto one ship docked at Larne Harbour to remove staff on board.

"These circumstances have resulted in a very difficult but necessary decision, which was only taken after seriously considering all the available options. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries. A spokesperson for the company said: "In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business.

The ferry company was directing passengers and freight to rival services on Thursday, but said in a statement: “P&O Ferries is not going into liquidation.”.

Unions in the UK said staff were given almost no warning of the move, and that the laid-off employees have been replaced by cheaper agency workers. The company ...

Many crew members were reported to be refusing to leave their vessels, with private security officers called in and tasked to remove the staff. The company expects 'significant disruption' to its services over the next few days, it said in a statement on its website with numerous sailings cancelled today and in in the coming days. Unions in the UK said staff were given almost no warning of the move, and that the laid-off employees have been replaced by cheaper agency workers.

'Your final day of employment is today' – how 800 crew learnt they had lost their jobs.

The people in the town are obviously worried about their mortgages, how they’re going to pay the bills.” Many sacked staff told me that working on board means living on board, with a degree of dedication and camaraderie that is rarely found on land. But a sudden sacking, online, cuts even deeper for seafarers.

The company confirms it will not run services "for the next few days" after abruptly sacking 800 staff.

Services were suspended and a series of demonstrations were expected to take place against P&O's “appalling” decision to sack 800 seafarers.

He added: “This appalling situation has arisen as a result of DP World wishing to maximise their profits and the failure of the Government to intervene and protect the jobs of you and your colleagues.” Services were suspended and a series of demonstrations were expected to take place against P&O’s “appalling” decision to sack 800 seafarers. It said the UK has seen one of the most “vicious examples of despotic employer behaviour” and one of the most shameful episodes in its recent industrial history. Unions and politicians condemned the mass dismissal, blamed by the company on losses of £100 million following the slump in travel because of the pandemic. Services were suspended and a series of demonstrations were expected to take place against P&O’s “appalling” decision to sack 800 seafarers. Unions and politicians condemned the mass dismissal, blamed by the company on losses of £100 million following the slump in travel because of the pandemic.

A backlash against P&O Ferries is growing after the firm sacked 800 staff without giving them any notice. The government said it would review its contracts ...

Union officials said the captain of the Pride of Hull barricaded himself and his crew onboard as new staff waited to replace them.

The MP later said that Mr Favier had gone ashore to speak with P&O representatives while his crew remained on onboard. He later posted another picture which appeared to show Mr Favier addressing crew members onboard the Pride of Hull. He tweeted: “I’m hearing that the captain of the Pride of Hull will refuse to allow the police to board the vessel if @POferries ask them to do so.”

Workers at P&O Ferries were laid off by video message today, but some are not taking it lying down and are refusing to leave their boat until further talks ...

I've known people who've been with the firm for years - this is no way to treat people." " All this service for nothing. wearing balaclavas and taking British crew off these ship. The Pride of Hull normally sails a P&O route from Hull to Rotterdam. But the crew of the P&O vessel Pride of Hull are refusing to leave out of protest.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is seeking legal advice to challenge the sackings.

P&O is owned by DP World, the multi-national ports and logistics company based in Dubai. It paid a £270 million dividend to shareholders in 2020. This union is horrified that P&O Ferries can treat their loyal workforce in such a despicable manner. Unions and politicians condemned the move, blamed by the company on losses of £100 million following the slump in travel because of the pandemic. A series of demonstrations will be held on Friday against P&O’s “appalling” decision to sack 800 seafarers. Unions and politicians condemned the move, blamed by the company on losses of £100 million following the slump in travel because of the pandemic. A series of demonstrations will be held on Friday against P&O’s “appalling” decision to sack 800 seafarers.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is seeking legal advice to challenge the sackings.

P&O is owned by DP World, the multi-national ports and logistics company based in Dubai. It paid a £270 million dividend to shareholders in 2020. This union is horrified that P&O Ferries can treat their loyal workforce in such a despicable manner. Unions and politicians condemned the move, blamed by the company on losses of £100 million following the slump in travel because of the pandemic. A series of demonstrations will be held on Friday against P&O’s “appalling” decision to sack 800 seafarers. Unions and politicians condemned the move, blamed by the company on losses of £100 million following the slump in travel because of the pandemic. A series of demonstrations will be held on Friday against P&O’s “appalling” decision to sack 800 seafarers.

Trade union Nautilus International said sailing ships across the Channel is 'like walking across a six-lane motorway at rush hour'.

Trade union Nautilus International, which represents some of those fired, urged the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to “make sure the ships are safe” as the new crews are “unfamiliar” with the vessels and routes. Trade union Nautilus International, which represents some of those fired, urged the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to “make sure the ships are safe” as the new crews are “unfamiliar” with the vessels and routes. Safety fears have been raised over the decision by P&O Ferries to sack 800 seafarers with no notice and replace them with cheaper agency workers.

Mr Heappey said the company had behaved “disgracefully” but said the government was powerless to stop the ferry operator replacing the 800 workers with cheaper ...

On the “fire and rehire” practice, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer added: “I just wish the government had done what we said and strengthened employment rights so they couldn’t do this kind of thing. The government said it was going to deal with this sort of situation. Labour has called on Mr Johnson to suspend the contracts and licences of P&O Ferries owner DP World until the mass sacking row is resolved, and for DP World to be removed from the government’s Transport Advisory Group. Security guards boarded ships with handcuffs to remove fired crew, it was claimed. “All of that money, that £10m for furlough in the pandemic, should be clawed back,” the Labour MP told LBC. “Any money that the British taxpayer provided to that business should be taken back from them.” Labour said the company “mustn’t be allowed” to get away with sacking staff without notice – calling for the government to suspend contracts with P&O Ferries’ owner and “claw back” the furlough money.