Demonstrations have been organised across the UK after 800 P&O Ferries were sacked without notice - to be replaced with cheaper agency staff. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) union said protests would take place in Dover, Liverpool and Hull at 12noon on Friday (March 18).
Travellers have been warned they face days of disruption following P&O’s "appalling" decision to fire its workforce - a move which left the Government “angry”. Transport minister Robert Courts led the condemnation of the decision by the ferry operator, bought by Dubai-based logistics firm DP World in 2019.
The move sparked outrage from politicians and workers - many of whom refused to leave ships, leading to the sight of security guards with handcuffs being deployed to remove them. P&O workers in Dover clashed with motorists after blocking a road close to the port in protest at being sacked.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "It is vital workers from every industry mobilise for the demonstrations on Friday. We need to send a message to ruthless employers and the government alike, that when working people are treated so abysmally, there is a militant response from the trade union movement.
"This example of gangster capitalism which our members in P&O have been subjected, is what lies ahead for other workers up and down the country if we do not all take a stand." The union said it was seeking urgent legal action and called for the Government to stop what Mr Lynch said was "fast turning into one of the most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations".
P&O Ferries said in a statement: “We have made a £100 million 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."
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