P&O Ferries has once again defended its mass redundancies, announced yesterday, saying it aims “to have the first of our services running again in the next day or two” as it is losing around £1m per day that services do not run.
It also denied insensitive behaviour regarding the removal of employees, saying in a statement this afternoon: “The teams escorting the seafarers off our vessels were totally professional in handling this difficult task with all appropriate sensitivity.
“Contrary to rumours, none of our people wore balaclavas nor were they directed to use handcuffs nor force.”
In a letter to P&O Ferries employees seen by The Mirror, CEO Peter Hebblethwaite said the “new crewing model” would cut crewing costs by 50 per cent, calling it a “very difficult but necessary and pivotal decision, which was only taken after seriously considering all the available options”.
The RMT union is threatening legal action against the firm, calling yesterday’s move one of the “most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations”.
Meanwhile MPs across each political party, including the transport secretary Grant Shapps, have condemned the ferry firm’s actions.
Read on for the latest news and developments.
