P&O cancels services as 800 workers fired

P&O cancels services as 800 workers fired

P&O Ferries has made 800 members of staff redundant in a shocking announcement this afternoon, but some crew are defying orders and refusing to leave their ships.

The ferry operator said the “tough decision” was made to secure the future of the business.

Union RMT said crewmembers were being “replaced with foreign labour” and have called on the transport secretary to intervene.

Workers were not given warning that they were being fired, but rumours began to spread earlier today as the company suggested a ‘major announcement.’

Private security officers have been sent onto one ship docked at Larne Harbour in Northern Ireland, to remove staff on board, according to the RMT.

P&O said its survival was dependent on “making swift and significant changes now” after a £100m loss.

They added: “In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business. We have made a £100m loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent DP World. This is not sustainable. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries.”

P&O have said that its services will not operate for the “next few days”, with passengers told to use other companies.

P&O Ferries services are unable to run for the next few days. We are advising travellers of alternative arrangements. We will update this feed every 30 minutes with the operational situation.

— P&O Ferries Updates (@POferriesupdate) March 17, 2022

P&O services scheduled for Monday include 14 between Dover and Calais, three between Liverpool and Dublin and seven between Larne in County Antrim and Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway.

The union said it has instructed members to stay on board their vessels once they have docked or risk being “locked out” of their jobs.

Transport Secreatry Grant Shapps shared to Twitter: “I am very concerned about the news from P&O Ferries this morning and we will be speaking to the company today to understand the impact on workers and passengers.

“Important to note other operators continue to run cross Channel routes, so passengers and goods can flow, but I am working with the Kent Resilience Forum to minimise disruption.”