Sacked P&O Ferries staff to protest on Friday after 800 workers are replaced

18.03.2022 - 12:59 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Several demonstrations are set to take place on Friday (March 18) in response to to P&O Ferries “appalling” decision to sack 800 seafarers. The company blamed the move on losses of £100 million during the coronavirus pandemic.

Both unions and politicians have condemned the move, while the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is seeking legal advice in order to challenge the sackings. It described the move as one of the most “vicious example of despotic employer behaviour”.

The ferry operator, bought by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2019, announced the sackings on Thursday. It insisted the cuts were “very difficult, but necessary” as the business wasn’t currently “viable”. The 800 employees were sacked immediately without notice, so they can be replaced by cheaper labour, HullLive reports.

READ MORE: P&O Ferries: What happens now if you've booked tickets

The union has called for mass trade union and wider public support for demonstrations in Dover, Liverpool and Hull on Friday.

In a message to its members, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "It was with deep shock that I learned the news of the wholesale job cuts taking place at P&O Ferries, but I am sure that my shock was nothing as compared to the devastation this news brought to you and your colleagues.

"P&O’s decision to lay off 800 workers is a kick in the teeth to the hard-working members of staff who have kept the business running through the global health crisis. The RMT has received reports that security guards at Dover have boarded ships with handcuffs to remove crew so they can be replaced with cheaper labour. This union is horrified that P&O Ferries can treat their loyal workforce in such a despicable manner.

"P&O Ferries claimed almost