A transport union has called on P&O Ferries staff to protest against the company’s decision to sack 800 staff members in an “appalling” move to replace them with cheaper agency staff.

The ferry operator cancelled all of its services for the next few days and sacked staff yesterday, claiming it was “not a viable business” in its current state.

The company, owned by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World, removed staff with immediate effect via a video message, giving them no notice.

Outraged by the decision, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) described the move as a “vicious example of despotic employer behaviour” and called for demonstrations in Dover, Liverpool and Hull today.

The union’s general secretary, Mick Lynch, said the decision is “a kick in the teeth to the hard-working members of staff who have kept the business running through the global health crisis”.

He also claimed that the union received reports of security guards at Dover boarding ships to remove crew members with handcuffs.

A ‘difficult but necessary’ decision

Govt reviews links with P&O after ‘wholly unacceptable’ and ‘insensitive’ sacking of 800 staff

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In a statement, P&O Ferries said: “We have made a £100 million loss year-on-year, which has been covered by our parent, DP World. This is not sustainable”.

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The company insisted that the decision to cut jobs was “very difficult but necessary” to plug its losses.

The move is believed to affect everyone, from captains and check-in staff, to engine room staff, loaders and cleaners.

The company said these staff will be served with “enhanced” severance packages, calling it “necessary” to protect its remaining 2,200 staff.

Read more: Ian King on why the company has taken the axe to its workforce again

Concerns from the Government

MPs have also shared their outrage over the decision, with chairman of the transport select committee and Conservative MP Huw Merriman describing the move as “an appalling error” by P&O.

P&O’s move to terminate hundreds of employees and replace them with foreign labour is shameful. Concerns remain as to whether this is lawful and Government should use every route available to condemn this poor behaviour. pic.twitter.com/sW8PMhgv3H

Earlier on Thursday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said his officials will be having “urgent discussions” with P&O Ferries as he expressed concern at the suspension of sailings.

Maritime minister Robert Courts told the House of Commons last night he was “extremely concerned and frankly angry” at the treatment of workers by P&O.

Travellers urged to make alternative arrangements

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 3 hours with the current operational situation

Amid disruptions to its services, P&O Ferries tweeted this morning advising travellers to make alternative arrangements and that regular updates will be provided.

The company, which transports passengers and freight, operates four routes: Dover to Calais; Hull to Rotterdam; Liverpool to Dublin; and Cairnryan, Scotland, to Larne, Northern Ireland.

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