News that DP World subsidiary, P&O Ferries, is to replace its UK-based seafarers with agency staff has not surprisingly caused a furore among maritime unions.
Global and European maritime unions have expressed anger and condemnation that its seafarers will be replaced by non-union, agency workers.
Affiliates of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) were informed that P&O Ferries had paused services “in preparation for a company announcement” earlier today.
By the afternoon, the company had announced to the media that 800 staff that work on its vessels will be made redundant with immediate effect.
Unions RMT and Nautilus have instructed their members to remain on board their vessels and are demanding immediate intervention from the UK Government to stop the outsourcing of around 800 jobs with no notice.
