Sacked P&O Ferries staff clash with drivers as Brits left stranded in France

Who owns P&O? 

Although originally a British-owned company, P&O Ferries was sold to DP World, an international Emerati logistics company based in Dubai in 2006.

Fired P&O workers clash with motorists in Dover

Fired P&O Ferries workers in Dover have clashed with motorists after blocking a road close to the port.

Dozens of employees who lost their jobs stood on the road with banners and flags saying “Stop the P&O Jobs carve up”.

A lorry driver trying to enter the port began shouting and beeping at those in the road, before being told “we’re not moving”.

In pictures: Police arrive at workers protest in Dover

Police officers then attended the scene close to the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union office in Dover.

One of the protesters, who had worked for the company for decades, said: “I refuse to move from this road. All this service for nothing.

“The police will have to take me away.”

Demonstrators then began chanting “Support local jobs” before moving to another road.

P&O workers block road leading to Port of Dover

Police have intervened after P&O workers blocked a road leading to the Port of Dover.

Dozens of employees who lost their jobs on Thursday stood on the road holding banners and flags saying “Stop the P&O jobs carve up”.

It came after buses carrying agency workers hired to replace them appeared to arrive at the Kent port.

A lorry driver trying to enter the port began shouting and beeping at those in the road, before being told “We’re not moving”.

Another driver, Richard Gamby, said: “I understand what they’re doing but I want to get home – I’ve been up since four.”

Passengers to be provided with alternative ferry crossings

Passengers with trips booked today have been told their travel will be provided by alternative ferry companies, such as DFDS and Irish Ferries.

Roads are now jammed after passengers queued up to catch their ferry – only to find out services were cancelled.

One driver in Calais due to return to the UK said he had been waiting for a ferry since 6am.

He added: “More than anything I’m frustrated at the fact nobody from P&O was there to help and advise … I’ve never had such shoddy service from anybody.”

Security guards ‘removing crew from ships’

Security guards with handcuffs are attempting to board ships at Dover to remove crew, the RMT Union has claimed.

General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “We are seeking urgent legal action and are again calling for the government to take action to stop what is fast turning into one of the most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations.

“If this happens at P&O it can happen anywhere and we are calling for mass trade union and wider public mobilisation and protest against the company.”

Passengers booted off ferries and told to ‘await instructions’

The chaos unfolded this morning when workers were told to expect “serious disruption” at all of its ports.

Passengers were booted off ferries and told to await “further instructions”.

As cars began to snake around the motorway near Dover, the company then announced services had been suspended “for the next few days”.

They added: “We are advising travellers of alternative arrangements.”

Department of Transport response over passengers

Responding to the situation with P&O Ferries, a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman said: “The DfT is working with the Kent Resilience Forum and all local partners to ensure the free flow of traffic in Kent.

“There are other operators running services on cross Channel routes, so passengers and goods can continue to travel.

“Ministers and officials will be speaking with P&O Ferries later today to understand more about the changes and the impact on staff and passengers.”

Statement from P&O Ferries

P&O Ferries said in a statement: “In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business.

“We have made a £100 million loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent, DP World. This is not sustainable.

“Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries.”

The company added that, after “seriously considering all the available options”, it has taken the “very difficult but necessary decision” to hand immediate severance notices to 800 seafarers.

Those sacked will be compensated for the lack of notice with “enhanced compensation packages”.

Coaches of agency workers hired to replace staff

Workers currently on-board ships were instructed by unions not to leave.

Coaches carrying agency workers hired to replace them are parked near ships at ports.

There were reports that balaclava-clad security teams were sent on to ferries to remove the sacked staff.

Mass sacking slammed as ‘highly immoral’

A mum whose husband and son have lost their jobs branded mass axing “highly immoral”.

She told Kent Messenger: “When P&O suspended sailings this morning crews were waiting on the ships with no idea what was happening – even the captains didn’t know.

“Then pictures emerged of three coach loads of foreign workers waiting at ports to take their jobs. They were already wearing P&O uniforms – yet the staff still hadn’t been told they were being let go.

“They were told they had five minutes to get their stuff and get off the ships. These guys are week on week off workers who have called these ships home for half of the year every year.

“They have personal effects in lockers which they can’t get to – clothes, bedding, photographs and in some cases financial documents which will be taken out and thrown.”

‘All this service for nothing’

One man, who has worked in ferry engine rooms since the 1980s, said: “I’m fuming, to be honest with you. I’ve known people who’ve been with the firm for years – this is no way to treat people.

“It was just a short message this morning saying you’ve all lost a job, basically – all this service for nothing.

“I’ve seen coach loads of agency crews waiting in the car park at Hyde services just waiting to come down – it’s as simple as that.

“There’s going to be a protest here, one of the union guys just said if there’s no one working to come along and support.”

Labour calls move ‘scandalous’

Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: “This scandalous action shows sheer contempt for the workforce.

“Unscrupulous employers cannot be given free rein to sack workers and replace them with agency staff.”

P&O Ferries said in a statement: “In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business.

“We have made a £100 million loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent, DP World. This is not sustainable.

“Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries.”

Who are P&O?

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

It has 2,200 employees remaining in the UK.

DP World was criticised for paying a £270 million dividend to shareholders at the end of April 2020 while P&O Ferries cut around 1,100 jobs as demand for travel collapsed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

P&O began operating ferries in the 1960s.

Cruise line P&O Cruises is unaffected by the developments as it is a separate business owned by Carnival UK.