A scandalous decision of P&O ferries has left 800 staff without jobs with no consultation or warning!

THE UK Government said it will review its contracts with P&O after it fired its employees with plans to replacing them with cheaper agency workers. It is not often you hear such a chorus of cross party MPs branding a well known firm's actions as:- "callous," "disgraceful" and even "dastardly!"

In an emergency Commons statement, Robert Courts, the UK Transport Minister, said the tactics were:- "completely unacceptable." and Conservative MP Huw Merriman, Chairman of the Transport Select Committee, said P&O had shown:- "contempt" for its staff.

Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, said:- "This is an assault on British seafarers, and the proud tradition of our island nation. It must not be allowed to stand. Boris Johnson must stand up for these loyal workers and take action now to protect their livelihoods."

We are told that nearly a quarter of P&O's staff were told via a video message, on Thursday, 17 March 2022, that it was their:- "final day of employment" with no other warning or any hints that this would happen. As the news hit both of the P&O ferries that often visit the Mersey, Norbank and Norbay, where in Gladstone Dock, Bootle, Merseyside. The location of the shipping was in such a way that the public could not see what was going on.

On hearing the news we are informed that Nautilus is now urging members not to be pressured into signing agreements with P&O ferries without getting advice and support 1st.

Mark Dickinson, who is General Secretary of Nautilus International is the Union for Maritime Professionals at sea and ashore said:- "The news that P&O Ferries is sacking the crew across its entire UK fleet is a betrayal of British workers. It is nothing short of scandalous given that this Dubai owned company received millions of pounds of British Taxpayer's money during the Pandemic. There was no consultation and no notic given by P&O. Be assured the full resources of Nautilus International stand ready to act in the defence of our members. We believe it is in our members' best interests to stay onboard until further notice."

The RMT union added that it was 1 of the:- "most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations."

Also supporting the 800 staff is UNISON, the UK's largest Union, Frances O'Grady, who is the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress said:- "The treatment of P&O staff is gangster capitalism at its worst. Outrageous to see loyal crew sacked and shackled in this way. Solidarity to our RMT Union members and Nautilusint members for fighting to save workers' jobs. But why is Government letting P&O get away with it? Shame on them!" UNISON Merseytravel Branch also commented to the media that it is:- "Beyond disgraceful to treat any workers in this way. Absolutely disgusting behaviour by P&O."

We are informed that there are protests against P&O Ferries are planned on Friday, 18 March 2022, across the ports of:- Dover, Liverpool and Hull.

As both Trade Unions and politicians condemned the mass dismissal, blamed by the company on losses of ₤100 million following the slump in travel because of the Pandemic, we now hear those services suspended for days to come. This will have a devastating impact on the UK's economy, as it will affect our already stretched supply chains as their are alternatives arrangements are made quickly. With very little to no information, customers are fuming at the short notice and lack of information about refunds or alternative arrangements.

The PM's official spokesman said Department for Transport ministers are holding urgent discussions with P&O. It said:- "It is obviously concerning for P&O workers. The company is not ceasing to operate and DFT is speaking with them to understand what the potential impact is. So there will be further updates."

As the backlash against P&O Ferries yook off, it released the following statement on its website on 17 March 2022:- "P&O Ferries have today announced a programme of work to become a more competitive and efficient operator, providing a better service to our customers across the tourism and freight industries. While we enact these changes, there will be significant disruption across P&O Ferries services over the next few days, however we are working to minimise the impact on your journey. If travelling on our Dover/Calais route please arrive at the port as booked and we will arrange to get you away on an alternative carrier as quickly as possible. Once at the port please make your way to the DFDS check-in booths. For all other routes please check for latest advice."

P&O Ferries to the media it said:- "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."

Sadly, this latest in a line of issues surrounding firms that are key to the UK's infrastructure, that are all no longer British owned and controlled by international investors.

Has this affected you? Please let us know your thoughts on this topic. Send your responses to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

We would also like to point out to our readers that unjustly, the unrelated business P&O Cruises is also taking a pounding on social media. They are not owned or connected to DP World, the multi-national ports and logistics company based in Dubai, who own P&O Ferries. Infact, they are owned by the major cruise operator Carnival Cruise Line, who are part of a family of companies owned by Carnival Corporation, which includes sister lines:- Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line, among others.

Community trigger activated for Duke Street park in Formby to tackle antisocial behaviour

FORMBY Labour Councillor Nina Killen has welcomed a "community trigger" to tackle antisocial behaviour at Duke Street park. A community trigger brings together different agencies, such as the:- Police,, Local Authority and British Transport Police, to discuss how they can work together to address antisocial behaviour. Duke Street park has had issues with antisocial behaviour intermittently for a number of years, and the issue is usually worse around Halloween and Bonfire Night. Residents have experienced fireworks set off in the direction of homes and cars, eggs and stones thrown at properties and windows smashed.

Cllr Killen said:- "During a recent visit to affected residents' homes, I heard 1st hand about some of the shocking incidents that have occurred. Thank you to the Council and Police for the actions they have already taken. I have been working with various agencies over the past 4 years regarding antisocial behaviour in and around Duke Street Park. Last autumn, the Police committed significant resources to the park to prevent disorder around Halloween and Bonfire Night. Police put a dispersal zone in place and committed a large number of officers to the area to stop people gathering in the park. Officers worked double shifts and their rest days for this operation. I fully supported these measures and thank the Police for their actions. It was hugely successful and there was a large reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour. Although it is not possible for the Police to commit this level of resources to the area all the time, tackling antisocial behaviour is still a priority for them and for me. Due to ongoing issues around the park, the Council has activated a community trigger which brings together different agencies, such as the Police, Local Authority and British Transport Police, to discuss how they can work together. What is really key is identifying the individuals who are doing this so that interventions such as acceptable behaviour contracts can be considered. Deterrence is also important and I would like to see the park made more secure so that it is harder for people to access the park after dark, when it is closed. This may mean higher gates at certain entrances which can't be jumped over, building up the hedges along the park edges, and more lighting which would make it harder to use the cover of darkness to avoid detection. Although the park is closed at night and the gates locked, people will regularly jump over the gates to access the park and use the cover of darkness to avoid detection. Higher gates may be a solution to this."