P&O Ferries suspend services for "next few days" after sacking 800 staff

P&O Ferries said it will be unable to run services "for the next few days" after sacking 800 staff on Thursday.

The decision has been condemned by unions and politicians, with the company blaming a loss of £100 million following the slump in travel because of the pandemic.

The firm said early on Friday it would not be able to operate services from Dover to Calais, Hull to Rotterdam, Liverpool to Dublin and Cairnryan, Scotland to Larne, Northern Ireland.

Passengers already at Dover and Calais have been told to make their way to check-in booths for DFDS, but there's been no such instruction at other ports.

Government reviewing contracts with firm and protests expected

The move has sparked outrage from politicians and workers, many of whom refused to leave ships on Thursday.

In the Commons, Transport Minister Robert Courts said the company's actions were "wholly unacceptable" - a point he said he made "crystal clear" when he spoke to the P&O management.

"I am extremely concerned and frankly angry at the way workers have been treated by P&O," he said.

P&O workers in Dover clashed with motorists after blocking a road close to the port in protest at being sacked.

P&O Ferries says decision "difficult by necessary"

Announcing the decision on Thursday, the ferry operator, bought by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2019, insisted the decision to cut jobs was "very difficult but necessary" as it was "not a viable business" in its current state.

The 800 workers were sacked immediately, with no notice, so they can be replaced by cheaper labour.

Security guards boarded ships with handcuffs to remove fired crew, it was alleged.

The Rail and Maritime Union (RMT) called for mass trade union and wider public support for demonstrations in Dover, Liverpool and Hull on Friday.

In a message to RMT members, 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."

He added: "This appalling situation has arisen as a result of DP World wishing to maximise their profits and the failure of the Government to intervene and protect the jobs of you and your colleagues."

P&O Ferries said in a statement: "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."

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