Nicola Sturgeon tells P&O Ferries boss of “absolute disgust” for fired workers –

Nicola Sturgeon told the head of P&O Ferries she was “totally disgusted” by the treatment of seafarers who have been fired and replaced by cheaper temporary workers.

The ferry operator, acquired by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2019, canceled the crossings “for the next few days” and laid off 800 employees, including the route between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A few hours after the company announced the decision, the Scottish Prime Minister said he spoke to his CEO and said I was “totally disgusted by this appalling treatment of his employees.”

He said on Twitter: “I have made it clear that @scotgov is on the side of these workers and will do everything possible to ensure they are treated fairly.”

In ports in England, the sacked workers refused to leave the ships on Thursday, which led to the deployment of handcuffed security guards to remove them.

I just spoke directly to the CEO of P&O and made it clear that I am disgusted by the appalling treatment of his employees. I affirmed it @scotgov stands alongside these workers and will do everything possible to ensure that they are treated fairly. https://t.co/fHwIF6Vq08

– Nicola Storione (@Nicola Storione) March 17, 2022

The ferry operator insisted that the decision to cut jobs was “very difficult but necessary” as it “is not a feasible job” at the moment.

Earlier, Ms. Sturgeon denounced the decision and tweeted: “Layoffs and rehearsals are a terrible practice and violate the fundamental principle of fair work.

I am deeply concerned by P&O’s announcement of the importance of the Cairnryan / Larne route to Scotland, as well as the impact it has had on hundreds of workers. ”

Scottish politicians from all sides in Holyrood also condemned the move.

Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar described the company’s actions as “a devastating decision for all staff, their families and communities, and an attack on trade unions.”

“It will cost vital jobs, drive people into unemployment in the midst of a livelihood crisis, and undermine wages and conditions for years to come.”

Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer said his party supports “RMT’s efforts to save its members’ jobs, including staying on their ships until this problem is resolved.”

“On behalf of the Scottish Green Party, I offer our solidarity to the workers and their unions and urge the Scottish and British governments to engage urgently with companies and trade unions.”

Willie Rennie, spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ economy, said that “the firing and replacement of P&O workers with agency workers overseas is completely unacceptable.”

Finlay Carson, the Scottish Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, which includes Cairnryan, said the layoffs were “disastrous for the workers affected and are likely to have a major impact on the local community.”

He added: “Reports of staff layoffs in a pre-recorded video message, if true, show shocking callousness.

“Not only that, any interruption in transit would have an extremely damaging effect on trade between Scotland and, of course, Northern Ireland.

Carrying passengers and freight, P&O Ferries operates three additional routes from Cairnryan to Larne: Dover to Calais; from Hull to Rotterdam; and from Liverpool to Dublin.

In a video message broadcast to staff, workers were told they had been fired in a video message announcing that they were being replaced by a “third party crew supplier”.

Footage of the moment staff being told he had been fired was broadcast on the BBC and a company manager informed workers of his decision to lay off with immediate effect.

Footage obtained by BBC South East shows the moment when P&O Ferries staff were told they had lost their jobs. pic.twitter.com/dvRnptHfC9

– BBC South East (@bbcsoutheast) March 17, 2022

A Scottish government spokesperson said it expects direct flights to Scotland from Cairnryan to Larne to be out of service for about a week.

“There should be sufficient capacity to allow free movement of people and goods, but travelers should make reservations where possible,” the spokesperson said. He said.

“We expect a similar position regarding the main export routes across the short plains to France.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and Resilience Partnerships is ready to provide any necessary support.

The spokesperson said the Scottish government is ready to support personnel deployed north of the border.

The ferry company said in a statement: “P&O Ferries is not a profitable business in its current state.

“We suffered an annual loss of £ 100 million which was covered by our parent company, DP World. It is not sustainable.

“Our survival now depends on rapid and significant change. There is no future for P&O Ferries without these changes.

Source: Wales Online

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