Union calls to ‘beef up’ minimum wage enforcement powers in wake of P&O scandal April 7, 2022 Plans to make companies pay workers minimum wage will be “unworkable” if enforcement powers are not beefed up, said union TUC today following the P&O scandal. “A lack of enforcement will kick the legs out from under the Government’s minimum wage plans,” said TUC’s general secretary Frances O’Grady. “Our weak enforcement regime lets rogue employers [...]
Ferry passengers at Dover face disruption as queues multiply due to bad weather April 2, 2022 Passengers at Dover are facing disruption as queues on ferry services multiply due to the bad weather. “Due to adverse weather conditions, we are currently experiencing delays on all of our crossings,” said ferry operator DFDS via Twitter. “To our customers already checked in at our ports, please proceed as normal. On your arrival at [...]
Grant Shapps says new measures will make P&O “fundamentally rethink” layoffs March 30, 2022 Grant Shapps unveiled today a new set of measures which are expected to make P&O Ferries “fundamentally rethink” the sacking of almost 800 seafarers. “P&O Ferries’ failure to see reason, to recognise the public anger, and to do the right thing by their staff has left the government with no choice,” he told the House [...]
P&O accuses Coastguard of ‘unprecedented rigour’ after two ships detained March 30, 2022 P&O Ferries accused today the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of displaying “an unprecedented level of rigour” after it detained two of the firm’s ships. The European Causeway and Pride of Kent vessels were detained in the last few days over safety concerns, as government scrutiny around P&O increased following the layoff of around 800 [...]
Maersk warns Shanghai’s lockdown will hike transport costs March 29, 2022 Shipping giant Maersk said today transport costs will continue to increase following Shanghai’s decision to lockdown. Shanghai started going into lockdown yesterday, closing down half of the city while the other one will be be shut from Friday for a four-day testing exercise. “Trucking service in and out (of) Shanghai will be severely impacted by [...]
P&O tells Government rehiring staff would lead to “financial collapse” March 29, 2022 P&O Ferries can’t rehire those 800 seafarers it sacked earlier this month without risking a “financial collapse”, its boss Peter Hebblethwaite said today. “The circumstances which led P&O Ferries to make the decision in the first place still apply,” Hebblethwaite told transport secretary Grant Shapps in a letter. “Complying with your request would deliberately cause [...]
Thousands take to the streets calling for P&O boss to resign March 26, 2022 Thousands have taken to the streets today calling on P&O Ferries’ boss Peter Hebblethwaite to resign after the operator sacked 800 people last week. Protesters across UK ports such as Liverpool, Dover and Hull rallied under the call of “Stop the P&O jobs Massacre.” “If you are in Dover, Hull or Liverpool, join one of [...]
P&O ‘chose’ to break the law by firing 800 people, company boss says March 24, 2022 P&O Ferries’ chief executive has admitted the ferry operator broke the law by failing to consult employees and unions before sacking 800 people. Peter Hebblethwaite told MPs there was “absolutely no doubt” P&O broke UK employment laws, as he admitted the ferry firm “chose not to consult” employees and unions. “We chose not to consult [...]
Lawyers counter P&O’s claims that it cannot be prosecuted March 24, 2022 Legal experts are disputing P&O’s claims that it is not subject to English law after company boss Peter Hebblethwaite said British courts have no power to prosecute the firm. The ferry operator claimed it had not broken UK laws, because its vessels are registered in Cyprus and Bermuda. The claims come after Prime Minister Boris [...]
P&O Ferries boss apologises ahead of hearing tomorrow amid PM claims company broke law March 23, 2022 P&O’s chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite apologised today to his staff ahead of tomorrow’s joint parliamentary hearing as Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed the ferry operator has broken the law. Hebblethwaite said sacking almost 800 seafarers was an “incredibly difficult decision” but necessary to save the company. “I want to say sorry to the people affected [...]