Hundreds of people have demonstrated against P&O Ferries’ sacking of 800 staff at ports across the UK, with some chanting: “P&O, shame on you.”
Protesters carrying banners and placards gathered in Dover, Liverpool, and Hull as part of what they called the “fight for justice” for the seafarers dismissed without notice earlier this month.
The demonstrations took place as the European Causeway, a ship operated by the company, remained detained in Larne, County Antrim, for being “unfit to sail”.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) promised more protests.
General secretary Mick Lynch said: “All the protests today were well attended with hundreds turning out in Liverpool, Hull, and Dover to support the P&O workers in their fight for justice.”
He said the demonstrations “show that the public is on our side regarding the P&O sackings”.
Ministers, he added, “need to bring in emergency legislation and prevent P&O from sailing with under trained, super exploited, agency crews”.
Read more: P&O boss admits firm broke employment law
Two more P&O ships face checks next week, Sky News understands.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the European Causeway “has been detained due to failures on crew familiarisation, vessel documentation and crew training.
“The vessel will remain under detention until all these issues are resolved by P&O Ferries. Only then will it be reinspected.”
In Liverpool, demonstrators gathered outside the port in Seaforth
Trade unionists rallied outside the P&O terminal at Dublin Port
The MCA said there were no passengers or freight on board the European Causeway vessel when it was detained.
The detention of ships is based on…
Source : skynews
