P&O Ferries should have consulted sacked staff but chose not to, boss admits
P&O Ferries chose to sack 800 workers without consultation because “no union could accept our proposals”, the firm’s boss has admitted.
Peter Hebblethwaite told a Commons hearing on Thursday into last week’s firings that the firm was halving its costs under a “new operating model”, where international seafarers would be paid less than minimum wage.
The P&O chief executive said: “There is absolutely no doubt we were required to consult with the unions. We chose not to … and we will compensate every one in full for that.
“It was our assessment that the change was of such magnitude that no union could accept our proposals.”
Earlier, legal experts said P&O should have notified their ships’ flag states in Cyprus, Bermuda and the Bahamas between 30 and 45 days in advance – rather than on the day.
Hebblethwaite said the average sacked seafarer on the previous Jersey contracts was paid £36,000 per year. The replacement crew will receive an hourly rate starting at £5.15.
He insisted he was “saving the business”, adding: “I would make this decision again, I’m afraid.”
More details to follow…
Read more on theguardian.com
