The boss of P&O Ferries has admitted breaking the law by sacking 800 seafaring crew last week without giving them any notice or holding a consultation period.
The ferry company’s chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite told MPs from the UK’s House of Commons on Thursday (24 March) that P&O management had decided not to consult unions before the mass firing because they knew “no union would accept our proposal”, even though a consultation process was legally required.
Hebblethwaite admitted that P&O had broken UK employment law but he added that he would do the same thing again because it was the only way to save the loss-making company. Although he did issue a “late apology” to affected P&O workers.
The mass sackings by P&O has provoked a storm of protest from politicians and unions over the past week.
P&O Ferries, which operates routes from the UK to continental Europe and Ireland, is planning to restart services using cheaper agency staff.
Some of the company’s services have already resumed sailing, although the Dover-Calais route remains cancelled, with passengers being directed to the check-in booths of rival ferry operator DFDS.