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UK transport unions have called on the government to offer financial support for the sector after P&O Ferries temporarily laid off around 1,100 workers last week.
The company said it was closing passenger services between the UK, Ireland and continental Europe and converting them to freight-only.
The staff would be “furloughed” into the government’s pay scheme whereby they will continue to receive 80% of their salary.
However, their union, the GMB, warned that ferry operators faced the prospect of bankruptcy without further state support.
“P&O carries 15% cent of the goods that arrive into the UK every year, and when they start advising us that they have a problem, we all have a problem. We need to sit up and listen,” said regional organiser Frank Macklin.
The GMB added that the some 33% of P&O Ferries volumes were perishables, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and called on the UK government to open talks with labour representatives and ferry management “to secure the industry’s future”.
Janette Bell, P&O Ferries chief executive, said last week: “In the average week we transport 25,000 loads of freight between France and Britain. The Calais-Dover crossing is critical to the economy of the UK, Ireland and the European Union.
“I want to thank every single member of the P&O Ferries team, especially our colleagues in Calais who are keeping the flow of goods moving through this crisis. The wellbeing of millions of people depends on them.
“I urge all governments to back the commitment of our colleagues by designating port staff as key workers to secure further the flow of goods,” she said.
Mr Macklin added: “GMB is demanding the government get around the table unions and ferry operators to ensure no one is left behind in the effort to keep this industry running while we are in the deep crisis in which we find ourselves.
“They [ferry companies] must be allowed to get on with the job of getting goods to the right place at the right time, instead of having to worry if they will be able to pay their staff’s wages or be in a position to carry on trading. Ministers seem to be lacking when it comes to keeping essential logistics moving.
“It is time this government is held to account for its actions or, in this case, its lack of action,” he said.
Comment on this article
Jimnastics
March 31, 2020 at 4:42 pmJust a swift dose of realism. If there’s no passengers, passenger services are not needed. The staff are better off at home on 80% pay, rather than being exposed to potential infection on a daily basis. Well done P&O.
John Wick
April 01, 2020 at 10:41 amYea, but passengers have been asking now for weeks for refunds, with P&O stating their “terms and conditions” and that they are “still running” despite the Government advising not to travel and asking companies to act responsibly.
This is despite not being allowed to travel unless essential and being told that we would be REFUSED BOARDING if we arrived.
I am sorry, but the way P&O have handled this is absolutely shocking. They should have terminated the passenger service at least 2 weeks ago offering refunds, not offering credits which can’t be used as the price of later sailings is so extortionate or may not meet the requirements of the original sailing!
This absolutely stinks of profiteering!
Jim
April 01, 2020 at 4:50 pmIn Calais, about 30 % of the staff are on sick leave because they are scared of the virus.
They are at home, getting 100% of their salary!
That’s France!
Wendy Clegg
April 30, 2020 at 10:27 amEven though P&O is not carrying passengers, we are not entitled to a refund! Only a credit note for future travel. We were travelling for a specific event, which has been cancelled (and refund given). Diabolical treatment of customers.