News / P&O Ferries lays off 1,100 staff as its passenger ferries go freight-only

30/03/2020

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 ...

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Jimnastics
March 31, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Just 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.

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- John Wick
  April 01, 2020 at 10:41 am
  Yea, 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!
  
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Jim
April 01, 2020 at 4:50 pm
In 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!

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Wendy Clegg
April 30, 2020 at 10:27 am
Even 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.

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