Monday March 21st 2022
I am very concerned at the actions of P&O Ferries over the last week. Most of all, at the treatment of its staff who deserved a proper consultation from their employer before any mass redundancies were made without any warning – the actions of P&O in this situation is totally immoral and we must take a stance against companies who treat their staff in such a way.
In Scotland, we rely on the P&O ferry service to connect us with Northern Ireland and Ireland and thus, we know how critical these routes are for local communities, jobs at our ports and businesses nearby which have all now been put at risk. All of these are now made more vulnerable by this shocking decision.
We must realise in 2022 that this is not a modern work practice to treat employees this way and with so little regard to their livelihoods. I am glad that the Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth will review the Scottish Government‘s relationship with P&O going forward and any contracts that receive Scottish Government support will also be re-examined.
This appears to be a deeply cynical decision by P&O’s owners who have been allowed to use such immoral tactics because the UK Tory Government has blocked laws that would properly protect the rights of hardworking staff.
I am pleased that the Scottish Government is prepared to stand by and support any staff that have been impacted by the actions of P&O Ferries and it is important our UK counterparts also do so. We must show solidarity for these employees who at this time need reassurance to know all is being done to support them.
It is time to put an end to poor working practices and conditions. Employers should commit to Fair Work Principles. We must condemn actions such as this and “fire and rehire” practice. These actions we have witnessed are shameful.
It is time for the UK Government to implement the necessary legislation to avoid such practice. We must further ensure companies that operate within the UK know these practices are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
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