Unions fear P&O Ferries aims to sack all crew amid wait for ‘major announcement’ 

Written by sidhanta

Unions fear that the leading UK ferry operator P&O Ferries is set to sack its entire crew and replace them with cheap agency staff after stopping all its sailings today. 

The operator, owned by Dubai-based DP World, earlier told crew to return to port and await a “major announcement”. 

The sudden move, which is set to cause serious disruption to travel for passengers and freight, has alarmed union leaders and MPs who believe jobs will be axed. 

A potential stand-off could develop, with sources reporting coaches of replacement crew and security staff already in place at Dover and Hull,  

It continued: “To facilitate this announcement all our vessels have been asked to discharge their passengers and cargo and standby for further instructions. 

Turner said the suspension of sailings was “troubling for crews and their families”. 

P&O is the leading ferry operator on the Dover-Calais crossing, the main sea link from Britain and Europe, and also sails from Hull to Rotterdam, 

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