P&O Crisis

On the day of demonstrations around the country RMT has called for the implementation of a four-point plan to protect jobs, services and basic employment standards as it's revealed the government knew of the plan to sack workers and disrupt services the day before but failed to act.

The plan includes,

• The government to demand P&O reverse its decision and hold negotiations with the unions so that jobs and services can be reinstated - If this does not happen the government should use powers to take over the P&O vessels.

*. Remove any government support for P&O owners DP World, including future contracts, including Freeports, and directly support the retention of P&O jobs instead.

• A widespread public and commercial boycott of P&O – “we won’t go with P&O” until the jobs are reinstated.

• New Legislation to ensure this can never happen to other UK workers and new laws to protect the long-term future of workers in the UK maritime industry

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said

“We have been overwhelmed by the widespread public and political support for our campaign to protect our members jobs and these vital services.

“We welcome the fact that the government’s own MPs are calling for radical action and yesterday’s events should also mark a sea change in how we treat workers in this country.

“The fact that the government knew the day before that a foreign owned company planned to cause major disruption to UK ports but did nothing to prevent it is shocking.

“But there is still time reverse this shameful decision and today we are presenting a plan of action which needs to be acted upon immediately and if necessary, the government should introduce enabling legislation to make it happen.”

“We also be taking our demands to the Tory Party conference in Blackpool tomorrow.”