P&O Ferries have today announced that it intends to make 800 staff redundant including staff who work on the Larne-Cairnryan Route, with immediate effect as part of a programme of work to become a more competitive and efficient operator, providing a better service.
A spokes person for P&O said “While we enact these changes, there will be significant disruption across some P&O Ferries services over the next few days, however we are working to minimise the impact on your journey.”
Emma Harper, MSP for South of Scotland, said;
“I am hugely concerned about today’s announcement by P&O that it intends to make 800 staff redundant with immediate effect, with possible further redundancies and restructuring measures to be announced over the course of the coming hours and days. I am concerned specifically about the operations of P&O at the Port of Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway.
“Currently, no detail has been announced specifically about the port – I have contacted P&O to seek an update and my staff are trying to obtain a response from the company – I am keen to obtain a reply but have not at time of comment going out.
“I know that the Scottish Government are aware of the situation and are working with the UK Government’s Transport Department to establish P&O’s plans and I have requested that the Scottish Government’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) team be immediately available for all those who have been made redundant.
“More generally, P&O – as a multimillion pound corporation – have a duty to their staff and I have serious concerns over how they are managing this situation. Additionally, I am aware that P&O are asking people not to attend the Port of Cairnryan for scheduled crossings. I will continue to press for further information and I encourage any affected constituent to contact me for advice and support at any time.”
Impact on routes as follows:
Dover-Calais Route
Freight Customers check-in with P&O as normal. Freight will be shipped via DFDS on the next available space charter sailing
Larne-Cairnryan Route
All sailings suspended, further updates on resumption of service when available
Dublin-Liverpool Route
Restricted service in operation, please contact the Dublin FBO for bookings
Hull-Europoort Route
All sailings suspended, further updates on resumption of service when available
Tilbury-Zeebrugge Route
All sailings operating to schedule
Hull-Zeebrugge LOLO Route
All sailings operating to schedule
Teesport-Europoort Route
All sailings operating to schedule
Teesport-Zeebrugge Route
All sailings operating to schedule
