Statement on P&O Ferries

As UNISON NEC members, we send our full solidarity to all the P&O seafarers outrageously sacked and locked out of work by P&O Ferries.

This is rampant profiteering, entirely about trying to make more money by throwing away loyal employees and bringing in temporary staff on lower pay, terms and conditions. It goes beyond ‘fire and rehire’ to just ‘fire’, with memories of the Wapping dispute from the 80s.

We applaud the fantastic response of P&O workers to the attack and support them in any of their campaigning: demonstrations, occupations, blockades. As Unison NEC members, we are with you.

No to job losses. Nationalise the ferry companies.

It is also crucial to say ‘Foreign’ workers are not the enemy. They are all welcome. Pay everyone the same rate to build unity, not divisions.

Alison Dingle
Amerit Rait
Andrea Egan
Ant Solera
Becky Brookman
Caroline Johnson
Claire Dixon
Dan Sartin
Greta Holmes
Helen Davies
Jane Doolan
Jane Wilcox
Julia Mwaluke
Karen Reissmann
Kevin Jackson
Libby Nolan
Lilly Boulby
Liz Wheatley
Mandy Buckley
Nathalie Birkett
Paul Holmes
Rob Turner
Saoirse Fanning
Sandy Nicoll
Sarah Littlewood
Steve North
Theresa Rollinson
Tony Wilson
Tony Wright