P&O forced to reverse attempt at pay cut

P&O was forced to reverse an attempt to pay cheaper seafarers less money.

The agency workers were asked to sign new contracts with reduced payment, which was reported by the RMT Union.

The new workers retained their original wages after the union reported P&O.

The ferry company hasn't responded yet.

P&O brought in cheaper agency workers on some of its boats in order to ensure the future of the business.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers said the firm was trying to bring in an exploitative model with the lowest possible standards.

The union said that a seafarer on the Spirit of Britain ferry had contacted them begging for help in a dispute over pay.

The worker wrote in an email that they don't care about their rights. They try to give us less money. We are desperate.

The Spirit of Britain was given the go-ahead to resume sailing on Friday. It had been held at the port due to a number of deficiencies.

The ferry can only carry freight for now, but it is the first time it has been used to recommence operations. The ferry has been on trials in the English Channel this weekend, making at least one trip to Calais, but it is not clear when commercial operations will resume.

The seafarer told the union that they were being forced to work without contracts after old ones expired. The worker claimed that documents had been lost.

This is my sixth day working without a contract and I need your help!

After being refused access before, the RMT went aboard the Spirit of Britain to speak with the seafarers.

P&O initially didn't want to let them on, instead offering the use of a meeting in a room in the port. The ISPS Code is a comprehensive set of measures designed to strengthen the security of ships and port facilities.

Once on board, the union's representatives were chaperoned to a new lounge on the ferry for pets, where the inspectors were able to speak directly to newly employed workers.

A number of workers from around the world joined the crew of the ferry and shared their complaints with the RMT.

P&O brought people in on a month contract, some on two-month contracts, and told them that they have to accept lower pay rates if they want to stay on.

Others are coming in on four-month contracts. He said that P&O was creating a lowest possible denominator in ferry standards.

Seafarer contracts were amended with their original wages reinstated after the union complained to theMCA.

Prior to re-inspecting the Spirit of Britain yesterday, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency received a complaint that a seafarer had been asked to sign a contract with reduced wages.

As a result of the re-inspection, the affected seafarers were issued with amended contracts, which reverted to their original wages.

P&O was desperate to keep these new crew on board because they had been on board for four weeks and were getting to know the vessels. They need to know how to sail again.

Concerns about the training of new seafarers and other things led to a number of its boats being held at ports.

The decision to sack 800 workers without notice broke the law, according to P&O Ferries boss Peter Hebblethwaite.

He said that under UK employment law the firm was required to consult unions before making mass cuts.

He said no union would have accepted the plan and it was easier to compensate workers in full.

The P&O boss said he would make the same decision again.

The transport secretary wants British ports to refuse access to ferry companies who don't pay a fair wage.

Grant Shapps said the government will consult on the changes needed to make it a legal requirement, but urged ports to take action as soon as practical.

British ports have described the new pay plans for the ferry industry as unworkable.

The ports industry is sympathetic to the situation of the impacted seafarers, however we would suggest that ports are not the competent authorities to enforce rules on employee salaries or working conditions in the shipping industry.