By First P&O ferry crosses Channel since sackings
The first P&O ferry has crossed the English Channel since the controversial sacking of 800 workers by the company last month.
The Spirit of Britain departed Dover for Calais at 23:00 BST Tuesday, reportedly carrying freight and no tourists.
After reports yesterday of a P&O vessel spending hours drifting in the Irish Sea, P&O said the incident was caused by a “temporary mechanical issue.”
The Spirit of Britain had been held in port by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency since 12th April, it was cleared to sail on Friday after being inspected.
It is the only vessel that is back in service on the specific route, allegedly three others are still waiting to pass inspections.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps pledged to change the law to ensure ferry operators pay staff the minimum wage.
P&O Ferries has been forced to reverse an attempt to pay its new agency workers less money than they are already on.
The RMT Union said they received reports of agency workers being asked to sign contracts replacing their old ones with reduced payments.
P&O Ferries were then reported to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which ensured the new workers retained their original wages.
P&O Ferries sacked almost 800 employees last month and brought in cheaper agency workers in an attempt to save the business.
Staff was alerted to the news via video message on the day of their sacking, prompting national outrage.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) said the firm was now trying to bring in an “exploitative model” with the “lowest possible standards they can get away with”.
According to the BBC, RMT said that a seafarer on the Spirit of Britain ferry at Dover had initially contacted the union for help in a dispute over pay.
