THE SACKING of 800 P&O Ferries staff has “struck fear” into North Wales ferry workers, Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie has warned.

On Thursday, P&O Ferries announced the sacking of 800 staff with immediate effect, who were to be replaced by agency workers in order for the company to remain a “viable business”, an act condemned by the UK Government.

Virginia Crosbie MP told the House of Commons of the uncertainty this has left among other ferry workers, including those in her constituency who have close ties to those that had worked for P&O.

Mrs Crosbie said: “I say all this to outline the fact that the bonds between my constituents and the employees of P&O are incredibly strong, and also that P&O’s recent actions have struck fear into our local ferry workers.

“I have spent time on the phone with constituents who work for Stena, including David Gwatkin, a steward on board the Stena Adventurer and a union representative.

“They were all seeking reassurance that such things could not happen to them and their colleagues, but more importantly they wanted to share their deep anger at people losing their jobs in such an unfair and devastating way.

“I know that that concern is felt in other ports and industries right across the UK.

“I also spoke to Ian Hampton, the executive director of Stena Line, who was also in shock.

“He spoke about the importance of Stena’s company values and good industrial relations, highlighting how it is a partnership working together to provide the best affordable terms and conditions for their people on their vessels.”

With the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) claiming that the replacement agency workers are being paid just £1.81 an hour, a fraction of the national living wage, the company have come under more fire.

Mrs Crosbie added: “P&O and DP World [who own P&O] may claim commercial reasons for taking this action, but it is enshrined in UK law that no operating business should be able summarily to dismiss hundreds of employees at a stroke without notice or consultation.

“I want to reassure P&O’s staff and others working in the sector, including my own constituents, that the UK Government is taking this matter very seriously.

“As the Secretary of State made clear at the start of this debate, there is absolutely no excuse for the way in which these workers lost their jobs.”