Union officials warn that P&O Ferries could jeopardize safety after firing 800 crew members and replacing them with workers who are paid less than the minimum wage. One of the company’s ships was detained at Larne in Northern Ireland because it was “unsuitable to sail” due to training concerns. One of the companies hiring for P&O Ferries, CSM Baltics – part of Columbia Shipmanagement, one of the largest ship managers in the world – posted an ad on Facebook saying: “We are looking for a large number of flight attendants to work 12 hours a day on board our ships and have a 12 hour rest in hotels in France. “Sailors’ documents are not needed, only previous experience in hosting institutions.” The ad goes on to say that race judges will work an eight-week pattern and an eight-week leave. P&O Ferries says the agency is also hiring for other shipping companies and that it is not uncommon to hire crew members without previous shipping experience. The company said all crew members will receive full training prior to departure. A P&O Ferries spokesman said: “Passenger and crew safety is our top priority. “The Shipping and Coast Guard Service is currently carrying out inspections by the port state, which include checking all crew certifications.” The Shipping and Coast Guard (MCA) arrested the P&O European Causeway ferry in Larne on Friday for “failures in crew familiarization, boat documentation and crew training”. Transport secretary Grand Saps says he will close a loophole that allows ferry operators to pay less than the minimum wage. Photo: Leon Neal / Getty Images P&O Ferries fired 800 employees without warning on March 17 and admitted to violating labor laws by failing to consult with unions. Peter Hebblethwaite, chief executive of P&O Ferries, told lawmakers last week that the average salary for new crew members would be 50 5.50 an hour. P&O says the pay rates are in line with international shipping standards. Hebblethwaite admitted to MPs that he had not personally seen the risk assessment for the replacement of experienced crews with agency workers before the layoffs. Darren Procter, national secretary of the RMT union, said he was “terrified” of P&O Ferries replacing entire crews. He said the agency’s advertisement for crew between inexperienced channels had caused serious concern. He said: “They cut the corners. It is not only the training, but having teams that have worked together and are experienced “. Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said it was unacceptable for regular ferry operators in the UK to pay less than the minimum wage. A new package will be put before parliament to close a loophole that allows it. There were protests in Liverpool, Dover and Hull on Saturday against the dismissals of P&O Ferries. The Labor Party sent a letter to the government asking if it would seek the removal of Hebblethwaite from the post of director under the Company’s 1986 exclusion of directors. P&O Ferries between Dover and Calais and between Larne and Cairnryan in Scotland remain suspended. Routes between Hull and Rotterdam are reduced, but ferries between Dublin and Liverpool are back in operation. A P&O Ferries spokesman said any suggestion that safety was compromised in any way was “categorically false”. A spokesman said all crew members were trained in accordance with the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Imprisonment for Seafarers.
