Protesters holding banners and placards gathered in Dover, Liverpool and Hull as part of what they called a “fight for justice” for sailors who were fired without warning earlier this month. The protests took place as the European Causeway, a ship operated by the company, was detained in Larne, Antrim County, for being “unfit to sail”. Image: One of the demonstrations took place in the port of Dover in Kent The National Union of Railway, Shipping and Transport Workers (RMT) has promised more protests. Secretary-General Mick Leeds said: “All the demonstrations today have been good with hundreds of people in Liverpool, Hull and Dover to support P&O workers in their fight for justice.” He said the protests “show that the public is on our side on P&O redundancies”. The ministers, he added, “must enact emergency legislation and prevent P&O from traveling with crews of untrained, over-exploited agencies.” Read more: P&O boss admits company breach of labor law Two more P&O vessels face inspections next week, according to Sky News. A spokesman for the Shipping and Coast Guard (MCA) said the European Causeway “has been taken into custody due to failures in crew familiarization, vessel documentation and crew training.” “The boat will remain in custody until all these issues are resolved by P&O Ferries. Only then will it be re-inspected.” Image: In Liverpool, protesters gathered outside the port in Seaforth Image: Trade unionists gathered outside the P&O terminal in the port of Dublin The MCA said there were no passengers or cargo on board the European Causeway when it was arrested. The detention of the ships is based on concerns for their safety and the prevention of sailing. Image: The European Causeway was held by the authorities in the port of Larna A P&O Ferries spokesman said: “The European Causeway was inspected by the MCA in Larne, where it was judged to be inadequately ready for start-up. “We will review the findings, make any necessary changes and continue to work closely with the MCA to return the ship to service.” NEW 🚨🇳🇱: P&O dockers in Rotterdam refused to load cargo on a ferry to Hull, in solidarity with the 800 sailors who were illegally fired by P & O.pic.twitter.com/fqmMo0fUvj – Trade Union Congress (@The_TUC) March 26, 2022 The Congress of Trade Unions (TUC) posted a video on Twitter saying it showed P&O dockers in Rotterdam refusing to load cargo on a ferry to Hull “in solidarity with the 800 sailors who were illegally fired by P&O”. Trade unionists gathered in Dublin Harbor outside the P&O terminal to send support from the Irish Sea to P&O staff. Labor, meanwhile, sent a letter to Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng asking if the government would seek the removal of P&O Ferries CEO Peter Hebblethwaite from the post under the director’s 1986 exclusion law.
