P&O dismissal controversy
MASS DISMISSAL OF SHIPPING STAFF IN 2022
P&O sacking of 800 staff; P&O sacking controversy
On 17 March 2022, shipping company P&O Ferries dismissed 800 members of its shipping staff, primarily from the Port of Dover, but also from Kingston upon Hull, Liverpool and Cairnryan. The decision was met with much criticism from both sides of the political divide, particularly as a result of the speed and immediacy of the crews' termination notices, which in some cases consisted of a video call or text message, terminating their employment "with immediate effect".