P&O zero-notice lay-offs are reprehensible and unlawful – ministers must intervene to stop them

Commenting on the ferry operator P&O sacking its entire UK workforce without notice today (Thursday), TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“No one should be laid off with zero notice and no consultation, let alone a whole workforce. P&O’s secret plan to sack their workers is reprehensible and unlawful.

“When an employer lays off more than 100 staff at once they must consult workers and unions in advance. And they are required to notify the Secretary of State in writing in advance too. The government must urgently explain what they knew and when.

“If P&O breached the law they must suffer severe consequences  – with ministers increasing the legal penalties if necessary. If one employer gets away with this, every worker is at risk.”