Government P&O plan “has gaping holes”

• Proposals won’t stop another P&O style scandal, warns TUC

Responding to the government’s plan on P&O announced by the transport minister Grant Shapps today (Wednesday), TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“This plan has gaping holes. It won’t deliver a fair outcome for the 800 sacked workers, and it won’t stop another P&O-style scandal.

“Closing the legal loophole which lets companies pay less than the minimum wage is a start, but we need much more from the government.

“Ministers must do everything they can to ensure P&O reinstate staff on their previous pay – a union-negotiated rate that is significantly higher than the national minimum wage.

“That means severing all ties with DP World, including lucrative freeport contracts.

“And if ministers really want to stop companies firing at will, they must go further than a feeble statutory code and finally deliver the long-promised employment bill to boost worker protections.

“Without stronger employment legislation, bad bosses will continue to trample over workers’ rights.”