Press Statement from elected Kent Greens
Kent Greens are appalled by the callous behaviour of P&O Ferries across the UK, and specifically in Dover where most of the 800 national dismissals are; loyal workers dismissed without notice.
Many workers have been with the company for up to 40 years and to be made redundant by video message is cold-hearted and reflects the company’s complete lack of respect for workers rights and lack of empathy for its employees.
We are staggered that no negotiation has taken place with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers as is compulsory for redundancies and that a replacement workforce has already been installed as an alternative to the existing skilled and vastly experienced workforce.
The government needs to intervene immediately to resolve this issue and reinstate workers who have served the country and company through the pandemic and who have been supported throughout the period by the furlough scheme.
The impact of these dismissals will be felt across the East Kent community and will be hugely damaging for our local economy and local living standards.
Signed
- Co-Leaders Kent Greens: Stuart Jeffery & Mandy Rossi
- Green KCC cllrs: Mark Hood, Rich Lehmann, Paul Stepto, Steve Campkin
- All town and parish councillors of Dover & Deal Green Party (4 Deal TC, 3 Walmer TC, 1 Dover TC and 2 Ringwouldw/Kingsdown PC)
- Spokespeople on P&O issue: cllr Beccy Sawbridge (Dover TC) Sarah Gleave
- Tonbridge & Malling BC: Mark Hood, April Clark, Anna Cope, Nick Stapleton
- Ashford BC: Dawnie Nilsson Geoff Meaden, Liz Wright & Steve Campkin
- Folkestone & Hythe DC; Leader Green group Lesley Whybrow, Georgina Treloar,Rebecca Shoob, Doug Wade & 2 others.
- Thanet DC: Mike Garner, Becky Wing, Tricia Austin & Abi Smith ,
- Dartford BC; Laura Edie (Also Greens on Canterbury CC, and Swale BC )