Skip to main content
It’s the hobbling of trade union power that’s permitted P&O’s actions 
After 42 years of anti-union legislation, we urgently need a restoration of the freedom of unions to defend their members, argues LORD JOHN HENDY QC
an open water swimmer swimming alongside the P&O Spirit of France ferry as it leaves the Port of Dover in Kent

THE piece in the Star on Saturday by my colleague Professor Keith Ewing outlined some of the shortcomings of the law and its failures to protect the 800 P&O staff dismissed in favour of cheaper crew. 

It appears that an offer said to exceed the value of statutory claims has been made to the workforce with a limited time to accept.

If the deals are accepted, we may never know what arguments P&O might have raised to defend claims of discrimination on grounds of nationality if it is true that P&O has selected for dismissal only those seafarers who are resident in the UK on UK contracts with the company, the overwhelming majority of whom are likely to be UK nationals. 

Morning Star call for advertising
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
New Deal 27.03.25
Features / 27 March 2025
27 March 2025
Falling short of what was promised: many of the new rights in the Employment Rights Bill have defects or escape loopholes that all need addressing, writes LORD JOHN HENDY KC
8orgreave
Features / 19 March 2024
19 March 2024
The Star publishes the Karl Marx Graveside Oration delivered by Lord JOHN HENDY KC at Highgate Cemetery on Sunday, on behalf of the Marx Memorial Library
Police officers march through a mining town
Miners' Strike 40th Anniversary / 6 March 2024
6 March 2024
LORD JOHN HENDY KC explains how the events of ’84-5 were an ideological assault unleashed on the working class in revenge for gains of the ’70s
picket
Features / 19 August 2022
19 August 2022
The government’s response to the cost-of-living crisis is nothing short of class war. Workers can’t be expected to take these attacks lying down, says LORD JOHN HENDY QC