Only seafarer to turn down P&O payoff following mass sackings wins claim for unfair dismissal

Only seafarer to turn down P&O payoff following mass sackings wins claim for unfair dismissal
Paul Kelso, 1 October 2022 https://news.sky.com/story/only-seafarer-to-turn-down-p-o-payoff-followi...

The only seafarer to turn down a payoff when P&O Ferries sacked more than 800 workers without notice has won a claim for unfair dismissal against the shipping giant.

John Lansdown, 40, a sous chef on cross-Channel routes who had worked for the company for 15 years, received an out-of-court settlement after the company accepted it had acted unfairly in firing him.

In the settlement the company admitted no consultation took place prior to Mr Lansdown's dismissal process, and that he was unfairly dismissed from his employment.

Mr Lansdown also received an undisclosed financial settlement which he has passed to seafarers' charity the Sailors' Children Society, which supports families across the UK.

P&O's admission ends a six-month legal battle begun by Mr Lansdown after he became the only one of hundreds of sacked seafarers not to accept a pay-off for sackings that blatantly ignored employment law.

P&O's actions caused widespread outrage, with political leaders on all sides and the Archbishop of Canterbury condemning the company's actions, which saw staff marched off ships, some without their belongings.

The company, owned by Dubai-based shipping giant DP World, replaced the largely British workforce with cheaper agency employees, many of them from overseas, paid less than the minimum wage thanks to a loophole in employment law.

"I feel delighted that P&O Ferries have been held to account for my unfair dismissal from a job and a way of life that I loved, along with 800 other seafarers," Mr Lansdown said.

"This puts unscrupulous employers on notice that there are those willing to fight back when our terms and conditions of employment are attacked. Enough is enough."

Deanne Thomas, chief executive of the Sailors Children's Society, said: "On behalf of Sailors Children's Society I would like to thank John Lansdown for this substantial donation which we have today received into the society bank account.

"These funds will be used to support disadvantaged children of seafarers living in poverty throughout the United Kingdom. As the costs of living increase, this assistance will provide food and heating for those children in difficult times."

P&O admitted that it had failed to properly follow employment law and said it had offered enhanced payoffs to workers to reflect their actions.

All but Mr Lansdown accepted, but the mass-sacking brought huge reputational damage as well as a long interruption to services.

It took weeks to retrain and receive clearance for the new crews after several of the cross-Channel fleet failed safety checks.

The chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite was widely condemned for the action but received support from the Dubai parent company.

The repercussions continue for the company. This week the US Congress Transport and Infrastructure Committee wrote to organisers of the Interferry Conference being staged in Seattle, asking for Mr Hebblethwaite to be uninvited from the event.

"His participation puts a stain on the reputation of the Interferry Conference," wrote chairman Peter DeFazio.

Mr Lansdown added: "I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support and encouragement that I've received from former colleagues and the British public.

"I would like to wholeheartedly thank those that have donated to my crowd fund, and those that have sent me the most heartwarming messages of support and encouragement.

"I'd also like to thank my family and close friends, my legal team; solicitors Marie Walsh and Victoria Horner from Consilia Legal and barrister Bruce Frew from St Philips Chambers for their immense professionalism and patience, and finally Karl Turner MP of the Labour Party who has been an absolute pillar of strength."

P&O declined to comment.