An email sent to staff at a private security firm shows how P&O Ferries anticipated trouble following its decision to immediately make 800 UK seafarers redundant on its ships.
The message, seen by the Daily Telegraph, reveals the move was prepared at least a number of days in advance, but no notice was given to staff.
The unnamed security firm was asked to send 16 handcuff-trained officers to the Port of Dover in England in case of a “backlash” among crews.
Union members on P&O Ferries have reportedly refused to leave their ships after the ferries were ordered into port on Thursday so that cheaper agency workers could be sent on board instead.
The email, whose sender is not specified in the Telegraph report, states the security officers will be paid £14.50 ($19) per hour for their work.
“You have been selected to deploy on a task in Dover that will be fairly high profile. This task will run for one week,” the email reads. “As of the 17th you will be dispatched by coach to Dover docks to assist the client in their delivery.”
The officers are told information is limited about the nature of the work because of a non-disclosure agreement.
But the personnel were needed to supplement P&O Ferries’ own security teams in the “unlikely” event some of the crew members become “challenging”.
“Essentially, our client will be informing staff of redundancies and there is a possible risk of backlash,” the email continued.
Staff are told to bring their uniforms, including cuffs and a utility belt. But body armour would not be needed, they were advised.
'Shameful act'
The message also reveals the security officers were told to travel to a hotel in the area by Tuesday, for training on Wednesday.
RMT union general secretary Mick Lynch said he was receiving reports that the security teams were seeking to board ships at Dover.
“We are seeking urgent legal action and are again calling for the government to take action to stop what is fast turning into one of the most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations,” he added.
“If this happens at P&O it can happen anywhere and we are calling for mass trade union and wider public mobilisation and protest against the company.”
