More redundancies are to be made at P&O Ferries - this time affecting shore workers.

The Dover to Calais cross channel operator today announced to its workforce that 40 jobs are at threat, affecting back office staff and port based roles.

These are separate to the sea-going positions that are under threat as reported earlier today, which the ferries union the RMT is fighting.

Today acting CEO David Stretch, said: "I said in my last call that we were looking at every part of our business and changes are being made at every level across ship and shore.

"Today I need to tell you: In the UK we are proposing to make around 40 roles redundant which include back office roles and Dover Port. We will begin consultation with the GMB on this proposal next week.

"In addition, P&O Logistics continues to review all parts of their business and they are in the process of carrying out individual consultations across Europe."

P&O Ferries made 1,100 jobs redundant across its operation in June - 670 of them were from Dover ships.

It came as the firm reduced its Dover to Calais operation from a six ship to three ship model through lockdown, increasing to the four ships currently running.

Vessels the Pride of Burgundy and the European Seaway are out of use, destined to be sold or recycled.

A P&O Spokesman said: "Due to the extended impact of Covid19 on our passenger and freight businesses, we are today announcing a further round of redundancy consultations with a focus on back-office roles and Dover Port employees in addition to the ongoing individual consultations being carried out by P&O Logistics across Europe.

This further action reflects the unprecedented economic realities of the pandemic lasting longer and hitting harder than we had hoped, and the need to consider all parts of our business to ensure we are a more agile business that is better able to provide our customers with the solutions and services which they value and demand.”

General trade union, the GMB, which represents the shore workers, has been asked to comment.

MP for Dover Natalie Elphicke said: “The Port and the ferry industry have been hit hard by this global pandemic. They are a vital part of our community. That’s why I will keep fighting for support for our jobs locally, as well a stronger economic future for our area as we move forward through these uncertain times.”

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