P&O Ferries has been criticised for its lack of consultation with workers after announcing its bid to create a flatter management structure.

Workers were notified of the situation on September 30, which sparked a 45 day consultation period.

Redundancies will not be made, but there are likely to be cuts, slashing many employees’ wages.

In a letter leaked to the Mercury, a staff member claimed that trade unions have asked for “various” documents which includes a five year plan, port costs, and a report to a company called Towers Watson (TW) which helps with performance, financial and risk performances in human resources.

It said: “Eighteen days into this, the best the company has come up with is a brief presentation by TW.

“Needless to say, the 45 day consultation period is ‘blown out of the water’- more anxious and uncertain times staff are faced with.”

With regards to being consulted, a copy of the presentation shown to workers said that one-to-one meetings will be held with all employees and that they will have as many staff briefing sessions as necessary.

The employee’s letter continued: “This is going to affect many families and many couples who work within the port.

Cuts are being made because P&O’s fuel will increase to more than £30 million per year from January 1, 2015 as low sulphur emission regulations come into place.

The company also made a £10 million loss last year.

A staff consultation document clarified: “We are committed to protecting the jobs of Dover port staff. However, in order to do this we need to reduce our high cost base.

“This is not wholly due to base salaries but due to the way the annual pay hours are calculated to include shift work, unsocial hours and bank holiday working.”

Spokesman, Brian Rees said: “Speculating what’s behind an anonymous comment like this in such a challenging situation isn’t helpful when negotiations are developing all the time.”

The consultation period will end on November 17.