More than 900 staff members will be let go if they don’t accept revised terms and conditions, the Nautilus union said.
Carnival UK, which owns P&O Cruises and Cunard, hasn’t disputed an employment revision plan but says it is ‘categorically not making any redundancies.’
The union says the cruise company informed authorities of the ‘fire and rehire’ policy one day after starting talks with the union.
This proves Carnival UK has ‘no real intention’ of negotiating, Nautilus says.
The change to terms and conditions would affect 919 crew members working on 10 ships for P&O Cruises and Cunard.
“We are not making any redundancies and we will not dismiss and re-engage staff. In fact, we have significantly increased our headcount,” the company said.
“This is an annual pay review process with our maritime officers onboard our ships which will ensure alignment.”
The union says Carnival UK ‘wants to enforce a cut in their working days.’
This would effectively lead to reduced wages, the union said.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said it mirrors the controversial fire and rehire actions of P&O Ferries, which is not related to P&O Cruises.
“The lives of hundreds more seafarers are once again being upended by bad bosses who know they can get away with it”, she said.
Tags: Shadow transport, Louise Haigh, Carnival UK
