P&O in dock over safety

Jun 15 2009 by Jez Davison, Evening Gazette

THE breakdown of a contract involving 40 staff supplied to a shipping company by PD Ports has sparked fears that it could compromise the health and safety of other dockers.

The Teesport operator - which is poised to make 120 job cuts amid growing uncertainty over the Teesside Cast Products plant in Redcar - employs around 40 “lashers” to secure cargo on ships run by P&O Ferries.

However the ferry operator has decided to bring the work in-house to cut costs.

Critics, who are also concerned at the loss of British jobs to foreign nationals, say using tired crews for the job could threaten the safety of port staff working alongside them.

Redcar MP Vera Baird, who has written to PD Ports bosses, said replacing local lashers with less well-paid, non-EU seamen was worrying.

“P&O’s proposal is that while local workers load the cargo, non-EU workers, who will not be subject to the same health and safety rules, will lash the cargo in place on the ship - a job now done by our workers.

“There are real issues in that they may have to work a six to eight hour shift, lashing cargo perhaps after arduous sea journeys already involving long working hours.”

Unions are also concerned and Fazia Hussain, regional officer for Unite, said: “PD Ports prides itself on its health and safety levels. These guys could be working for up to 20 hours at a go.

“A tired crew doing additional work could put our guys working at PD Ports at further risk.”

One worker, who did not want to be named, slammed the move, saying: “The employees are absolutely disgusted. They’ve (PD Ports) tried to hide this under the Corus situation.”

Teesport bosses distanced themselves from the row, claiming it was “not an issue for PD Ports”.

Group development director Martyn Pellew said: “This is an issue for P&O. What they wanted to do with their staff, we have communicated to our staff straight away.”

A P&O Ferries spokesperson said: “We take great exception to the implication that we would ever knowingly take action that would put the safety of our colleagues and others at the port at risk.

“All of our staff on board and ashore receive training that exceeds industry standards.”