Ferry bosses have been accused of an “utter betrayal” after sacking workers on a route linking Dumfries and Galloway and Northern Eire.
Staff on the P&O Cairnryan to Larne service have been shocked to be advised on Thursday they have been being made redundant with rapid impact.
They have been amongst 800 P&O workers throughout the UK being dismissed, with their jobs going to company staff.
A joint assertion from council chief Elaine Murray and depute chief Rob Davidson stated they are going to be doing “all that we will to assist” these affected.
They added: “We're sickened on the actions of P&O Ferries. Our rapid ideas are with the affected staff. That is devastating information for Dumfries and Galloway, and significantly our communities within the west.
“We might strongly urge P&O Ferries to rethink its plan of action. If the corporate continues down this route, then Dumfries and Galloway Council will rethink P&O Ferries’ persevering with participation in a possible partnership bid for a inexperienced freeport at Cairnryan.
“We're bringing an emergency movement on this to full council to resolve the way in which ahead.”
The announcement – made by a pre-recorded video message – sparked fury, with some crew refusing to go away their ships in protest. Additional demonstrations are deliberate at Cairnryan tomorrow.
Galloway and West Dumfries Tory MSP Finlay Carson described the remedy of workers as “completely shameful”.
And South Scotland MSP Labour MSP Colin Smyth stated: “That is devastating information for any staff affected and their households and an utter betrayal of the Wigtownshire neighborhood by P&O Ferries.
“Staff stood by the agency through the pandemic protecting sailings going but now P&O are strolling away from them.
“The underhand manner the corporate have made the announcement through Zoom and by sending in non-public safety to haul staff off ferries in some ports if want be and stop workers going to work is just past contempt.”
Sailings have been halted on Thursday morning whereas the announcement was made. The Cairnryan service might be suspended for as much as 10 days whereas a substitute crew is discovered, with passengers advised to search out another operator.
A press release from P&O Ferries stated: “We now have made a £100 million loss year-on-year, which has been lined by our dad or mum firm, DP World. This isn't sustainable.
“Our survival relies on making swift and vital modifications now. With out these modifications there is no such thing as a future for P&O Ferries.”
However Mick Lynch, basic secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, stated: “We're looking for pressing authorized motion and are once more calling for the Authorities to take motion to cease what's quick turning into probably the most shameful acts within the historical past of British industrial relations.”
Dumfries and Galloway Tory MP and Scottish Secretary, Alister Jack, stated: “That is very regarding information from P&O.
South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper hit out: “It is a deeply cynical resolution by P&O’s house owners who've been allowed to make use of such immoral techniques as a result of the UK Tory Authorities has blocked legal guidelines that will correctly defend the rights of arduous working workers. If Scots Secretary Alister Jack – allegedly Scotland’s man within the Tory Cupboard – had any clout, he could be doing a lot, rather more than simply sending a letter to P&0 looking for solutions.”