PROTESTERS are set to demonstrate in Southampton over the sacking of 800 P&O Ferries workers.

Members of the Southampton & South West Hampshire Trades Union Council will be outside the offices of DP World - the owner of the ferry firm.

The move comes as P&O Ferries Chief Executive Peter Hebblethwaite admitted the company breached the law by not consulting unions.

Instead, he said workers would be generously compensated - but only if they waive their rights to take legal action.

Declan Clune, Secretary at Southampton & South West Hampshire Trades Union Council, said the protest has been backed by the RMT union.

Mr Clune said: "We are calling a protest against the appalling actions of P&O Ferries and their sacking of 800 workers and their replacement by workers being paid under the (UK) National Minimum Wage.

"These workers are organised by the RMT Union and Nautilus International, we are standing in Solidarity with those workers and their demands.

"This campaign has exposed the appallingly poor legal protections for workers in the UK and the most despicable acts employers will carry out against workers to defend profits."

He added: "We will send a clear message that these attacks are unacceptable and that we will mobilise the full force of the trade unions locally against them. "

The solidarity protest runs from 11.30am-1pm outside Dock Gate 10 on Saturday.

DP World runs the Port of Southampton’s deep water terminal.

As reported, there have been calls for DP World to be ousted from the Solent Freeport scheme.

P&O Ferries previously said it accepted its actions "caused distress" for workers and their families.

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