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Angry unions deny P&O Ferries boss a platform at Interferry

[ October 3, 2022   //   ]

The International Transport Workers’ Federation says it has helped prevent P&O Ferries chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite from speaking at the Interferry Conference in Seattle on 3 October.

It says that the P&O Ferries chief, who controversially sacked 786 seafarers at the DP World-owned company in March, has dropped off the panel of the event following public pressure from the international labour movement and US  government representatives.

ITF quoates Interferry chief executive Mike Corrigan as saying: “Mr. Hebblethwaite is not able to participate at our conference”.

It says the move follows a letter from the Chair of the US House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Peter De Fazio calling for Hebblethwaite to be removed as a panellist, along with planned protests by local Seattle labour and global transport unions.

De Fazio said Hebblethwaite’s potential appearance “puts a stain on the reputation of Interferry’s conference. Employers like that have no place at an Interferry conference, let alone one that is co-hosted by the Washington State Ferries and takes place in the US.” He added that inviting him speak on its Power and People panel was “an insult to all seafarers”.

ITF adds that Hebblethwaite is still under investigation by the United Kingdom’s Insolvency Service for potential civil violations and could yet face legal action.

Chair of the ITF Seafarers’ section, David Heindel said: “Whether he jumped or was booted off this panel, it doesn’t matter, he has no place sitting among industry leaders, especially at a conference centred on attracting dedicated people to our industry.”

And union officer at the Norwegian Seafarers’ Union, Ronny Øksnes, who is attending the Interferry Conference warned: “This is a win for the 786 seafarers and a stark reminder to P&O Ferries and the wider ferry industry that the global labour community has a long memory, so for anyone else in the industry considering giving Hebblethwaite a platform, we will be there.”

“Instead of promoting disgraced lawbreakers, Interferry should be supporting initiatives like the UK unions’ ‘Fair Ferries Framework’ to raise standards, eliminate unhealthy competition and put the industry onto a sustainable footing,” said Øksnes.

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