ON THE third anniversary of the P&O Ferries scandal today, the TUC and seafarers’ unions are demanding urgent amendments to the Employment Rights Bill.

Three years after the unlawful sacking of 786 seafarers without notice or consultation, they are warning that the Labour government’s proposed measures against “fire and rehire” fall short of what is needed  to prevent a similar outrage from happening again.

The Unite union has said that it is a mistake for ministers to omit an outright ban on fire and rehire in the Bill, and Labour MP Andy McDonald has tabled an amendment that would allow unions to apply for legal injunctions to prevent such methods taking effect.