English Heritage is reviewing its partnership with P&O Ferries in light of the company’s actions yesterday, when it sacked 800 staff without notice.
The partnership enabled English Heritage members to get discounts on P&O travel services, but the charity told Third Sector it had decided to put the relationship on hold.
The company has been heavily criticised since it emerged that several hundred employees were made redundant with immediate effect yesterday via a pre-recorded Zoom call. One union reported that security guards were hired and sent to remove staff from P&O Ferries vessels.
A government minister this morning described the company’s actions as “disgraceful”. The Labour Party called it “a despicable attack on workers’ rights”.
Since 2018, English Heritage members could take advantage of 5 per cent discounts on some ferry travel with the company.
The charity earlier today removed these offers from its website, along with all references to P&O Ferries.
An English Heritage spokesperson said: “P&O [Ferries] is a Members’ Reward Partner – meaning English Heritage members could enjoy offers and discounts with the company – but given the recent developments, we are pausing and reviewing this partnership.”
In its most recent corporate social responsibility document, P&O Ferries says that it is also “actively working” with Sea Cadets and RNLI, as well as other local groups, as part of work “to advance the welfare of everyone in the port communities in which we operate”.
Both charities stressed that they did not have formal partnerships with the company.
Sea Cadets said: “As one might expect, we do have relationships with companies across the maritime sector, which are kept under constant review by our senior management team and trustees.”
RNLI thanked P&O Ferries customers for donations made to support its work.
P&O Ferries did not respond to emails and phone calls requesting comment.