Paul Murphy denounces P&O sackings, urges mass action
Paul Murphy criticised P&O Ferries' dismissal of 800 workers as "the brutality of capitalism" and urged public ownership and collective action to force rehiring. He described security teams removing staff and warned of a wider race to the bottom driven by low pay and flags of convenience.
P&O Ferries sackings and low wages
Paul Murphy said 800 workers were sacked by video, with specially handcuffed-trained security sent in to clear them off the ships. He cited reports that the company could hire new workers on wages as low as $2.38 an hour and referenced RMT figures showing Dublin–Liverpool workers on a basic rate of $3.47 an hour. He accused companies of flying flags of convenience to avoid respecting workers' rights and likened them to pirates.
Calls for public ownership and direct action
He called for a clear response to the "race to the bottom," urging a publicly owned connectivity transport system and endorsing tactics such as boycotts, mass protests, blockades and solidarity strikes to force companies to rehire staff. He asked whether authorities would support workers taking such action.
Legal review and union criticism
He welcomed that those employed under Irish law had not been treated in the same way but noted some Irish seafarers based in other jurisdictions were affected. He said the UK Government was examining whether the dismissals were legal and that a legal remedy might be possible. He noted the RMT's call for nationalisation of shipping lines, criticised the union for not acting in workers' interests, but emphasised that workers should not be punished and urged government intervention.
€1,000 Covid bonus clarification
He outlined that the €1,000 payment for healthcare and other Covid workers applies to people who worked full-time for the period and is to be pro-rata for those who did not. He said the details are being worked out and urged that the payment be resolved as soon as possible.
Condolences for two recent deaths
He conveyed condolences following the sudden deaths of Jim Kelly, a senior diplomat at the United Nations, and David Hill, who died while playing rugby. He said the Taoiseach had asked him to mention Mr Kelly's passing and extended sympathy to friends, family and colleagues in the DFA and the Scottish Parliament. He thanked the IRFU, St Vincent's Hospital and others who assisted after the rugby incident and closed by thanking Secretary Robert Yeo.
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The actions of P&O Ferries last week highlighted the brutality of capitalism. 800 workers sacked by video, special handcuffed-trained security sent in to clear them off the ships. Also, the company could hire in new workers on wages as low as $2.38 an hour. This is part of a wider race to the bottom. RMT Union have reported that workers on the Dublin to Liverpool route were on a basic rate of $3.47 an hour. Companies like this are little better than pirates on the sea, flying whatever flag of convenience to avoid respecting workers' rights. We must draw a line in the sand, push back against the race to the bottom, push for a publicly owned connectivity transport system, and involve boycotts, mass protests, blockades and solidarity strikes to force them to rehire these workers. Will you support workers taking action like that? Mr Deputy Mayor, I think it is really appalling what P&O has done to their staff. I am glad that those who are employed under Irish law could not be treated in this way, and have not been, but I understand that some Irish seafarers based in other jurisdictions are affected, and I think what they have done is wrong. I understand that the UK Government is examining it to see if what they have done is legal, and there may well be a legal remedy to this. I note that the union concerned RMT is now calling for the nationalisation of shipping lines. It is a pity that those workers are represented by a union that is not acting in their interests and is not doing them any favours, but they should not be punished for that. I think what has happened is wrong, and the UK Government should do what is necessary to intervene. On the €1,000 bonus for healthcare workers and other Covid workers, that is €1,000 for people who worked full-time for that period, it is pro-rata for those who did not work for the entire period, and the detail of that is being worked out. We want to get that resolved as soon as possible so that the payment is made. I might, if I may, beg your indulgence with Ciancorla and just mention two bereavements, one being that of Jim Kelly, one of our most senior diplomats in the United Nations. I was asked by the Taoiseach to mention the fact that he passed away in the last few days rather suddenly, to extend my condolences to his friends and family, and indeed his colleagues in the DFA, for many of whom he was a father figure. We certainly regret his loss, and also in my capacity as President of the Oireachtas Rugby Club, to acknowledge the sudden and tragic death of David Hill, who died on the field of play at the weekend. That was quite a shock to everyone. I want to extend my condolences to the Scottish Parliament, to his friends, family and colleagues as well, and my thanks to the IRFU and St Vincent Hospital and others who kicked in and helped out after that tragedy occurred. Thank you, thank you very much. Thank you for your question. Thank you Secretary Robert Yeo, thank you. Thank you.
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