Hull KR CLUB STATEMENT: P&O FERRIES

[josie andrews]

We entered a partnership with P&O Ferries in good faith, aware of their desire to contribute to the city of Hull.

The partnership was designed to support many local grass roots activities, as part of extensive community programmes, and complementary to a much bigger and exciting project the club is working on ahead of 2025.

Two years after the P&O Ferries business restructure, we had underestimated the continuing depth of feeling that remains in some parts of our community.

Since the announcement, we have engaged with supporters, stakeholders and East Hull MP Karl Turner.

As an East Hull institution looking to stay true to its Values, it’s important to us that our community know we will always try to do the right thing, and to represent them in the best way possible.

Therefore, Hull KR having decided at this time it is inappropriate to continue with this partnership

https://hullkr.co.uk/news/club-statemen ... -o-ferries

[josie andrews]

Hull KR scraps deal with P&O Ferries

Hull KR has confirmed it has terminated a commercial deal with P&O Ferries just one day after it was announced.

On Friday the club revealed P&O would become a 'Platinum Partner'.

However, the move was criticised by some who cited the mass sacking of ferry workers two years ago.
In a statement, the rugby league club admitted it had "underestimated the continuing depth of feeling", adding it was "inappropriate" to continue with the partnership.

The club insisted it had entered into the partnership with P&O "in good faith", adding it was designed to "support many grass roots activities".

Following the announced, the club had engaged with supporters, stakeholders and Hull East MP Karl Turner, said the statement.

It continued: "It is important to us that our community know we will always try to do the right thing, and to represent them in the best way possible."

Earlier, a P&O spokesman said: "We are proud to have operated in the heart of Hull for almost 60 years.

"Through our partnership with Hull KR we aimed to make a deeper contribution to the local community around our port and particularly to grass roots activities. We wish the club well and hope to work with them again in future.”

Hull KR announced on Friday that P&O would be the Robins' Official Ferry Partner for the 2024 and 2025 Betfred Super League seasons

At the time, Rovers said the collaboration would "elevate both brands" with the closeness of the club's stadium at Craven Park and the port.

However, Darren Procter, national secretary of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMT), who formerly worked for P&O in Hull, said he was "absolutely astounded" by the move.

The shipping company, which runs services between Hull and Rotterdam, sacked 786 seafarers in 2022, leading to protests by workers and politicians.

They were fired without notice or union consultation and replaced with low-paid agency staff, which the company later admitted had broken the law.

Following the sackings, the government announced a review of all its contracts with P&O Ferries.

Mr Procter, who had left P&O before the sackings but who joined in the protests as part of his role with the RMT, led calls for the Rovers to reconsider the partnership.

"People are still scarred to this day with the actions P&O Ferries took," he added.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjr7zwe7gzko

[robbobillinge]

Well done Hull KR! P&O are a nasty piece of work. It is possible to run ferries and treat workers fairly, viz Brittany Ferries.

[moto748]

Agreed. Good for them.

[morley pie eater]

Well done Hull KR! P&O are a nasty piece of work. It is possible to run ferries and treat workers fairly, viz Brittany Ferries.

100% with you.

[Mike]

Good for them, or a terrible miscalculation. To announce a deal and have to backtrack 24hours later shows they didn't have a problem with P&O beforehand.

[fozzie58]

Sorry nothing but contempt for KR in the first place for taking the deal with P and O for a club that goes on the community they should have realised this would cause an uproar but they clearly said sod that,give us the cash they now have give the contract back and are made to look very silly indeed.

[ancientnloyal]

Who is our official ferry partner?

[morley pie eater]

Just to update this thread, I noticed this on the BBC website today:

The boss of P&O Ferries has admitted that he couldn't live on the £4.87 an hour some of its crew are paid, he told MPs.

Peter Hebblethwaite also revealed that he earned more than £500,000 last year, including a bonus.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/articles/ceq3pw038g8o