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Sacked seafarers and unions staged a demonstration at Port of Larne today (Friday) over ferry company P&O’s shock axing of 800 jobs.

The noon protest at the harbour gates was one of a number organised by transport union RMT with others scheduled for Dover, Hull and Liverpool.

In a Tweet the RMT urged: “Help stop the P&O jobs massacre.”

The union hit out at yesterday’s action by the company which included security and severance teams boarding the P&O Causeway in Larne Harbour as news broke that crews were being laid off with immediate effect.

A protest took place at Larne Harbour on Friday afternoon over the dismissal of more than 800 P&O Ferries staff. Photographs by Declan Roughan / Press Eye

RMT said it was “one of the most shameful episodes” in the UK’s recent industrial history.

It added: “Eight-hundred workers were sacked immediately with no notice so they can be replaced by cheaper labour.”

A number of Mid and East Antrim councillors were in attendance at the demonstration. The local authority has called for urgent discussions with P&O.

In a notice on its website yesterday, the ferry company stated: “P&O Ferries have today announced a programme of work to become a more competitive and efficient operator, providing a better service to our customers across the tourism and freight industries.

“While we enact these changes, there will be significant disruption across P&O Ferries services over the next few days, however we are working to minimise the impact on your journey.”

P&O redundancies: Union and workers stage protest at Port of Larne