30/04/2012
P&O Cruise Ship Staff On Basic Hourly Rate Of 75p
Crew on British cruise holidays, who are paid a basic salary of as little as 75p an hour, face having extra tips from passengers withheld unless they hit performance targets.
The boss of P&O Cruises said the move was part of a package to "make crew more responsive" and offer protection as tips dry up in the economic downturn.
At the bottom end of the scale, a junior waiter on a ship sailing out of Southampton now earns a basic salary of £250 a month, for shifts lasting a minimum of 11 hours, seven days a week, with a possible £150 extra in bonuses.
David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK, in charge of P&O cruise lines, said the crew were "much happier" and the new arrangement was a win-win for passengers, staff and P&O. He said many crew took home over £1,000 a month, but tougher times meant that "sadly, our customers were reluctant to pay the recommended level of tipping".
Cash tips are being phased out in favour of electronic tips automatically added to passengers' bills, which pay for the potential performance bonus. As passengers could opt out of paying, Dingle said, the firm was "taking the risk out" by paying bonuses if targets were met. "We've handled it fairly and decently and made sure their pay is being protected," he said.
(H/GK)
The boss of P&O Cruises said the move was part of a package to "make crew more responsive" and offer protection as tips dry up in the economic downturn.
At the bottom end of the scale, a junior waiter on a ship sailing out of Southampton now earns a basic salary of £250 a month, for shifts lasting a minimum of 11 hours, seven days a week, with a possible £150 extra in bonuses.
David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK, in charge of P&O cruise lines, said the crew were "much happier" and the new arrangement was a win-win for passengers, staff and P&O. He said many crew took home over £1,000 a month, but tougher times meant that "sadly, our customers were reluctant to pay the recommended level of tipping".
Cash tips are being phased out in favour of electronic tips automatically added to passengers' bills, which pay for the potential performance bonus. As passengers could opt out of paying, Dingle said, the firm was "taking the risk out" by paying bonuses if targets were met. "We've handled it fairly and decently and made sure their pay is being protected," he said.
(H/GK)
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08 March 2010
Public Workers 48-Hour Strike Begins
More than 270,000 civil and public servants from across the UK have begun a 48 hour stoppage over cuts to redundancy terms. Courts, jobcentres, driving tests, tax offices, border controls and passports are amongst some of the services that will be affected by the strike action taken by Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members.
Public Workers 48-Hour Strike Begins
More than 270,000 civil and public servants from across the UK have begun a 48 hour stoppage over cuts to redundancy terms. Courts, jobcentres, driving tests, tax offices, border controls and passports are amongst some of the services that will be affected by the strike action taken by Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members.
09 January 2006
Tributes paid to former MP Tony Banks
Prime Minister Tony Blair has led the tributes to former sports minister Tony Banks, who died yesterday in Florida, after suffering a massive stroke. Mr Blair described the former Labour MP for West Ham, who became Lord Stratford last year, as "one of the most charismatic politicians in Britain, a true man of the people".
Tributes paid to former MP Tony Banks
Prime Minister Tony Blair has led the tributes to former sports minister Tony Banks, who died yesterday in Florida, after suffering a massive stroke. Mr Blair described the former Labour MP for West Ham, who became Lord Stratford last year, as "one of the most charismatic politicians in Britain, a true man of the people".
20 January 2005
Cruise liner Aurora limping back to dock
The P&O luxury liner, Aurora, which finally left port yesterday (Wednesday) is limping back to Southampton. The liner set off on a world cruise 10 days late, but repairs to the £200 million cruise liner's engine have proved unsuccessful and after sea trials were conducted the owners decided to cancel the cruise.
Cruise liner Aurora limping back to dock
The P&O luxury liner, Aurora, which finally left port yesterday (Wednesday) is limping back to Southampton. The liner set off on a world cruise 10 days late, but repairs to the £200 million cruise liner's engine have proved unsuccessful and after sea trials were conducted the owners decided to cancel the cruise.
10 October 2006
Soldiers to receive tax free bonuses
Military personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans are to receive a tax-free bonus of up to £2,240, the government has announced. The amount is the equivalent to the amount of tax a typical private soldier would pay during the six month operational tour.
Soldiers to receive tax free bonuses
Military personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans are to receive a tax-free bonus of up to £2,240, the government has announced. The amount is the equivalent to the amount of tax a typical private soldier would pay during the six month operational tour.
08 April 2004
UK railway strike looms as talks breakdown
The prospect of a nation-wide strike by rail maintenance workers is almost certain following the breakdown of lastditch talks between the main union and Network Rail over pay and conditions.
UK railway strike looms as talks breakdown
The prospect of a nation-wide strike by rail maintenance workers is almost certain following the breakdown of lastditch talks between the main union and Network Rail over pay and conditions.
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