MARINERS’ union RMT hailed a victory yesterday after bosses agreed to abolish zero-hours contracts for seafarers with the P&O line in Dover.

The workers work the “short sea” route between Dover and Calais.

The deal takes 100 ratings off zero-hours contracts and establishes a salary of just under £17,000 with an additional £500 in increments over five years, plus additional sickness benefits and paid leave.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash called the victory “a tribute” to the hard and persistent work of the union’s Dover Shipping Branch and the Port Committee that a hundred more staff on the Dover-Calais route will be lifted out of the uncertainty and insecurity of zero-hours contracts onto permanent agreements with a host of other benefits.

“With zero-hours contracts centre stage during this election RMT has proved once again that if you want security, decent pay and decent conditions you need to join a strong trade union that will stand up and fight for you,” said Mr Cash.

“It is also important to note that P&O have recognised the benefits to themselves as an employer of taking a more progressive and supportive approach to their workers.

“RMT has been against zero-hours contracts from the beginning and it is a top priority of both our Dover Shipping Branch and the union as a whole to keep the pressure on the companies that we deal with to eradicate these contracts.”