Carnival (NYSE:CCL) UK has publicly contested allegations that it planned to dismiss and subsequently rehire employees under new terms, a strategy known as "fire and rehire." A spokesperson for the company, which operates renowned brands such as P&O Cruises and Cunard, emphasized their commitment to bolstering their workforce, particularly maritime officers, with annual salary reviews. This move is part of a broader strategy to attract and retain talent while expanding its employee base significantly.
The dispute arose when Nautilus International, a maritime professionals' union, accused Carnival UK on Thursday of potentially engaging in a "fire and rehire" scheme that could impact 919 workers amid ongoing wage negotiations. This claim echoed concerns from a similar situation with P&O Ferries in 2022.
Despite these accusations, Carnival UK maintained that their actions were part of a routine "annual pay review process." The company had previously filed an HR1 form, which is typically associated with mass layoffs. However, Carnival UK clarified on Wednesday evening that there were no actual layoff intentions. Instead, the spokesperson outlined objectives to "empower staff" and ensure they have the "right teams across our fleet," underlining the company's focus on workforce growth without resorting to redundancies.
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