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About John Lansdown
Championing Seafarers’ Rights
John Lansdown is a British seafarer and former sous chef who gained international attention in 2022 after refusing a severance package from P&O Ferries during a mass dismissal of 800 employees. He had started working at the company in 1998 as an apprentice.
On March 17, 2022, P&O Ferries terminated nearly 800 staff members without prior notice, replacing them with lower-paid agency workers. Lansdown was the only employee to reject the compensation offer, which included a non-disclosure agreement. He filed a legal claim against P&O Ferries for unfair dismissal, racial discrimination, and harassment, seeking £76 million in compensation.
Lansdown’s legal action resulted in an out-of-court settlement, with P&O Ferries admitting to unfair dismissal due to a lack of consultation. He donated the undisclosed settlement amount to the Sailors’ Children Society, a charity supporting seafaring families.
Beyond his legal battle, Lansdown has become a vocal advocate for seafarers’ rights, campaigning for stronger protections in the maritime industry. He hosts the War On Seafarers podcast and regularly contributes to media outlets to raise awareness about labor issues at sea. In addition to his advocacy work, John has shared his insights at various academic institutions, contributing to discussions on maritime law, workers’ rights, and corporate accountability.