RMT leader Bob Crow met P&O union members in Dover

The RMT union said on Wednesday the scale of the proposed job losses had angered port workers in Dover, Hull and Portsmouth who will be affected.

The company announced in September plans to make redundant 800 workers at Dover and 400 at Portsmouth. Some at Hull are also affected.

P&O said industrial action would not help return the company to profit.

The company seems hell-bent on sacking hundreds Bob Crow, RMT general secretary

"Naturally we are disappointed," said a spokeswoman.

"We are just half-way into a three-month consultation process.

"We are trying to resolve the issues around the negotiating table and we will continue to do that."

The company has said that the job losses are essential to save the majority of port jobs.

It said it had to make the cuts following increased competition from no-frills airlines and Eurotunnel.

The RMT has more than 1,000 union members who work at P&O.

Union general secretary Bob Crow said: "The RMT made clear when this massive attack on our members was announced that we would not accept compulsory redundancies.

Open meeting

"Rather than sit down with us and discuss a long-term plan that would safeguard jobs, the company seems hell-bent on sacking hundreds, tearing up the contracts of those who are left and even slashing payments to those prepared to leave the company voluntarily."

Mr Crow met staff at Dover at an open meeting last Tuesday to discuss the proposed cuts.

Ballot papers will be sent out next week, with the recommendation to vote in favour of strikes.

The result will be known at the end of the month.