Workers at P&O Ferries in Dover have rejected proposals for new salary schemes.

A total of 77% of RMT seafaring members employed in the town voted against plans to harmonise rates of pay with other sectors of its business.

Although current staff with the company in Dover have their salaries protected, under the proposals new recruits would do the same job for as much as £5,000 a year less.

Consultation on the scheme began in January, with P&O and the RMT agreeing to put the matter of harmonisation to a vote with the workforce.

The union is now calling on the company to respect the views of its workers and put the matter to rest.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “There is a need to move on now and reassure the workforce that this dreadful period of uncertainty is over.

“Harmonisation may well have suited our members in other ports but it's clear our members in Dover don't want it.”

Members working in the Irish Sea and North Sea sectors of P&O had already voted to accept the company’s harmonisation proposals.

P&O spokesman Brian Rees said: “The company needs to consider its position in light of the RMT vote and we will respond to the union.”