Hundreds of Plymouth-bound passengers stranded by industrial action on ferry
HUNDREDS of Plymouth-bound travellers were left stranded in France last night following a "wildcat" strike by ferry workers.
Passengers were already queuing to board the Brittany Ferries vessel Armorique in Roscoff when her staff voted for industrial action.
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Hundreds of passengers stranded on Brittany Ferries Armorique in Roscoff
The 24-hour strike, sparked by a row over company cutbacks, cancelled the voyage, which had been due to dock in Plymouth at 9.30pm.
Brittany Ferries said it was trying to arrange alternative transport for the 481 passengers.
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The company has also been forced to cancel this morning's scheduled 8am return ferry from the city to Roscoff. Staff were last night working to inform the 227 people booked to travel.
Brittany Ferries spokesman Chris Jones described the strike as "wildcat" action. However, many of the French workers are members of the Confédération Française Démocratique du Travail union.
They are protesting over changes to working patterns and staff benefits, introduced by Brittany Ferries bosses in a bid to cut costs.
The company blames recent losses on a "depressed market", high oil prices and a Pound that is weak against the Euro.
Mr Jones described changes to workers' conditions as "a necessity" in the current climate.
"This is a wildcat strike, which is all the more upsetting because we didn't even get the chance to warn our customers," he added.
Stranded passengers were last night being advised to drive 170 miles to Caen, in order to catch a ferry to Portsmouth. Brittany Ferries said it would reimburse travel costs.
Comments
by BrixhamDes
Monday, September 17 2012, 10:40AM
“deputydog, I agree with you, having looked at pics, she's no Kelly Brook! Royals going to court over a couple of fried eggs? Madness. Hang on to your copy, it will be worth a fortune (after the Coronation). The magazine sold out in France.”
by deputydog
Saturday, September 15 2012, 3:53PM
“brixamdes my sister lives in france and she is going to send me a copy dont think it will be that interesting cos i dont think kate is that well stacked ill let you know”
by BrixhamDes
Friday, September 14 2012, 12:15PM
“Its not all that bad, they can pick up copies of that French magazine showing pictures of topless Kate Middleton while they are waiting. They must be worth a fortune over here!”
by timplymouth
Thursday, September 13 2012, 10:23PM
“Typical French industrialists, punishing the English for their own disputes.”
by MissAnthrope
Thursday, September 13 2012, 6:53PM
“Right on brothers and sisters. Power to the people! Here in England we deal with being shafted by employers or the government by moaning about it in pubs and around the dinner table rather than actually standing up and doing anything. I don't know why this is, as it never works.”