Plymouth ferry chief: no financial pressure to end strike
A FERRY chief has said crisis point "is a long way off" as the impact of a workers' strike continues.
A spokesperson for Brittany Ferries said the company has good cash reserves which would see it through the dispute "for the foreseeable future".
He said: "Crisis point is a long way off. We have strong cash reserves to keep us going for the foreseeable future.
"We are not under any financial pressure to end the strike unnecessarily.
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"In the short term we are making losses but in the long term the company will benefit."
More talks between ferry chiefs and striking staff took place yesterday, at company headquarters in Roscoff, following Brittany Ferries' decision on Friday to tie up the fleet and cancel all crossings.
However, staff at the French port claimed last night they had been ready to go back to work when the company moved to cancel its crossing.
The spokesperson said: "It is important that the directors reach an agreement which will enable us to carry out the savings for the future prosperity of the company."
The company estimates around 34,000 passengers have so far been affected by the strike action which has already cost Brittany Ferries millions of pounds, the spokesperson said.
French staff are taking action over Brittany Ferries cutbacks which include changes to working hours and conditions.
Yesterday all crossings were cancelled until 4.30pm on Friday, except the Poole-Cherbourg passenger service.
Consumer Watch – Page 26
Comments
by marinewright
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:38AM
“They say the staff are on strike, this is a massive lie they gave notice of a 24 hrs strike and then were ready to go back to work but Brittany Ferries decided to lock every one out, they ordered them out of the boat and when they refused they discarded the perishable over board locked up the fridges and switch off the water and electricity! Then they sent a recorded delivery letter to the staff at home and on board to tell them that they would not be paid or fed during the dispute. When came the time for the staff at home to go back after there week rest they were sent a message that they could not go on board, they would not be let in. Some managed to get in despite the the police being on call. Brittany Ferries does not want to give in, the majority share holder is threatening to pull out may be the staff should buy there share, with 60% of the company they could clean it up, get ride of the plane sitting in Morlaix which is costing a fortune in maintenance for a start (have they not heard of high speed train?) and go back to basic. How come the company troubles started
just after the founder of the company, Mr Gourvennec, died? Is it because he kept the company in check? Whatever the reason the way they are treating there staff is appalling and they should not get away with it.”
by Dunthiel
Thursday, September 27 2012, 9:59PM
“Such actions are a desperate move normally only taken by companies in desperate circumstances when it's 'do or die', which to me suggests they are either perilously close to the edge or very incompetently managed.
Whichever, I don't think Brittany Ferries have comprehended the damage they are doing to their brand just as we are approaching the time when many people plan and book next year's summer holiday.”
by jackplane
Thursday, September 27 2012, 8:35PM
“tell it to my friends in roscoff thay were told to go to dover 6 hour drive problem is thay r on cycles”
by GeoffT
Thursday, September 27 2012, 7:49PM
“I have just arrived back in West Cornwall after driving all day yesterday across France and all day today across England. I am fed up of seeing this crisis being described as a strike. Yes there have been strikes but the massive disruption caused to huge numbers of people is entirely due to the actions of Brittany Ferries management. They have suspended all sailings despite the willingness of crews to work, their provision of information has been abysmal. I am not impressed with their cocky attitude of having sufficient reserves to take the union on. Someone has called the bluff of the workers and it has backfired. 34,000 passengers affected, that's the price of someone's ego and a failed plan.”