Brittany Ferries Strike Ends
Brittany Ferry sailings from Portsmouth to France and Spain will re-start on Tuesday October 2nd, after a strike by workers was called off.
Around 55,000 passengers and 4,500 lorries were affected by the strike, which began when workers walked out on Thursday September 20th. It left eight ferries docked in France, unable to operate.
The ferry firm wanted to withdraw their allowances and change their working hours under cost-cutting plans.
In a statement, the company said:
"Brittany Ferries is pleased to announce the end of the industrial dispute which has disrupted the travel plans of thousands of its passengers and long standing freight customers during the past ten days.
"The company thanks its customers for their patience and understanding and apologises to all those affected.
"Following a referendum amongst all non-officer crew yesterday (Sunday Sept 30th), a majority voted to accept the agreement put to their unions.
"This allows the company to resume operations and removes any likelihood of further industrial action."
Martine Jourdren, Group Managing Director, said:
"Whilst this strike has caused immense disruption for our customers, for which we are very sorry, we could not continue with a situation whereby 24 hour strikes were being called at a moment’s notice.
"The company has worked hard to negotiate an agreement with the unions which achieves the cost savings and productivity improvements that we were seeking, as well as removing the prospect of any further strike action."
“We know that we have to work hard to regain the confidence of many of our customers, but equally I am very gratified by the huge number of appreciative messages that we have received from those who have been impressed by our attempts to look after them.
Our shore-based teams in the UK, France, Spain and Ireland have all made an outstanding effort to help both our passengers and freight customers.”
The first services to resume will be:
Tuesday 2nd October
Roscoff – Plymouth departing at 15.45
Caen – Portsmouth departing at 16.30
Portsmouth – Santander departing at 17.00
Portsmouth – St Malo departing at 20.15
Plymouth – Roscoff departing at 22.00
Portsmouth – Caen departing at 22.45
Caen – Portsmouth departing at 23.00
Thursday 4th October
The first Cap Finistere sailing will be on Thursday from Santander at 15.00. Therefore, this means the 11.00 Portsmouth-Santander sailing on Wednesday will be cancelled as the ship is out of position. We will need to try and transfer customers on to other sailings.
Brittany Ferries will continue to provide free travel on P&O Ferries and MyFerryLink until 23.59 on Thursday in case the odd customer happens to return via Calais.
Go to www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/routes/sailing-updates for the latest information.
