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Brittany Ferries services hit by second day of strikes Brittany Ferries services hit by second day of strikes
(35 minutes later)
Ferry passengers are continuing to face disruption during a second day of wildcat strikes on Brittany Ferries between France and England.Ferry passengers are continuing to face disruption during a second day of wildcat strikes on Brittany Ferries between France and England.
Sailings from Portsmouth and Plymouth are suspended because of industrial action by some French crew members.Sailings from Portsmouth and Plymouth are suspended because of industrial action by some French crew members.
Talks are continuing in the French port of Roscoff between unions and Brittany Ferries in a bid to end the dispute.Talks are continuing in the French port of Roscoff between unions and Brittany Ferries in a bid to end the dispute.
The company is trying to reduce costs following three years of losses. Passengers are being diverted to Dover.The company is trying to reduce costs following three years of losses. Passengers are being diverted to Dover.
The action was triggered by some workers upset at proposed changes to working terms and conditions put forward by management.The action was triggered by some workers upset at proposed changes to working terms and conditions put forward by management.
Maria Williams, from Farnborough, turned up at Portsmouth on Friday morning unaware her sailing to Caen had been cancelled.Maria Williams, from Farnborough, turned up at Portsmouth on Friday morning unaware her sailing to Caen had been cancelled.
She said: "I'm not very happy, really, especially as we set off at 4am to get here.She said: "I'm not very happy, really, especially as we set off at 4am to get here.
"They could've rung us before we left to save us a journey. We'll most likely have to wait around now for most of the day to see what happens.""They could've rung us before we left to save us a journey. We'll most likely have to wait around now for most of the day to see what happens."
Barbara Robinson was trying to get back to her home in France from Plymouth with her husband, Brian.Barbara Robinson was trying to get back to her home in France from Plymouth with her husband, Brian.
She told BBC Radio Devon she was "disappointed" with the industrial action.She told BBC Radio Devon she was "disappointed" with the industrial action.
She said: "We're tired. You're expecting to get on the ferry and it all goes smoothly, but we're still here and we don't know for how long."She said: "We're tired. You're expecting to get on the ferry and it all goes smoothly, but we're still here and we don't know for how long."
'Swift resolution''Swift resolution'
Brittany Ferries communications director Stephen Tuckwell apologised to passengers caught up in the last-minute disruption.Brittany Ferries communications director Stephen Tuckwell apologised to passengers caught up in the last-minute disruption.
He said: "This is a wildcat strike which has given us very little time to contact people in advance about the disruption.He said: "This is a wildcat strike which has given us very little time to contact people in advance about the disruption.
"Talks are ongoing with the unions and our management in France and we're hopeful of a swift resolution."Talks are ongoing with the unions and our management in France and we're hopeful of a swift resolution.
"It's particularly frustrating as an agreement was reached last week in Roscoff following a previous wildcat strike and we thought that was the end of it."It's particularly frustrating as an agreement was reached last week in Roscoff following a previous wildcat strike and we thought that was the end of it.
"The dispute centres on allowances that were given to staff in the good times, but now that we're facing a third year of losses, we need to safeguard the business and the interests of our crew.""The dispute centres on allowances that were given to staff in the good times, but now that we're facing a third year of losses, we need to safeguard the business and the interests of our crew."
Mr Tuckwell advised passengers due to travel with Brittany Ferries in the next few days to travel to Dover where special arrangements are in place.Mr Tuckwell advised passengers due to travel with Brittany Ferries in the next few days to travel to Dover where special arrangements are in place.
A strike last Thursday on the Armorique, which sails between Plymouth and Roscoff, affected 670 passengers.A strike last Thursday on the Armorique, which sails between Plymouth and Roscoff, affected 670 passengers.
Among them was Malcolm Bell, the head of Visit Cornwall, who feels people will be put off using the ferries if the dispute continues.Among them was Malcolm Bell, the head of Visit Cornwall, who feels people will be put off using the ferries if the dispute continues.
He said: "If, in customers' eyes, it becomes a recurring theme, then people do avoid it as a precautionary principle."He said: "If, in customers' eyes, it becomes a recurring theme, then people do avoid it as a precautionary principle."
Services continue to be suspended, apart from the Normandy Express between Portsmouth and Cherbourg, which the company believes will sail.