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Latest Ferry NewsThe latest ferry news for May 2005 is below:
Irish Ferries Deplores Threat Of Disruption At French PortsDate: 31 May 2005Source: Irish Ferries Today, Irish Ferries vessel ‘Normandy’ docked at Cherbourg without any of the disruption threatened by the SIPTU trade union, and its affiliates, in their public statements to the media in Ireland last Saturday and Sunday. Working closely with port and local authorities, legal protections had been put in place to ensure that the company could continue its legitimate business. This includes court orders, obtained in France, with punitive damages of over €50,000 per day which would apply to unions and / or individuals who would seek to disrupt the company in an illegal fashion, as occurred last week at Cherbourg. Irish Ferries calls on SIPTU to desist from industrial relations intimidation of innocent holidaymakers through French seamens union activity. Citing action taken last week which delayed the docking of its vessel in Cherbourg for almost eight hours, thereby preventing the disembarkation of some 740 holidaymakers, Irish Ferries said that it is unacceptable that passengers should be held to ransom in this way. It is also damaging to Irish tourism and trade, and contrary to acceptable standards of behaviour. In the case of last week’s sailing, parents of young children and pilgrims en route to Lourdes, including a number of ill and infirm persons, were amongst those held hostage by the action. The cause of the dispute is complex and is being dealt with through the implementation of a Labour Court Recommendation which both the company and SIPTU have accepted. The recommendation accepted the need for change in the crewing arrangements of the vessel if Irish Ferries’ Ireland / France loss making routes were to avoid closure. The intensely competitive environment, within which the company operates, continues to become more challenging with the lower cost bases of its competitors and the relentless increase in air capacity to and from all regions of Ireland . By first implementing a voluntary redundancy / redeployment programme ( at the request of the unions ), which was subscribed by over 90%, and then outsourcing the crewing arrangements of the ‘Normandy’ to an international ship management agency, Irish Ferries has maintained the service this year – as per the commitment given to the Irish Government. The crew employed by the management agency are EU nationals, mainly from the Baltic States. There has not been one single compulsory job loss in Irish Ferries as a result of actions taken by the company. All ‘Normandy’ staff who chose to leave last December did so entirely of their own accord. Brittany Ferries reduces fares to FranceDate: 23 May 2005Source: Brittany Ferries France from only £17.25 per person including car! Brittany Ferries, the leading operator on the Western Channel routes to France and Spain, has cut lead-in return fares from £176 for stays of up to 5 days on the Cherbourg and Caen routes to just £138 and extended their availability to Portsmouth-St Malo and Plymouth-Roscoff with prices from only £158. These special fares are available until 6 July for travel on both high-speed ferry and classic cruise-ferry Monday to Thursday. The fare is for a car and 2 adults with children under 16 travelling free so, at only £17.25 per person each way for a family of four, it offers great value for families. Certain surcharges apply at weekends. The equivalent fare for an unlimited stay is £210. During July and August the mid-week 5-day fare increases to £198 return and the unlimited stay fare is from only £290 return. Availability is limited and fares can be withdrawn at any time so passengers are advised to book soon. These special fares can be used with Brittany Ferries’ own extensive range of holiday accommodation including gites, hotels, holiday villages, villas, apartments, chalet camping, car tours and river cruisers. Brittany Ferries has services from Portsmouth to Caen, St Malo, and Cherbourg, from Poole to Cherbourg and from Plymouth to Roscoff and Santander in Northern Spain. For information and reservations visit our Brittany Ferries page or call 0870 458 5120. New Pre-Summer Fares Ireland-FranceDate: 19 May 2005Source: Irish Ferries Currently available from Irish Ferries is a one way fare from EUR49 per person aimed at those who can get away ahead of the peak Summer rush. It offers an unlimited stay in France travelling out up to the end of May and returning by mid June. This can be combined with a one-way car fare available from a further EUR49. Another popular package aimed at those seeking to snap up some BBQ wine bargains is a Mini Cruise to Cherbourg offer of EUR99 per person return including a berth in an ensuite cabin. When two or more travel, a EUR49 return car fare is also available. |
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