Brittany Ferries Staff asked to take paid leave for months

[Frederick]

http://www.lamanchelibre.fr/actualite-29633-chomage-partiel-annonce-a-brittany-feries.html

[Frederick]

The winter season may be difficult for the port of Cherbourg. Indeed, the company Brittany Ferries announced measures of short for his staff settled in Cherbourg, Caen Ouistreham, Roscoff and St Malo.

The works of the Brittany Ferries met on Thursday 20 October at Roscoff. Two thorny issues were on the agenda.

First, the company announced the short-time of about sixty employees on the ports of Cherbourg, Caen-Ouistreham, Roscoff and St Malo.Cette able concern about forty people in Cherbourg.

Specifically, the company invited their employees to take paid leave from now until the end of the year. As for January, February and March, the staff of Cherbourg would be laid off.

This decision is not (again) bodes well for the port. During the winter, the Cotentin is the only representative of the company to go through Cherbourg with five rotations per week.

A general staff meeting was scheduled as a result of the works this afternoon.

Another matter of size: the future of the Barfleur. The ferry ceased routes between Cherbourg and Poole will be his fate by the end of the year. In the meantime, the company will respond to several questions. Is it necessary to bring the ship up for sale? Should we reset it and in this case on which line?

[Gardian]

Thanks for posting that Frederick - v helpful.

It doesn't sound as though we'll be affected (Caen - P'mouth over Christmas) and that the 'hit' is going to be at Cherbourg in the New Year. However, strike action as a result of all this is always a possibility anywhere and at any time - take that hurdle if and when we come to it.

[Gardian]

Having had a look at the BF website, the Barfleur doesn't appear for 2012 either on the Poole - Cherbourg route, nor any of the others.

It would seem that they'll keep her as a spare vessel pending sale, which might already have taken place BTW.  'Will' will know.

[Will]

As far as I know the Barfleur is laid up for the winter season in the 'Noveau Bassin' at Caen/Ouistreham, and no decision is made yet as to whether the ship will return next year or be put up for sale. Just like last winter in fact.

Cutting passenger traffic at Cherbourg over the winter months seems to be a regular thing. The amount of off-season traffic on the Poole route does not justify keeping the service going, particularly as ships may be needed to provide relief cover for maintenance and drydockings.