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Strike over as Brittany Ferries dispute resolved

A strike which has seen Brittany Ferries vessels tied up for more than a week is over.

The company is to resume services this afternoon (Tuesday). A Portsmouth to Santander crossing on Wednesday has been cancelled as the ship used on the service is out of position.

No details were given of the agreement reached with French crew.

“We are pleased to announce that industrial action is over and services will resume on Tuesday afternoon,” the company said.

“Please accept our sincere apologies if you were one of the many who suffered disruption to travel plans during the industrial dispute.”

Services planned start at 3.30pm with a Poole to Cherbourg sailing followed by Roscoff to Plymouth, Caen to Portsmouth, Portsmouth to Santander, Portsmouth to St Malo, Cherbourg to Poole, Plymouth to Roscoff, Portsmouth to Caen and Caen to Portsmouth.


A spokesman told the BBC a majority of crew members voted on Sunday to accept a deal from the company which has lost money for the last three years.


It includes an end to wildcat strikes, an extra 11 hours a year working time, more multi-tasking and an end to free meals when staff are not on duty.


There will also be fewer off-peak sailings “to match demand” and the threshold in which staff will get a profit-related bonus will be reduced.


Group managing director Martine Jourdren 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. “


The dispute has so far affected 55,000 travellers and 4,500 lorries.

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