BRITANNY FERRIES HAS cancelled its services from Cork to Roscoff due to industrial action by French crews.

In a statement the ferry service apologised to customers for the disruption in their travel plans and condemed the action being taken by some of the crew members in protest.

It said staff were taking action in protest “at measures being made to improve productivity and efficiency in order to ensure that the company remains competitive”.

We face ever increasing competition from other ferry operators, many of whom employ lower paid crew, but we believe that our French crews are an important part of the unique Brittany Ferries experience. At the same time, in these difficult economic times, we know that it is unrealistic to increase our fares.

Brittany Ferries said only some of its French crews are taking part in the action and the rest of its teams are on hand to help.

Alternative arrangements have been made for customers to travel with Celtic Link or Irish Ferries and the company said it will refund the price of crossing and reimburse for some petrol costs.

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