SNCF jobs rejected by SeaFrance staff
January 26, 2012
Just over 500 former SeaFrance workers have opted for redundancy rather than accept a job within the collapsed ferry operator’s parent group, SNCF.
Redundancy notices have been posted to 510 out of a workforce of well over 800, the company’s liquidator has revealed, with only 15 opting to take up new jobs offered by the French state-owned railways group.
Of SeaFrance’s remaining staff, 150 have protected status – for example, union representatives – and will benefit from specific redundancy arrangements which will be implemented over a longer period.
A further 150 will keep their jobs for the time being, including those responsible for maintaining the company’s vessels.
The total redundancy package is expected to cost SNCF around €50 million.
Attention will now turn to the next stage in the liquidation of SeaFrance: the sale of its assets – in particular, its fleet of three ferries.
Eurotunnel is reported to have met SeaFrance’s liquidator last week with a view to making an offer for the Rodin (pictured), Berlioz and freighter Nord Pas de Calais to launch a Calais-Dover service with a co-operative of former SeaFrance workers.
Ferry operator P&O has also made enquiries about the Rodin and Berlioz.
Earlier this week, IFW reported that DFDS and its French partner LD Lines could launch a Calais-Dover ferry service as early as next month, with two French-flagged vessels.
Meanwhile, the national office of the CFDT has decided to expel its SeaFrance branch from the union.
The CFDT is SeaFrance’s main staff union and the branch had been criticised by its central office for having refused to study any other option for the the future of the company than the co-operative bid it was piloting.
Courtesy of IFW
