The staff of MyFerryLink ships are all members of a workers' co-operative — SCOP Seafrance — and have been protesting against possible job losses following the takeover, which took effect on July 1. SCOP Seafrance is in liquidation and in the hands of administrators.
The decision to sell off MyFerryLink was forced on the company following a UK Competition Commission ruling that Eurotunnel — the operator of the undersea link and which leased the ferries — was in breach of competition rules.
Perhaps we should start growing our own food again, then we wouldn't need to import it, then we wouldn't get stuck at #Calais
— Matt™ (@mattaspie) July 2, 2015
Workers have been blockading the port of Calais for three days, causing the cancellation of other ferry operations, leading to thousands of lorries and cars queuing on either side of the English Channel.
Advice and interactive map for cross-Channel travellers facing disruption at #Calais: http://t.co/vV9oEcQe7d pic.twitter.com/35lwDU7n7j
— Dept for Transport (@transportgovuk) July 2, 2015
Striking workers also managed to halt Eurostar services through the tunnel by setting fires near the tunnel entrance.
PM: I've called @fhollande on Calais & the need to stop illegal blockade & maintain port security. We'll continue working closely together.
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) July 1, 2015
UK Home Secretary Theresa May is due to meet her counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve for talks over the issue in Paris on Thursday, while the ferry workers are due to meet officials from the French transport department.
DFDS had made an offer on June 25 to the administrators of SCOP Seafrance for the acquisition of a part of SCOP Seafrance including 202 staff. According to a DFDS statement: "This would have allowed DFDS to operate a 3rd vessel between Dover and Calais. DFDS has had no response to this offer and is surprised by the apparent unwillingness of the SCOP Seafrance administrators to engage in a dialogue with DFDS." The offer, however was rejected this week.
