UNSPECIFIED industrial action may be taken today by crew members on Irish Ferries continental services, however it is not expected to disrupt scheduled sailings.
The threat of industrial action came from the general secretary of the Seamen's Union of Ireland, Mr William Stacey, last night after talks with the company were adjourned.
After the talks Mr Stacey said the company was still failing to give adequate information on proposed lay offs of over 100 employees on the continental service from November 3rd.
Irish Ferries wants to discontinue winter sailings because they lost £4 million last season.
Mr Stacey said he did not want to specify what industrial action would take place, or even if it would begin today.
But he said the action would not prevent scheduled sailings.
"At this stage there won't be a stoppage of services, but action will escalate if no progress is made. We will do whatever we have to do to protect our members' jobs."
He said the company had offered to continue a freight service between Rosslare and Le Havre during the winter.
This would provide work for 15 SUI members, which was inadequate.
The human resources manager of Irish Ferries, Mr Brendan McCarthy, said he hoped to respond to the requests for more information from the SUI and SIPTU later today, or tomorrow.
He was relieved that the SUI was not taking full scale industrial action today.
"Talks are at a very early stage and there are serious problems facing all of us," he said.
"Because of the seriousness of the situation I would be confident that everyone will see the need to compromise."