Passengers travelling to France with Irish Ferries face uncertain journeys this week after unions representing ferry workers said they would prevent the company's vessel, the MV Normandy, from docking.
Last week passengers said the MV Normandy was struck by stones as it docked after spending about eight hours waiting for a protest in Cherbourg to abate. They said supplies of bottled water and some foods had run out during their ordeal.
The ferry workers had been angered at Irish Ferries outsourcing of crew functions.
At the weekend Siptu representatives reported to their French colleagues that Irish Ferries management was unwilling to negotiate with them in any meaningful way.
French trade unions anxious about outsourcing spreading to their jobs, have said they will prevent the Normandy from entering Cherbourg or any French port.
The move has the potential to delay hundreds of holidaymakers and adversely affect businesses dependent on the ferry service. The vessel no longer sails under an Irish flag.
The French have described the phenomenon of outsourcing as "social dumping". The move involves contracting out services to central and eastern Europe.
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