SeaFrance revises its restructuring plans

SNCF-owned Channel ferry operator SeaFrance is scaling back restructuring measures announced in February, and last week proposed to axe 543 jobs, instead of the 650 initially planned.

It also plans to retain the Nord Pas de Calais freight-only vessel that had been earmarked for withdrawal, following an independent audit into SeaFrance’s books requested by the company’s works council to qualify the financial situation.

SeaFrance claimed that keeping the Nord Pas de Calais in service would safeguard around 100 jobs. The operator re-iterated there would be no compulsory redundancies among staff whose jobs are set to be axed.

SNCF has made available additional funding totaling €25m dedicated to financing voluntary severance packages, and the redeployment of SeaFrance workers elsewhere within the state-owned rail group. The cut-backs are thought to concern 40 officers, 450 seamen and 60 land-based staff.

SeaFrance estimated it lost €14m in the first four months of the year - more than €100,000 a day - due to the combined effects of competition from the Channel Tunnel and the economic slowdown.

"This financial drain dictates that the restructuring plan be implemented as soon as possible. Consultations with the works council are already underway, but we can’t say when they’ll be completed," the spokesperson added.

However, a senior official from the workers’ union, CFDT, denounced the management’s attitude over the plan.

While not commenting specifically on the possibility of industrial action, he warned of a "robust response" should the plan be forced through without union assent.

The CFDT will attend a round table discussion today, with SNCF president Guillaume Pépy also present.