Big job cuts at SeaFrance predicted (Shepway Liberal Democrats)

Big job cuts at SeaFrance predicted

February 17, 2009 5:55 PM

Calais ferry port SeaFrance, who operate cross-channel services from Dover to Calais, is to shed around 650 jobs and reduce the size of its ferry fleet, according to www.thisiskent.co.uk

They report:

"The official announcement of drastic cuts at the company is set to be made on Tuesday afternoon after a new recovery plan was agreed by bosses of its parent company, the state-owned railway operator SNCF.

"Several measures are envisaged in the plan, notably the downsizing of the SeaFrance fleet to align it with the market and to reduce costs. As a consequence of the restructuring, a reduction in staff numbers of 650 is foreseen, affecting both sea-going and shore-based staff."

SeaFrance employ approximately 200 staff at Dover, the majority of whom work in front line roles dealing with freight and tourism passengers at the Port or within their Call Centre at Whitfield, Dover.

Neil Matthews, a former Marine Engineer who worked on cross-channel ferries and the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Folkestone and Hythe, commented:

"This is terrible news for jobs in East Kent, and a real set-back after the positive news in recent weeks of the full reopening of the Channel Tunnel and new Dover-Boulogne and Dover-Dieppe services being launched by LDLines. I feel so sorry for SeaFrance staff today, although its still uncertain where these staff cuts would fall.

"SeaFrance need to be upfront and honest with their staff on where, when and if cuts will fall - and fast. They must not leave staff with uncertainty on top of everything else.

"It's essential that local Councils including Shepway and Kent, and the Government, do all they can to assist any local workers affected into jobs by helping identify training and other job opportunities in the area."

Shepway Liberal Democrats