Condor says ferries strike has cost it £500,000

A strike by French crew has cost ferry operator Condor about £500,000 since it started on 6 February.

French crew have been on board the Rapide refusing to return to work until they get better pay and conditions.

Representatives for the Guernsey-owned company have been on board the vessel to discuss terms with representatives from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).

Condor says it does not have the money to afford all of the proposed changes.

A spokesman said it had already lost £500,000 taking passengers to and from France via England and could not afford to lose any more business.

The vessel is currently registered in the Bahamas but crew have raised the Breton flag and want it changed to the French flag.

Ferries between France and both Jersey and Guernsey have been affected.

ITF representative Laure Talloneau said: "Staff would not compromise and not go back to work until they got better pay and working conditions."

Ms Talloneau said workers were protesting because they wanted the same rights as their counterparts on the mainland, such as social security benefits.

She said they would stay on strike until they had their contracts changed.

A Condor spokesman said: "Talks are continuing between Condor Ferries' negotiators and the 11 deck crew, who remain on strike."