Unions representing ferry workers in France say they will prevent the Irish Ferries ship, the Normandy, from entering any French port after talks between the company and unions broke down.
Last night, SIPTU representatives reported to their French colleagues that Irish Ferries were unwilling to negotiate in any meaningful way.
The French trade union said it would move quickly to prevent the Normandy from entering Cherbourg or any other French port.
The action will take place in the next few days. The dispute centres on the fact that the company is no longer using SIPTU staff for its French service, but is outsourcing duties to personnel from EU countries in eastern Europe.
The action would affect hundreds of holidaymakers and businesses dependant on ferry services between here and France.
