Guernsey Press

We will stay on boat until demands are met - Condor mutineers

MUTINEERS aboard the Rapide have accused Condor of failing to give them basic employment benefits.

Published

Speaking for the first time since commandeering the ship, a spokesman for the crew sent out a clear message to the ferry operator: 'We will stay on the boat until we get what we want'.

The 10 French crewmen and one woman, as well as a British seaman, yesterday hoisted the Brittany 'Gwenn-ha-du' flag and demanded that the Bahamas-registered vessel be reassigned under the French flag to enable French employment rights for workers.

One of the mutineers – who gave his name as Michel out of fear of reprisals – said staff were being left with no sickness cover or pension rights.

'At the end of the month we have to pay income tax in France on our gross income.

'Condor has tried to persuade us to take out private insurance and we said no. They have told us that we will get social security and pension rights eventually, but we will have to wait for two years until new legislation is enacted. This is unacceptable.

'We will stay on the boat until we get what we want.'

Yesterday marked the sixth day the fast ferry was tied up in France. Condor negotiators have tried to talk the unhappy staff down.

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