French Industrial dispute
- 3 October 2008 18:516961I have just heard on tonights local radio news that the French are on strike and that as a subsequence NO ferries are sailing.Operation Stack is in operation.Will try and find out more details later
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 3 October 2008 19:006962Well if any Country needs a Maggy Thatcher they do.
The French Government have got no bottle at all, they could not fight their way out of a paper bag.
Brings a joke to mind.
A Scotsman, a Frenchman and an Englishman were walking along Dover beach and they find a lamp and yes they pick it up and rub it. Low and behold the Ginni pops out and says now listen here it has been a long time since I gave any wishes but you can have just one each but it must be for the benefit of your Nation.
The Scotsman say's I will have the best Scottish football team to take on all the World and win the World Cup. Whoosh and low and behold Scotland has the football team of football teams.
The Frenchman said my Country has been defeated and over run so often, I want the biggest wall built right round France so we can never be invaded again.
Whoosh and there is a wall right round France 20ft high and 10ft thick.
The Englishman smiled and said my wish is easy, "Fill inside that dam wall with Water"
oops hope it's not racist. - 3 October 2008 19:276964
Thousands of ferry passengers have been stranded because of a blockade of Calais by French fishermen.
P&O Ferries said its vessel Pride of Calais, with 1,400 passengers on board, was held in port for about two hours because of the unexpected action.
European Seaway, a freight ship, was held up for a similar length of time.
Two other ferries containing a total of 1,700 people, the Pride of Burgundy and the Pride of Dover, had to wait in the Channel until the fishermen's action ended, about two hours after it began.
P&O Ferries' spokeswoman Michelle Ulyatt said: "This was not an ideal situation, bearing in mind we are taking extra traffic at the moment because of the recent fire in the Channel Tunnel."Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
3 October 2008 19:336965i am the sure french fishermen have stood down ive read on a travel page that it only lasted 2 hours,police have mini stack on more polltion for aycliffe again. - 3 October 2008 20:206974they were back at 5 pm.
the principle surely must be that they held 3000 people hostage, why do the british and french governments let this happen.
we can send warships to all corners of the globe, but not a few miles down the channel. - 3 October 2008 20:296976All I HAVE TO SAY WHAT ABOUT OUR OWN FISHERMEN as you must have seen on the T.V. over the last few weeks they have to put back into the sea any dead Cod etc because they can not land it ,this must be looked at.
- 3 October 2008 21:176978Victor.
One step at a time dear boy.........
Ian...grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
3 October 2008 21:206979the blockade came down at 17 05 hours today op stack phase 1 and 2 are currently being used acorrding to teletext. vic our fishermen are not militent enough to stand up for there rights. - 3 October 2008 21:266980Not just fisherman Brian, who does dare to strike these days?
Not many.
Shame.
Ian...grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
3 October 2008 21:406982yes it is agreat shame,i would like to see a wide spread strike coordernated with the european counter parts might just bring this goverment to its sences, - Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
3 October 2008 21:576984Belgium public servants are on strike on Monday for 24 hours shutting down Eurostar via Lille to Brussels"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi - 4 October 2008 09:146987Although I do not totally agree with the fishermen, I admire their solidarity. The limits on fishing are there to protect stocks and this I can understand, twinned with high fuel prices, their position is understandable. The French continue to stand up for what they believe in, knowing that democratic government is in place to govern but not rule and dictate.
Unfortunately this mentality was knocked out of us, a mentality that actually got us to a point of civilised democracy (although we still have a few things to iron out!) The Chartists would not have had a chance if the likes of Mrs Thatcher were around in the 1800s.
Howard, I would hardly call the fishermen's actions as holding people hostage. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
4 October 2008 14:276988mrs thatcher even the french were scard of her,could allways make her an mep. 
- 4 October 2008 20:287002dt
i was held hostage by them about a year ago.
not allowed off of the ferry, i watched the cars full of families stuck in the port, unable to get out and stretch their legs beacuse of the extreme weather or get something to eat and drink.
the P & O captain was negotiating with the calais chamber of commerce and kept us all informed of developments, eventually in a resigned tone he announced that they had all gone home to dinner.
after about 6 hours, they "allowed" foot passengers off!!.
thankfully P & O seconded a coach to take us to the eurostar terminal.
eventually we reached dover 14 hours after we were supposed to.
we were the lucky ones, the people with vehicles arrived a day later.
yes we were held hostage, as were the 3000 people mentioned before. - 6 October 2008 06:537043There are reduced services operating through the channel tunnel today,Monday, due to industrial action on the continent.Travellers are advised to check with the operators before travelling.
Classic french style of strike action..ie Friday and Monday giving the strikers a 'long weekend' off.Who said the french were daft?Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
6 October 2008 15:257061are the belgiums people are not french they are belgiums and proud of it.if the belgium people here you calling them french they are likely to give you a slap marek,like calling you a german. - 6 October 2008 15:487063Belgians, not Belgiums!
- 6 October 2008 16:517066It is interesting to read so many good socialists condemning industrial action in countries that still have strong unions. It does smack a bit of jealousy and how many would like to see such concerted action taken over here to deal with our road problems?Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
6 October 2008 16:517067thanks andy didnt know the pleral. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
6 October 2008 16:537069yes chris its a damm shame.
