IRISH Ferries' weekend sailings were severely delayed by industrial action, despite the company's belief that it had secured agreement from the unions postponing all actions until next week.
The St Killian docked in Rosslare at 9 30 p.m. last night, almost eight hours behind schedule, after deliberate delaying tactics by members of the Seamen's Union of Ireland.
A statement issued by the SUI contradicted earlier statements from the company saying there would be no delays.
An Irish Ferries spokeswoman said last night that the company hoped the St Killian would sail to Le Havre some time this morning. But difficult weather conditions made this uncertain.
Yesterday evening's scheduled service from Rosslare to Pembroke was cancelled because of the weather.
Talks resume at the Labour Relations Commission tomorrow morning, in an effort to avert a threatened 24 hour strike aimed at Wednesday's scheduled sailing to France.
In the absence of an agreement, some of Thursday's sailings to Britain will also be hit.
Sources on both sides indicated that substantial progress had been made at Friday's meeting.
It is thought that any agreement will be a short term one, involving a voluntary severance package and lay off terms following the planned closure of the winter service to the Continent on November 3rd.
Meanwhile, the unions plan a protest march to the Dail next Thursday.
