Ferries and Greek airports to strike

The threat of travel disruption for holidaymakers loomed larger yesterday as officers on P&O ferries voted to strike and Greek airport staff decided tostop work during peak hours from today until Saturday.

The threat of travel disruption for holidaymakers loomed larger yesterday as officers on P&O ferries voted to strike and Greek airport staff decided tostop work during peak hours from today until Saturday.

Train drivers' leaders are also today expected to announce a ballot on industrial action at the Channel Tunnel.

Morning flights to and from France yesterday were disrupted following the 24-hour stoppage on Monday by French air traffic controllers but services later returned to normal.

Leaders of the RMT union and representatives of Railtrack said they would begin talks in an attempt to avoid stoppages by signal workers protesting over pay.

Management at P&O ferries was also hoping to avoid industrial action by members of the officers' union Numast, who backed a walkout by 265 to 76 in protest at a pay offer which they want doubled. The union held back from naming strike dates in the hope that fresh talks will avert disruption.

Officers who voted for strikes work on North Sea and Irish Sea ferries, some Scottish routes and Portsmouth-based ferries. Dover is unaffected.

In Greece, airport staff are demanding payments for overtime work and a guarantee that airports will not be privatised.