National strike a threat to supply chain continuity

Tuesday 05 September 2017

The Freight Transport Association has today warned its members, and members of the public, to expect possible disruption to cross-Channel traffic as a result of the French national strike which is scheduled to take place on 12 September 2017.

The strike, which has been called by French trade unions in response to the proposed new labour laws introduced by President Macron, could bring ports and airports to a halt, which would undoubtedly delay the free passage of goods and services across the Channel between the UK and continental Europe.

“Our members will be doing their utmost to ensure that goods reach their destinations on time,” said James Hookham, Deputy Chief Executive of FTA, “but the threat to the supply chain is clear.  This so-called day of action, and the proposed follow-up two weeks later, could shut down vital manufacturing and retail links for UK business at a time when the country’s economy needs to maintain buoyancy and confidence.  On behalf of the FTA’s 16,000 members, I urge President Macron to seek a solution, to ensure that trade can continue to flow freely across the Channel.”

FTA represents all modes of the UK’s freight and logistics sector, with its members operating half of the UK’s lorry fleet (more than 200,000 vehicles) and consigning 70% of the country’s visible exports by sea and air.  The UK remains a leader in logistics at a global level, ranked in the top ten countries in terms of logistics performance, and the sector contributes 11% of the UK’s non-financial business economy.  In 2016, 2.54 million people were employed in logistics in the UK, approximately 8% of the UK’s workforce.  
 
 
FTA Press Office
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