The demonstration was held to support Irish Ferries workers

Ship crews at Holyhead and Pembroke Dock have protested for nearly two weeks over plans to replace staff with cheaper workers from eastern Europe.

Wednesday's demonstration in Holyhead was organised by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITWF) and backed by the Wales TUC.

Talks have been taking place in Ireland between unions and company officials.

Ships in port

The dispute has left two Irish Ferries ships stuck in two Welsh ports for nearly a fortnight.

The Isle of Inishmore, moored in Pembroke Dock, and the Ulysses, docked in Holyhead, were due to sail on 25 November but have remained in port since the dispute began.

The Isle of Inishmore remains in Pembroke Dock

Around 15 members of the crew of each ship barricaded themselves on board, forcing the ships to remain on the Welsh coast.

Crew members are protesting at plans to replace staff with cheaper workers, but Irish Ferries has said it needs to bring in foreign staff to remain competitive.

The company added it had been completely open about what it was doing over bringing in new crews as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

The company said competition from low-cost airlines, high fuel prices and Irish ship workers earning more money mean it will not make profits after 2007 without radical change.

'Visible demonstration'

The protest in Holyhead was organised by the ITWF and supported by the Wales TUC and Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) who have also called for a day of protest in Dublin on 9 December over the dispute.

The Wales TUC said it would repeat the demonstration if there was no resolution in the dispute.

Jack O'Connor, General President of Irish union Siptu, which represents many of the Irish Ferries workers, said: "We very much appreciate the support of Welsh trade unionists at this time.

"It is a very visible demonstration to our members of the Ulysses and the Isle of Inishmore that they are not alone."