PNO Announces New Strike, No Ferries in Greece on May 18-19

Ferries in Greece will be docked for four days in a row, due to strike action of the Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO).

PNO announced on Tuesday that it will hold a second 48-hour nationwide strike in all ship categories from 00:01 on Thursday, May 18, until 24:00 on Friday May 19. The industrial action will follow a strike scheduled to run from 00:01 on Tuesday, May 16, until 24:00 on Wednesday, May 17.

In an announcement, the federation called for “the understanding and support of travelers” and refered to “a struggle that concerns the entire Greek society”.

Moreover, PNO stated its opposition to the “flood of new measures that will demolish social security and welfare and the last remaining rights of seafarers disappear”.

Among claims, the Greek seamen are demanding that their labor and social security rights are restored to pre-memorandum levels and that collective labor agreements will be in effect for workers of all categories of ships for 2017. The ferry workers are also protesting against uninsured labor and increased unemployment in their sector.

Travelers that have booked ferry tickets are advised to check with their travel agents or contact local port authorities for further information. Passengers whose trip is cancelled due to the strike are entitled to a full refund of their ticket.

Greek tourism professionals have expressed their disappointment with PNO’s decision.