Greek Seamen Go Ahead with 24-hour Strike – No Ferries on September 3

Photo © GTP

Greece’s seamen’s federation has decided to go ahead with a 24-hour nation-wide strike on Monday, September 3, set to cause disruption to ferry transport in view of returning travelers from the August holiday season, adding that they are considering additional action.

The Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) decided on Wednesday, to proceed with the strike, initially announced on July 26, involving all ferry services in Greece, after a meeting with the Greek Shipowners Association for Passenger Ships (SEEN) failed to meet their demands.

The PNO turned down SEEN’s proposal for a 1 percent rise in collective labor agreements. The union is demanding a 5 percent increase, claiming their wages have remained the same for the past eight years amid increased unemployment in their sector.

In an announcement, the federation said “the negative attitude of the employers at our expense … has sparked intense rage of all seafarers”, and is warning shipowners, the shipping ministry and port authorities to “avoid threatening seamen on strike who are abiding by the decisions of the union because they will be faced with the consequences”.

Travelers who have booked ferry tickets for September 3, 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. For additional information or queries, contact port authorities at the point of travel: Piraeus: 14944 – 14541 – 210-4172675; Rafina: 22940-28888; Lavrio: 22920-26589, 22920-25249, or EKPIZO on 210-3304444 or info@ekpizo.gr.

Greek tourism professionals represented by trade bodies SETE and FedHATTA have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision.