Greek Seamen End Strike after Reaching Deal on Wage Increase

September 4, 2018

© fabdrone / Adobe Stock
© fabdrone / Adobe Stock

Greek seamen on Tuesday called off a strike that had kept ferries and passengers stranded in ports around the country, after reaching a deal with employers on a wage increase.

The strike, which started at 0600 (0300 GMT) on Monday, was led by the PNO seamen's federation and other unions including dockers and merchant marine engineers.

The PNO had initially planned to continue the strike to Wednesday but said it would end it after reaching an agreement with employers on a 2 percent pay rise this year, its members' first increase for eight years.

The walkout forced many holidaymakers to seek alternative ways of travelling in a country where tourism is a pivotal industry for an economy which is slowly emerging from a debt crisis.

After eight years of austerity prescribed by Greece's international lenders, its euro zone partners and the International Monetary Fund, the left-led government has pledged to reverse unpopular labor reforms and raise wages.

Marine unions have strongly resisted wage cuts prescribed by the country's international lenders and reforms liberalizing the shipping sector.


(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; editing by Andrew Roche)

Logistics News

Trade Group Wants Ban on Export of Scrap Aluminum Cans to China

Trade Group Wants Ban on Export of Scrap Aluminum Cans to China

Chinese Container Ship Completes Northern Sea Route, Halves UK Delivery Time

Chinese Container Ship Completes Northern Sea Route, Halves UK Delivery Time

Cavotec MoorMaster Systems Operational at Iroquois Lock in Canada

Cavotec MoorMaster Systems Operational at Iroquois Lock in Canada

Fueling the Future of Ports: Cost Savings and Resilience as Propane’s Proven Edge

Fueling the Future of Ports: Cost Savings and Resilience as Propane’s Proven Edge

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Europe's airline chiefs demand more support to meet green goals
Greek strike against labour reforms disrupts transport, services
Chinese airlines oppose Trump's plan to stop flying above Russia on US routes