New Round of Strikes to Hit Greek Ports

THPA The Seamen’s Union in Greece is staging a new 48-hour strike tomorrow, on 20 January, according to the latest report from Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS). The strike is expected to affect the routes of domestic and local ferries, and commercial vessels calling at Piraeus, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis, Pachi, Megara and Thessaloniki ports for cargo discharging. The Crew Union of Towage and Salvage and the Tug Boats Crew Union of Thessaloniki have confirmed their participation in the strike which is scheduled to start at 06:00 local time on 20 January and end at 06:00 on 22 January. As informed, during the stoppage period, vessels will not be able to berth, shift or sail from the affected ports. The strike is being staged by the union in response to the government’s planned changes to labour and insurance rights, pensions and retirement ages. Greek seamen unions closed the previous year with several strikes rampant in November and December as they opposed government measures and privatization of the countrys two major ports, Piraeus and Thessaloniki. Just last week, Greece asked China’s port operator Cosco Group (Hong Kong), the sole bidder for Greek Piraeus Port Authority SA, to improve its financial offer for the port which is expected to be discussed this week. World Maritime News Staff