Striking seamen in Greece temporarily disrupt ferry services
June 3, 2021 GMT
PIRAEUS, Greece (AP) Ferry services to the Greek islands were disrupted Thursday morning after a seamen’s union went ahead with a strike that a court had declared illegal.
Union members blockaded the entrance to ferries in the main port of Piraeus, preventing anyone from boarding. Hundreds of passengers with their suitcases gathered at the port, saying the ferry companies had not informed them of the strike. Heated arguments broke out between passengers and striking workers.
The seamen’s union had declared a 24-hour strike to protest a draft labor bill being debated in parliament, which workers say will erode their rights. Other seamen’s unions have declared strikes for June 10, as part of a general strike that day.
June 3, 2021 Share
PIRAEUS, Greece Ferry services to the Greek islands were disrupted Thursday morning after a seamen’s union went ahead with a strike that a court had declared illegal.
Union members blockaded the entrance to ferries in the main port of Piraeus, preventing anyone from boarding. Hundreds of passengers with their suitcases gathered at the port, saying the ferry companies had not informed them of the strike. Heated arguments broke out between passengers and striking workers.
The seamen’s union had declared a 24-hour strike to protest a draft labor bill being debated in parliament, which workers say will erode their rights. Other seamen’s unions have declared strikes for June 10, as part of a general strike that day.
Athens News Agency 4/28/2021 Athens News Agency
ΑΤΗΕΝS Shipping & Island Policy Minister Giannis Plakiotakis and US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt visited two vessels of the US Coast Guard at Piraeus on Wednesday.
Welcoming Fast Response Cutters Robert Goldman and Charles Moulthrope at Piraeus after a transatlantic journey, Pyatt said that maritime ties have been central to Greece-US relations since the first days of the Hellenic Republic.
Greece is the first country to have earned more than 2,000 AMVER Awards, the US Coast Guard’s global program supporting search and rescue authorities across the world, he noted.
The two officials also tossed a wreath into the sea, honoring the bicentennial of Greece s 1821 Revolution.