Striking seamen and activists from the communist-affiliated trade union PAME march through the port of Piraeus near Athens February 6, 2013. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek ships sailed again from the busy ports of Piraeus and Rafina on Wednesday after the government ordered seamen to end a six-day strike that cut off dozens of islands from the mainland and caused food shortages.
Eager to show international lenders it is facing down powerful unions and sticking with hated reforms and wage cuts, this is the second time in two weeks that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s government has taken such action to break a strike.
Shipping Minister Costis Mousouroulis gave the order late on Tuesday and coastguard officials served the strikers with military-style marching orders threatening them with arrest. Riot police were also deployed to the busy port of Piraeus.
“We strongly denounce and condemn the order, which is undemocratic and unconstitutional,” the seamen’s union, PNO, said in a statement, vowing further strike action once a draft law that weakens their union goes to parliament.
The seamen, who are demanding months of unpaid wages and the repeal of the law, planned to march to the shipping ministry later on Wednesday. The PNO has more influence on passenger shipping than ocean-going tankers and cargo vessels.
Seamen planned a further 48-hour strike before the government threatened them with arrest. Under the law, workers are forcibly mobilised in cases of civil disorder, natural disaster or health risks to the public.
The law was invoked last month to end a nine-day walkout by subway workers that paralysed public transport in the capital. (Reporting by John Kolesidis; Writing by Karolina Tagaris; editing by Patrick Graham)
(c) 2013 Thomson Reuters, Click For Restrictions
This article contains reporting from Reuters, published under license.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Another Greek-controlled oil tanker has crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the fourth such voyage since hostilities in the Middle East began.
LONDON/ATHENS, July 9 (Reuters) – Greek shipping companies calling at Russian ports are boosting their vessels’ defenses after a series of mysterious blasts in recent months have damaged tankers linked to Moscow’s oil...
ATHENS, May 23 (Reuters) – A Greek naval court has charged 17 coast guard officers over one of the Mediterranean’s worst shipwrecks two years ago, in which hundreds of people are believed...
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
