To stave off an attack on maritime jobs, pay and pensions
Seafarers are starting a rolling programme of action in Greek ports to stave off an attack on maritime jobs, pay and pensions.
The workers, represented by the ITF-affiliated Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO), have announced that the programme of 48-hour strikes will start on 17 October. The action responds to the Greek government’s attack on maritime workers’ employment and pensions rights and follows a series of talks with politicians that ended in deadlock.
The union is demanding that the government safeguard current and future job opportunities in the industry, retain social benefits, including pensions, and upgrade maritime training and retraining activities. It also wants the ship owners to re-enter national collective bargaining negotiations so that wages can be upgraded.
John Halas, general secretary of PNO, said: “Greek seafarers are determined to defend with dynamism their rights from the cruel attack of the Greek government and will not allow the extermination of Greek seafaring, with a thousand years of history and contribution to the nation.”
Source: ITF
