Greek dockworkers plan 48-hour strike

The strike action, called by Hellenic Crew Union and the Towage and Salvage Crew Union of Piraeus in response to planned changes to labor and insurance rights, pensions and retirement ages, is scheduled to start tomorrow, Jan. 27 at 6 a.m. local time.    Dockworkers in Greece are expected to engage in a 48-hour strike starting tomorrow, Jan. 27 at 6 a.m. local time, according to a customer advisory from Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS).
   The strike action, called by Hellenic Crew Union and the Towage and Salvage Crew Union of Piraeus in response to planned changes to labor and insurance rights, pensions and retirement ages, will affect commercial vessel operations calling at the ports of Piraeus, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis, Pachi and Megara, as well as domestic and local ferry routes.
   “During the stoppage period, vessels will not be able to berth, shift or sail from the affected ports,” said ISS. “Tug boats in Thessaloniki are expected to work normally on these dates as these crew will not be attending this strike.”
   The announcement comes just after Greece accepted state-owned China COSCO Holdings Company Ltd.’s €368.5 million (U.S. $402.1 million) offer to purchase a 67 percent stake of Piraeus Port Authority S.A.
   The Greek government agreed to the privatization of port of Piraeus, the country’s largest cargo gateway, and the northern port of Thessaloniki as part of its latest bailout deal with the European Union.