ISS: Greek port workers engage in another strike

The Seamen’s Union 48-hour strike is expected to affect cargo vessels calling at the ports of Piraeus, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis, Pachi and Megara, as well as all domestic and local ferry routes, according to Inchcape Shipping Services.    Dockworkers in Greece are expected to engage in a 48-hour general strike today, May 6, 2016, according to a customer advisory from Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS).
   The Seamen’s Union strike is expected to affect cargo vessels calling at the ports of Piraeus, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis, Pachi and Megara, as well as all 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.
   The strike action is one of several in recent months called in response to planned changes to labor and insurance rights, pensions and retirement ages by the Greek government.
   Greece in April officially 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.
   “A General Strike is also taking place today in Greece which includes public transport employees, hospital personnel, employees at oil installations and journalists,” ISS added.