Piraeus strike resolved, says COSCO Pacific
Terminal operator COSCO Pacific said Sunday it has resolved a strike action by dockworkers at the Piraeus Container Terminal in Greece and that work will resume Monday.
The terminal operator, which began leasing the terminal in September under a 35-year concession to redevelop it and operate it as an expanded, modern facility, came under pressure from local longshoremen who worried the Chinese-based company would cut staff and scale back workers' rights. Dockworkers had been striking since Oct. 1 over the privatization of the port, which was previously managed by the Greek government through the Piraeus Port Authority
On Friday, COSCO released a note to the media saying it hoped the situation would be resolved soon. The Friday note also said that there was an open dialogue between local labor unions and the port authority.
'The company is very pleased at the resolution of the strike action,' COSCO said in its Sunday statement. 'As stated in the previous announcement, PCT will implement its original plans to improve the Piraeus Container Terminal's facilities and services so as to develop the terminal into a modern terminal providing reliable, flexible and efficient container handling service to international shippers. Meanwhile, COSCO Pacific looks forward to joining hands with the port and shipping communities in Greece to further enhance the function of Piraeus Port serving the shipping industry as a gateway to Greece and South Europe.'