Seamen call off strikes, ferries back on Wednesday
The Panhellenic Seamen?s Union (PNO) has said that it will be calling off further strikes after the second day of their first 48-hour stoppage ends on Wednesday morning, adding that coastal shipping would resume as normal on Wednesday.
PNO made its announcement on Tuesday afternoon following a meeting with Development and Maritime Affairs Minister Anna Diamantopoulou, and Labor Minister Giorgos Koutroumanis, who offered them written responses to complaints regarding cuts to pensions and salaries.
“We provided written answers to all of the seamen’s demands after talks between the four responsible ministries,» Diamantopoulou said after the meeting, which she described as «positive.”
“I believe that PNO will reconsider its stance in relation to strike action, which has a profound impact on the economy,» Koutroumanis added, responding to concerns by commercial associations on the islands that they would face serious shortages if ferries stopped delivering goods and by farmers on Crete who warned on Monday that they would take action of their own if their crops were not distributed.
