The Greek seamen’s union federation PNO, has announced a 24-hour nationwide strike for all Greek ferry crews on Monday, with a prospect to further escalate action.
The decision was reached during a meeting of the PNO Executive Committe on Wednesday morning, as a response to a proposal to a 1 pct wage increase for ferry ship crews made by ship owners on Tuesday, which the unions consider insufficient.
PNO is asking for a 5 pct wage increase for ferry ship crews, pointing out that there has been no wage increase for eight years, while ferry owners counter that they have not reduced wages for their crews during the crisis, unlike other sectors.
Last week ferry companies urged crews to call off their strike amid concerns that thousands of travelers will be left stranded on popular Greek islands such as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete.
In a statement, they stressed said that 180,000 people have booked to travel by ferry on the day of the strike.
They said that operators will be unable to reschedule their ferry timetables and warned that tourists trapped on islands will miss their flights home.