eKathimerini — Greek seamen’s Union PNO announced on Saturday a 48 hour extension of their strike action tying oup ferries in port until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The escalation of action came in the wake of concerns over planned changes to a special tax regime applying to those employed in the sector.
PNO is expected to take part in a protest march to the Shipping Ministry in the port city of Piraeus Monday.
Meanwhile, seamen are also expected to take part in a strike on Thursday called by private sector union GSEE as well as the public sector’s ADEDY.
Ferries were tied up last week as well, and PNO has said that it is not planning to back down until the government does.
Meanwhile around 2500 school students on school excursions from Athens and their teachers are stranded on Crete because of the ferry strikes. The students in their traditional pre Christmas 5 day excursion were expected to return to Athens at the weekend and on Monday. Shipping minister Kouroublis is trying to find a solution for the return of the students, several of whom are running out of money.
