Strike Leaves Passengers Stranded

Seamen decided on Feb. 21 to extend their strike action, creating supply problems to Greece’s islands while also isolating passengers in different parts of the country. Ferries have been moored since Feb. 16 after workers walked off the job in a bid to push ahead with their economic demands, which include higher pensions and measures to tackle unemployment in their sector. The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) announced that the strike will now run through to 6.00 a.m. on Feb. 22. Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kelafoyiannis met with the workers yesterday but failed to convince them to go back to work. The Kathimerini reported the strike is having a crippling effect on farmers as hundreds of trucks transporting fresh produce remain stuck at the country’s ports. Problems have also been caused at the Italian ports of Bari and Ancona by vehicles waiting to cross to Greece. (Source: Kathimerini)