Greek Seafarers Extend Strike Amidst Labour Disputes

Learner News | 24/10/2024

In today’s edition of Greek Learner News, discover who is leading the charge in the extended seafarers’ strike and what demands are on the table, as travel disruptions loom ahead of a national celebration.

Greek Seafarers Extend Strike Amidst Labour Disputes

The news in Greek

Η Παναλλήνια Ναυτική Ομοσπονδία1 (ΠΝΟ) ανακοίνωσε παράταση2 της απεργίας ναυτεργατών για ακόμα 48 ώρες. Αυτή η απεργία3 αφορά τα πλοία και κρουαζιερόπλοια στην Ελλάδα. Οι ναυτικοί4 ζητούν καλύτερους μισθούς5 και συνθήκες6 εργασίας. Η απεργία7 προκαλεί προβλήματα σε ταξιδιώτες, ειδικά για την εθνική γιορτή της 28ης Οκτωβρίου.

  1. ομοσπονδία (f.)
    ένωση οργανισμών ή κρατών που συνεργάζονται για κοινό σκοπό ↩︎
  2. παράταση (f.)
    αύξηση της διάρκειας, επεκτείνοντας τον χρόνο ισχύος ↩︎
  3. απεργία (f.)
    ομαδική αποχή από την εργασία για διεκδίκηση δικαιωμάτων ↩︎
  4. ναυτικός (m.)
    άτομα που εργάζονται στη θάλασσα, ειδικά σε πλοία ↩︎
  5. μισθός (m.)
    χρηματική αμοιβή για εργασία ↩︎
  6. συνθήκη (f.)
    οι περιστάσεις ή κατάσταση που περιβάλλει κάτι ↩︎
  7. απεργία (f.)
    ομαδική αποχή από την εργασία για διεκδίκηση δικαιωμάτων ↩︎

Translation

The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced a 48-hour extension of the mariners’ strike. This strike affects ships and cruise liners in Greece. The seafarers are demanding better pay and working conditions. The strike is causing issues for travellers, particularly with the approaching national holiday on 28th October.

Text Comprehension

Question: Who announced the extension of the seafarers’ strike?

The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) announced the extension of the strike.

Question: What are the sailors asking for in their strike?

The sailors are asking for better wages and working conditions.

Vocabulary

GreekEnglish
ομοσπονδία (f.)federation
παράταση (f.)extension
απεργία (f.)strike
ναυτικός (m.)sailors
μισθός (m.)wages
συνθήκη (f.)conditions

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Read the full story

The seafarers’ union attributes the continuation of the strike to several unresolved critical issues affecting Greek sailors. These include calls for a repeal of Law 4150, which regulates the four-month operational period of high-speed vessels, and demands for the signing of a collective bargaining agreement with a 12% wage increase, as opposed to the 3% proposed by shipowners. Beyond wage disputes, the union highlights problems such as unpaid overtime and the insufficient winter staffing levels, which span November to March.

The PNO has criticized the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs for what it perceives as a lack of response to these pressing concerns, accusing the ministry of favouring shipowners at the expense of maritime workers’ rights. The union is also seeking an immediate meeting with the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Christos Stylianides, to discuss an array of grievances including changes to unemployment benefit conditions, which currently result in minimal support for only a select few eligible seafarers.

Greek Seafarers Extend Strike Amidst Labour Disputes
Greek Seafarers Extend Strike Amidst Labour Disputes

Moreover, union representatives have pointed out that, despite recent inspections aimed at rectifying violations related to crew work limits, several maritime companies still owe employees for overtime work, particularly in roles such as stewards, chefs, and financial officers. These issues are exacerbated by the fact that the majority of Greek seafarers work only 6 to 7 months a year, yet wages are distributed over 12 months, which impacts earning predictability and financial stability.

As the strike continues, travellers planning trips for the impending 28th October national holiday weekend face significant disruptions, with many having to alter or cancel their plans due to the strike’s timing. The PNO is organizing a protest rally on Friday, the 25th of October, at 10 am, near the ship El. Venizelos, to further emphasize their cause.

Info: “Greek Learner News” is a service from “Let’s Learn Greek”, a language school dedicated to teaching Greek. We offer a range of online courses designed to suit different learning needs. For those seeking personal guidance, our Greek tutors are available to provide expert support and tailored instruction.


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