A strike by Greece’s Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) officially ended as of 2 p.m. (12 GMT) on Friday, meaning that ferry boat and domestic shipping routes began immediately.
The strike by the powerful ship workers’ union began last week, with the main demand being the signing of a collective bargaining agreement with wage increases, but also calling for the imposition of a minimum seven-month routing of vessels per destination every calendar year.
The strike resulted in the near total cancellation of coastal shipping routes to and from the mainland to the myriad islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
The ship workers’ union stated that after a meeting of their representatives with the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Christos Stylianides, that the two sides agreed to a 5% wage increase for 2025 and another 2% for 2026.
They added that the ministry had also agreed to:
– Modifications of the terms and conditions for those who receive unemployment benefits, as well as an increase in the unemployment benefit amount
– An increase in the fines imposed for employers that violate the regulated work schedule and rest periods of seafarers.
– Faithful observance and strict application of legislation governing seafarers’ work, both as regards working hours and rest periods, especially on-board high-speed vessels.
