The mobilization of the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Sailors (PENEN) is entering a phase of head-on confrontation with the shipowners.
PENEN is entering a phase of confrontation, warning of a general strike across the entire coastal shipping sector if there is no substantial response from shipowners and the government.
Following a new meeting held by PENEN members at the port of Patras, they decided on a new 24-hour strike starting today, Friday (20/6), at 06.00 and ending on Saturday, 21/6, at 06.00.
“The deck crew is continuing its strike on Adriatic ships, demanding solutions to its fair demands,” the PENE administration said in a statement.
According to the seafarers’ union, the strike was reinforced after today’s strike meeting at the port of Patras, which followed a mass rally of solidarity by seafarers and supporters.
It adds that after today’s strike meeting and the solidarity rally at the port of Patras, all the facts were examined, and, following a dialogue, it was unanimously decided by both the administration and the sector to continue the strike.
It also notes that with regard to security personnel, the provisions of maritime law in cases of strikes will be observed.
For its part, the Attica Group, which operates the Greece-Italy route through its subsidiaries—Italy under the Superfast brand—issued a statement yesterday pointing out that the Piraeus Single-Member Court of First Instance had ruled that the third consecutive strike by PENE was illegal, continuing the previous legal pattern.
The company emphasizes that PENEN’s illegal and abusive behavior is causing serious damage both to itself and to the national economy, placing an additional burden on hundreds of passengers who remain stranded, and states that it will take all legal action to seek criminal and civil liability.
PENEN, for its part, reiterates that it will not back down unless its demands are met and says it is ready to participate in a meeting with the Minister of Shipping in the hope that some progress can be made.
