Greece's ferry companies are urging their crew to call off a planned strike on September 3, saying it will leave around 200,000 travellers stranded during the peak summer season and no alternative means of transport for many.
According to the announcement, the federation has called an industrial action, following the failed outcome of a meeting with the Greek Shipowners Association For Passenger Ships (SEEN) for the renewal of the collective labor agreement for 2018, saying it was “an unfair tactic” after refusing to increase the salary of Greek seamen for the seventh consecutive year.
The PNO seamen's federation is seeking salary increases and tax breaks and threatened to extend the 24-hour strike, which will affect all routes to Greek islands including the most popular islands.
Ferry companies said Tuesday that 180,000 people have booked to travel by ferry on the day of the strike. They said in a statement that due to the busy season operators will be unable to reschedule their ferry timetables, and warned that tourists trapped on islands will miss their flights home.
For those who have booked ferry tickets for September 3rd are advised to contact local port authorities for further information. Passengers whose trip is cancelled due to the strike are entitled to a full refund of their ticket.
