Greek Ferry Crews End Strike Early, Easing Travel for Holiday Weekend

Greek ferry crews announced Friday they would end their four-day strike several hours ahead of schedule, resuming services by early afternoon instead of midnight.

The decision allows thousands of travelers to proceed with their plans for the three-day holiday weekend, leading up to Monday’s national holiday.

The strike, which began Tuesday, saw ferries docked at ports across Greece, putting many island-bound trips at risk. The seamen’s union reported they had reached a partial agreement with the government, gaining key concessions that include stricter fines for violations of working conditions and improved unemployment benefits for seamen without work. Despite these gains, the union noted it would continue to advocate for other demands, notably a 12% pay raise.

This recent action highlights broader labour issues in Greece, where unions have been pressing for the reinstatement of workers’ rights that were scaled back during the austerity-driven bailout years from 2010 to 2018. During that period, austerity measures brought sharp reductions in public spending, higher taxes, and weakened collective bargaining rights, impacting numerous sectors of the workforce.