Ferries remain docked today at many ports across the country due to a 24-hour strike.

Several of the country’s largest ports are expected to have no ferry services today, Friday, October 30, due to a 24-hour strike called by three seafarers’ unions as part of the International Day of Action for Dockworkers and Port Workers.

The industrial action will take place at 113 ports across 21 countries and five continents.

The strike involves the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Engineers (PEMEN), the Panhellenic Union of Lower Engine Crews of the Merchant Marine “STEFENSON”, and the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Seamen (PENEN).

According to statements issued by the unions, the strike will affect the ports of Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Patras, Igoumenitsa, Elefsina and Rio-Antirrio, where significant disruption to scheduled ferry services is expected.

At the heart of the unions’ demands are the protection of seafarers’ lives and safety in areas affected by armed conflict, the renewal of collective labour agreements and improvements to working conditions aboard ships.

More specifically, PEMEN and “STEFENSON” are calling for:

• the designation of dangerous maritime areas as war zones,
• 12% pay increases under collective labour agreements,
• improved minimum crew staffing levels on ships, and
• stronger health and safety measures for crews.

They are also demanding the introduction of a seven-hour working day, a five-day working week and a 35-hour week, as well as the mandatory presence of a doctor aboard ships.

 

For its part, PENEN points out that the escalation of armed conflicts in key maritime areas is significantly increasing the risks faced by seafarers.

In its statement, the union refers to 28 attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf during the first 21 days of October, while also citing 570 confirmed attacks in the Black Sea, resulting in 40 seafarers being killed and hundreds injured. These figures are cited by the union and have not been independently verified.

The union also stresses that the pay increases included in the existing collective labour agreements have already been eroded by inflation, resulting in a decline in seafarers’ purchasing power.

Three-hour work stoppage by port employees

The Federation of Permanent Port Employees of Greece (OMYLE) is also taking part in tomorrow’s industrial action, having called a three-hour work stoppage from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The decision was taken unanimously at a meeting of the federation’s board on October 23, as part of the pan-European mobilisation of port workers.

OMYLE opposes the use of port facilities for military purposes, while also raising issues concerning the impact of automation on employment, the protection of trade union rights and the signing of collective labour agreements at all ports across the country.

Particular reference is made to the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP), where a new company-level collective labour agreement has yet to be signed following the expiry of the previous agreement on July 31, 2026.

The federation is calling for negotiations to be accelerated, as well as for the meaningful participation of employee representatives in the planning and decision-making process concerning the operation of the country’s largest port.

Piraeus-wide strike and international mobilisation

On the same day, the Piraeus Labour Centre has called a 24-hour strike across the wider Piraeus area, as part of the International Day of Action for dockworkers and port workers.

According to its statement, trade unions from more than 100 ports, in dozens of countries and across four continents, are coordinating their action and planning strikes and other forms of mobilisation.

Workers from Mediterranean ports are taking part, including Piraeus, Marseille, Genoa, Bilbao and Istanbul, as well as workers from countries such as India, Morocco, Mexico and Cyprus.

A key demand of the unions is that ports not be used for the transport of war materiel, military equipment and troops to conflict zones.

The Piraeus Labour Centre argues that port facilities and other strategic infrastructure should not be involved in military planning, highlighting what it says are the risks created for workers and local residents.

At the same time, it is demanding increases in wages and pensions, the signing of collective labour agreements, the introduction of a seven-hour working day, a five-day working week and a 35-hour week, as well as measures to address inflation and high energy costs.

Its demands also include strengthening public healthcare and education, as well as introducing additional measures to protect workers from industrial and environmental risks.

According to the statement, unions representing dockworkers, seafarers, metalworkers, professional drivers, chemical industry workers, retail workers and cleaning staff are taking part in the international mobilisation through strikes or work stoppages.

Rally at 10 a.m. in Piraeus

As part of tomorrow’s industrial action, a strike rally has been scheduled for 10 a.m. at Dimotiko Theatro Square in Piraeus, following a call by the Labour Centre and the seafarers’ unions.

PENEN has announced a pre-rally gathering at 9:15 a.m. at Agia Triada, opposite NAT.

The Piraeus Labour Centre has called on its member unions, workers in both the private and public sectors, and collective bodies in the city to take part in the mobilisation.

It has also announced that the action will continue with the nationwide general strike on November 25.

Tomorrow’s strike action is expected to affect both ferry services and the operation of port services.