Ships to remain docked throughout Mayday

Seamen’s Federation claimed that unemployment rates in their sector have rocketed and stressed that some employees still remain unpaid. Port employees will also participate in Thursday’s strike.

The Greek Port Workers Federation has asked the government “to put an end to the ports’ sell-off” and called on all workers to participate in the labor action. Dockworkers Association and the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) supervisors and chief workmen association said that dockworkers will defend the state ownership of Greece’s largest port.

Public and private sector unions ADEDY and GSEE as well as the Athens Labour Centre on Thursday will hold a protest at Klafthmonos square at 11.00 to mark the May Day celebrations, while private and public sector unions have called a 24hour strike. Communist-affiliated group PAME will start its rally at 10.00 at Syntagma square.

Port employees will participate in the unions’ rally at Klafthmonos square at 11.00, while dockworkers will hold a protest at Pasalimani, Piraeus, at 10.30. Meanwhile, main opposition SYRIZA party as well as Piraeus mayor Vassilis Michaloliakos have expressed their opposition to the sale of the port.

“The expressions of interest by six monopoly groups for the acquisition of Piraeus port did not take us by surprise. The sale ensures a guaranteed return for the companies and has no benefits for the society and the economy since even the price offered will be directed to foreign creditors, " SYRIZA’s shipping section said in a statement.

Piraeus mayor Vassilis Michaloliakos on Tuesday met with OLP’s employees and expressed his opposition to the sale of the port and asked that the shares of the Piraeus Port Authority be given to the municipality under the condition that they will not be sold.