Ports were closed and several Greek unions called a strike at the same time
According to the latest reports of foreign media, on November 20 local time, Greek port dockers and seafarers launched a 24-hour general strike in Athens, which hindered the freight business of the container terminal operated by COSCO Group in Piraeus Port. Shippers and forwarders should be particularly aware that logistics for recent shipments to Greece may face delays.
In its statement, the Hellenic Maritime Federation stressed that due to the special nature of the maritime profession, Greek seafarers, as a group who work five to six months a year to support themselves throughout the year, are among the first to be hit by inflation.
At the same time, the Cargo handling Union of the Piraeus Terminal also called on all workers to assemble at the port at 6 a.m. to participate in the strike and to participate in a mass rally at the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus later in the morning. According to the coordination organization Athens People's Assembly, COSCO Group's Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 container terminals in Piraeus have stopped working.
According to the trade union GSEE, the purchasing power of Greek workers has fallen by 8% since 2019 due to the impact of inflation. To that end, unions are calling for higher wages, a restructuring of the country's collective bargaining rules, and increased government investment in public housing.
It is worth noting that the strike on November 20 was a nationwide action that affected not only port shipping, but also several Greek trade unions called on their members to participate, involving thousands of workers. They are protesting against falling living standards and demanding higher wages.
The strike involved shipping, rail transport, bus drivers, teachers, hospital workers and other public sector workers. Around 12,000 people took part in central Athens and around 5,000 in Thessaloniki. The strike action was timed to coincide with the government's presentation of the 2025 budget to the Greek parliament, with the aim of influencing the government's budget decisions through the action.
In its statement, the Hellenic Maritime Federation stressed that due to the special nature of the maritime profession, Greek seafarers, as a group who work five to six months a year to support themselves throughout the year, are among the first to be hit by inflation.
At the same time, the Cargo handling Union of the Piraeus Terminal also called on all workers to assemble at the port at 6 a.m. to participate in the strike and to participate in a mass rally at the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus later in the morning. According to the coordination organization Athens People's Assembly, COSCO Group's Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 container terminals in Piraeus have stopped working.
According to the trade union GSEE, the purchasing power of Greek workers has fallen by 8% since 2019 due to the impact of inflation. To that end, unions are calling for higher wages, a restructuring of the country's collective bargaining rules, and increased government investment in public housing.
It is worth noting that the strike on November 20 was a nationwide action that affected not only port shipping, but also several Greek trade unions called on their members to participate, involving thousands of workers. They are protesting against falling living standards and demanding higher wages.
The strike involved shipping, rail transport, bus drivers, teachers, hospital workers and other public sector workers. Around 12,000 people took part in central Athens and around 5,000 in Thessaloniki. The strike action was timed to coincide with the government's presentation of the 2025 budget to the Greek parliament, with the aim of influencing the government's budget decisions through the action.
