5.2.13
Following the unfruitful Monday afternoon meeting with Minister of Shipping Kostis Mousouroulis, the presidents of the 14 PNO unions discussed their future moves and decided upon a new 48-hour strike. Despite thoughts of ceasing strike action for a day, to calm nerves, the unions decided to continue as planned.
When asked what would happen, should the strike continue, the Minister responded that “the government will make its decisions”. In November 2010 maritime workers were mobilized (just like the Metro workers), with the PM and Minister of Shipping ending the mobilization in November 2012.
The meeting between the two, which lasted over three hours, was in civil climate, with some tensions. Union representatives explained that the crew of at least seven ships have declared a state of job retention, in demand of their overdue wages. The Minister listened to the demands and vowed to help towards repaying them their overdue wages in two instalments.
Following the meeting, Mr. Mousouroulis also stated that “the Sailor’s House will continue, according to a legal amendment, to provide health services in its central and branch offices [and] the Maritime Job Office will continue to be independent and will be supported, to provide support and relief programs”.
