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Viktoria Mindova

On the sixteenth day of Pirea Port workers’ strike, the docks were deserted. Tons of merchandise are blocked and cannot reach retailers and consumers for more than two weeks now. The only habitants of the reception-points were the port security guards. Pictures are not allowed and questions cannot be asked, unless an official appointment has been made.

At the same time, in Athens downtown strikers met with the Minister of Employment and Social Affairs Andreas Loverdos, who listened to their demands. The main requirement of the workers is for the concession contract with the Chinese COSCO to be frozen. The strikers’ discontent caused a clash with the authorities that ended with minor injuries of one of the protestors and a camera-man from Antenna TV channel.

Meanwhile, the minister of Development, Luka Katseli, announced that the government is eager to reconsider the concession contract in order to protect the interests of Pirea Port workers and those of the country. The solution that the Ministry is proposing is to go back over the conditions of the concession rather than breaking it. Yesterday morning the board of managers of Pirea Port sent a resignation, which however Luka Kastely did not accept.

The Chamber of the Athenian merchants and industrialists, on the other hand, expressed their dissatisfaction with the current situation by filing a suit against the union of Pirea Port workers. The Chamber demands that the strike is classified as illegal and the court pronounces for its ending. The Chamber demands that for any future offence that the unions may commit, they should be imposed a fine of €4000 and pay the trial expenses.

The trade-union in Pirea is also appealing for some clear thinking. The union posted an official statement on its web site: “Democracy means rights, as well as responsibilities. We respect the democratic right to strike, but the foundations of democracy are the dialog and solidarity, which unfortunately cannot be observed with the strike activities at the port.”