Seafarers of all specialties on car ferries, through their massive, decisive, and militant participation in the strike announced and organized by their unions since 15 December, resumed work after three days, having secured a victory.
The seafarers put forward specific demands related to the strengthening of ship crews, improved safety measures, and wage increases.
During the strike rallies, the crews safeguarded their strike at the ship ramps. With the solidarity of numerous private and public sector trade unions, and the decisive contribution and support of the Piraeus Labour Centre, they succeeded in breaking the employers’ intransigence and achieving a victorious outcome to the strike on 18 December.
As emphasized in the statement by the ship engineers’ unions: “The satisfaction of most of our demands, in the face of the shipowners who fought from day one to undermine and end our strike by every means, confirms that nothing is given for free. What we win, we win through organized struggle and solidarity —against the interests of capital, shipowners, and all the governments that have supported them to date.”