Greek ferry service resumes after Govt threat
Greek ferries resumed operation today after striking workers backed down rather than risk arrest under a government back-to-work order.
The retreat by unions ended a crippling four-day strike that left tens of thousands of tourists stranded and islands cut off from vital shipments of fresh food and medicine.
The decision also halted - perhaps just temporarily - a major clash between the powerful Greek seamen and the government over efforts to overhaul the country’s ailing social security system.
Officials in Greece’s main port, Piraeus, said many ferries had resumed scheduled routes early today.
On Friday, the government ordered seamen to return to work or face arrest under an emergency mobilisation decree. The seldom-used measure was taken after unions extended their walkout for higher pensions and benefits until early Monday the final day of a three-day holiday weekend for Pentecost.
The government has offered a compromise pension scheme that fell short of union demands.
The pension reforms are part of an effort to salvage Greece’s beleaguered social security system.
The government insists the changes are needed to keep the system from bankruptcy in a country with an aging population and low birth rate.
Union leaders claim the new measures undermine job security and will not reduce employment.
