The Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) announced this week that all ferry services to the Greek islands will be suspended for 24 hours, beginning at 00:01 on Thursday, May 1. This move is part of a wider strike to honor workers and advocate for key labor rights.
The federation’s key demands this year include immediate action on unemployment in the maritime sector, the elimination of undeclared and uninsured work, enforcement of collective bargaining agreements, a repeal of anti-labor laws undermining union rights, and new labor conventions across all ship categories.
In a public statement, the federation emphasized the symbolic weight of May Day: “Seafarers will honor the struggles of workers and seafarers, recognizing the timeless message of Chicago in 1886.”
Though May Day is a national holiday, in Greece it is recognized as a general strike. All public services will be closed and demonstrations have been planned in cities across the country.
The General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) has urged all employees to take part in strike actions, noting that “May Day is not a holiday, it is a strike.”
Rallies in Athens start at 10:30 a.m. at Syntagma Square and in Thessaloniki at 10:30 a.m. at Venizelos Statue.
Pensioners’ associations will also join the protest, further amplifying calls for fair labor practices and social justice.
Travelers are advised to plan ahead.
