Greek Ferry Crews Strike Compromises as National Holiday Nears

Greek ferry crews ended their strike early, easing the potential disruption to travel plans for thousands heading to the islands for a national holiday. The strike, which began on Tuesday, won concessions such as increased fines for working condition violations and improved unemployment benefits for seamen.

In a move to minimize disruption ahead of a national holiday, Greek ferry crews have curtailed their four-day strike. Initially set to end at midnight, the strike will now conclude by early Friday afternoon, ensuring that thousands of Greeks can travel to the islands for the long weekend.

The decision comes after the Greek seamen's union announced that they had secured concessions from the government. Key victories include increased penalties for breaches of working conditions and improved unemployment benefits for out-of-work seamen. Despite these gains, the union remains committed to pursuing their remaining demands.

This strike highlights ongoing tensions in Greece's labor sector, where unions continue to fight for rights lost during the austerity period following international bailouts from 2010 to 2018. Earlier this week, school teachers also participated in strikes, demanding better pay and job security.

(With inputs from agencies.)