Workers at the Greek ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki are due to strike on May 8-9 as part of their protest against privatization plans.
The stoppage was called amidst reports that privatization tenders for operations at Piraeus and Thessaloniki will close soon, with the winners expected to take over the facilities early next year.
The tenders are for management contracts for two of the three container facilities at Piraeus and for the entire container terminal at Thessaloniki.
Merchant Marine Minister George Voulgarakis had told the press on April 14 that “the tender will be complete by July this year” while “the investors will take over in 2009”.
Port workers have opposed the privatization and there has been a series of strikes since January.
Dock workers have also been refusing to work overtime and on weekends or holidays.
Port authorities have warned that container storage terminals are already running close to capacity and that further strikes will worsen congestion.
The stoppage was called amidst reports that privatization tenders for operations at Piraeus and Thessaloniki will close soon, with the winners expected to take over the facilities early next year.
The tenders are for management contracts for two of the three container facilities at Piraeus and for the entire container terminal at Thessaloniki.
Merchant Marine Minister George Voulgarakis had told the press on April 14 that “the tender will be complete by July this year” while “the investors will take over in 2009”.
Port workers have opposed the privatization and there has been a series of strikes since January.
Dock workers have also been refusing to work overtime and on weekends or holidays.
Port authorities have warned that container storage terminals are already running close to capacity and that further strikes will worsen congestion.