GREECE: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT HAS ORDERED STRIKING SEAMEN BACK TO WORK AFTER A CRIPPLING FOUR DAY STRIKE

Record ID: 647137

  • Title: GREECE: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT HAS ORDERED STRIKING SEAMEN BACK TO WORK AFTER A CRIPPLING FOUR DAY STRIKE
  • Date: 21st June 2002
  • Summary: ATHENS,GREECE (JUNE 21, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. LV/SLV PIREAUS PORT, SHIPS GROUNDED (2 SHOTS) 0.10 2. SV SHIPS TIED TO DOCK 0.15 3. LV/SLV TOURISTS SITTING AROUND BOATS WITH NO PLACE TO GO (2 SHOTS) 0.26 4. SLV MORE TRAVELLERS HANGING AROUND PORT 0.32 5. SV TRAVELLER AND HIS FAMILY SLEEPING INSIDE CAR FOR THE LAST 24 HOURS 0.37 6. CU TRAVELLER LISTENING TO RADIO TO HEAR ABOUT LATEST ON STRIKE 0.42 7. SV TOURISTS SITTING AROUND PORT 0.47 8. MCU (ENGLISH) KAREN LINREIDER FROM NORWAY SAYING: "We don't have a hotel room for today. So that's a problem--so yes it's a problem. But I don't know--right now I don't know what to do." 1.01 9. SLV TOURISTS LINED UP IN TOURISM OFFICE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON 1.05 10. SV MAN RESTING HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS IN FRUSTRATION 1.11 11. SLV TOURISTS SITTING IN FLOOR OF TOURISM OFFICE AT PORT WHO HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE TUESDAY 1.16 12. MCU (ENGLISH) CHRISTINA CALVOVIDELLA, TOURIST FROM SWEDEN SAYING: "We have been here since Tuesday, waiting for a boat, we want to go to Ios to celebrate midsummer which is today, and everyone is there they are waiting for us. So this sucks really." 1.32 13. SLV MORE TOURISTS LINED UP AT COUNTER OF TOURISM OFFICE 1.37 14. SV TOURIST WITH HIS CHILD ON COUNTER 1.42 15. MCU (ENGLISH) TOURISM OFFICE EMPLOYEE JOHN HATZILIAS SAYING: "Some are angry, some are not.It depends if they have come today or are here for four days.Those that came today are fresh in Greece but those who have been here for four days of course they are angry because they have to stay 2 more days." 1.57 16. SLV TRUCKS FULL OF PRODUCE PARKED AT PORT (2 SHOTS) 2.07 17. CU BOTTLES OF WATER INSIDE TRUCK 2.12 18. SLV MORE OF TRUCKS PARKED AT PORT (2 SHOTS) 2.22 19. SV/SLV SHIPS TIED TO DOCKS WITH TRUCKS IN BACKGROUND (2 SHOTS) 2.32 20. LV/SV SHIP EMPLOYEES GATHERED PROTESTING AT DOCK AFTER ORDER BY GOVERNMENT FOR CIVIL MOBILIZATION (2 SHOTS) 2.44 21. MCU (GREEK) WORKER GEORGE DOUSOS YELLING TO OTHER WORKERS IN MICROPHONE SAYING: "Disobey this civil mobilization, increase the fight for every working man". 2.53 22. LV/SV OF SEAMEN MARCHING DOWN PORT IN PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT'S ORDERS (4 SHOTS) 3.15 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 6th July 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ATHENS,GREECE
  • Country: Greece
  • Reuters ID: LVA5IHGIQGTGH90OHM6VPFSH73EN
  • Story Text: The Greek government has ordered striking seamen back
    to work after a crippling four day strike that has trapped
    tourists and left thousands of lorries full of produce rotting
    at ports. The order came after employees vowed to extend their
    strike for another two days.



    Greece ordered striking sailors and ship employees back
    to work on Friday (June 21) in an effort to end a crippling
    four-day strike that has left thousands of tourists stranded
    on islands and disrupted holiday plans for others.

    The government said it ordered the civil mobilisation of
    sailors and dockworkers after failing to persuade the striking
    seamen to end an industrial action against pension reforms.

    The order came after seamen had announced on Friday that
    they would extend their strike for another two days, bringing
    it to six, after the action began on Tuesday.

    Tourists trying to leave islands have been stranded there
    since Tuesday, while others trying to start their holiday sat
    waiting in Athens, some at the main port of Pireaus. The
    strike comes with the tourist season in full swing and
    business owners on the islands are raging over the loss of
    patronage.

    Hotels and travel agents reported hundreds of
    cancellations from Greeks who had planned island visits for
    the three-day weekend. Monday is a religious holiday.

    The Greek Tourism Union, encompassing tourism and travel
    offices, made an urgent appeal to the government in a recent
    statement to find a solution to the strike, stating the
    actions would have serious economic consequences.

    A number of other problems such as September 11 events
    have already put the tourism industry into a crisis, the
    statement said, with a serious decrease in tourism movement.

    Thousands of lorries, full of foodstuffs and supplies for
    the island residents, have been sitting at ports, leaving the
    islands with shortages.

    Panayiotis Nikolaras, President of the Truck and Vehicle
    Association of Greece said some 4,000 trucks were blocked from
    reaching their destinations due to the strike, including
    truckson their way to Italy carrying exports such as fruit.

    The problem is dire for lorrie drivers as they are stocked
    with fresh produce such as fruits, meats and dairy products
    which face the danger of rotting, he said.

    Pensioners and the government were in a deadlock over the
    details of a new pension reform plan.

    On Tuesday a mass general strike by unions opposed to the
    pension plan crippled services and transport nationwide.

    The governments new pension plan, which will see a
    reduction in pensions for most, was ratified into law in
    parliament on Thursday, however.

    This was the second attempt for the government to pass the
    pension proposals, after it had to scrap the plan last year
    following major backlash by unions.


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