The ship's itinerary is canceled. Aqua Jewel due to a strike by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO), as officially announced. Specifically, the 48-hour strike that has been announced will affect operation of routes from October 22 to October 24, 2024, during which time the Aqua Jewel will not operate any routes.
The PNO strike is part of a broader mobilization aimed at supporting seafarers' demands for improved working conditions, wages, and other issues. The suspension of services is expected to cause temporary disruption to passengers who had planned to travel during this period.
Passengers are advised to stay informed about the progress of the protests and the possibility of further changes to schedules, and to contact travel agencies and shipping companies for additional information.
Read the announcement by the PNO:
48-hour nationwide warning strike
October 2, 2024
PNO ANNOUNCEMENT
A meeting was held today between the administrations of SEEN and PNO.
The purpose of the meeting, as had been communicated out of court, was to renew and sign the Collective Bargaining Agreement for International Passenger Ferry and Cruise Ship Operators for the year 2025.
Beyond the rate of increase, a number of very serious issues governing the working conditions of our colleagues in these specific categories of ships were also brought to the table.
Unfortunately, the meeting failed due to the employers' intransigent stance. In response to the 12% increase requested by our Federation, they countered with a 3% increase for 2025. They also refused to discuss a number of other issues.
After the meeting, the Executive Committee of the PNO held an emergency meeting and, after discussing the provocatively intransigent stance of the employers, who used various tricks to lead the negotiations to a dead end, believing that in this way they would escape having to satisfy our entirely fair demands.
We cannot ignore the high profitability of these companies, the €150,000,000 they receive annually from the State Treasury for subsidies for unprofitable routes, the bonus that the government is preparing for them for the renewal and modernization of their fleet due to the famous transition to green shipping.
We cannot ignore the fact that even the few provisions included in maritime labor legislation are being violated on all ships, to the detriment of seafarers.
Also, they pointed out the awful situation that came about because of Law 41/50, which says that at the end of October, 50% of the hotel staff, as well as the 4-month routing of speedboats, which has brought about significant changes in the work of our colleagues, while making many of them seasonal seafarers.
Several members of the PNO management made specific reference to the fact that members of the SEEN board of directors are purchasing ships worth tens of millions of euros.
On the other hand, our colleagues are facing an unbearable wave of price increases for basic necessities, energy, education, and health care. Our colleagues who work on high-speed boats are particularly affected by this monstrosity of a four-month route, which serves specific centers rather than the general public on an annual basis and our islanders.
Taking all of the above into account, the Executive Committee unanimously decided to send extrajudicial notices for the declaration of a 48-hour nationwide warning strike, with the prospect of escalation, on October 22 and 23 October for the above categories of ships and to send delegations to all ports.
WE DEMAND: signing of a collective agreement with a 12% increase,
WE DEMAND:
• Repeal of Law 41/50,
• Immediate amendment of the article on the four-month scheduling of E.G./O.G., Fast Ferries, and
• Imposition of a seven-month mandatory routing,
• In practice, and not just on paper, the non-approval of routes by the SAS and the Minister, in view of the new route period, without strict compliance with maritime labor legislation.
In the name of interests, no one can or has the right to undermine seafarers' rights, but also to undermine the safety and protection of human life at sea through this process.
We're calling on all seafarers, islanders, and organizations to stand with the Federation's decision so we can all defend our rights together.
Safe maritime transport is unthinkable without seafarers with established rights.
For the PNO
