Piraeus dock strike induces Athens to rethink Cosco CT deal

A DOCK strike at Piraeus, the biggest port in Greece, targeting China's Cosco terminal operations, has led the governing Panhellenic Socialist Movement party (Pasok) to reassess of the 35-year concession.

The strike, the latest in a series of 24-hour strikes by port workers in two years is affecting the port's profitability and credibility said the Piraeus port authority. High congestion is inducing ships to look for alternative ports, said the Piraeus Merchants Association.

According to the union, the EURO3.4 billion (US$5.02 billion) container terminal deal signed a year ago, will hurt employment rights and cause layoffs, a Reuters report said.

"We won't let Cosco enter the port, because we believe the contract is hurting employees' rights and the country's interests, and we are determined to continue until our problem is solved." said longshore union chief George Nouhoutides.

"We call the new government, which supported us when it was in opposition, to stand by us," he said.

Source: www.schednet.com