The Panhellenic Seafarers’ Federation (PNO) has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the recent strike at Rafina port—organized by the unions PENEN, PEMEN, and STEFENSON—of serving specific commercial interests in the passenger shipping sector.
Allegations of Bias and Political Motives
In its announcement, the PNO refers to certain union leaders as ‘useful’ syndicalists who claim to represent seafarers’ rights but, in practice, advance narrow business agendas. The federation notes that these three unions do not sign collective labour agreements (CLAs) for seafarers—a stance they openly describe as a matter of political choice—yet simultaneously criticize the PNO and the other ten seafarers’ unions in Greece.
Rafina Port Dispute: A Clash Over Ferry Routes
According to the PNO, the real issue behind the strike was the Ministry of Maritime Affairs’ approval of new high-speed ferry routes for SeaJet. This decision reportedly disrupted operations for two other companies active at Rafina port: Fast Ferries and Golden Star.
The federation stresses that, days before the announced mobilization led by Nikolaos Dalakogeorgos—whose actions PEMEN and STEFENSON have consistently followed over the past two to three years—representatives from both Fast Ferries and Golden Star contacted several union presidents, including the PNO’s General Secretary. In response, the PNO clarified that it does not intervene in commercial competition between shipping companies.
The PNO reiterated its long-standing position in the Shipping Routes Council (SAS): it votes in favour of all proposed ferry routes—as long as they comply with Greek maritime labour law—with the aim of expanding employment opportunities in the sector.
The statement concludes by affirming the PNO’s ongoing monitoring of developments at Rafina port and its commitment to safeguarding seafarers’ rights without compromising professional integrity or independence.