Ferries to stay in port through Sunday

The Aegean islands will remain cut off from the mainland until Monday after the Panhellenic Seamen?s Federation (PNO) decided to extend its strike, which began on October 17.

The seamen are protesting changes to their collective contracts and are angry at the apparent refusal of Development, Competitiveness and Merchant Marine Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis to meet PNO representatives for talks.

The strike has hampered travel to the islands and is threatening to result in some produce due to be shipped from Crete having to be discarded.

PNO general secretary Yiannis Halas told Kathimerini that the union decided to extend its strike because there had been no response from the government to members? concerns about the contract changes.

The seamen are due to stage a protest at 11 a.m. on Saturday in Piraeus.

Meanwhile, IKA social security fund centers will remain closed due to a continuing strike by staff.

Finance Ministry employees are due to continue their strike until next Thursday.