ATHENS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The federation of Greek seamen (PNO) on Monday announced the extension of their strike action to Dec. 9 in protest at the latest round of planned pension cuts, tax hikes and job insecurity.
As a result, Greek islands will remain cut off from the mainland for a week. The mobilization has already caused problems to commuters and the supply of goods.
PNO started the nationwide rolling strikes last Thursday. Talks with the government were inconclusive on Monday and unionists decided to continue protests.
As ships remained tied up at ports across Greece, producers of agricultural products on the islands expressed concern over the impact of the disruption.
Government officials called on the unionists to review their decision, pointing to the 2,500 Greek high school students who had been on an excursion on Crete island and on Monday were stranded on the island.
PNO representatives responded that they do not intend to back down, arguing that the planned abolition of their special tax status and other measures will lead the "seafarers' profession to extinction."
