Greek privatization triggers strike

Strikers also ban overtime.

Workers at Greece's two largest ports, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, went on strike Monday January 7.  Another strike is planned for Friday January 11.

The strikers say they will also ban overtime from January 8-10 and on January 12 and 13.

Union officials are due to review the situation on January 13 to decide if there will be more strikes to come.

The latest strikes follow an announcement by the new Greek Shipping Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis that a global tender for operators to run Piraeus and Thessaloniki under a 30-year concession will be launched in the first half of January.

A move to lease the two container ports to private operators a year ago lead to a month of strikes and slowdowns. 

Relations between the Government and Unions have since been 'tense' with both sides unwilling to compromise.