Ferry crews call off strike early ahead of long weekend

Ferry crews have curtailed a four-day strike by several hours, announcing they would go back on the job in the early Friday afternoon instead of at midnight.

The strike had threatened to disrupt the travel plans of thousands of citizens heading to islands for a long weekend ahead of the October 28 national holiday on Monday.

The seamen's union said their strike that had left ferries tied up in port since Tuesday would end by 2 p.m. Friday, saying they had won some concessions from the government, including increased fines for violations of working conditions and better unemployment benefits for out-of-work seamen. The union said it would continue to pursue all of its demands, which originally included a 12% pay rise.

Labor unions are pressing for the restoration of rights that were significantly rolled back during successive international bailouts between 2010...