Greece’s largest trade union organisations, including the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ union federation ADEDY, on Thursday announced strike action against a draft bill on pension and tax reforms that is to be voted on over the weekend.
GSEE announced a 48-hour general strike on Friday and Saturday, accusing the government of a carrying out a “parliamentary coup” through its sudden decision to bring forward the debate on the draft bill forward to the weekend using fast-track procedures. The union had already announced a 24-hour general strike and morning rally in Athens’ Klafthmonos Square on May 8 – a designated Sunday opening day for shops – to mark Labour Day.
A GSEE announcement said the planned Labour Day rallies will become central trade union strike rallies, urging workers to participate in force and the opposition parties to condemn the decision to bring forward the vote.
ADEDY will also strike on the same days, alongside GSEE, urging all its members to oppose the new measures that include VAT hikes, higher taxes on fuel, alcohol and tobacco and additional pension cuts.
The strike action by the two umbrella trade union organisations, which represent the majority of private and public-sector workers in Greece, will be joined by all categories of Greek seamen, whose union federation PNO on Thursday announced a four-day strike starting at 6:00 on Friday until 6:00 on Tuesday, May 10. The strike is expected to affect Greek ferry connections.
Media strike
The National Journalists’ Union (POESY) also decided to take part in the general strike for Friday and Saturday, starting from 6am Friday till 6am Sunday. The strike includes print, electronic and internet media. The journalists’ union board decided that 15-minute news bulletins would be broadcast on radio between 13:15-13:30 and TV at 20:00-20:15.
The Metro station will also take part in the strike, with no services at metro stations for the next two days.
There will also be no train (ISAP) or tram services in Athens Friday and Saturday.
Buses and trolley buses will also be out of service for three days beginning Friday. Bus services for the disabled will not be affected.
The strike will disrupt transport in Thessaloniki until Monday, beginning with a work stoppage by bus drivers Friday from the beginning of their shift until 9 a.m. and from 9 p.m. until the end of their shift. This will be followed by a 48-hour strike starting Saturday.
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