GSEE, ADEDY and EKA announced a 24-hour nationwide strike for Wednesday October 1, in reaction to the new labor bill from the Ministry of Labor. ADEDY’s Executive Committee unanimously decided on the mobilization, condemning the measures announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair as a “mockery,” since no substantial wage increase is provided. The main demands include the restoration of 13th and 14th salaries, pay increases, withdrawal of the 13-hour workday bill and the demand for a 35-hour five-day week.
Read: Taxis: Participating in October 1 strike – What Thymios Lyberopoulos told Parapolitika 90.1 (Audio)
National strike on October 1: What are the demands of the mobilization
Moreover, EKA, with a decision from September 12, calls on Athens workers to participate in the strike and in a protest rally on September 23 outside the Ministry of Labor, the day it will request a meeting with Minister Niki Kerameos. GSEE denounces a “climate of disappointment and anger” and demands withdrawal of the bill, implementation of collective agreements for all and reduction of working hours to 37.5 hours weekly. At the same time, it accuses the government of “communication tricks” and inadequate measures that, it argues, lead to flexibilization of labor relations.
SATA: Taxis also pull the handbrake
Taxi drivers are also participating in the October 1 strike, as announced by Thymios Lyberopoulos, speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 radio. “I believe it’s time for the uprising of ’11 to happen again, and we must play a leading role, as we did then,” noted Thymios Lyberopoulos. We recall that there was previously a 24-hour taxi strike on September 22 as well as an 18-hour work stoppage from Sunday evening September 21 until Monday afternoon September 22.
Ships tied up in ports – 24-hour PNO strike
The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) unanimously decided on a 24-hour strike for October 1. All ships throughout the country will remain tied up, with complete suspension of routes from 00:01 to 24:00. The goal is withdrawal of the new law providing for 13-hour daily work, abolishing the historic triptych “8 hours work, 8 hours recreation, 8 hours rest.” PNO emphasizes that the measure harms seafarers’ personal life, health and safety. The October 1 strike aims to protect workers in all sectors. The participation of PNO, educators and workers in the public and private sectors are those that have already been announced so far.
What will happen with public transport
So far there have been no announcements from public transport unions regarding their participation in the mobilization or not.
