Citizens face significant transportation difficulties today, October 1st, due to the 24-hour strike declared by GSEE, ADEDY, EKA and PAME, protesting the new labor bill that provides, among other things, for 13-hour daily work. The central slogan of the mobilizations is: “No to 13-hour workdays – Working time is not a commodity, it is our life”. At the same time, unions are demanding wage increases, measures against inflation and solutions to the housing problem.
October 1 strike: How public transport is affected, what applies to taxis
The strike’s impact on transportation will be particularly severe, as public transport will operate with limited hours or remain immobilized. The metro, electric railway and tram will operate only from 9 AM to 5 PM to serve demonstrators. However, from 9 AM onwards, Syntagma and Panepistimio stations will remain closed by police order due to gatherings. On metro line 1 (ISAP), the last trains will depart between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM depending on the station. On lines 2 and 3, the last trains will leave from Syntagma at 5:00 PM, while for the airport, the last service from Dimotiko Theatro will be at 3:42 PM. Similarly, for tram services, the first trains will start shortly after 9 AM and the last will depart around 3:30 PM, depending on the line.
Buses and trolleys will run only from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, as workers will stage work stoppages at the beginning and end of shifts. Vehicle movement will start gradually after 9:00 AM, while their withdrawal to depots will begin before 9:00 PM. Meanwhile, due to some workers’ participation in the 24-hour strike, service cancellations are expected throughout the day. However, suburban bus lines served by the Attica Transport Consortium will operate normally.
No services will operate on the country’s rail network, including suburban railway lines, due to railway workers’ participation in the strike declared by the Panhellenic Railway Federation. Similarly, ships will remain docked throughout the day, from 12:01 AM to midnight, following a decision by the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO), which denounces that the new regulations seriously harm seafarers’ health, safety and personal lives. Flights will operate normally, as the Air Traffic Controllers’ Union strike was deemed illegal.
Taxi drivers are also participating in the strike, following a relevant announcement by SATA, as well as commercial employees, with the Athens Commercial Employees Association demanding withdrawal of the bill. The Panhellenic Federation of Local Government Workers is also participating in the mobilization, which is expected to lead to reduced operations in municipalities, urban planning offices, insurance funds and other critical services.
Who else is participating in the October 1st strike
Hospitals: Workers denounce serious staff shortages and understaffing, leading to healthcare personnel exhaustion and degradation of health services.
Public Sector: Ministries, tax offices, insurance funds, urban planning offices, municipalities, banks and tourism services operate with reduced capacity.
Education: Primary and Secondary education teachers participate in the strike, as well as private educators through OIELE. OLME denounces 13-hour work and serious gaps in schools due to cuts.
Commercial Employees: The Athens Commercial Employees Association demands withdrawal of the bill.
In the health sector, POEDHN has also announced participation in the strike, describing the Public Health System as “in critical condition”. As it states, of the 90,000 organic positions, only 70,000 are filled, with 45,000 permanent and 25,000 contract workers. Salaries are low, with a characteristic example being the newly appointed nurse receiving 836 euros net and the attending physician with 1,216 euros. POEDHN calls on healthcare personnel to give a strong “present” at the gathering in Klafthmonos Square at 11:00 AM, demanding decent working conditions and salary upgrades.
Similar mobilization exists in the education sector. OLME participates in the strike calling on all Secondary Education teachers to support the mobilization. Participation is voluntary, allowing each teacher to decide individually. Students in middle and high schools must attend their schools normally and, if the teacher is on strike, then their class hour is cancelled. In kindergartens and elementary schools, each school’s administration will inform parents on the morning of the same day regarding teachers’ participation or non-participation in the strike.
Where gatherings will take place
Athens city center will remain closed during the morning hours of Wednesday, October 1st. Specifically, GSEE, ADEDY and EKA call for a gathering at 11:00 at Klafthmonos Square. PAME organizes a rally at 10:30 at the Propylaea.
