Greece’s train workers are set to launch a work stoppage and a 24-hour strike in response to ongoing safety concerns on the railway network. Unions representing Proastiakos and Hellenic Train employees (SEP TRAINOSE and PEP TRAINOSE) have scheduled the strike for Thursday, September 26, 2024.
A work stoppage for Proastiakos suburban trains is also planned for tomorrow, September 24, from 6 p.m. until midnight.
The unions are demanding the immediate hiring of additional staff, the replacement of aging rolling stock with modern trains similar to those in Europe, and the completion of crucial infrastructure projects to enhance transport safety.
In their announcement, train workers highlighted the tragic February 2023 accident in Tempi, where 11 colleagues were among the 57 lives lost. They emphasized that this incident underscored the longstanding issues facing railway workers and the neglect from the state.
The unions noted that they had submitted several safety proposals to Hellenic Train management four months ago and had temporarily suspended earlier mobilizations to give the new management time to respond. However, despite assurances that safety would be prioritized, the unions claim that significant problems persist, hindering safe operations.
It is important to note that the Metro and the urban train ISAP (Piraeus-Kifissia) will continue to operate normally during the strike and work stoppage, as they are managed by different companies with separate unions.
For more details, please refer to the Hellenic Train website.
Greece's rail system has struggled with operational failures, particularly in the year and a half following the deadly crash in Tempi. The automated traffic control system is incomplete in several areas, including parts of the Attica region where a recent head-on collision was narrowly avoided. Additionally, severe storms in September 2023 damaged parts of the system in Thessaly, while rampant theft of copper cables has further compromised safety.
The shortage of personnel at the infrastructure operator OSE has led to inadequate maintenance, while Hellenic Train cites poor upkeep of rolling stock. Consequently, only 30% to 50% of seats on the four daily trains between Athens and Thessaloniki are filled, according to reports from Kathimerini.