A 24-hour nationwide general strike is set to take place in Greece on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, as public and private sector unions, ADEDY and GSEE, unite to voice demands for wage increases, labor rights, and improved social policies.
The strike will disrupt public transport and ferry services, while workers from various sectors will participate in rallies across the country.
Public and Private Sectors Unite
The decision to hold the strike stems from a coordinated effort between ADEDY, representing public sector workers, and GSEE, the main private sector union. ADEDY initially scheduled its strike for November 13 but moved it to align with GSEE’s planned action, creating a unified front across both sectors.
In Athens, public sector workers will gather at 13:00 at Klathmonos Square, with similar demonstrations planned in other cities.
Demands of the Strike
Workers are advocating for:
- Immediate wage increases and the reinstatement of 13th and 14th salaries.
- Collective labour agreements and the abolition of regressive taxes and contributions.
- Increased funding for healthcare, education, and public services, along with permanent hiring to address staff shortages.
- The repeal of recent labor laws perceived as undermining workers' rights and the privatisation of public services.
Transport Disruptions
While specific details about public transport services remain unclear, past strikes suggest buses may operate on limited schedules, typically between 09:00 and 21:00. The metro and tram systems may provide partial services to accommodate participants heading to the demonstrations. Final announcements regarding schedules are expected soon.
Ferry Services Halted
The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) will also participate in the strike, suspending ferry services nationwide for the day. All categories of ships will remain docked from 00:01 to 24:00, further emphasizing demands for labour rights and action against Greece’s growing housing crisis.
Economic Challenges at the Forefront
GSEE’s leadership highlighted issues such as inflation, skyrocketing rents, and weakened purchasing power—down 8% since 2019—as driving forces behind the strike. They criticised the government for failing to address these challenges and called for urgent reforms, including social housing initiatives and measures to curb oligopolistic practices in the market.
The unified strike represents a significant mobilisation of Greece’s workforce, calling for decisive government action to address pressing social and economic issues.