A 24-hour nationwide strike organised by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY) is set to bring Greece to a standstill today, November 20. The strike is expected to disrupt public transport, healthcare services, education, and other critical sectors, as unions rally against stagnating wages, the housing crisis, and deteriorating labour conditions.
Major Protests Scheduled
Demonstrations will accompany the strike in Athens. GSEE and ADEDY will gather at 11:00 a.m. at Klafthmonos Square, while the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) plans a rally at Propylaea starting at 10:30 a.m. Union leaders will push for reforms such as wage increases, the revival of collective labor agreements, affordable housing initiatives, and stronger protections for workers in hazardous professions.
Demands from GSEE and ADEDY
The GSEE is expected to press for several measures, including:
– Nominal wage increases.
– Actions to curb inflation and speculation.
– Re-regulation of labor relations.
– Restoration of collective labour laws.
– Implementation of social housing programs funded by a €1.5 billion reserve and the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund.
ADEDY’s demands will focus on:
– Real wage increases and a tax-free income threshold of €12,000.
– Abolition of certain unemployment contributions.
– Expansion of hazardous work allowances.
– Recruitment of permanent staff in public sectors like health and education.
– Repeal of labor laws perceived as undermining workers’ rights.
Transport Disruptions
The strike is expected to cause widespread disruptions to public transport:
– Metro Lines 1, 2, and 3 will operate on reduced schedules. Line 1 will run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., while Lines 2 and 3 will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Adjusted schedules for final departures have been announced.
– Tram services will run between 9:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., with limited routes.
– Railway workers, including suburban train operators, are set to participate in the strike, with only a few services running under skeleton staff.
– Maritime transport will come to a halt, with ships expected to remain anchored at ports following the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation’s (PNO) decision to join the strike.
Healthcare Workers to Participate
Hospital doctors, represented by the Federation of Hospital Doctors’ Associations of Greece (OENGE), will also join the strike. They are set to protest against what they describe as the erosion of free public healthcare, staffing shortages, and excessive workloads. The union has criticized the allocation of public funds to private clinics and the rise of paid surgeries in public hospitals.
Broader Participation
Teachers in private and public schools, bank employees, construction workers, and food service employees are all expected to join the strike. These unions will demand wage increases, the restoration of labor rights, and measures to combat precarious employment.
Anticipated Impact
The strike is expected to highlight growing frustrations among workers over economic and social challenges. Organisers aim to pressure the government to address the housing crisis, ensure fair wages, and protect public services. The protest will likely end at midnight, leaving the country awaiting government responses to the mounting demands.