Greece is bracing for widespread disruptions on Wednesday, April 9, as the country's two main labor unions, GSEE (private sector) and ADEDY (public sector), have called for a 24-hour nationwide strike.
The strike will involve a wide range of sectors, including air traffic controllers, seafarers, teachers, and municipal workers, potentially paralyzing services across the nation.
The unions are demanding collective labor agreements across all sectors, wage increases, the reinstatement of 13th and 14th monthly salaries, and measures to address the housing crisis and rising living costs.
Air traffic controllers will participate in the strike from 00:01 to 24:00 on April 9.
During this time, only overflights within the Athens Flight Information Region, flights carrying heads of state or prime ministers, military operations or exercises, emergency and medevac flights, humanitarian aid flights, and search and rescue missions will be permitted.
Public bus and trolleybus workers will join the strike with work stoppages, operating only between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Services will be suspended from the start of shifts until 9:00 a.m. and again from 9:00 p.m. until the end of the day.
Suburban bus lines operated by KTEL are expected to run normally all day. Workers are calling for fleet renewal, new staff hires, recognition of prior work experience for new hires, pay increases, and safe, modern, and reliable public transport for workers and passengers.
Train services, including the suburban railway (Proastiakos), will be completely suspended.
As of now, there have been no official announcements regarding the Metro, Tram, or Athens electric railway (ISAP).
All ferry services will be suspended for 24 hours as the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) joins the strike, affecting all vessel categories.
The PNO's key demands include tackling inflation, the housing crisis, and ensuring collective bargaining rights.
The Panhellenic Federation of Food & Tourism Workers (POEET) has announced its participation and is calling on members to join the main protest in Klafthmonos Square, Athens, at 11:00 a.m., or local union gatherings across the country.
The POE-OTA, representing local authority employees, has called for a nationwide strike, urging widespread participation from both workers and the public.
In its announcement, POE-OTA accuses the government of undermining justice, promoting profiteering, and deepening inequality, while failing to resolve critical issues like housing, wages, and public service privatization.
Referring to the Tempi train tragedy and the mass protests of February 28, the union warns of a society “on the verge of explosion” and calls for renewed pressure for justice, accountability, and dignity.
Their strike rally in Athens is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in Syntagma Square, outside the Ministry of Finance.
The Athens Labor Center has also declared its participation, calling for real wage increases in the face of rising costs and unaffordable rents, and emphasizing the right of workers and their families to a decent standard of living.