Greece is witnessing a nationwide strike today, as thousands of workers take the streets to demand better wages, improved working conditions, and urgent action on the cost of living and housing crises. The 24-hour walkout, led by the country’s two largest unions – GSEE (private sector) and ADEDY (public sector) – has led to widespread work stoppages across major cities including Athens and Thessaloniki.

GSEE, representing private sector workers, has called on all employees, the unemployed, pensioners, and young people to take part in both the strike and mass demonstrations on Tuesday, 9 April.

Among its demands are an end to government-imposed minimum wages, replaced by freely negotiated collective agreements. The federation also wants robust energy and housing policies to address inflation and the ongoing housing crisis.

“The cost of living is devouring people’s incomes, and the government is turning a blind eye,” GSEE said in a statement. “We rank second-to-last in the EU when it comes to purchasing power. A huge number of people are spending more than 40% of their income just on rent and heating.”

Among the union’s demands:

  • A minimum wage set through free collective bargaining, not government decree
  • Immediate implementation of collective labour agreements
  • Concrete energy and housing policies to tackle inflation and the housing crisis

“The more of us take part, the stronger our voice,” they added. “Mass participation is our answer.”

Public sector workers join the call

ADEDY, which represents civil servants, is echoing these demands and also calling for:

  • Real wage increases for public sector workers
  • Legislation to bring back the 13th and 14th-month salaries
  • Stronger protections against the rising cost of living

Athens Labour Centre backs the strike

The Athens Labour Centre has thrown its weight behind the walkout too, highlighting key demands such as:

  • A fair national minimum wage set through negotiation
  • Sector-wide agreements extended automatically to cover all workers
  • The reintroduction of pre-austerity protections, including the most favourable terms and automatic contract renewals
  • Affordable housing and permanent protection of primary residences
  • The right to unionise freely
  • Improved health and safety standards, and full transparency around workplace accidents
  • Action to combat sexual harassment and gender-based violence at work
  • A fairer tax system, with relief for workers and pensioners

Transport disruption in Athens

Public transport is heavily affected:

  • Buses and trolleybuses will run only between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Workers are demanding fleet renewal, staff recruitment, recognition of prior service for new hires, better pay, and modern, safe, and reliable public transport.
  • Metro, suburban trains, and trams will operate from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. to help transport protesters to demonstrations.
  • Buses and trolley buses willl run only between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM

No ferries or flights

  • A 24-hour strike by the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) means no ferry routes will operate all day.
  • Air traffic controllers are also striking. Only the following flights will be permitted:
  • Aircraft flying over Greek airspace (FIR Athens)
  • Flights carrying heads of state and prime ministers
  • Hellenic Air Force flights on active missions or scheduled exercises
  • Emergency and rescue flights
  • Medical and humanitarian flights

Thessaloniki transport disrupted

Public buses in Thessaloniki will run on a reduced schedule with only 50 vehicles on the road. The night airport line (N1) and disability-access transport services will run as usual. Transport workers will also join the strike rally at 10:30 AM. organised by the Thessaloniki Labour Centre.

Students and teachers join in

Primary and secondary school teachers are participating, alongside university students and pupils, who are protesting the downgrading of education, lack of resources, and the government’s support for private universities. Teachers’ unions and local government employees will also be on strike.

Pensioners take to the streets

Retirees are also joining the strike, facing added pressure this year as their pensions will be paid after Easter. Coordinated pensioner groups have planned further action, including a symbolic nighttime protest on Friday, 11 April at 08:00 PM in Syntagma Square, outside the Greek Parliament.

“We pensioners of Attica are once again out on the streets, fighting for our rights,” their statement reads, urging people to join their protest just before Easter.

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