Greece: General strike May 16-17 /update 2

Event

Trade unions from both the public and private sectors had called for a 24-hour nationwide strike to take place on Wednesday, May 17, to denounce government austerity measures. However, certain groups will launch strikes on Tuesday, May 16.

Various transportation sector strikes are scheduled. Firstly, air traffic controllers will hold a four-hour work stoppage on May 17 from 11:00 to 15:00 (local time). Major flight disruptions are expected during and following the abovementioned period. Furthermore, a 48-hour strike by the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) taking place May 16-17 will result in the suspension of all ferry services across Greece. Public transportation employees will hold work stoppages on May 16; no buses are expected to run anywhere in the country between 11:00 (local time) and 16:00. On May 17, metro and train services will be severely disrupted, with no trains running between the Doukissis Plakentias metro station and Athens International Airport (ATH).

On a related note, OSE national railway network workers will walk off the job from 09:30 to 16:30 on May 16 in support of victims of a train derailment that occurred on May 13. 

Public hospital workers, including doctors and nurses, will be on strike for 48 hours May 16-17. Emergency rooms should remain open but non-urgent cases may be turned away and significantly increased waiting times are possible.

Greek journalists will also be on strike for 48-hours, will no news bulletins published beginning on May 16.

Finally, demonstrations set to take place in central Athens and Thessaloniki on May 17 could potentially turn violent and/or cause traffic disruptions.

Context

These strikes coincide with a parliamentary vote on a series of reform measures, including tax increases and pension cuts. The Civil Servants' Confederation (ADEDY) and the main private sector union, the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), first issued the call for a general strike and were quickly joined by the Hellenic Federation of Private Sector Employees (OIYE) and the Public Hospital Workers Union (POEDIN).

Strikes and protests are common in Greece, where social tensions have been fueled by deep austerity measures implemented by national authorities and required by the country’s creditors (the European Commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund) in order to tackle the country's enormous public debt.

Advice

Individuals in Greece are advised to keep abreast of the situation, to avoid protests as a precaution, to confirm travel reservations, to expect public office and business closures, and to expect increased waiting times at hospitals.