Greece: Labor groups plan 24-hour nationwide ferry strike and protests in Athens and other major cities, June 10 /update 1

Event

Several trade unions and associated groups plan to strike and protest against a controversial labor bill on June 10. Members of various groups including ADEDY, PAME, the Athens Labor Center, and the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) will observe a 24-hour nationwide ferry strike as well as public transport strikes in Athens. Activists will hold a related demonstration at 10:00 at Karaiskaki Square in Piraeus, though union members will also gather in Klafthmonos Square in Athens and outside union headquarters in Heraklion and Thessaloniki on the day.

The strike is likely to prompt significant disruptions to ferry services as well as public transport in Athens, including bus, tram, and trolley bus services. Residual disruptions could last into the morning of June 11. Attendance at demonstrations could vary between dozens and hundreds of people. A heightened security presence is likely at any protest. Police will almost certainly deploy to monitor the gatherings and, while they are likely to pass peacefully, low-level clashes between police and activists are possible, particularly if protesters breach security cordons or fail to disperse when ordered to do so.

Advice

Avoid the demonstrations as a routine precaution and allow additional time for travel in the vicinity of any gatherings June 10. Leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Check public transport schedules before travel and allow additional time for time-sensitive journeys.