By Achilleas Kouremenos
Copyright thenationalherald
ATHENS – Upset over proposed labor law changes, Greek workers will strike Oct. 1, disrupting services and transportation including at Athens International Airport where air traffic controllers are conducting work slowdowns, delaying flights.
The 24-hour strike will also affect health care and public services and is being led by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY) and affect the public and private sector.
Protests are also planned in Athens, Piraeus and cities across the country although previous similar strikes haven’t changed the government’s plans for reforms while making life difficult for people trying to get around the capital.
There will be partial transport service. In Athens, buses and trolleys will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., while the metro, tram and suburban railway will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering some services.
Taxi drivers are also joining the strike, while rail services will be disrupted nationwide and The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation is also taking part, affecting ferry transport with Greece still jammed with tourists.
A court said air traffic controllers could not take part but they had already been limiting arrivals, which has also led to flight cancellations even as tourists continue to keep coming into the autumn.
Hospital workers are also taking part, with the Panhellenic Federation of Public Hospital Employees calling for a rally at Klafthmonos Square. Municipal employees, teachers and other sectors will also participate.
GSEE objected to the bill that could let employers extend daily working hours. “We say no to a 13-hour workday. Exhaustion is not development; human endurance has limits.” It also demanded shorter working hours and restoration of collective bargaining rights.
ADEDY said it wanted restoration of the 13th and 14th monthly salaries that ended under austerity during the country’s 2010-18 economic crisis but the government said it can’t afford to pay, and the union wanted big pay hikes.
At the Athens airport, passengers should expect delays of up to two hours, adding to woes there after previous work slowdowns were limiting arrivals and inconveniencing passengers and tourists.
On Sept. 29, 21 percent of flights experienced delays, with waiting times ranging from 20 to 40 minutes. Over the weekend, some delays stretched to as much as two hours, adding to the frustrations and long queues at the airport.
