Greece is witnessing a 24-hour strike today, called by the General Confederation of Private Sector Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY), with significant disruptions across the country.
The strike is a response to the rising cost of living, inflation, and the housing crisis, with unions demanding higher wages, the return of the 13th and 14th salaries, and the reinstatement of collective labor agreements.
Protests and marches are set to take place in Athens, Thessaloniki, and other major cities across the nation.
Key demands include:
- Opposition to government-determined minimum wages
- A call for collective agreements in determining wage levels
- Energy policy reforms to combat rising costs
- Immediate actions to address the housing crisis
The GSEE, which is pushing for mass participation, also emphasizes that wages should be negotiated through free collective agreements, not determined solely by government decisions.
The ADEDY Federation, representing public sector workers, is also focusing on the public sector wage increase, arguing that the government must reinstate the 13th and 14th monthly salaries to ease the financial pressure on workers.
In addition to economic demands, the unions are calling for stronger workplace health and safety measures, the registration and public disclosure of work accidents and occupational diseases, and better protections against workplace harassment and sexual violence. They also seek tax reforms that would ease the burden on workers and retirees.
Public transport workers are joining the strike, with ferries docked at ports and almost all flights canceled due to a strike by Air Traffic Controllers, except for emergency flights. Teachers, university professors, and students are also participating, protesting issues related to education quality, school fee insecurity, and their opposition to private universities.
Central to today’s demonstrations is the demand for justice related to the tragic 2023 train accident in the Tempi valley, which continues to fuel public outrage.
