Labour Day 2025: Greek Transport and Workers’ Protests

The news in Greek

1. διαμαρτυρία  (f.)
   Δημόσια εκδήλωση αντίρρησης ή αγανάκτησης για κάτι. ↩︎
2. μεταφορικός
   Σχετικός με τις μεταφορές ή τη διαδικασία της μετακίνησης. ↩︎
3. υπηρεσία  (f.)
   Έργο που προσφέρεται σε κάποιον από κάποιον άλλο. ↩︎
4. συνθήκη  (f.)
   Κατάσταση ή περίσταση υπό την οποία κάτι συμβαίνει. ↩︎
5. ωράριο  (n.)
   Το χρονικό διάστημα που κάποιος εργάζεται ή κάτι λειτουργεί. ↩︎
6. περιορισμένος
   Που έχει όρια ή δεν είναι πλήρες. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What do the workers in Greece want during the Labour Day protests?

Question 2: Which public transport services are affected by the strikes?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
διαμαρτυρία  (f.)	protest
μεταφορικός	transport
υπηρεσία  (f.)	service
συνθήκη  (f.)	condition
ωράριο  (n.)	timetable
περιορισμένος	limited

Read the full story

Labour Day in Greece is being commemorated extensively with gatherings and protests occurring nationwide, notably in major cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki. This annual event on 1 May marks a significant day where trade unions, federations, and workers’ associations voice their demands and honour historic labour struggles.

Today’s celebrations and protests have led to substantial disruptions in public transport. With announcements of strikes and work stoppages, transport services are experiencing partial shutdowns. The employees in the transportation sector are advocating for improved working conditions, salary raises, and the return of previously abolished bonuses.

Metro services on Lines 2 and 3 are set to operate only between 9 AM and 3 PM, with specific trains running on schedule to and from the Airport. However, Metro Line 1 and the Tram are entirely inoperative for the day due to a full 24-hour strike. In addition, popular stations like Syntagma and Panepistimio are closed off, resulting in trains bypassing these stops.

Bus and trolley services are operating from 9 AM to 9 PM. Despite running at limited capacity, the gradual start and withdrawal of these vehicles are expected to cause some schedule inconsistencies. The public has been advised of possible cancellations, especially due to the nationwide strike organised by GSEE (the General Confederation of Greek Workers).

The transportation workers’ demands include substantial pay increases through collective bargaining agreements rather than government mandates. They are also calling for improved job conditions and free union activities without governmental or employer interference. Specific claims by the tram drivers highlight the need for new tram sets and personnel hiring to ensure efficient service operations.

Other sectors like the railway network and suburban lines join the nationwide protest, halting all train services throughout the day. The demonstrations are intended not only as a tribute to past labour movements but also as a call for a better future for all workers in Greece.

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