Greece Faces Major Strike, Public Transport Disrupted

The news in Greek

1. γενικός
   Αφορά το σύνολο ή πολλά μέρη από κάτι. ↩︎
2. απεργία (f.)
   Σταμάτημα της εργασίας από μια ομάδα εργαζομένων ως μορφή διαμαρτυρίας. ↩︎
3. τομέας (m.)
   Μια συγκεκριμένη περιοχή ή κλάδος δραστηριότητας. ↩︎
4. υγεία (f.)
   Η κατάσταση του να είναι κάποιος υγιής και χωρίς αρρώστιες. ↩︎
5. απεργός (m.)
   Άτομα που συμμετέχουν σε απεργία. ↩︎
6. μισθός (m.)
   Η αμοιβή για εργασία που πληρώνεται σε τακτά διαστήματα. ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: What are the workers in Greece asking for?

Question: Which sectors are involved in the strike in Greece?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
γενικός	general
απεργία (f.)	strike
τομέας (m.)	sector
υγεία (f.)	health
απεργός (m.)	strikers
μισθός (m.)	salaries

Read the full story

This widespread strike has seen participation from a range of public and private sectors, including transport, healthcare, and education. As a result, public transport service across Greece is severely impacted. In Athens, metro services on Lines 1, 2, and 3 are operational only within limited hours: Line 1 operates from 9 am to 9 pm, while Lines 2 and 3 are available from 9 am to 5 pm. The tram service runs from 9 am until 8:30 pm.

Meanwhile, buses and trolleys in Athens will operate from 9 am to 9 pm, with scheduled stoppages at the beginning and end of the working day to accommodate the strike. In Thessaloniki, 50 buses will operate on a reduced service with personnel on standby to assist those with special needs via the night service to the airport (Route N1).

The railway system, including the suburb trains, is on a halt as rail workers join the strike, meaning no trains will run except those operated by a skeleton service team. The strike also sees the grounding of all ferry services nationwide, following a decision by the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation to join the strike in protest against the reduction in wages and benefits.

In education, both public and private educators have joined the strike, resulting in widespread disruption across schools and universities. Healthcare services, especially in public hospitals, are also affected as medical staff participate, though emergency services remain operational.

The organisers of the strike, GSEE and ADEDY, have also scheduled protest gatherings in Athens and other major cities. In Athens, the protests are planned for 11 am at Klafthmonos Square, with a separate rally by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) slated for 10:30 am at the Propylea.

The strike centres around calls for the government to address urgent housing issues, reinstate collective bargaining rights, and combat profiteering that affects wage earners’ purchasing power. Union leaders have also been vocal about the need for systematic wage increases, the return of the thirteenth and fourteenth month salaries, and increased funding for public services.

Both national and international bodies, including the European Trade Union Confederation, have expressed support for the strike, reinforcing its demands for better wages and working conditions amid the high rental prices and cost of living in Greece.

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