Greek Taxi Strike Called Off After Mediation

The news in Greek

1. αναβάλλω
   Κάνω κάτι να μη γίνει στην προγραμματισμένη του ημερομηνία, αλλά αργότερα. ↩︎
2. υφυπουργός  (m.)
   Επίσημος που κατέχει βαθμίδα κάτω από τον υπουργό. ↩︎
3. διαρκώ
   Έχω μία συγκεκριμένη χρονική διάρκεια. ↩︎
4. λειτουργώ
   Είμαι σε κανονική κατάσταση λειτουργίας. ↩︎
5. συζήτηση  (f.)
   Ανταλλαγή απόψεων με στόχο συμφωνία. ↩︎
6. ζήτημα  (n.)
   Θέμα που φορές προκαλεί ερωτήματα ή απαιτεί λύση. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: Who met with the Panhellenic Federation of Taxi to discuss the strike?

Question 2: When will the taxis start operating normally again?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
αναβάλλω	postpone
υφυπουργός  (m.)	deputy minister
διαρκώ	last
λειτουργώ	operate
συζήτηση  (f.)	discussion
ζήτημα  (n.)	issue

Read the full story

The planned taxi strike in Greece has been called off after a pivotal meeting between the Panhellenic Taxi Federation (POEIATA) and Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Konstantinos Kyranakis. Originally scheduled to last until Friday, the strike was suspended, allowing taxis to resume normal operations from Thursday, 6 November.

According to multiple sources, the suspension followed a constructive dialogue between representatives from POEIATA and the minister. Kyranakis has shown willingness to discuss key issues affecting taxi owners and drivers, including free access to bus lanes, electric vehicle policies, and extending the deadline for mandatory registration of electric taxis from 2030 to 2035.

During the more than 1.5-hour discussion, taxi drivers voiced their concerns that the government might be impeding the taxi profession by favouring large private firms and global app-based companies. These allegations reflect their fear of a shift towards private vehicle platforms which could undermine traditional taxi services. Despite these tensions, the dialogue appears to have set the stage for further negotiations.

Both parties agreed to reconvene within the next 20 days to continue the discussions, indicating a commitment to work towards mutually beneficial solutions. The decision to halt the strike was made with the consideration of avoiding further disruption to public life while advocating for a sustainable framework for taxi operators.

The recent interaction between Kyranakis and taxi union leader Thymios Lymberopoulos marked the first encounter since the new deputy minister took office. Despite not reaching a final resolution, the meeting has initiated a constructive communication channel between the government and the taxi industry.

The broader implications of these developments remain to be seen, as both sides strive for agreements that could ensure better working conditions for taxi drivers and improved services for passengers across Greece.

Info: “Greek Learner News” is a service from “Let’s Learn Greek”, a language school dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of online courses for those wishing to learn Greek. We offer flexible learning options tailored to various skill levels, ensuring that every student can find a course that suits their needs.