In Greece, a sweeping general strike on Wednesday disrupted public services nationwide, with ferries remaining docked, flights halted, and public transport systems only partially operational. The strike reflects a call from labor unions to end the austerity measures that have been in place for over ten years, originally imposed by international creditors during Greece’s financial crisis.
Thousands of individuals marched through Athens in dual but peaceful demonstrations to bring attention to their demands. The strike, lasting 24 hours, was organized by the main umbrella unions representing both the public and private sectors. These unions are advocating for salary increases and the reestablishment of collective bargaining rights, which had been eliminated under the terms of international financial assistance to Greece.
Commercial aviation in and out of Greece, as well as domestic flights, faced complete cancellations from midnight on Wednesday to midnight on Thursday. Concurrently, in Athens, public transportation vehicles including buses, trams, trolleys, trains, and the subway operated only partially throughout the day.
Greece is grappling with a steep rise in living costs, stirring fears that ongoing global financial instability, partly due to U.S. tariffs, could exacerbate economic difficulties. The General Confederation of Workers of Greece, representing the private sector, criticized the government’s lack of action to shield workers from the impact of high living costs. The union pointed out that many Greeks allocate more than 40% of their earnings for housing and heating expenses.
Additionally, ADEDY, the union body for the public sector, is demanding salary hikes along with the revival of holiday bonuses for civil servants. Previously, these bonuses amounted to two months’ worth of salary and were axed during the austerity measures enforced through bailout agreements.