Strikes, Work Stoppages in Greece to Affect Ferry Travel, Commuters – Sept. 21

UPDATE (6pm, Sept. 20):
The strike action announced by the Greek Air Traffic Controllers’ Association was deemed “illegal and abusive” by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and the Greek Transport Ministry and therefore has been cancelled.
Flights on Thursday will take place normally.

Ferry travel in Greece will see disruption on Thursday, September 21, due to a 24-hour general strike called by public sector worker unions.

The strike has been called by unions including ADEDY, the umbrella union of Greek civil servants and the Centre of Athens Labor Unions (EKA) to protest against recent government policy announcements.

Ferry workers, bus drivers and employees of the electric railway (ISAP) and the metro have joined the action.

The Pan-Hellenic Merchant Seamen’s Association (PENEN), representing ferry workers is protesting a proposed labor bill that if enacted “would require employees to work strenuous hours”, such as 13 hours a day and 78 hours a week, potentially “jeopardizing travel safety”.

Individuals with travel plans for Thursday are advised to contact their travel agents, local port authorities and airports for further information.

Public transportation

Regarding public transportation, employees of OASA buses and ILPAP trolley cars have announced work stoppages on September 21 and will operate exclusively between 9am and 9pm in Athens.

UPDATE: The electric railway ISAP (line 1) and Athens’ metro lines 2 and 3 will not run for 24 hours (from 5am on Thursday morning until 5am on Friday morning). The tram will operate only from the beginning of shift until 1:30pm.

With regard to the Proastiakos suburban railway, operator Hellenic Train said that cancellations and modifications to the Athens and Patras routes will take place. Commuters should contact the operator for further information.

In Thessaloniki, northern Greece, buses will run only between 8am to 9pm.

Moreover, Athens and other city centers across Greece are expected to experience disruptions in traffic flow due to planned protests.