Greece’s November 20 Strike to Disrupt Ferry Services and Public Transport

A 24-hour nationwide strike is set to disrupt transportation in Athens and travel across Greece on Wednesday, November 20, as public transport and ferry employees join a general strike organized by Greek labor unions.

The Greek General Confederation of Labor (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY) are among the unions that have called for the strike to protest economic policies, citing concerns over inflation, stagnant wages, rising living costs, and increasing housing expenses. Among their key demands is an increase in incomes for employees and pensioners.

The strike will impact a broad range of sectors, including public transportation, banking, education, construction, shipping, and healthcare.

Disruptions to public transport in Athens include:

– The electric railway-ISAP (line 1) and Athens Metro (lines 2 and 3) will operate only from 9 am to 9 pm
– OASA buses and ILPAP trolley buses will also run on a limited schedule, from 9 am to 9 pm
– No trains will operate for 24 hours on the suburban railway (Proastiakos) or by national railway operator OSE.

Additionally, all ferries will remain docked, following a 24-hour strike declared by the Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO). Travelers with ferry bookings are advised to contact travel agents or local port authorities for updates.

Protests are planned in major cities, with a primary gathering scheduled at Klafthmonos Square in Athens at 11am. Other unions will hold rallies at locations such as Syntagma Square and University Propylaea. Demonstrations are also expected in other Greek cities such as Thessaloniki and Patra.