Collective bargaining dispute: Nationwide strikes – demonstrations in Greece

In Greece, a 24-hour nationwide strike is causing significant disruption. The umbrella organizations of the Greek trade unions have called for the work stoppages. They criticize the government’s economic policy and demand measures against inflation and stagnating wages as well as better social benefits.

“We are fighting for a life in dignity” – with these and similar banners, people in Athens and other major Greek cities have vented their frustration about their living situation. According to the police, there were around 22,000 demonstrators in the capital who marched to parliament and paralyzed the city center.

Across the country, not much was happening: ferries remained moored in ports, public transport suspended operations during peak hours and only resumed work to bring demonstrators into city centers.

Schools and daycare centers remained closed, as did offices, authorities and banks; state hospitals only provided a service for emergencies.

Costs are exploding, wages are not

Food prices and rents have exploded while wages and salaries have stagnated, criticizes the umbrella organization GSEE. Public sector union representatives are calling for an immediate 10 percent wage increase and the reintroduction of the 13th and 14th monthly salaries.

Self-employed people continue to work

Although tens of thousands took part in the strikes and demonstrations across the country, public life did not come to a complete standstill: supermarkets, kiosks and taverns remained open, and most self-employed people, including taxi drivers, kiosk operators and innkeepers, carried out their work as normal.

Unlike in previous years, there were no riots until the afternoon. The police only said that 18 people had been arrested on the sidelines of the demonstrations. Traditionally, the autonomous scene in Athens hijacks demonstrations of all kinds and then engages in street battles with the police.