New Strikes in Greece, Travelers Warned

Following a series of closures to public services, travelers are warned of disruptions in Greece and flight cancellations.

Unions called for mass walkouts after the government fulfils promises to cut wages for state workers in exchange for an international bailout to help the stricken economy. 89% of such workers (which applies to any state worker with a gross salary of more than €1,800 per month) will see their salaries slashed by 10%. In addition, a limit of €4,000 per month has been put in place.

Very little activity can be seen in ports with most ferry services cancelled. Following strikes from air traffic controllers, flights at Athens International Airport were also grounded. Police believe as many as 20,000 in the city responded to the walkout call made by Greece’s two biggest unions.

Public transport was running intermittently between 9am and 5pm but was mainly used to move protesters in between rallies. Alongside travel disruptions, the state-owned Public Power Corp which supplies most of the country’s electricity also walkouts, with doctors, bank staff and teachers within the company striking.

Violence broke out at some point during the protesting, with demonstrators hurling fire bombs at officers stationed outside parliamentary offices and the Finance Ministry. Police retaliated with flash grenades and tear gas. During the chaos, former transport minister Kostis Hatzidakis was injured by demonstrators in an attack which left him with facial cuts.

The approval for wage cuts came on December 9, resulting in the public disorder. Further public transport strikes, lasting 24 hours, have been announced by union leaders which is the third such strike in a week. In the interim, many travelers have been forced to change any flight plans coming into, or leaving from, Athens International.

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