Greek rail and ferry strikes disrupt travel across the country

A 24-hour strike has halted trains and suburban rail services across Greece. The Panhellenic Federation of Railway Workers announced the action in support of its affiliate, the Panhellenic Union of Traction Staff.

The union is demanding improvements to traffic safety, rolling stock conditions, staffing shortages, and worker management. A court previously ruled the locomotive drivers' strike illegal after Hellenic Train appealed.

“Such practices disrupt the smooth operation of railway communications and cause serious disturbance and hardship to the traveling public.”

Hellenic Train said such practices disrupt railway operations and cause serious disturbance and hardship for passengers. The company argued the judicial decision explicitly banned future strikes with the same subject.

Ferry services are also affected by a 24-hour strike by three seafarers' unions. Ships remain docked at seven ports, including Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Patras, Igoumenitsa, Eleusis, and the Rio-Antirrio route.

The Permanent Port Staff Federation of Greece has additionally called a three-hour work stoppage from 10:00 to 13:00. Thousands of passengers face widespread disruption to their travel plans today.