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Public transport workers launch new wave of walkouts despite approval of reforms

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Public transport strikes. Government reforms.

Athenians will bear the brunt of protests against the changes to the public transport sector approved by the Papandreou government this week.

20 Feb 2011

After a relatively stress-free week, commuters face a fresh period of upheaval as public transport workers are planning more walkouts in protest at reforms streamlining their services, even though the changes were voted into law earlier this week.

On Friday, there were no city buses between 11 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. and no trolley buses between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

On Monday, both bus and trolley bus workers are to walk off the job between 11 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.

Those services are to resume on Tuesday, though workers on the Piraeus-Kifissia electric railway (ISAP) are planning a walkout between noon and 4 p.m. on that day.

Commuters' woes will peak on Wednesday when workers on all modes of public transport - buses, trolley buses, ISAP, the metro, tram and the suburban railway - are to join a 24-hour strike announced by the country's two main labor unions.

Next Thursday is expected to be trouble-free, though bus workers are to walk out again on Friday from 11 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

The month is to finish with more disruption as workers on all forms of public transport are to join a six-hour walkout starting at 11 a.m. on February 28.

The Greek parliament this week approved controversial plans to restructure the debt-ridden public transport sector in Athens.

The plans involve merging the five companies running public transport in the capital into two organisations and shifting some 1,500 staff out of a total workforce of over 11,000 to other state agencies.

Fares have also gone up by between 20 and 30 percent, while bonuses that helped push salaries up by 43 percent between 2004 and 2009 will also be ended.

The legislation to streamline public transport is part of austerity measures which have been introduced by the Greek government.

Source: Kathimerini, AFP

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