Greek Air Traffic Controllers Strike - Advice and Information

Summary: A 24-hour strike by air traffic controllers on 15 December will affect flights from and within Greece. Other public transport will also be cancelled as public and private sector unions strike for the day.

Air traffic controllers: All Greek airports will be closed between 00:01 and 23:59.
Metro service: The link to Athens Airport won't operate for 24 hours, together with intercity trains and the suburban railway.
Public transport: Striking from 09:00 - 17:00/ end of shift. Includes buses, trolleys, trams, and metro (blue, green, red lines).

Advice for travellers:

• Check with your airline whether your flight has been cancelled. Please see the Aegean, Olympic, and easyJet flight schedules before you head to the airport.
• Refer to the Metro timetables and updates to see affected routes, if you planned to take the train.
• Walking, driving, or hailing a taxi are other alternatives to public transport. However, please take care and plan your routes in advance.
• Bring cash with you as ATM's may be empty. Again, act sensibly and don't carry large amounts of cash on your person.
• Contact the British Embassy in Athens for further information or advice.
• Follow Living in Greece on Twitter for tips about working and travelling in Greece.

Who is striking?

• Air traffic controllers: All Greek airports will be closed between 00:01 and 23:59. Only Head of State, Hellenic Air force, hospital or humanitarian, search and rescue flights, and flights under state of emergency will go ahead.
• Private sector union (GSEE) and public sector union (ADEDY): 24 hour protest against government's labour reforms. Rally planned at 1pm in front of Parliament.
• Metro service: The link to Athens Airport won't operate for 24 hours, together with intercity trains and the suburban railway.
• Public transport: Striking from 09:00 - 17:00/ end of shift. Includes buses, trolleys, trams, and metro (blue, green, red lines).
• Sailors strike: Ferries and ships will remain docked for 24 hours.
• Journalists strike decided by union ESIEA: Starts at 06:00 and will last for 24 hours. No newspapers will be printed, but some web portals, TV and radio broadcasts will remain active.
• Banks, lawyers, museums, and public services: Out of action for 24 hours in support of union protests.

Wave of economic reforms in Athens:

The latest 24 hour strike is the unions' response to a new law that will overhaul the labour market. The overhaul was announced last week, following talks between the Greek government and top officials from the European Union and the IMF.

If the new law is voted in as emergency legislation this week, gross monthly salaries at state-owned companies will be capped at 4,000 euros, and state salaries over 1,800 euros will be reduced by 10%.

Last Updated: 30 November 2010

Summary: A 24-hour strike by air traffic controllers and seamen will affect transport services across Greece today.

Which sectors are striking?

• Air traffic controllers: Both domestic and international flights into and out of Greece will be disrupted throughout the day
• Labor union of Greek seamen: Ferries and passenger ships will remain docked at Greek ports until 6:00 am
• Greek journalism union, ESHEA: A 24-hour news blackout will put news broadcasts on hold
• Public hospital doctors: This 48-hour strike from 30 November to 1 December will not affect hospitals or emergency services

Advice for passengers:

If you are planning to travel in Greece during this period, we recommend that you:

• Refer to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Greek travel advice
• Register with the FCO's LOCATE service to get hands-on assistance in an emergency
• Contact the British Embassy in Athens, Greece on (0030) 210 7272 600
• Avoid public demonstrations and be sure to exercise extreme caution
• Call 999 from a UK mobile to reach the Greek emergency services directly
• Check with your airline if you have already booked your flights
• See the arrivals boards at Athens International Airport and Thessaloniki Airport to check whether your flight has been delayed
• Postpone any ferry trips to or from the surrounding islands until further notice
• Follow Eurocontol on Twitter for updated flight information
• "Like" British abroad travel advice from the Foreign Office on Facebook

Continued Protest Against Government Reforms

The Greek government is still battling a giant budget deficit and intends to scrap overtime pay and bonuses in order to curb spending. With the financial aid of European partners and the International Monetary Fund, Prime Minister George Papandreou plans to put state finances in order by 2014.

In response, labor unions have planned a further general strike for 15 December 2010.

Last Updated: 8 July 2010

Summary: There is a 24-hour strike taking place across Greece today.

How will this affect me?

Transport

• In Athens: trains, buses, trolleys, and ports are at a standstill.
• Throughout Greece: Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines grounding 34 flights and rescheduling another 45 (includes flights to local and international destinations)
• Airways countrywide will be shut down from 0700 GMT until 1100 GMT

Key Public Services

• There will be no news broadcasts for the day as journalists have joined in the protests
• Hospitals are operating solely for emergencies
• Banks and post offices will are short of staff
• The central and local government offices are closed until further notice

What to do if you're due to fly in Greece:

If you've booked a flight in or out of Greece, please contact your airline directly for altered flight schedules.

As a visitor to Greece, you may also call 999 from a UK mobile at any time and you'll be transferred to the local emergency services.

Draft Legislation Progress

The Greek government will likely vote on the draft bill containing proposed labour reforms today, after recent approval from the MPs. The pensions reforms include increasing the retirement age from 60 to 65, and implementing smaller compensation for the termination of labour contracts.

The public and private sector protesters striking today make up 2.5 million workers, which is approximately half of the Greek work force.

Last Updated: 29 June 2010

Summary: A 24-hour general strike is underway in Greece today which will disrupt most forms of public transport and leave many commuters stranded.

What forms of transport are affected?

The latest general strike against planned pension and labour reforms has disrupted departures from the capital, Athens. Trade unions say that ferry services and international flights will be interrupted as protesters take to the streets.

Ferry Services

Attention is currently focused on the main port of Piraeus, where 500 strikers gathered in an attempt to prevent ferries from sailing to the Aegean islands.

Authorities have contained the blockade threat by sending 1,000 police and coastguard officials to the harbour to stop the illegal seizing of ferries.

Air and Railway Access

The strike has also hindered air and railway access into Greece. The main Greek airlines grounded nearly 50 domestic flights today, while intercity trains to and from Athens are running at a reduced service.

Bus and Metro Rail Services

The latest information is as follows:

• Metro and underground services should operate normally between 10am and 4pm
• Some disruptions to bus services are expected after 8pm

What precautions do travellers need to take?

Anyone travelling in Greece is advised to follow the precautionary measures outlined below:

• Remain extremely cautious when you encounter a public demonstration as these have the potential to turn violent and are often quelled with tear gas.
• Be aware that hospitals are also experiencing reduced services because of the strike action, while state offices have shut down altogether.
• Call 999 from a UK mobile if you are visiting Greece and are urgently in need of assistance. This will automatically transfer you to the Greek emergency services.

Background information on the latest strikes

The Greek Parliament is due to start discussing the proposed reforms later today, following the unpopular draft legislation that was submitted last week.

Last Updated: 22 June 2010

Summary: Planned strikes will affect Greek railways throughout the last week of June. Passengers are advised to pay attention to the information below concerning strike action and the possible implications.

Who is affected by the strikes?

Regular strikes and demonstrations have been expected to take place throughout Greece during June. Those expected in the final week will affect railway passengers and those looking to commute in the region.

Greek Railways (including suburban railways) will be disrupted by industrial action, which will negatively affect public transport in and out of Greece on the dates outlined below:

Pre-Planned Strike Schedule: 22 - 24 June and 29 - 30 June

• 22-24 June: Greek Railways will not be operational during the following times: 7am - 9am, 3pm - 5pm, and 10pm - 12am.
• 23 June: The Communist trade union PAME will embark on a general strike.
• 29 June: A general strike by GSEE, a private sector trade union, will take place. Details to be confirmed.
• 29-30 June: Greek Railways will be participating in a 48 hour strike, along with its suburban railway associates.

What do I do as an affected passenger?

Be aware that strikes and demonstrations are sometimes called at short notice and can cause disruption to public transport in and out of Greece (including air travel).

There are no particular local travel restrictions at this time, but you should be aware that certain areas near the Greek borders are militarily sensitive.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises anyone already in or travelling to Greece to do the following:

• Call 1110 (from Greece) or 00 30 210 5298829 (from outside Greece), or check the TRAINOSE website for details if you are a Greek Railways/ suburban railways passenger
• Do not take photographs or make notes near military or official installations
• Obtain permission before photographing individuals
• Make sure you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling
• Exercise extreme caution around public demonstrations and protests in major urban centres
• Refer to the useful FCO Greece Travel Advice link for further information

Background information on the railway strikes

Public sector employees are striking as a result of the government's decision to reduce its spending, increase taxes and make pension reforms.

Draft legislation is expected to be submitted to the Greek parliament later this week for discussion. This will outline changes to labour relations and the pensions system. The aim is to launch a task force that will monitor the implementation of the government's decisions.