Downtown Athens blocked due to protests

Omonia Square has been closed since 10.30 this morning due to today’s protests. GSEE and ADEDY have announced a 24-hr strike with a rally at 11 am at Pedion Areos, while PAME members have been gathering in Omonia since 10.30 am. SYRIZA supporters will meet at the Archeological Museum.

 

The general strike is expected to cause problems in the operation of public services, schools, hospitals, insurance funds, SOEs, airports and public transportation.

 

Aleka Papariga is present in today's protests too, stating "what is important is to build a strong, secular alliance, so the people can be on their way to changing things, shaking free from the EU, eliminating the debt and socializing. There is no other way."

 

The Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) will take part in today’s strike and for this reason ships will remain in the ports.

 

Following the decision of Lawyer Associations of Greece, lawyers have proceeded to a three-day nationwide strike from Wednesday to Friday.

 

Taxis will not be running from 8 am to 5 pm.

 

Air traffic controllers announced a strike from 10 am to 1 pm and so there will be flight delays and cancellations.

 

Commercial stores will also be closed. GSEVEE (General Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants) is taking part in the Panhellenic protests, calling on all middle-size businessmen to close their businesses for today.

 

Kiosks will also close today as the Union of Professional Tenants of Kiosks and Tobacconists of Greece announced its participation in the strikes.

 

 

Public transport will also have its problems today, as transport unions will proceed to demonstrations, participating in the 24-hour strike of GSEE and ADEDY. Its operations will be as follows:

 

-       no trolley service

-       no suburban rail and TRENOSE services throughout the country

-       metro, ISAP and tram will operate from 9 am and due to a work stoppage, from 5am to 9 am

-       buses will operate from 9 am to 9 pm, from the start of the shift to 9am and from 9 pm until the end of the shift

-       taxis will not operate from 8 am to 5 pm

-       there will be no connection between the Eleftherios Venizelos airport and the metro due to the rail workers' strike (the network beyond Doukisis Plakentias belongs to OSE)

-       in Thessaloniki, OASTH buses will run from 9 am to 8 pm, from the start of the shift until 9 am and from 8 pm until the end of shift.