27
Feb 2025
13:17 UTC
Greece Tactical: Nationwide multi-sector strikes, protest in Athens, over Tempi train crash anniversary slated on February 28; avoid nonessential travel
Current Situation
- Reports indicate that large scale multi-sector strikes, and associated protests are slated to take place nationwide, including in Athens, on February 28.
- The strikes and protest actions are being called to mark the second anniversary of the 2023 Tempi train collision and denounce the alleged failure of the government to enact proper safety measures on railways nationwide.
- Multiple unions have called for a large-scale protest at Syntagma Square in Athens at 11:00 (local time) on February 28.
- Additionally, over 300 protests have been scheduled in multiple cities nationwide. Details regarding these protests can be found here (in Greek).
Source: Organizer’s Website
- Multiple unions have called for a large-scale protest at Syntagma Square in Athens at 11:00 (local time) on February 28.
- Additionally, over 300 protests have been scheduled in multiple cities nationwide. Details regarding these protests can be found here (in Greek).
Source: Organizer’s Website
- Unionized public sector workers associated with several unions including the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY) union have called for a 24-hour general strike on February 28.
- The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced that all categories of ships will remain docked as PNO members participate in the 24-hour strike, affecting maritime transport nationwide.
Source: en.protothema.gr
- Unionized public sector workers associated with several unions including the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY) union have called for a 24-hour general strike on February 28.
- The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced that all categories of ships will remain docked as PNO members participate in the 24-hour strike, affecting maritime transport nationwide.
Source: en.protothema.gr
- The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association (HCAA) has announced that air traffic controllers will join the strike, leading to the cancellation of all commercial passenger flights to and from Greek airports on February 28.
Source: apnews.com
- The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association (HCAA) has announced that air traffic controllers will join the strike, leading to the cancellation of all commercial passenger flights to and from Greek airports on February 28.
Source: apnews.com
- Employees of Hellenic Train, the operator of Greece’s railways, will also participate in the strike, reportedly resulting in the suspension of all train services across the country.
Source: ekathimerini.com
- Employees of Hellenic Train, the operator of Greece’s railways, will also participate in the strike, reportedly resulting in the suspension of all train services across the country.
Source: ekathimerini.com
- Bus and trolley workers in Athens have also announced their participation in the one-day strike action. However, the Athens metro will run on a limited schedule between 09:00 to 17:00.
- Taxi drivers associated with the Attica Taxi Drivers’ Union will halt services in the Attica region during the strike but have pledged to offer free transportation to demonstrators attending commemorative events.
Source: ekathimerini.com
- Bus and trolley workers in Athens have also announced their participation in the one-day strike action. However, the Athens metro will run on a limited schedule between 09:00 to 17:00.
- Taxi drivers associated with the Attica Taxi Drivers’ Union will halt services in the Attica region during the strike but have pledged to offer free transportation to demonstrators attending commemorative events.
Source: ekathimerini.com
- Pharmacists associated with the Athens Pharmaceutical Association (FSA) will join the strike. All pharmacies in Athens will close for three hours, from 11:00 to 2:00.
- Pharmacists associated with the Athens Pharmaceutical Association (FSA) will join the strike. All pharmacies in Athens will close for three hours, from 11:00 to 2:00.
- Numerous other professional groups, including lawyers, doctors, teachers, artists, and shop owners, have announced their participation in the strike.
Source: en.protothema.gr
- Numerous other professional groups, including lawyers, doctors, teachers, artists, and shop owners, have announced their participation in the strike.
Source: en.protothema.gr
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on precedent, coupled with social media estimates, the protest in Athens is likely to attract a turnout ranging from the low-to-mid-tens of thousands. Protests over the Tempi collision in other cities are likely to attract turnouts in the range of mid-hundreds to low thousands each.
- Considering heightened sentiments over the issue, coupled with the likely participation of far-left and anarchist activists, these protests carry a heightened risk of unrest. Based on precedent, incidents of unrest are likely to manifest as clashes between protesters and police. Radical far-left groups may throw projectiles, including Molotov cocktails and glass bottles, at security forces. The risk of vandalism targeting nearby property also remains. Notably, in Athens, clashes between protesters and police have been reported outside the Hellenic Parliament building during the January 26 protest over the same issue. Incendiary devices, including smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails, were thrown at police by activists.
- Given this, a bolstered security presence is expected to be deployed near Syntagma Square as a precautionary measure. Authorities are also liable to keep riot police on standby and will respond with forcible crowd control measures, such as the use of batons, tear gas, and mass arrests, in the event of escalating unrest.
- Significant vehicular and pedestrian movement disruptions, including road closures, are anticipated near Syntagma Square in Athens, as well as other protest locations nationwide during slated timings.
- Moreover, given the mobilizational capabilities of the organizing unions, the slated general strike and associated labor actions are also likely to be widely adhered to.
- Consequently, significant disruptions to multiple sectors, including public transportation and aviation, can be anticipated nationwide, on February 28.
- Those operating or residing in Greece should expect delays, cancellations, and long wait times at airports, ports, and healthcare facilities. Disruptions may continue after the strike as businesses manage backlogs. Increased demand for taxis and rental vehicles is expected, along with heavier-than-usual traffic as more commuters rely on personal transport.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Athens on February 28 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near Syntagma Square from the late morning hours onwards due to the high risk of unrest at the slated protest commemorating the Tempi train crash. Allot for associated travel disruptions as well.
- Those operating or residing in Greece are advised to allot for disruptions to rail, air, pharmacy services, and other public services due to the slated work stoppages and labor actions.
- Those intending to travel via Greek airports on February 28 are advised to reconfirm itineraries with the airlines due to the strike action by air traffic control workers in solidarity with the Tempe crash.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Athens, Greece
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- Reports indicate that large scale multi-sector strikes, and associated protests are slated to take place nationwide, including in Athens, on February 28.
- The strikes and protest actions are being called to mark the second anniversary of the 2023 Tempi train collision and denounce the alleged failure of the government to enact proper safety measures on railways nationwide.
- Multiple unions have called for a large-scale protest at Syntagma Square in Athens at 11:00 (local time) on February 28.
- Additionally, over 300 protests have been scheduled in multiple cities nationwide. Details regarding these protests can be found here (in Greek).
Source: Organizer’s Website
- Multiple unions have called for a large-scale protest at Syntagma Square in Athens at 11:00 (local time) on February 28.
- Additionally, over 300 protests have been scheduled in multiple cities nationwide. Details regarding these protests can be found here (in Greek).
Source: Organizer’s Website
- Unionized public sector workers associated with several unions including the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY) union have called for a 24-hour general strike on February 28.
- The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced that all categories of ships will remain docked as PNO members participate in the 24-hour strike, affecting maritime transport nationwide.
Source: en.protothema.gr
- Unionized public sector workers associated with several unions including the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY) union have called for a 24-hour general strike on February 28.
- The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced that all categories of ships will remain docked as PNO members participate in the 24-hour strike, affecting maritime transport nationwide.
Source: en.protothema.gr
- The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association (HCAA) has announced that air traffic controllers will join the strike, leading to the cancellation of all commercial passenger flights to and from Greek airports on February 28.
Source: apnews.com
- The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association (HCAA) has announced that air traffic controllers will join the strike, leading to the cancellation of all commercial passenger flights to and from Greek airports on February 28.
Source: apnews.com
- Employees of Hellenic Train, the operator of Greece’s railways, will also participate in the strike, reportedly resulting in the suspension of all train services across the country.
Source: ekathimerini.com
- Employees of Hellenic Train, the operator of Greece’s railways, will also participate in the strike, reportedly resulting in the suspension of all train services across the country.
Source: ekathimerini.com
- Bus and trolley workers in Athens have also announced their participation in the one-day strike action. However, the Athens metro will run on a limited schedule between 09:00 to 17:00.
- Taxi drivers associated with the Attica Taxi Drivers’ Union will halt services in the Attica region during the strike but have pledged to offer free transportation to demonstrators attending commemorative events.
Source: ekathimerini.com
- Bus and trolley workers in Athens have also announced their participation in the one-day strike action. However, the Athens metro will run on a limited schedule between 09:00 to 17:00.
- Taxi drivers associated with the Attica Taxi Drivers’ Union will halt services in the Attica region during the strike but have pledged to offer free transportation to demonstrators attending commemorative events.
Source: ekathimerini.com
- Pharmacists associated with the Athens Pharmaceutical Association (FSA) will join the strike. All pharmacies in Athens will close for three hours, from 11:00 to 2:00.
- Pharmacists associated with the Athens Pharmaceutical Association (FSA) will join the strike. All pharmacies in Athens will close for three hours, from 11:00 to 2:00.
- Numerous other professional groups, including lawyers, doctors, teachers, artists, and shop owners, have announced their participation in the strike.
Source: en.protothema.gr
- Numerous other professional groups, including lawyers, doctors, teachers, artists, and shop owners, have announced their participation in the strike.
Source: en.protothema.gr
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on precedent, coupled with social media estimates, the protest in Athens is likely to attract a turnout ranging from the low-to-mid-tens of thousands. Protests over the Tempi collision in other cities are likely to attract turnouts in the range of mid-hundreds to low thousands each.
- Considering heightened sentiments over the issue, coupled with the likely participation of far-left and anarchist activists, these protests carry a heightened risk of unrest. Based on precedent, incidents of unrest are likely to manifest as clashes between protesters and police. Radical far-left groups may throw projectiles, including Molotov cocktails and glass bottles, at security forces. The risk of vandalism targeting nearby property also remains. Notably, in Athens, clashes between protesters and police have been reported outside the Hellenic Parliament building during the January 26 protest over the same issue. Incendiary devices, including smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails, were thrown at police by activists.
- Given this, a bolstered security presence is expected to be deployed near Syntagma Square as a precautionary measure. Authorities are also liable to keep riot police on standby and will respond with forcible crowd control measures, such as the use of batons, tear gas, and mass arrests, in the event of escalating unrest.
- Significant vehicular and pedestrian movement disruptions, including road closures, are anticipated near Syntagma Square in Athens, as well as other protest locations nationwide during slated timings.
- Moreover, given the mobilizational capabilities of the organizing unions, the slated general strike and associated labor actions are also likely to be widely adhered to.
- Consequently, significant disruptions to multiple sectors, including public transportation and aviation, can be anticipated nationwide, on February 28.
- Those operating or residing in Greece should expect delays, cancellations, and long wait times at airports, ports, and healthcare facilities. Disruptions may continue after the strike as businesses manage backlogs. Increased demand for taxis and rental vehicles is expected, along with heavier-than-usual traffic as more commuters rely on personal transport.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Athens on February 28 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near Syntagma Square from the late morning hours onwards due to the high risk of unrest at the slated protest commemorating the Tempi train crash. Allot for associated travel disruptions as well.
- Those operating or residing in Greece are advised to allot for disruptions to rail, air, pharmacy services, and other public services due to the slated work stoppages and labor actions.
- Those intending to travel via Greek airports on February 28 are advised to reconfirm itineraries with the airlines due to the strike action by air traffic control workers in solidarity with the Tempe crash.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Athens, Greece
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
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Related Reports
Greece
-
TravelGreece Tactical: Traffic restrictions to be imposed in Central Greece region, including in Athens, due to cycling event on April 4-6; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestGreece Tactical: Several protests over Tempi train collision to be held in Athens on April 5-6; avoid nonessential travel
-
ProtestGreece Tactical: Several protests slated to take place in Athens on March 31- April 2; allot for disruptions
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ProtestEurope Tactical (UPDATE): Protests related to Israel-Hamas conflict to take place in multiple cities on April 1-2; maintain heightened vigilance